The guitar has evolved dramatically over the centuries, adapting to cultural, technological, and musical trends across the globe. From the six-string acoustic models of the 19th century to the complex electric instruments of today, innovation has never ceased. One of the most significant innovations in recent decades is the addition of extra strings, which has given rise to a unique category of instruments known as extended-range guitars.
But what exactly do we call a guitar with extra strings? Is there one specific name for it, or are there various terms depending on the type and configuration? This article provides an in-depth look into the terminology, history, types, and impact of guitars with extra strings, offering insight into this increasingly popular musical innovation.
What Is a Guitar with Extra Strings?
A guitar with extra strings is generally referred to as an extended-range guitar (ERG). This umbrella term covers any guitar that extends beyond the standard six-string format. The most common types of extended-range guitars include:
- Seven-string guitar
- Eight-string guitar
- Nine-string guitar
- Ten-string guitar
- Twelve-string guitar (though often categorized differently due to its coursed string configuration)
Each of these instruments expands the guitar’s pitch range, allowing for lower (and sometimes higher) notes that cannot be played on a standard six-string. These extra strings often open up new creative possibilities, particularly in genres like metal, jazz, classical, and progressive rock.
The Historical Evolution of Guitars with Extra Strings
The history of extended-range guitars dates back much further than one might think. While the modern electric seven-string guitar gained prominence in the late 20th century, guitars with additional strings have been around for centuries.
Baroque and Classical Predecessors
In the 17th and 18th centuries, luthiers experimented with adding extra bass strings to early guitar-like instruments. These variants, such as the vihuela and baroque guitar, sometimes featured as many as ten strings.
Later, in the 19th century, Spanish luthier Antonio Torres created fan-braced classical guitars that occasionally featured additional bass strings. These instruments were used by classical guitarists seeking deeper tonal capabilities.
Modern Innovations
The electric guitar boom in the 20th century led to renewed interest in extended-range instruments. In 1938, Russian guitarist Andrei Sychra popularized the seven-string classical guitar, which remains common in Russian folk music.
In the realm of electric guitars, the first widely adopted seven-string was the Ibanez Universe, developed in the early 1990s in collaboration with guitarist Steve Vai. This guitar was pivotal in shaping modern rock and metal music.
What Do You Call Each Type?
Let’s break down the names of guitars based on their string count:
Seven-String Guitar
A seven-string guitar typically includes a low B string below the standard low E. It’s popular among metal and jazz musicians for its extended lower register. This guitar retains the tuning and chord shapes of a six-string, making it relatively easy to adapt.
Eight-String Guitar
An eight-string guitar usually adds both a low F# and a high A string. These instruments are often used by progressive and djent metal bands like Meshuggah, known for complex rhythmic patterns and heavy downtuned riffs.
Nine-String Guitar
This guitar pushes the range even further, often featuring both low and high extensions. Some players use it for ambidextrous playing techniques, fingerstyle arrangements, or complex jazz chords.
Ten-String Guitar
Though relatively rare, the ten-string guitar is used in both classical and experimental contexts. The Narciso Yepes 10-string, designed for classical repertoire, is a notable example.
Twelve-String Guitar
While commonly associated with folk and rock, the twelve-string guitar uses six pairs (courses) of strings tuned in octaves or unison. This isn’t technically an extended-range guitar, but it produces a fuller, more chorus-like sound.
Tuning Possibilities for Guitars with Extra Strings
Tuning is one of the most fascinating aspects of extended-range guitars. While standard tuning (EADGBE) remains the foundation, additional strings allow for diverse configurations.
Standard Extended Tunings
Seven-String: B-E-A-D-G-B-E
Eight-String: F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E
Nine-String: C#-F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E or A-F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E
Ten-String: Varies widely; classical players often tune in a sympathetic manner to match musical keys.
Drop Tunings
Some players prefer drop tunings (like Drop A on a seven-string), which allow for powerful power chords and palm-muted chugs, especially in metal genres.
Custom and Experimental Tunings
Many players adopt custom tunings to suit specific musical goals. These might mimic baritone registers, emulate bass guitar parts, or support hybrid fingerstyle techniques.
Genres That Embrace Extended-Range Guitars
While standard six-string guitars dominate most popular music, extended-range guitars have carved out niches in various genres.
Metal
The most prominent genre for extended-range guitars is undoubtedly metal, particularly subgenres like:
- Progressive Metal
- Djent
- Deathcore
- Technical Death Metal
Bands like Meshuggah, Periphery, and Animals as Leaders have redefined the possibilities of the guitar using seven- and eight-string instruments.
Jazz
Jazz guitarists like George Van Eps and Charlie Hunter have used extended-range guitars to play both bass lines and melody simultaneously. These guitars enable chord-melody arrangements and wider voicings.
Classical
The classical tradition also embraces guitars with more strings. Composers like Leo Brouwer and performers like Narciso Yepes have composed and arranged works specifically for 10-string guitars.
Fusion and Experimental Music
In experimental and avant-garde music, players use extended-range guitars to explore microtonality, prepared guitar techniques, and unorthodox harmonies.
Notable Players and Their Extended-Range Guitars
Numerous world-class guitarists have built their reputations on the power of extra strings.
Steve Vai
Credited with popularizing the Ibanez Universe, Steve Vai used the seven-string extensively on his groundbreaking album “Passion and Warfare.”
Tosin Abasi
The founder of Animals as Leaders, Abasi is one of the most innovative eight-string players today. His custom Abasi Concepts guitars are redefining the modern electric guitar.
Javier Reyes
Also from Animals as Leaders, Reyes employs extended-range guitars for rhythmic and melodic complexity. His use of clean tones and atmospheric effects has expanded the genre’s musical vocabulary.
Charlie Hunter
Hunter uses custom eight- and nine-string guitars with separate outputs for bass and treble. This allows him to perform basslines, chords, and leads simultaneously.
Benefits of Guitars with Extra Strings
There are many advantages to using a guitar with extra strings, depending on the player’s goals.
Increased Range
More strings naturally extend the instrument’s pitch range. This is useful for:
- Lower tunings in metal
- Full-spectrum jazz arrangements
- Replacing a bass guitar in solo settings
Expanded Chord Voicings
Extra strings make it easier to play extended chords, altered chords, and wide intervals that would be physically impossible on a six-string.
Versatility
Musicians can play multiple parts at once, blending rhythm and lead sections or combining melody with counterpoint.
Creative Freedom
The extra strings often inspire new compositions, as players are encouraged to step outside the bounds of traditional guitar technique.
Challenges of Playing Guitars with Extra Strings
Despite their benefits, extended-range guitars are not for everyone. They present several challenges.
Neck Width and Finger Stretch
The wider necks can be difficult for players with smaller hands. Stretching across nine or ten strings requires significant hand strength and flexibility.
String Muting
Extra strings create more noise potential. Proper muting techniques are essential, especially when playing with distortion.
Learning Curve
Adapting to extra strings may require rethinking your approach to scales, arpeggios, and chord shapes.
String Tension and Intonation
With lower tunings and longer scales, string tension can become an issue. Proper setup and heavier gauge strings are usually needed.
Conclusion
In short, a guitar with extra strings is most accurately called an extended-range guitar. Whether it’s a seven-, eight-, or ten-string instrument, this modern take on the traditional guitar offers expanded musical possibilities for players across a range of genres.
While these instruments may present unique challenges, they also open up a world of expression that simply isn’t possible on a standard six-string. From powerful low-end riffs in metal to complex jazz harmonies and even orchestral textures in classical compositions, the extended-range guitar continues to push the boundaries of what a guitar can do.
So, whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned professional, exploring a guitar with extra strings could be your next big musical adventure. Dive into this fascinating world and discover the full potential of your instrument—and yourself.
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