I Spent 7 Days with an 8 String Guitar! Meet the Machines with Ben Eller

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In the clean tone section, i played an excerpt of a song i wrote with my old band ARC. Find Replicant and other juicy jams here: www.soundcloud.com/officialarc
Hey guys! Its your good buddy Uncle Ben Eller here with a brand new episode of Meet the Machines! On today's video, i'm bringing you along on a musical odyssey for my first week with an 8 string guitar! I've played 7's for years, but this Skervesen Raptor 8 is a totally different animal! 26-28 inch fanned fret design, Bare Knuckle Nailbomb pickups, a dreamy neck profile, and so much more.
In this video, i'll give you details on the specs of the Skervy, my tone tips and overdrive/boost recommendations to tighten up your tone, my observations on scale and chord extensions using the 8th string, Animals as Leaders / Tosin Abasi-style thumping demonstration, obligatory Meshuggah riffs, and a whole lot more! Its been a super fun week with this thing, and i'm excited to share it with you!!!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching my journey through my first week with an 8 string guitar!!! Do YOU play an 8 string guitar? If so, what make/model do you have?

Im looking to get a 7 string. But first comes the bass and amp.

[@hectoriii8603]

Schecter ATX 8 with Blackouts.

[@Laszlo_Panaflex]

Ibanez RG8. I love the tones, but I've always wanted to try a multiscale version.

[@CrisRYMER]

I have a Jackson DKA8 that's been my main for like 7 years. I put some switches in it for single coil and parallel and I end up using it for everything, even R&B or funkier stuff. Recommended mod for sure!

[@yawarmukhtar4578]

Javier Reyes signature JR 208

[@joeyzee]

Not gonna lie, RATT on an 8 string is pretty amazing, lol

[@zachiswayposi1]

Yeah, I don't understand how that got so substantially better. Haha

[@samquitkin338]

I like that version better than the normal one!

[@beyer66]

Not as good as Bonnie Raitt 🤣

[@diamondh4mr458]

Yeah... we need a full song on that, updated drums and vocals too

[@EBjeebies1081]

As soon as he hit that D major augmented chord my heart went “hahahh wheee”

[@SATVARA6495]

As kmac once said, these djent kids are evolving at an accelerated pace

[@Corgifunni]

tosin abasi by himself makes the existence of an 8 string guitar worth it

[@scottwill19]

Don’t forget Marten and Fredrik from Meshuggah!

[@THEshaggyrogers]

Scott Pantera and deftones (diamond eyes, koi no yokan and gore)

[@steffomca762]

Also Joshua Travis (Glass Cloud, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza)

[@the_ratman_]

I died at the "just ask your mother" bit. Probably laughed for like 2 minutes straight from the dead stare.

[@gravelrhoads]

I actually slow clapped for as long as he paused after he said that.

[@matti_738]

5:09 Round and Round with 8 strings sounds like swedish melodic death metal

[@jorge0358]

I get In Flames vibes from it

[@thatsameenergy]

It actually sounds pretty damn good too

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@thatsameenergy I guess Combination Rock Bands/Choirs with extended Vocal ranges could sing it in that Key.

[@blahdelablah]

Just to throw a suggestion out there, Charlie Hunter was using an 8-string guitar to play jazz back in the mid 90s. To give an example, check out the Charlie Hunter Trio cover of Come As You Are, you can hear Charlie Hunter playing all the guitar and bass parts at the same time.

[@BigArmBoss]

Plus he has that rotary sound to fool you into thinking there's an organ in the band.

[@robwallace4992]

@@BigArmBoss Tell it like it is to these youngbloods brother, there aint nothin new under the sun, cats been doin this for years. ABASI got his thumpin tech from REGGIE WOOTIN ( Victor's Brother). He started doing that on 6 string back in the 70's.

[@TheBanana93]

I think they weren't so widely used in metal until meshugga bought them to the forefront due to the tech not being able to handle distortion and stuff. I am talking out my ass but my beest guess!

[@blahdelablah]

@@TheBanana93 Popularising is different from pioneering, both are important but they're different. For example, Eddie Van Halen wasn't the first guitarist to use two-handed tapping, it had been done in jazz before, but he was the person that did the most to popularise it.

[@ctrlaltbang9883]

5:08 OMG it sounds so good.

[@justcantshred]

8 strings alright, the leopard print sneakers though...

[@BenEller]

CheetahAdidas! Or CheetAdidas? You decide!

[@jsneed7207]

Those sneaks are the Baller Editions. Great playing, love the vid. Been wanting to see a 8 string vid like this for awhile. This is what's up!

[@scientia4866]

true, but I was more surprised by the hair on the floor - does uncle Ben own a dog or does he already get grey hair? :D

[@allboutthemojo]

@@BenEller is the step down tuning normal tuning for an 8 string? I don't know anything about it. Was just curious if it has to be tuned differently. The growl sounds amazing and the instrument looks bad*ss!

[@LarryCorban]

The leopard skin sneakers rock!! 🤘

[@Check_For_Response]

I just want to say “Damn You” for making me order a custom made Skervesen 8 String Raptor just a few moments ago... now the wait begins.

[@Check_For_Response]

TIL that there’s a 15 month turnaround on the build. Oh well! First payment went in today

[@cam9144]

Hikurangi France LOL that sucks

[@jaksooon]

How much that gonna set you back?

[@miskatonicuniversityavclub202]

@@jaksooon they typically run about 2500 i think, i am saving for an aristides 080s now, gonna be about 4500 but so worth it.

[@Owtyg23]

You get it yet?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I'd love to see an updated and revised lesson on how to do that slap and pop technique cause that's the sound I really like to produce in songs like 24K magic.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Link to the Updated Slap and Pop lesson

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Let me know how it comes out Ben Eller. Tosin Abasi prefers the Fanned Fret design on an 8 String Guitar because it balances out the tension. You could play Telephone by Lady Gaga on this Guitar (F# Minor sounds as the Original Key F Minor) in a new cover because extended Range Guitars are great for everything.

[@bob420ert]

Tosin has done tutorials and such for it before, just go look it up dog

[@drphalanges1520]

Completely agree about fanned frets. I'm a bassist and I have a multiscale 4 string that I use for drop C and lower. I can use the same gauge strings as my regular bass and play lower. If I tune my other bass down like that it gets floppy and muddy fast.

[@thepublicimage660]

Please record Round and Round with that 8 string. That guitar made that song ten times way more menacing.

[@jackvai2681]

SKERVESEN instruments are works of contemporary art.

[@Jotun184]

That thump section was beautiful, new lesson would def be cool

[@ryanmiller4217]

Also that riff at 9:40 is fucking SICK dude, I could totally imagine a killer drum groove over it 😍

[@kerbalscuffedprogram4705]

It sounds a lot like animals as leaders

[@robwallace4992]

that IS A RIFF from AAL.

[@cranx1668]

The moment I heard it I tried to tab it, I think I got it right!

[@Solo-gx2xc]

whats the song@@phcs93

[@yorkiel7446]

@@phcs93i swear i heard it on weightless this morning i cant remember tho

[@mohitrahaman]

But but thats not the way, you need to spend 7 days with a 7 string guitar and 8 days with an 8 string.

[@BenEller]

touche!

[@mohitrahaman]

@@BenEller I will see you after 20 days.

[@luisrosario3781]

@@mohitrahaman I see someone is a djent aficionado...

[@static_motion]

That thumping technique is on point man! Beautiful axe. I got a budget Harley Benton 8 string a few months ago and it's been the most fun I've had on guitar in years. One day I'll be able to spring for an Abasi guitar...

[@robwallace4992]

Don't waste your money, just spend your time mastering the HARLY BENTON, you will really thank yourself a year from now. The gear heads want to propagate the MYTH that you can buy your way to a great sound. JUST MASTER WHAT YOU HAVE, you can do it if you try.

[@EidasMusic]

2 days ago I ordered a Harley Benton 8 string that only cost €190. Is it the same one you got?

[@static_motion]

@@EidasMusic Probably! Mine is the R-458 fanfret, in white. It cost closer to 160€ back then, but prices have gone higher across the board recently so it might have gotten more expensive.

[@EidasMusic]

@@static_motion Yeah that's the one. I got the white variant too. Can't wait or it to arrive. I expect it to have a lot of problems, but it can't be much worse than the guitars I currently use.

[@static_motion]

@@EidasMusic Mine came with a poorly cut nut (8th string slot wasn't deep enough so it popped out if I hit it too hard) and a poorly seated 24th fret, but that's about it as far as issues went. Nothing that rendered it unplayable. HB's quality control has been improving AFAIK so hopefully you won't have these issues. I ended up taking it to a luthier to take care of the above issues + get a pro setup done, and I installed locking tuners and Fishman Fluence Abasi signature pickups. It absolutely sings and I love the hell out of it.

[@JackKapral]

It's beyond obvious we want to see the update on slap and pop techniques! :D What a silly question to ask!

[@DoodlesHD719]

Funny this is up. I just rode with my 8 string in a van for 12 hours. We've never been closer. Schecter Blackjack in Walnut Satin (I have the model no longer in production), Seymour Duncan Blackouts, Tuning EAEADGBE

[@awesomeness55]

Dude, that thumb technique sounds sick! Your first lesson on that is how I got into that in the first place. An updated lesson seems to be in order given that you're way better at that than the first video leads on...

[@rapiercharizard]

Shouldve played smoke on the water intro at 3am for an hour so your neighbors could appreciate that beast

[@rubysecules1312]

Yes! Please do a new lesson on the slapping technique!

[@privettk]

More slap and thumb lessons please! Also love that you got a Skervesen, they've been my favorite for so long

[@joe429t]

I’ve always had a fantasy about having an uncle younger than me and here you are Uncle Ben

[@AlefSousa017]

5:09 Damn, 8 string version Unchained sounds KILLER!

[@BenEller]

It’s wasn’t Unchained, try again ;)

[@AlefSousa017]

@@BenEller Shit, I'm dumb, it's Round and Round hahahah. At least I got the INSPIRATION for Round and Round right, hahahaha

[@Colt48rock]

I thought it was we close our eyes by go West. But now I know it wasn't and all I want to hear is an 8 string version of that riff....

[@bgm9517]

"Big or small I like em all" One of the best out of context quotes I've found this year

[@Louzahsol]

I just built my own 8 string. It’s my first 8 string guitar and I love the black winter I put in the bridge

[@LouAdipietro]

Great seeing a Skervesen here dude! Im an Ormsby player myself but Ive heard great things.. ide love to see one up here. Looking killer 🤘

[@alexandereisen3486]

“Big or small I like them all” yeah my first girlfriend used to say that a lot too.

[@davereith54]

You playing whitesnake and Ratt with that guitar, watching your face, was all I needed today to cheer me up!! Thanks Uncle Ben!!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The 10 String Electric Guitar start out at 27 in on the High E & goes down to 30 in (3 inches more) on the Low G# String. The fanned fret design is fantastic cause for something that's going down almost 2 Octaves below a Standard Guitar such as that 10 String (Low G3), the Fanned Fret design really balances out the tension.

[@theseth5194]

That riff by Ratt does not get enough love. But I suppose that’s part of the joy in hearing it those rare times it comes up.

[@svarthelikoptern]

I'm a leftie but I a "normal" 8-string guitar for right-handed players. I just can't get the thumping down yet. Would be amazing if you did an updated lesson with a lots of exercises to practice thumb/index/middle finger coordination.

[@T0XICMASCULINITY]

I got the biggest smile when you basked in the glory of the almighty 8th. That was literally me when I first played mine.

[@TobyKBTY]

Blackened and the Animal sounded FUCKING AWESOME on an 8, holy shit

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Guitars and Basses with Fanned frets kinda makes me think of how a Piano, a Harp, or even a Harpsichord is designed with Short Treble Strings and Long Bass Strings cause it balances out the tension to get a great sound. The problems with a single scale length is that too short wouldn't be enough tension for the Bass Strings and too long would be too tight for the Treble Strings, so fanned frets solves that problem.

[@HowieStephens]

Never heard anyone make that comparison to a piano before but that's exactly right!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@HowieStephens It's also like another instrument in which the fan fret design came from, it's called Orpharion basically a Metal strung Lute. Famed frets go back many years

[@DragonFlopp]

Every time I've picked up an 8 string, which is only a handful of times, I couldn't get into it. I think I agree that fanned frets might be a necessity on 8 strings, because I always felt the lower strings were too floppy. And I really dig the different non-metal applications you demonstrated. That funk groove was awesome! I like seeing extended range guitars being used for more than just low chugging.

[@HenriLaroco]

2 of my favourite things in the world in one video: Uncle Ben and Skervesen Guitars 😍

[@xF1revolution]

I have a Skerv 4AP and that piece of ebony that mutes the strings is a very nice touch

[@kylereece1979]

LOVED the Seinfeld theme heard, when you were slappin the strings! I think too, I recognized some Animals as Leaders in the slap demonstration aswell. Awesome stuff. And Ill also add to the comments that the riffs you tried out sounded great- especially Ratt! I think you should cover the whole Round and Round with the 8 string and upload the video!

[@davidmcauliffe8692]

That acoustic circuit is pretty impressive with the chorus and delay. I can imagine me composing some nice instrumentals with that set-up. Old school jazz used a different type of 8 string. 🤔

[@itdwellswithin]

This is one of those videos on which once I stumble upon, I keep coming back to view it again lol. Amazing demonstration, insights, educational, entertaining, fun.... you covered so many things and more! And the highlight....every tone that came out of this guitar was just so juicy and "delicious"....couldnt find more appropriate words than those lol. Thanks for making this!

[@PaulKingMetal]

I have a Kiesel 8 string guitar 27.5 to 26 inch and it's super comfortable. Never had a problem playing the beast. 😉👍

[@redith24]

Avon sounded pretty rad with the 8 string 🤘🏻 Josh Homme sure writes some killer riffs

[@aaaargl]

out on the streets, thats where ben and the 8 string meets

[@Igneous_Tone_Generator]

I'm a 20+ year 6 string player and I'm grabbing an 8 string multiscale this weekend. After watching this vid, I'm giddy like a kid waiting for Christmas or something.

[@vitalepitts]

Ben I don't catch every video but I've gotta say I've never been bored by one that I have clicked on, thanks for keeping me interested in my passion

[@Nicmccu]

Uncle Ben has the slap/thump DOWN. Gosh darn

[@opaque236]

Damn ur slapping is godly

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

So too short is too loose for the lower notes, & too long is too brittle for the thinner strings, but fanned frets & multi-scale neck solves that problem which makes all the strings sound super familiar.

[@velomgiri]

9:20 Infinite Regression 😵 mind blown

[@mindscrub]

Dude, Whitesnake, Crying In the Rain on an 8...never though I'd hear that. Awesome.

[@BenEller]

It’s weirdly cool!!!!

[@DannyMck]

Round and round sounded killer too

[@brinepacer]

"man, he should have done this intro with the eight string.... Oh wait..."

[@miskatonicuniversityavclub202]

this is my favorite intro so far, and i love all of em. especially the aesthetics the megaman and castlevania imagery is best combo of retro games possible.

[@PartialS]

I can't seem to separate The good times from the bad That might trigger a nostalgic binge, cheers Uncle Ben.

[@MrNotYet1]

I bought my first 7 string last week, can't wait for it to arrive

[@andrewlevistermma]

At least he didn’t instantly attempt Bleed by Meshuggah like most 8 string noobs do.

[@Cestariarts]

That's so stupid right? The first note is a D# a 6 strings guitar would do the job. As 99.9% won't get the rhythm correctly to the point where the 8th string is used in the song

[@crowing3886]

Bleed is easily one of their hardest songs on 8 string though lol

[@andrewlevistermma]

Shawn Mitchell yeah you’re forearms need to be jacked to play that fast

[@wesleyzimmerman94]

@@andrewlevistermma It's not the speed, it's the rhythm at that speed that gets you

[@andrewlevistermma]

@@wesleyzimmerman94 Yep. It’s the precision too, especially in the middle of the song.

[@chewybang]

Avon - QOTSA! Round and Round - Ratt

[@BenEller]

best riff ever!!!

[@nihlhinz488]

Thanks for the info with the fan frets you explained it perfect. That ask your mom joke was Awsome! Keep up the good Lords work Uncle been.

[@roborracle]

the pet hair at 7:34 - I love it! I've got 2 dogs and thought I was the only one with stuff like that..

[@apoplexiamusic]

riffs: Queens of the Stone Age - Avon Metallica - Blackened ? - ? Steve Vai - The Animal a song from Fantasia? a Van Halen song?

[@MrFeeshMan]

that song from fantasia is hall of the mountain king

[@jdcaporali]

Before the Animal, he plays Cryin' in the Rain by Whitesnake. That song that sounds kind of "Unchained" is Round n' Round by Ratt (which btw the 8 string version sounds great!)

[@spanco666]

Before The Animal sounded more like Hair of the dog by Nazareth

[@risingpower]

spanco666 yup

[@apoplexiamusic]

Avon and most of the tunes from QOTSA’s first album are so amazing

[@ashutoshJMJK]

Would love to see more Thumping videos!

[@NahtramMetal]

Beautiful axe! I'm glad Skervesen are getting a bit more exposure, they deserve it.

[@s8nlx661]

Hahaha...my first week with an 8 string, coincidentally was my last week with an 8 string. I remember my first couple Meshugah jams, I even tried to get Kirk Hammett to play a solo over it like Meshugah and sent him a message...... im sure he'll get back to me soon. Im thinking 10 years is the magic number and were at 11...so any day now...

[@timothymckane6362]

Everyone: "Get a nine string guitar next!" Ben Eller: "No, I don't think I will."

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There also fanned fret agile 9 and 10 string (even 11 string guitars going up to A4 same as a Tenor Guitar

[@theresnomich5954]

"I'm really not all that picky about thiccness," Ben Eller 2020

[@ANCAPVoluntaryist]

I know and appreciate that you entertainers have to make a living but that's the first time ever I had 10 commercials breaks on one KZbin video. It made me scream. Thanks for the in-depth review.

[@mohamedelhassen7762]

9:40 YOOOO THAT SOUNDS SO GOOD

[@daddydoop1628]

""Big or small, I like them all" - Ben Eller 2020 (2:44)

[@Cade411]

“just ask your mother” good lord

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

As a matter of fact because I'm updating my 4 String Cigar Box Guitar into a 6 String tuned down an octave, fanned frets are a good upgrade.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

All extended range Guitars and Basses even if they're homemade out of a Cigar Box or anything else fanned frets are a must have because the tension will be more balanced.

[@ToxicTerrance]

That "Just ask your mother" line is fecken killing me. 🤣🤣

[@positionthepositron]

I wasn't ready bro 💀😂

[@ToxicTerrance]

@Wrdn54

[@07rodrigez]

Satchel wants his shoes back!

[@bloozman66]

Love the high notes. So full and chimney and sweet! Not brittle at all.

[@BenEller]

Yeah that’s the real advantage of the fanned fret design; everything is so much more even.

[@Coles-bootleg-vids]

Yes, please do an updated lesson on the slap, pop, and thump techniques. I've kinda been getting into Animals As Leaders recently and the techniques that Tosin and Javier use just amaze me.

[@LouAdipietro]

4:21 is blackened or should I say "eightened"

[@joeconti3599]

I've got a strandberg metal 8 and a Schecter banshee elite 8...will probably never sell them

[@joeconti3599]

Edit...strandberg tuned to drop E Schecter tuned to F A# F A# D# F A# D# just think of 7 string drop A# in a DADGAD tuning with an extra low F....John Browne uses it so I fkn use it lol

[@jennyprorock]

Nice. Intimidating af to me. The fanned frets look cool af too.

[@BrandonKJohnson]

Oh my!! I loved the 8 string version of ROUND AND ROUND !!!

[@trasksloan2251]

A moment of silence for those leopard print kicks please.

[@BenEller]

A beautiful and nearly extinct species!

[@trasksloan2251]

Ben Eller you’re the Jane Goodall of exquisite footwear. Keep going the good work sir. Also, some Leprous on that new fangled 8 string fiddle would be pretty dope.

[@skipkelton]

More car horn is needed

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Ben Eller These extended range Guitars are fantastic cause transposing songs to every key is so much easier.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

That Low pitched Twang kinda reminds me of music written by Ennio Morricone & he sadly died, so the 8 String Guitar will really shed light on him.

[@raymartinez5389]

ur thumping is nuts. do lessons i need to get better at it

[@bestboy897]

Its a bass and guitar all in one 😂

[@gkennedy]

round and round sounded awesome!!

[@CharlieTheSupersaurus]

My goodness, that slap 8 string segment was juicy.

[@bullZz24]

A little rusty he says.... 😞

[@danieloconnor8679]

playing an eight string, wearing a Ramones shirt? I'm so confused...

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I also have an 8 String Guitar but I tune mine down a half step so that it's easier for me to sing the high notes without straining my voice.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Ben Eller The fun thing about Extended range Guitars & Basses is that the additional Strings facilitate transposing so you can match the ranges of other musicians & singers especially on Church Gigs. So something like an Agile 10 String Electric is a fantastic Axe for Church Gigs.

[@erginatalar2931]

The auto translater translated from "eights" to "AIDS"... Heey I play an AIDS string guitar :D

[@quantumfoam140]

That would be the George Michael signature model.

[@masonmcmanus4601]

my god, 9:39 my jaw dropped that is so tasty and is the first thing i'm learning when i get my 8 string back!

[@sicroyalty]

round n round in low f# is *chef's kiss*

[@h1tsb1unt]

First time commenting, just want to start out by saying thanks for all the videos man, really helps a lot of us better our playing! But also, welcome to the 8 string family. 8 string is my go to axe nowadays, so I'm excited to see my favorite guitar youtuber messing around with one. You should try out EAEADGBE tuning, its my favorite for multiple reasons. 1. It plays like a 7 string in drop A, perfect for if you spent a lot of time on a 7 playing in that tuning (which I did). 2. Scales and runs are super easy to transpose, as you just repeat what you did on the E and A strings. 3. It's like a bass and a guitar all in one, which is super fun if you have a looper pedal. You can make your own backing tracks in minutes. No matter what you do with it, I'm sure it'll be bad ass. Keep shredding man!

[@BaldPerspective]

That super low rendition of "Hair of the Dog" is literally the best thing I've heard in a few months lmao; thank you for that.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Ben Eller This instrument bypasses the need to put really heavy gauge strings on a Standard Guitar if you wanna cover songs by bands that tune really low, it takes the pressure off. Extended range Guitars have up to 4 more Bass strings going down in Fourths (some also have an extra Treble string going up a fourth to High A for a total of 11 possible strings G#0, C#1, F#1, B1, E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4, A4) which make playing in every key alot easier to fit the ranges of other instruments & vocalists especially on church gigs, & with fanned frets it balances out the tension.

[@johnnields5678]

Perfect, I have a Legator 8 on the way, never touched one before, thanks for sharing, been playing 7 string as a creative outlet for a while, this is helpful, thanks!

[@sgflyingv]

Uncle Ben - this was an incredible watch. Really really awesome video. Pleased you had so much fun with it