Beautiful! If it had 9 strings it would be my dream guitar.
Capos: There is a Swedish system called Chordinero http://chordinero.com/ that allows to use a capo very flexible string by string. They also have an 8 string version now: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3eaH3sAjLt/?igshid=1f5zi1n9jat7q
I didn't know about Spuler guitars, but it's great to see the idea in action there. Rick Toone's 8-string "Blur 8XR" he built for Tosin Abasi has a built in capo like that too.
Thank you for your help!
Yes, a 30'' guitar with 2 more frets on each string would be an option, too. But I want the higher 7 to feel as "standard" as possible, as I am really used to that.
There are a couple of 7-string and 8-string classical acoustic guitar models available. With concepts like the Yepes guitar (10-string) or the Swedish alto guitar (11-, 12- or 13-string) [link1 link2] there are even many models with 10 or more strings, although the additional strings are usually...
One quick question: If I would buy an Agile 930 (30'' 9 string guitar) and put a 7-string nut on the higher part of the 2nd fret. Do you think that would work? I think the second fret is at around 26,73''.
Yes, that's how my "normal" RG9 ist tuned and how I play it every day: BEBEADGBE, so I have the bass B and E as open notes. But there I have the drop between second and third string (7-string B).
Do you know of any 30'' or 31'' 9-string guitar model with 26 frets? With that your idea would be easily realizable for me. One could even put a fix 7-string nut on the second fret position of the high 7 strings
Wow, thank you so much for the details. It seems as if my dream isn't so far from becoming reality. Your concept model looks amazing. Could you give me a hint with whom you cooperated on this?
Yes, exactly! You can play a nice open D. And third fret on the D string is E, in regular/standars position to the other strings. If you would capo the extended strings on the third fret you have a guitar in standard tuning
When I started playing 9-string guitar, I was trying out a couple of tunings until I found what I consider best for me: BEBEADGBE (7 string standard + drop E, as many 8-string players are using it, + another B, the same as on a 5-string bass). This tuning is merging the best parts of a 5-string...
Here are a some tunings, based on the idea that the 9-string guitar merges electric guitar and electric bass in on instrument:
BEBEADGBE (standard 7-string + 2 lowest strings of a 5-string bass)
BEAEADGBE (standard 6-string + 3 lowest strings of a 5-string bass)
BEADADGBE (5 strings of standard...
Wow, this is exactly what I was looking for! That's just perfect.
I think I will have to purchase Sibelius then. Pity that Guitar Pro 7 does not provide the function for a notation like that that totally makes sense for extended range guitars.
Extended range in the lower register also means more and more ledger lines when using the treble clef, as it is standard for guitar. The low B of my BEBEADGBE-tuned gutiar means 8 ledger lines which could get a little confusing. As we are deep in the bass range there, it might be helpful to use...
Just as a little update after all your help:
My tuning is now
BEBEADGBE.
And I feel very comfortable with that. I think this will be my standard tuning for my 9-string.
String gauges are:
110, 90, 64, 46, 34, 24, 16, 11, 9
110 and 90 are bass strings. The tension from E to E is great. B0...
Thanks for your advice, @PBC, and the note on potential problems with the string ferrule. That's something I have not thought about...
The Kalium strings have not yet arrived. But I have an "Ernie Ball 9-String Slinky" set here with a .105. Do you use that for your B? How's your experience with...
Thank you guys for your feedback!
@Winspear @Halowords :
What string gauges would you recommend for BEADGCFAD on my 28" RG9?
Plus: Is there a six string set for D tuning you could recommend?
Thanks in advance.
There had been a thread with a similar name a couple of years ago. And I remember many discussing — and being sure — that 9 string guitars would be 8 strings with an additional high a (or g string) when they become more "mainstream". Now we have the RG9 for the masses (I own one myself) and its...
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Pic 01) ESP LTD FM-408
Pic 02) ESP LTD FM-408
Pic 03) ESP LTD FM-408
It's an eight-string guitar with a ridiculous 25,5'' scale. I think (and when you look at the strings on the pictures you'll see) it's for using a high A.
Pic 04) Extended range bass with "Trace Elliot" wall...