Thomann 8-string Classica Fusion - First impression

[Jonah]

It is indeed a first impression and just some noodling around.
As I mention in a video I will try to make some real music with it following weeks
But hope even this video can give some information already

[Rob MacKillop]

Nice nail-less sound.

[Jonah]

Nice nail-less sound.

thank you, Rob… long time lute playing

[Rob MacKillop]

The best kind of education

So, is the guitar something you would recommend to jazz players?

[Jonah]

The best kind of education

So, is the guitar something you would recommend to jazz players?

Jazz players means a big range of different approaches.

First, this is a real acoustic instrument, a bit introvert, one should deep dive and discover the tone, the articulation, the colours, it will not play on its own bright and even.

second, I do not think it works for trad jazz styles or Brazil music where there are lots of fast bass/chord textures. I think for this it is better to have a bit thinner and narrower neck, the movement should be very light.
And often it is very straight forward styles where the istrument should play smoothly, respond quickly and project sharp fast.
i think this instrument is a bit heavy for this. The neck can also be a problem for some players to go around easily.

it is good to play a solo music with extended range: it can be jazzy or fusion, or classical arrangements… by the way 6 strings classical music sounds very nice also with two extra resonance strings

But I will be back again in a couple of weeks with some updates, so we will see… you should really play an instrument for while before you know it. Especially a newly made one.

[MikeTT]

Thank you for the video. I was recently looking at the new Ibanez 8 string classical. It's more expensive, wondering how it compares to your instrument.

Ibanez GA3008CE-NT – Switzerland

[Jonah]

Thank you for the video. I was recently looking at the new Ibanez 8 string classical. It's more expensive, wondering how it compares to your instrument.

Ibanez GA3008CE-NT – Switzerland

I saw it on YouTube but never tried.
Rob has a video on Ibanez 8 strings, not sure if this is exactly the same model

it looks close to Ortega model: also a cutaway, an amplification.
But I think Ibanez shoud be more consistent in quality

And i think it is good to have electro-acoustic but I am more into purely acoustic instrument with no extra stuff on it or inside, and a full body and in my opinion Thomann guitar has potential as an acoustic instrument once I play more and more.

For me it is important as I enjoy it also in concern of tone colour

If I stick to 8 strings and find my way with it I will probably then upgrade to a really good acoustic instrument

[pcjazz]

Nice! Re tunings, it occurs to me that this would also lend itself to Ralph Patt’s major thirds tuning. He has scales and chord forms on his webpage.

[Jonah]

Nice! Re tunings, it occurs to me that this would also lend itself to Ralph Patt’s major thirds tuning. He has scales and chord forms on his webpage.

I will check

the resonance is also important.

Low F# for example definitely cuts some resonance on many guitars and creates more tension in the top.
once you tune to low G or especially low E then the top seems to feel loose.
Also different notes have ‘after tone’ ( keep sounding after you stop )

I played a bit in Brahms guitar tuning today and it is very interesting because you have A on outer strings and A inside.
some things begin to sound very warm and deep.

And also you have a high range and low range in all positions.

I did it with a capo on 5th fret , I think if you tune it like this with full scale open, it will sound very rich and full.

[Woody Sound]

I've been using a 10-string to accompany my wife on violin, mostly classical arrangements. But it's just getting too cumbersome for me so I'm thinking 8-string would be a good middle-ground. Just enough to extend down a little to D, C, Bb, or whatever.

[Woody Sound]

Thank you for the video. I was recently looking at the new Ibanez 8 string classical. It's more expensive, wondering how it compares to your instrument.

Ibanez GA3008CE-NT – Switzerland

Me too. They're around 11c over here in the colonies.

Access to this page has been denied

[Woody Sound]

I don't really need a cutaway, but i *would* like a decent pickup.

[Jonah]

I don't really need a cutaway, but i *would* like a decent pickup.

KNA 7 strings bridge pickup should cover also 8 strings bridge (it says 80 mm coverage, so it is enough for all 8 strings) but I do not know how well it will work of course, how it will pick really low notes.

I also got Kremona 7 strings with a piezo and as I like playing with a looper I am thinking which amp shoud I get, it is playable in Roland Micro Cube I have at home through clean tone modes but not really good.

And if I get an acoustic amp I want something more versatile to manage also e-drums of my son, a mic, an e piano

[Woody Sound]

Can you tell me the actual string spacing from 1-8 at the saddle on the Thomann? I know that the standard average for classical/flamenco is ~10mm (1cm) per string, but I'm wondering if the Thomann might be a little narrower. It almost looks it from pictures.

[Jonah]

Can you tell me the actual string spacing from 1-8 at the saddle on the Thomann? I know that the standard average for classical/flamenco is ~10mm (1cm) per string, but I'm wondering if the Thomann might be a little narrower. It almost looks it from pictures.

Here it is
On my classical it is the same

[Woody Sound]

Here it is
On my classical it is the same

Thanks!