Is it Hard to Play a Multiscale 8-String? | Schecter Omen 8 Elite Review

My first impressions of my new Schecter Omen 8 Elite. I've always wanted an 8-string multiscale guitar, but I also had a little worry that it might be awkward or difficult to play, but thankfully, it's not as weird as I thought!
So far, I really like this model and have no real complaints with it, I think it's very competitive for the price (~$750 US) and quite the beautiful beast.
I bought this with my own money, and it's not sponsored in any way, but Sweetwater did a great job shipping it out and the setup out of the box was great, so they earn a shoutout!
#metal #schecterguitars #8string
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[@NickLeonard]

Have you ever tried an 8-string or multiscale?

[@BigMuff75]

No. I guess I will do some "dunnnn dunnn" for a few days and then the thing will rot in the corner.

[@NickLeonard]

@@BigMuff75 that's always a possibility! I definitely plan on using this a lot, since I mostly only played my 7 once I got it. It was just hard to go back to less strings!

[@mana20]

I went with Legator for my first and am really happy with it. This Schecter looks nice. Aaru use the non fretted ones quiet a bit for their clips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaTdYWugl7F2lZY

[@BigMuff75]

@@platinumpengwinmusic5564 Why not drop 5k.^^

[@NickLeonard]

@@platinumpengwinmusic5564 awesome, enjoy it!

[@wesrobertson1889]

Woooo getting this in a month! Thanks for the review!

[@NickLeonard]

Awesome! 🤘

[@ivolkovs88]

There are little reviews about that guitar. I longed for an 8 string for a long time always postponing. I recently bought it and I am in love. I played Ibanez RG8 and Schecter Omen 8, and both was somewhat challenging to play, Ibanez dull, and omen (old cheap one) too bulky and blurry. Omen Elite 8 is an incredible versatile instrument. Multi scale is a blessing and whoever invented is a genius. Every fret of every string is playable, neck is thin and confortable, chords are easy, tension is somewhat like we used to on a 6 sting. It gjents awesome, but I found myself jamming some jazzy tunes on a clean channel, pickups are crisp and saturated on a lower mids and lower highs which gave a very smooth sound without a deep bucket effect (you could achieve it if you want, but with tone at 10 it’s crisp as a night autumn air)

[@AzureNightsMusic]

Mines coming in Feb! Pre-ordered it what feels like a year ago! Can't wait 😊

[@gargantula3274]

Hell yeah man, I remember you showing that thing off in the discord, love those pickups. I've got a 5 string bass that's multiscale and it's really not very different from a standard instrument to me. I'm working on a multiscale 8 string too though, I'm excited to get to play it. Also a huge fan of fretless bass so props on that too!

[@NickLeonard]

Especially for single notes or power chords it doesn't make much difference in playability. Just bigger chords that can feel a little funny. Definitely worth it for the tone and string tension though!

[@Centipede_Solaire]

Great review, sounds like it won’t be as bad as I thought going from 7 to 8

[@thekevinator149]

Nice review man. I've been thinking about an 8 string and these Omen Elites in particular.

[@NickLeonard]

Thanks! It's a solid axe

[@aidandix7296]

I'd have to disagree on the chord thing, if you adjust your tone you can get absolutely stunning chord voicings, bands like loathe tune to drop E (they play baritone but same applies) and use a ton of low chords which sound awesome for the style! I also find that spreading your chord voicings sounds much better, power chords are kinda meh but add7/9 chords or sus chords sound killer

[@NickLeonard]

You're right, and if you think more along the lines of piano voicing in the lower registers, like adding low octaves and more spread or shell chords, it does work fine. I use a lot of octaves on the bass and the occasional low fifth for effect. Octaves will always sound good, but the overtones of things like fifths and thirds have a lot of rubbing that doesn't sound so great down there, especially with high gain!

[@guydeguido]

That's a really fine-looking 8-String you have there and it sounds great too - enjoy!

[@DielectricFailure]

Thanks man. I’m looking to buy this for making music on my channel but also create non-human growls as an effect too. This seems like it has enough high end sizzle to have a biting tone but not sound shrill. Great demo showing it in the mic too.

[@B_kiz]

wow i LOVE that thing. my next guitar for sure!

[@FlyingBystander]

Nice looking guitar! I have enough "issues" with 6 strings. 2 more strings would just ruin me. In my head, that was funnier than saying I'm not cashed up at the minute. Really like the look of the pickups though, they look like glowing flame or lava-like. Noice!

[@NickLeonard]

I resisted extended range for a long time, until I wanted a baritone for lower tunings and realized a 7 string was cheaper and easier to find. 8 is a lot of strings, but it's also a lot of fun!

[@ErebosGR]

12:18 lol you can find an 8-string fanfretted for $200. 😁 I plan to buy the Harley Benton R-458 Fanfret some time next year. I've only played 6-string all my life. Instead of coil splitting, I'd suggest you swap the 3-way lever for a 5-way so you can have 2 additional inner coils/outer coils positions.

[@NickLeonard]

This one does have a 5-way switch! and stupid me lol, I was literally looking at the Harley Benton before I bought this one and almost grabbed that, but I figured I'd probably put more money into that in upgrades, so I might as well just buy a little more expensive guitar to begin with, but the HB looks pretty decent too and super cheap for what it is

[@ErebosGR]

@@NickLeonard Oh my mistake, I didn't notice the 5-way. Yeah, the Schecter is definitely a great guitar that justifies its price. I was eyeing the 7-string Omen Elite at one point. My only issue with Schecters is that I'm a small guy and I've noticed that they have larger bodies (in circumference) than other superstrats, making them a little cumbersome on my lap. I, too, intend to put some money into the Harley Benton in upgrades but not close to the price of the Omen Elite.

[@NickLeonard]

@@ErebosGR the body on this seems like a normal size for a strat, on par with my other guitars from other brands. If the HB stock pickups are good, it should be solid. I saw one channel that upgraded his and said the stock weren't amazing, but as long as they aren't noisy, I don't think it matters much. A set of new pups will run more than the guitar though... Better tuners aren't too bad though, and that's always a solid upgrade

[@ErebosGR]

@@NickLeonard I've found a pair of Guyker pickups on AliExpress for $60 that I want to try out. That plus a 5-way switch and a Graph Tech TUSQ nut and I will probably be happy with it.

[@NickLeonard]

@@ErebosGR I've had good results with Guyker when I wanted to swap a single coil with hot rails to reduce noise. I have no idea if they're better than HB stock pickups, since they probably come from similar factories

[@AkiraSpectrum]

nice review!

[@richardspillers6282]

I'm a 6 string shredder getting ready to make the jump to a 8 string soon. What should I expect and do I need a specific kind of pick for the lower strings?

[@NickLeonard]

the longer scale length might take a little getting used to, I don't use a different pick though. I use .73 dunlop tortex for guitar and bass and they work for me. 8-string is definitely a different feel and will make you learn some new ways of playing, but it's still guitar!

[@richardspillers6282]

@@NickLeonard thank you! I appreciate the tips.

[@brianlee2646]

I had a schecter omen 8 before and I miss it everyday.

[@lebarak69]

Going from 7 to 8 wasn’t difficult at all for me, I even prefer the 8 now 😅. The spread might be better with a 1.5” spread rather than the 2 this one has

[@liminality505]

Just found this video and I actually bought this exact guitar a few months ago! I have been having a really hard time finding any amps or sims that sound anything close to as good as what you had in the mix. The part where you talked about the lower tunings and bar chords is what has me stuck. I kept the guitar in standard but wanted to drop tune the 8th string for some beefy power chords and it just sounds super muddy and not good at all lol. I have a 7 string schecter tuned to around drop F or G I think so pretty close to the same tuning, for the power chords and it sounds sick. Maybe there’s something I’m missing with the 8 string? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated!

[@NickLeonard]

I think I used Sigma from Audio Assault here, but it's not so much about the sim as how you dial it in. I always run a tube screamer in front to cut some bass before the preamp, in this one I actually used a free Unified Preamp plugin from Aurora DSP, as that's one made popular by Meshuggah, and that has bass a treble controls - cut some bass, add some treble and volume. Low chords also sound much better if you cut some bass/resonance, that will just add mud to the low string. Some amps/sims have independent high/low gain controls, I usually set low a little below noon and high a little above noon, that will give you tighter gain and more articulation. High mids (or a focus control) will also help the low notes be articulate in a mix. IR's are always very important, but some good V30's in a 4x12 will do the trick. Just keep experimenting until you find something! One of the harder things is finding a balance between a setup that sounds great on 8-string as well as a 6 string, but there will always be some compromise. A good 8-string tone may sound thin in standard tuning and a setting that sounds great in standard will be too flubby for 8-string I find. An EQ after the cab can help cut any harsh treble around 4k or so and a small cut around 400 can help clean up mud, just don't go overboard or you might kill the tone in a mix!

[@MrBownze]

12:17 I bought a Hadean ELS 8 string from Rondo for $170 back in 2016. Brand new. Not fan fret. Just sayin'...

[@EvanFifesMusic]

I always tell new guys. Play it from the high e. It's the same. Then you learn to add the lower notes. Or drop the lowest string and you have bar chords up top and normal below.

[@turtle4lyfe91]

I just ordered one of these. It'll be my first 8 string, I have no "need," for an 8 string other than I want something different. I'm not a huge fan of bolt on necks and house brand pickups, as well as having house brand tuners, but for the pricepoint I understand some concessions have to be made.

[@NickLeonard]

it would be at least twice the cost if they did all that for sure! for what it's worth, I've never had a problem with the schecter tuners on either of mine, and the pickups sound good to me

[@turtle4lyfe91]

@@NickLeonard after having it for some time, unfortunately, I have to say it's one of the worst guitars I've played at that price point. The frets aren't level, the tuners slip and go slack, and the pickups sound weak. I was really excited and I've been bummed out since I've had the guitar. I keep thinking I might warm up to it, but right now it's not looking like I will.

[@vanya65]

I loathe bolt on necks. Its cheap. Their neck thrus are wonderful. Its all i use. Once you experience true craftsmanship, its hard to go back to anything less. In my mind, if a brand doesnt offer a neck thru, it just tells me they lack the skill and craftsmanship to make one. Bolt on is easy and cheap. Neck thru takes more time, meaning if you make one and its nice, you actually know what youre doing.

[@turtle4lyfe91]

@@vanya65 I ended up returning the schecter and got an agile 9 string. Neck thru, grover tuners, emg pickups, plays like a dream and it sounds tight and articulate. Best part is, it was $600, which is far cheaper than the schecter.

[@vanya65]

@@turtle4lyfe91 which agile did you get? Whats the neck profile like?

[@JohnDoe-xl1ig]

Thats a thick boy and it sounds great for that cookie monster metal. You had me growling while playing.

[@NickLeonard]

Hell yeah brother!

[@blacktigerorganization]

I just got the red 8 string multiscale today I traded him my 7 string version of this...

[@marvinbalasabas2172]

I just bought an Omen 8 out of necessity. I should have waited for this to come out, as I'm struggling to do solos with straight frets with 28" scale length.

[@NickLeonard]

it is certainly nicer to solo on! though I also recently bought a 30" baritone for fun haha it's not that bad, but it does feel like a bit like a bass with light strings

[@marvinbalasabas2172]

@@NickLeonard I guess the only way is to buy one lol

[@NickLeonard]

@@marvinbalasabas2172 if you're recording, you can always play solos on a different guitar too!

[@AcousticSerenity]

Would this do well with low tunings? I mainly tune the 7th to 1st in drop g, and the 8th to a low d

[@NickLeonard]

@@AcousticSerenity I have mine anywhere from E to D standard currently

[@GimmeapillEko]

I'll have to disagree on the power chords part. They do sound bad out of the box but this is because of the stock Ernie Ball 2624 string set. Although this is one of the less worse 8 string sets you can get, that 64 low B ..64 and 80 F# just don't work for power chords, true. But...if you sacrifice a bit of tension and go back to something a bit lighter like a 58 B and 74 F# with a 6 string set (ex: ERNIE BALL Nickel Wound Hybrid Slinky 2222), then this does works pretty fine and the tension is reasonably well balanced. But yeah, you do need to assemble a custom string set which is a pain.

[@NickLeonard]

or I could tune down ;) with the stock strings it can do drop Eb just fine. I do like airing on the side of higher tension though. I may make up a custom set whenever these wear out. I haven't tried experimenting too much with tuning on it yet

[@ZachComa]

Stringjoy has a custom string set builder and they cost the same as other strings. They also have a string set calculator to see the actual tension based on scale length, you just gotta do some Googling to find the scale lengths of the individual strings on a multi scale. I have a different C-8 than yours, the MS SLS Evil Twin, but I think it has the same fan scale. I like more tension and went with 0.090, 0.074, 0.052, 0.042, 0.030, 0.017, 0.013, 0.010.

[@The_M.W.N]

Sounds and looks great!! funny enough it matches with your beard haha

[@NickLeonard]

That's the most important consideration!

[@MilkoOfficialChannel]

Hey Nick, good review as usual. What string gauge and tuning are you using for the bass here?

[@NickLeonard]

These are medium gauge flatwounds. Tuned up a half step to F standard

[@MilkoOfficialChannel]

That fits my tuning. I have the 7th tuned to G at 432Hz close to half step down, so that’s the gauge. Thanks!

[@AlwayzTired]

Doesn't a 5 way selector split the pickups? If not....what are the extra two positions for?

[@NickLeonard]

That's a good point. Here's what they said on zzounds: "A new 5-Way (Hum/Hum) switch provides an arsenal of voicings to select through. Position 1 is bridge humbucker; position 2 is a classic single coil bridge/neck; position 3 is bridge/neck full humbucker; position 4 is neck in parallel humbucker; position 5 is neck series humbucker."

[@AlwayzTired]

Hmmm, that’s not what I expected. 🤔

[@bodabodaguy3193]

aye F zero!!! just got a gamecube again and need to get F zero GX

[@NickLeonard]

That's the best one!

[@Eric.mov_]

When you track bass with an 8 string guitar what tuning do you have the bass in?

[@NickLeonard]

Here the guitar is in F standard and the bass is also tuned up to F standard - both in the same octave. Same tuning as Meshuggah. Going an octave below on the bass is possible, but requires some really thick strings and some setup work. Probably won't sound amazing either on a standard 34" scale

[@michawee]

It should be an octave lower. Sounds better

[@ronniewebster4365]

Can the pickups be wired for coil split?

[@NickLeonard]

As someone else pointed out in the comments, position 2 and 4 are coil split

[@ronniewebster4365]

@@NickLeonard Oh I see thanks

[@omgdisfunny4852]

7 to 8 is alot easier than 6 to 7, and i cant even imagine going from 6 to 8. i bought a 8 string and kinda regretted it, there just isnt alot of songs that require the 8th string that you would play daily, its more of a gimmick at this current point for my personal usage- que the "BuT THeReS ThIS OnE MeSHuGGA SoNG"

[@NickLeonard]

I think it's great if you want to write with it, if you just want it to learn songs, it's not really necessary

[@jeanrunkle1059]

That is a beautiful burl top but it would have been better if it was a satin finish

[@NickLeonard]

I prefer satin too, but it still looks great in gloss!

[@BRiANOHiO]

What ekit is that?

[@NickLeonard]

It's a Roland TD-1K, with an added mesh snare and extra cymbal, and a DIY kick drum I made, running a TD-4 module and FD-8 hihat controller. Frankenkit.

[@BRiANOHiO]

@@NickLeonard nice - i was wondering how the double kick could be so tight and reliable at the same time. tyvm

[@vanya65]

8 strings should never be less than 28" scale. I dont know why everyone has been making them shorter lately, considering the majority of 8 string players tune down. Unless you play exclusively in standard tuning, any less isnt enough. The idea is to not have to go with a heavier gauge if you can help it. Thinner gauge has better tonality. Thats just the way it is. Just like i feel 7 strings are better with 27" scale than 26.5. I mainly play 8 strings, and played a 7 for years. Both of my 8s are 28 in scale, and its perfect. I play with 10/74s and i tune my F# string to drop D# or D most of the time. Not flubby at all. Theres no reason an MS guitar cant be 28".

[@swietoslawprozak]

Yeah dude, like... 25,5 inch 7 strings are just baffling to me

[@Journeyman2585]

27.5 for 8 and 26.5 for 7 is just fine. If thin strings had better tone then every 6 string player would play with 9s. Not true at all.

[@vanya65]

@@Journeyman2585 like i always say. If you have the ear, youll hear it. If you dont, then you won't. There's a lot of guitar players who cant hear it. Doesnt mean theres no difference. It does effect the tone. I've tested it. The amount the string is allowed to vibrate is absolutely going to make a difference. Just because someone cant hear it, doesnt mean its not there. String gauge is more important than people think. Theres a balance for string guage, scale length, and tuning. Why are basses longer? Because to get a lower tone, it has to be. Same thing with extended range. If youre playing exclusively in E standard, then yes. With 9s those scale lengths are fine. But if you dont, then using too thin of gauge like 9s to play in drop C/B isnt going to sound very good. There is a thing as going too light. But thinking you need borderline bass strings to play in these lower tunings is just ignorant.

[@Journeyman2585]

@@vanya65 this sounds like someone who swears up and down they can taste the difference between regular food and organic food. If you have the eq on an amp set the same, there's no audible difference between a pack of 9s and a pack of 10s that you can hear with your naked ear. I've been playing guitar since I was a teenager, like 26 years.

[@vanya65]

@@Journeyman2585 i have too. My dad builds guitars as well, and we've had this conversation as well. Ive tested different gauges on 6s, 7s, and 8s. And it makes a difference. Just because YOU cant hear it, doesnt mean there is no difference. Its hard to believe that playing for 26 years, you cant hear the difference. Because ive played for just as long, and can. But again, if you have the ear you will, if not then you wont. EQ does help, but string gauge is going to effect the overall tone. How much its allowed to vibrate is going to make a difference.

[@diegogc11]

And yes mister, we need a new version of F-Zero 😁

[@demiurgus213]

Hello, Nick! I have the same red Schecter. I think the pickups sound thin, with no body. What is your opinion?

[@NickLeonard]

I like the pickups, and I usually doubt that pickups are going to be an issue, especially on a midrange guitar and up. Is the pickup height and action well set up? String gauge/tuning makes a big difference too!

[@demiurgus213]

@@NickLeonard I don't know what the strings are, the guitar came with them.(maybe noname) 8th is 80. I already ordered 10-74. I try tune up pickups, but it sounds... not good. Anyway, thank you!

[@NickLeonard]

@@demiurgus213 someone else commented that they're Ernie Ball, though I can't say for sure, but they do have a .80 set. Only way to do a proper test is to swap the pickups, but it's expensive and finding properly staggered coils might be difficult. On different guitars, I've tested cheap $20 pickups off Amazon against some Dimarzios and there wasn't a huge difference, so aside from a few really terrible pickups, I usually think it doesn't make a big difference. Lighter strings will give you a clearer and brighter tone, not necessarily thicker, but you might like the sound better!

[@demiurgus213]

@@NickLeonard Thank you for detailed response!🤝

[@BoofyBoyo]

Why is everyone playing nasty @ss grungey metal with these?

[@NickLeonard]

Because metal musicians are the ones who popularized and created demand for extended range guitars.

[@bddb]

A guitar is a guitar. A bass is a bass.

[@NickLeonard]

A bass...guitar. There are lots of bass instruments, like bass trombone haha I get what you're saying though. I've used basses in place of guitars and that works too, though it certainly doesn't play as well for most riffs