Moving Into 8-String Playing, Seeking Recommendations for Strings Etc.

[John Chadwick]

Hi Steelies,
Just picked up a very inexpensive 8-string and am excited. I have been playing six-string for about five years. For the new instrument, I plan to continue playing mostly in C6 while occasionally using A6 and E7.

There are sets for each of those tunings at the Forum Store, and I am sure any would work fine as the gauges are similar. Just wondering what you eight-string players typically prefer.
A few other quick questions. Sorry if they sound dumb. I still have a lot to learn.

1: The 8-string C6 sets at the Forum Store are "semi-flat." I get what that means, but wondering how they sound.

2: Do any C6 players use the tuning with the high G on top? I am probably sticking with the E on top, but just wondering if I am missing out on anything. (I do use the Cindy Cashdollar instruction video, among many other learning sources. She uses the high G. I have already learned a lot from her course on a six string without the high G, but sometimes I think it might be nice to try. Though I see from other threads that the high G can sound tinny.)

3: I still use an old dobro bar. Do eight-string players use long bars to cover more of the width of the neck?

Thank you all for reading my posts and sharing your expertise. I really appreciate it.

[Tim Whitlock]

1. I use the SIT Semi Flats on all my steels. They sound good and the semi flat surface reduces bar friction and noise. They play quicker, smoother and quieter.

2. I prefer C6 with an E (3rd) on top. You can retune the same set of strings to A6 and you have a 5th (E) on top. Same tuning as C6 with a G on top, but in A.

3. I use a 7/8" x 3" bullet nose bar. Works fine for eight string.

[John Chadwick]

1. I use the SIT Semi Flats on all my steels. They sound good and the semi flat surface reduces bar friction and noise. They play quicker, smoother and quieter.

2. I prefer C6 with an E (3rd) on top. You can retune the same set of strings to A6 and you have a 5th (E) on top. Same tuning as C6 with a G on top, but in A.

3. I use a 7/8" x 3" bullet nose bar. Works fine for eight string.

Thank you Tim Whitlock!

[Paul Strojan]

For me, when I moved to eight string C6, I found I was still basically playing 6 string C6 as there aren’t much 8 string tab available. Sitting at a pedal steel, I found the re-entrant D very helpful for melody playing and that is why I think that the first extra string should be a D on top. For the second extra string, either a re-entrant B would be useful or a low string that could be tuned to Bb or A.

[Glenn Wilde]

I tried the C6 on my 8 string Fender Deluxe and didn't really bond with it, I much prefer A6, dunno why, it just works better for me. I put Thomastik Infeld (expensive)flats on it years ago and they're still good.

[D Schubert]

I started out playing hi-bass G on dobro and steel, went to C6 with high G because it was familiar intervals on top, will often re-tune the low A to Bb for C13 tuning. I like a grooved bar, especially the heavy Shubb Robert Randolph model. Experimentation is part of the journey.

[John Chadwick]

For me, when I moved to eight string C6, I found I was still basically playing 6 string C6 as there aren’t much 8 string tab available. Sitting at a pedal steel, I found the re-entrant D very helpful for melody playing and that is why I think that the first extra string should be a D on top. For the second extra string, either a re-entrant B would be useful or a low string that could be tuned to Bb or A.

Thank you!

[John Chadwick]

I tried the C6 on my 8 string Fender Deluxe and didn't really bond with it, I much prefer A6, dunno why, it just works better for me. I put Thomastik Infeld (expensive)flats on it years ago and they're still good.

Agreed. I do find I have an immediate comfort with the way things are laid out in A6 that I didn't have with C6, especially on the 8 string. That said, I am probably in C6 more often because of the abundance of instructional materials. Thank you!

[John Chadwick]

I started out playing hi-bass G on dobro and steel, went to C6 with high G because it was familiar intervals on top, will often re-tune the low A to Bb for C13 tuning. I like a grooved bar, especially the heavy Shubb Robert Randolph model. Experimentation is part of the journey.

Thank you. I will have to try that C13, when I get the courage!