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

Support my channel and get a TON of bonus guitar lessons, TABs, and other cool stuff at www.patreon.com/benellerguitars !!!
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

[@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!! 🤘

[@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...

[@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.

[@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)

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@ctrlaltbang9883]

5:08 OMG it sounds so good.

[@thepublicimage660]

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

[@Jotun184]

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

[@theresnomich5954]

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

[@JackKapral]

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

[@rapiercharizard]

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

[@bullZz24]

A little rusty he says.... 😞

[@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!

[@jackvai2681]

SKERVESEN instruments are works of contemporary art.

[@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 🤘

[@lossprevails]

“just ask your mother” good lord

[@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.

[@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...

[@JosiahBarnesMusic]

Damn ur slapping is godly

[@chewybang]

Avon - QOTSA! Round and Round - Ratt

[@BenEller]

best riff ever!!!

[@HeyLiem]

Nazareth "Hair of the Dog"

[@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....

[@alexandereisen3486]

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

[@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

[@privettk]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@rubysecules1312]

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

[@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

[@raymartinez5389]

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

[@Buzzedd777]

Very cool UB, can't wait for the 9 string video. Ben, have you heard of or tried Asterope cables? David Grissom uses them and said big fancy words like "very cool" and beez neez". Maybe worth checking out or not.

[@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

[@bestboy897]

Its a bass and guitar all in one 😂

[@skipkelton]

More car horn is needed

[@pizzamon795]

Well I got "Hair of the dog" and "Round and Round" I didnt recognize any of the others.

[@danieloconnor8679]

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

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UCcLsvLJOecfCL6RplXhaO4Q The Fanned Fret Guitars kinda remind me of a 13 Course Baroque Lute. The Bass Rider Extension extends the 2 lowest courses by about 2 Inches & that extra length is great for giving the Bass side more clarity.

[@redith24]

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

[@kart1611]

check out a band called black tongue, they are amazing 8 string players

[@Nicmccu]

Uncle Ben has the slap/thump DOWN. Gosh darn

[@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...

[@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

[@tudorlasus]

i hate 7 and 8 string guitars. am i the only one? :)

[@BenEller]

they ain't for everybody!

[@bestboy897]

Never felt a need for them personally

[@joeconti3599]

I hate six strings so na na na na boo boo stick your head in Doo doo

[@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.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There are 10 String Guitars that go down to a Low G#:www.rondomusic.com/pendpro102730rncabkflm.html & have Fanned Frets to balance the tension out in a Scale length from 27 in to 30 in. Interestingly Extended range Guitars (just like Extended range Basses) are great for playing in every key because it makes it easier to transpose in order to match the ranges of other instrumentalists & Vocalists especially on a Church Gig. They're also a great way to add a bit of Rock n Roll to your Church Gig.

[@07rodrigez]

Satchel wants his shoes back!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

BTW Fanned Frets are a really old idea if you think about those 16th Century Steel String Lutes such as the Orpharion & Bandora:kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ6qk5WNjMaLrbs

[@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. 🤔

[@michaeltaylors2456]

Now your playing with power UB !!! Very nice instrument there ... i’ll pass for now though , I’m still frightened by my BE-OD pedal powered Agile MCC 3200 with 10-52s in drop C tuning 😗

[@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.

[@TobyKBTY]

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

[@daddydoop1628]

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

[@kingstar10101]

Avon! Blackened! Now You're Messing With a Son of a Bitch! Cryin' in the Rain! Not sure! I want to say Inspector Gadget but I know that's wrong! Definitely a cartoon! Round n Round!

[@LouAdipietro]

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

[@supanutte9357]

You should play basket case on that guitar day 1. That's the drill my guy

[@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.

[@Psyfonify]

Avon qotsa! also im the 419th comment..i hope someone else commented before me as I'm typing this, so that I'm actually the 420th comment. otherwise i will be very sad

[@aaaargl]

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

[@KevinNolin]

Seinfeld 🤘. Please give a lesson on the slap technique. Sounds amazing Ben! Enjoy it

[@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.

[@7AKV7]

Thank you uncle Ben, I wanted an 8 string guitar before now I fucking need it like there's no tomorrow. Why am I even bothered with a 7 string...

[@ashutoshJMJK]

Would love to see more Thumping videos!

[@terran236]

The Shecter C8 hybrid is a great 8 string as well. Thin neck with carbon fiber reinforcement rods. Reminds me of the thinness of Jackson 6 string soloists/kellys

[@joe429t]

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

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Extended range Guitars (even Extended Range Cigar Box Guitars) would be better off with fanned frets.

[@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.

[@jackillin]

Hhahhahahahhhahah!!! Ignore all the other string & basking in the low end brutality of the big old fat string....Yup!

[@ToxicTerrance]

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

[@positionthepositron]

I wasn't ready bro 💀😂

[@ToxicTerrance]

@Wrdn54

[@jasonvegan5761]

8 string??? Bruh, do you even djent?? 😄

[@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

[@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.

[@Incountry]

But, why not play a lighter gauge string bass with a distorted pedal...!!! Pete Steel does not approve of this guitar...!!!

[@jackfrost9259]

Maybe I have the wrong ears, but I just don't find the sounds of the lower strings on 7 and 8 string guitars particularly pleasant when used for 'metal' type music. I liked the sounds towards the end of the video, but I don't thin that's enough to ever make me want to buy one. Am I too old fashioned and boring if I stick to a standard 6-string guitar? :-O

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

4:21 Blackened by Metallica played a 7'th Lower. That's almost an Octave lower than the other version, and the 8 String Guitar goes way down into the Bass Guitar register.

[@jacobmarez3559]

You gotta play Wave of Babies broski please, haha you know that riff 2/3s of the way through 🔥🔥🔥😤😤😤

[@lieutenantkleeia]

I asked you to make a video on the chorus riff of Haken - The Architect. Apparently you didn't have an 8 string. Now you do! Hope you do it :)

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

5:09 Round and round by Ratt. Female combonation Rock Bands/Choirs can sing it in that Key of F.

[@HeathBlair]

Hair of the Dog by Nazareth on an 8 string sounds flipping epic man!!

[@darkallyrecordings4931]

We need more 8 string content. I'm re-watching. Kinda like revisiting your mom.

[@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.

[@themightymcb7310]

Tell me how Ratt sounded fucking amazing on an 8? Literally play hair metal on an 8, I could listen to that all day.

[@revsharp777]

I've owned 5 or 6 eight strings. Every time, I either played Meshuggah riffs or riffs that sounded like Meshuggah. Lol

[@LeonTodd]

Crying in the Rain on an 8 - what is this sorcery?!

[@burgerringsarenice]

Check out the band Ivan for some doomy sludgy 8 string inspiration

[@IceNein763]

An 8 string guitar? That's literally twice the number of strings you need if you're looking for low end.

[@pjuliano9000]

Replicant has a Holdworth-Ian vibe ... which is a good thing

[@ArnoVdVelde]

Didn't recognize any of those riffs besides.. day tripper? And that Steve Vai thing, but I don't know the name of the song! .. Oh and hall of the mountain king.

[@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.

[@vonstrupple]

Uncle Ben, I’m from downtown Adelaide Australia ( nobody knows about this under/acknowledged beautiful part of the Planet) Seriously why do you love Suhr so.so much. Please reply.PS........ Much love happiness and frivolity.✌️