If you’re like most players that have never used a 7 or 8 string guitar before, then they probably seem like a bit of a mystery. Sure, you may have seen some guitarists use them, and they look pretty cool. But what actually is the point in having 7 or 8 strings?
In this article, I’ll go through the key differences between 6, 7 and 8 string guitars, I’ll address if they’re harder to play or not, and discuss the pros and cons, plus some other FAQs surrounding 7 and 8 string guitars. So let’s get started!
The Quick Answer
Seven and eight string guitars have either one or two extra low strings than 6 string guitars. This means you can play more notes on them. So the 7 string standard tuning is BEADGBA and the standard 8 string tuning is F#BEADBGA. Seven and eight string guitars are popular with metal guitarists because it allows you to play lower notes but without having to down tune.
The main disadvantages of having the extra string or two, are that it makes them more difficult to play on, and there are fewer tabs available, so you’ll need more knowledge of music theory to get the most out of them.
Difference Between 6, 7 and 8 String Guitars
Okay, so probably the best way to understand exactly why some players use 7 and 8 string guitars, is to discuss what actually makes them different from their 6 string counterparts, besides the obvious.
There are several features that having and extra string or two affects. These include: the tuning, nut width, scale length, neck profile, and the frets. I’ll go through each of these individually now.
tuning
Okay, so the most obvious difference between having 6, 7, 8 strings on your guitar, is the tuning. On 7 and 8 string guitars, you have the capability of playing more notes, than you would on a 6 string guitar. This is because the 7th and 8th strings are tuned differently.
The extra strings are tuned lower than the lowest string on 6 string guitars. Usually, the 7th string is tuned B, on standard tuning, so the tuning would be BEADGBA. On 8 string guitars, the standard tuning F#BEADGBE, so the 8th string is used as the F# string.
Having these extra strings allows you to play lower notes than you would be able to on a 6 string guitar in standard tuning. This is good if you want to play using very low notes, that a 6 string in drop tuning can’t normally handle.
It’s quite difficult to drop tune a 6 string to drop C or drop B without running into intonation problems. Having the extra bass strings on a 7 or 8 string guitars, allows you to play these extra notes, and the longer scale length prevents intonation problems.
scale length
One of the biggest differences between 6, 7 and 8 string guitars, besides having an extra string or two, is the scale length. This is the distance between the start of the headstock, and the bridge of the guitar.
Most 7 and 8 string guitars have much longer scale length than 6 string guitars. Most 6 string guitars have a scale length of between 24 and 26 inches. For example, the Les Paul has a scale length of 24.75″ and the Strat and Tele have a scale length of 25.5″.
Whereas 7 and 8 string guitars typically have a scale length of 27 inches an above. This definitely affects playability. It will cause your arm to have to stretch farther to play lower notes on the fret board, which some players can find quite uncomfortable.
nut width
To compensate for the extra strings, 7 and 8 string guitars usually have a larger nut width than 6 string guitars. Otherwise, the strings would be too close together, making it difficult to fret individual strings.
A larger nut width, means a wider fret board. Some players can find it difficult to play on these wider neck widths, as your fingers will have to stretch farther to reach the lower notes. This is usually more of an issue when stood up than sat down.
neck profile
Generally, 7 and 8 string guitars tend to have a thinner neck profile than 6 string guitars.
This compensates for having a wider fretboard. Having a more shallow neck profile makes it faster to play on, so makes it easier to shred and play quick riffs and power chords. So players prefer this flatter neck radius, but others find that it feels and bit weak and thin. It’s all personal preference when it comes to playability.
frets
You’ll also notice that the frets look a bit different on 7 and 8 string guitars. Typically you’ll find that the frets are wider, and sometimes fanned.
The fanned frets allow you to reduce the tension of the higher strings, and put greater tension on the lower strings. This does two things. 1. It makes it easier to bend higher strings. 2. It gives the low strings a deeper and fuller sound.
Are 7 and 8 String Guitars Harder to Play?
So one of the biggest questions guitarists have about 7 and 8 strings, is centred around playability. Of course, the sound of a guitar is super important, but if it’s a nightmare to play on, then it’ll end up sounding pretty terrible anyway.
Generally, 7 and 8 string guitars are more difficult to play on than 6 string guitars. This comes down to a few things.
- You have to learn how to use the extra lower strings that you won’t be used to on a 6 string guitar.
- The scale length is longer so you’ll have to stretch your arm longer.
- 7 and 8 string guitars usually have a wider fret board, which can make it hard to reach the lower strings if you have small hands, especially when playing stood up.
- The extra strings can make it harder to palm mute as you need to cover a larger surface area.
- You’ll find that the strings are usually closer together on the fretboard, meaning you’ll need to be more accurate when trying to fret notes.
This is typically why you won’t see beginners, or even intermediate guitarists sporting a 7 or 8 string guitar.
Pros and Cons
So now you know a bit more about the difference between 6, 7 and 8 strings, let’s move onto the pros and cons of having those extra strings.
Pros of 7 and 8 string guitars
- The extra strings allow you to play extra notes which is useful for arpeggios.
- You can play lower notes without having to down tune your guitar.
- You can use the extra string to play notes in different positions to make it easier to move around the fret board.
cons of 7 and 8 string guitars
- They are more difficult to play on for most guitarists.
- There are fewer tabs compatible with 7 and 8 string guitars.
- You’ll need more knowledge of music theory to be able to use a 7 and 8 string guitar properly.
Should you Go for 7 or 8 Strings?
So if you’ve decided that you’re interested in having the extra string or two, than you’re probably wondering whether you should go all out and get an 8 string guitar, or just stick with 7.
It’s usually easier for players who are used to 6 string guitars, to transition to a 7 string rather than jump straight to 8 strings. This is because you’ll find them easier to play on, there are more tabs available, and it’s easier to get used to having the extra string and learning what to do with it.
The only reason you would need 8 strings, is if you’re really after that extra range. This is usually only necessary if you are writing your own songs, as it can be great fun to design riffs that incorporate that 8th string. However, the majority of players will do just fine with 7 strings.
Who Plays 7 and 8 String Guitars?
Okay, so who actually plays 7 and 8 string guitars? There aren’t too many players that use them, and most are from the metal scene. Here’s a quick list of some of the most famous guitarists that have been seen playing with 7 and 8 strings.
- Steve Vai
- Stephen Carpenter from Deftones
- Alex Wade from Whitechapel
- James Shaffer from Korn
- John Petrucci from Dream Theatre
Which Brands Make 7 and 8 String Guitars?
Usually, the metal guitar manufacturers are the ones that you’ll see making 7 and 8 string guitars. Here are some of the most well known brands.
Ibanez
Ibanez are a huge electric guitar brand that manufacture models for a range of different styles, but they’re probably best known for producing guitars geared for metal players. They’re probably best known for their RG series and JEM series which are played by loads of pro guitarists. They manufacture models for all price points, from entry-level, to custom shop.
SCHECTER
This is another highly-regarded metal guitar manufacturer that produces primarily mid-high end electric guitars. Their most recognised model is the Hellraiser which comes in 6, 7 and 8 string variations with a long scale-length, jumbo frets and loaded EMG pickups.
JACKSON
Jackson guitars are well known for being amazing for metal. The entire brand is geared towards metal guitarists, so it’s no surprise they produce some of the best models out there. The Soloist and Dinky are two very well known metal guitars, that cater to a range of different price points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t worry if you still have some more questions about the extra string or two. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about seven and eight string guitars.
do you need play chords differently on 7 and 8 string guitars?
Yes, because you have an extra lower string, you’ll need to play open chords in different positions to get them to sound right. It depends on the chord, but there are plenty of resources out there that will shown you the correct positioning.
Power chords are less complicated though. If you use standard tuning, you’ll be able to play the power chords normally, by muting the 7th or 8th string. You can also utilise these strings to allow you to play your power chords differently.
what are 7 and 8 string guitars commonly used for?
Seven and eight string guitars are most frequently used for metal. This is because a lot of metal guitars play lower notes than you can play using standard tuning on a 6 string guitar. Having the extra lower strings, allows you to play this lower notes, without down tuning, so you’re still able to use higher notes on the rest of the strings.
So there you go! That’s everything you should know about 7 and 8 string electric guitars! I hope you’ve found this article helpful, thanks for reading. Here are some other posts you might find useful: