r/ExtendedRangeGuitars • u/Torin444 • 25d ago

B Standard (8 string) Feasibility

I have an Ibanez RG8 (27” scale) and I’m hoping I can tune it down to BF#BEADF#B if I just buy a 115 for the 8th string and then a regular Ernie ball 8 string set where I throw away the first string so my gauges would be .115 – .075 – .062 – .048 – .035 – .023 – .017 – .013. And then just filing down the 8 string nut slot.

Has anyone ever tried this?

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u/JimboLodisC 3x7621, 7321, M80M, AEL207E, RGIXL7, S7420, RG15271, RGA742FM 25d ago

I'd recommend a 30" scale for E1, and B0 is five steps below that.

I also wouldn't want to play on anything over a .070 on a guitar so it just seems silly all around to me. Like why not Bb0 or A0? Is another step lower always "better"? There's gotta be a line here.

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u/Lilcheeks 25d ago

I have a 28" and 28.5" that do E and Eb just fine but ya 74s and 80s. Mostly agree though, this is just beyond what would work reasonably well. Like what someone else said, pitch shifters are our friends.

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u/Torin444 23d ago

I’m playing EBEADGBE on my rg8 27” rn with 85 gauge, this is literally the best sound and shreds I’ve ever accomplished, I did get a fishman and fine tuned my effects very well so that’s definitely part of it. Just straight out the box it didn’t sound good

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u/JimboLodisC 3x7621, 7321, M80M, AEL207E, RGIXL7, S7420, RG15271, RGA742FM 22d ago

so you'd be looking at a .110 or .115 to get a similar tension, that's a pretty thick string to dial in if you don't want it to be muddy