Javier Reyes: The Art of The 8 String Guitar

[@sweetwater]

Few are more versed in the art of the 8 string than Javier Reyes! Find more interviews with your favorite artists by subscribing to our channel and clicking the playlist in the description!

[@peterprisekin3241]

“I don’t really remember _not_ playing guitar.” Right on.

[@toemasmeems]

Bahaha

[@tetrahedrontri]

Javier is the secret final boss for guitar playing after going against Tosin, who you think is the final boss.

[@NishantGogoiHimself]

There's no competition, brother. They're all equal, they're all bosses in their own ways.

[@victor6753]

Vai

[@imagesandwords4327]

Maybe in the base game, sure. But then the devs release the DLCs, and you work your way through those to go up against John McLaughlin et al.

[@megaj9175]

What an excellent and attentive interviewer, you can tell he’s genuinely interested and listening and not just waiting for his cues.

[@srimanipandey92]

Javier is definitely one of the reason why I am considering getting an 8 string guitar. I sometime day dream playing all Mestis songs in a JR 608. Great interview 👍

[@KYUBIMATIAS]

Do it, dude. I bought a Strandberg Boden Standard 7 and sold it to buy the same model in the 8-string variant. That extra 8th string is just home to me - especially when you tune to open E.

[@toemasmeems]

@@KYUBIMATIAS to this day the best guitar I’ve ever played was the Strandberg 8 Sarah Longfield signature. And at the time I had never played a 7 string. Strandberg just makes amazing instruments man

[@lasagnasux4934]

My first concert was AAL with the contortionist at Chicago. They totally ruled and Javier did a little noodling in between a couple of songs that was great.

[@abuventertainment2856]

What an awesome first concert.

[@prodchronic]

I went to the Atlanta show! Put me on to the contortionist one of the best shows I’ve ever been to

[@SevenGC89]

I finally made the jump last week from playing 6 string for 21 years now to buying my first Agile Multiscale fanned fret 8 string. Its supposed to be here tomorrow, so excited.

[@SevenGC89]

@Zeeh30 I only got to try it out for 1 day sadly, I'm thinking it got damaged slighty in shipping because day 1 it worked and sounded great, next morning neither pickup worked and the switch would fuzz like crazy when I switched pickups, I'm thinking the solder got loose with the cold weather during shipping but either way I don't have solder tools so I had to send it back for repair. But I loved it for the day I played it haha.

[@tommurphy3188]

Folks used to say he’s the underrated guy in animals. I’m not sure that’s the case anymore he’s a monster player and worthy of respect even against Tosin

[@DanielGarcia-tl6lj]

Even abasi has said that he looks up to Javier

[@ooferrell]

He was always my fave in the band

[@toemasmeems]

I love this man. Also the interviewer seems to do his research and likes to put the artist first and I love that. Respect.

[@chassegardee7694]

"El Mestizo" sounds to me like a "Elegant Gypsy" song... love it.

[@Francesko901]

Thank you Javier for designing Ortega's 8-string guitar. It's my favourite instrument for 9 years. I have cheapest version RCE159-8, but sounds great!

[@RichardFriendartist]

"and he's on that Yngwie more is more"...totally made me crack up. hahaha

[@FundementalElement1]

He's essentially my favorite modern guitarist. So down to earth and a deep thinker

[@galacticstasis8514]

This guy is way ahead, his music so beautiful

[@timothydonovan1261]

Beatles fingerpicking ...took a long time for me to do what you just talked about there but you are so right they taught me a lot of parts to apply to many many other types of music and popular songs

[@dario6253]

Well, I just ordered my eight string from Sweetwater. Thank you, Javier.

[@MST3KAL]

if you're thinking about getting an 8, DO IT. IT's SO FUN!

[@AutoRiff]

Lmao I can only hope my beard gets that thick and uniform

[@kneawah]

I came here just to talk about the most consistently shaped beard in music. What a legend.

[@RichardDeBerryOfficial]

I too really like using my fingers. It feels really comfortable and sounds really nice.

[@softpool1286]

I've always wanted to try an 8 string and Javier and Tosin are easily the biggest inspiration for that. If I find myself committing to practicing everyday I may just jump in and make an investment in an 8 string some day...

[@andersonlane54321]

Just buy one.

[@andersonlane54321]

My reason being is that I wanted an 8 string for my whole life. I always put it off because “I don’t practice enough” or “I’m not good enough”. But since I purchased an 8 in the last year, after wanting one for easily 7 years, I’ve found myself with a massive drive because now I’m doing what I want. Vs learning on my 6/7 string which I still do.

[@andersonlane54321]

Ultimately, if it inspires you get it

[@samcooke343]

@@andersonlane54321 Dude, I just read that and finally bought an 8 string. I've wanted to play properly again for years but wanted to be inspired again, and an 8 string is that inspiration. Thank you!

[@jaibandroide]

ive finally have it after 7 years on wanting it, its soo worth it... i got an amp instead when i had a chance and ive fortunately learned a lot on 6 string but that stuff that was impossible on a detuned 6 string its cool to finally practice it on a comfortable manner

[@MetalHendrix.]

Feel so lucky to be there in Sports Arena In San Diego on that Plini Show….Epic.

[@BigSwoleMusick]

I love sweetwater products.

[@alvarobriceno4500]

Javier is becoming an incredible influence for me! Thanks for the great interview

[@kekansaru]

I personally adore playing Bach suites.

[@timothydonovan1261]

Thanks so much I mostly stopped using picks on a steel string acoustic several years ago and totally agree about the fingers . I'm getting a Shecter 8 string in a few days this is very interesting

[@andy_jenks]

The last bit of advice was golden. Find your own sound.

[@TheBudBoss]

Personally I like his side project more than Animals. I still like them but I really like what Javier is doing. Great Interview.

[@HowieStephens]

Great interview-good mix of gear, technique, and creative topics, thanks for putting this out there!

[@patshep68]

I'm very interested in 8 string guitars, but I'm not a metalhead, enjoyed this, also Javier is the so handsome and well spoken... very nice

[@MetalHendrix.]

From relating Sade to AAL and Bowe To Tracy and MTV…….Subcribed. Hands Down A Really Genuinely Great Interview.

[@craigraymondmusic]

Excellent advise at the end! Follow your own path and conviction and be great at it, and the notoriety will follow! Awesome!

[@vat_1989]

Amazing interview, good job done. Javier is such a fundamentally sound musician. Underrated

[@w411e]

legend

[@Alfredo78666]

I am concerned if Nick got it

[@ericborer2354]

Legend

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

Most players start at the lowest string and go “What is this thing?” I still treat my 8 string as a regular a 6, but just with two lower strings. It seems obvious really.

[@nohercolina8457]

*Gotcha*

[@noreaction1]

But what about all the ways to tune and play 8 strings?

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

It’s still a regular guitar though. The most common 8 string tunings are either standard F# or drop the lowest string down to E. Drop D but adapted for 8 string.

[@DG-po3gi]

@@Burnt_Gerbil +1. An additional less common tuning would be EAEADGBE (both 7th and 8th string a whole step down). Essentially 7th string Drop A with an added low E so you could play 5th and 6th string patterns identically on the 7th and 8th.

[@drumkidstu]

The band Meshuggah (who really made the 8 string a main string instrument) tunes their 8 strings a half step down. F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, Eb

[@dont.be.evil.]

I wonder what he thinks of the chapman stick

[@88keyz]

👍🏾

[@senampalmer9243]

"Media" Noche

[@SteveAyanami]

Lol ikr

[@yaelnozuy9770]

Be djentle..

[@jonheimusicacademy]

Hey sweetwater water is your business customer focused??? I said I wanted the price of what you sell... I emailed you guys also and no response...why are you ignoring my messages???

[@sweetwater]

We appreciate you bringing this to our attention! When you have a moment, please give us a call at [phone] or you may contact our Customer Service Team at [e-mail].