Sherman 8 String Guitar (Chris Letchford/Scale The Summit)

[scalethesummit]

Hey guys, our headlining tour started today in Houston! We're playing an 80 minute set each night! Check out the rest of the dates through our website linked in the "video" information up top. Hope to see a lot of you at the shows! -Chris

[SpartanLaserCanon]

i'm 14 yrs old come check my 8 sting guitar song i made /watch?v=lRmLjscOmJA&feature=p­layer_embedded

[mattwildchild]

The Sherminator !

[DECIFERTHIS09]

I like this, A lot of people get to shit metal into these things, you just demonstrated you know what your doing, and you use a metronome. Were/how did you learn, I want a 8 string because of you. ps I play jazz and punk/surf basically anything but drop C stuff, I read music know a few scales, some good theory, but you use some nice flowing scales that go left to right not up to down.

[GuitarBoyEvan]

wow a 25 inch scale

[AndreSonsOfSamael]

Sorry I'm spamming you Chris, but what tuning do you use on your 8 strings?

[DerekRenfroe]

@AndreSonsOfSamael B E A D G B E G

[CrazyGirl3618]

cool stuff

[MajesticMist]

that neck is amazing o.0

[greg1553]

Hey chris, what song is the first segment of this vid from? I know it's off monument and I thought it was Wolves.. Anyways, I made a guitar pro file of the whole lick, up to where you play the part from Sargasso Sea, and had a blast doing it. It's so well written!

[scalethesummit]

@greg1553 I cant get the video to load, but pretty sure you are right, it should be Wolves.

[UglyScukuggly]

Sounds good. Good luck on the lottery you don't even play. :) How much would one of those sexy Sherman's cost?

[Captaincereal2]

Chris, just wondering if you could briefly explain the strategy behind having the extra high string tuned to G and not A?

[scalethesummit]

@Captaincereal2 I found more use for having tuned to a high G, especially with all the open string stuff I write.

[SpartanLaserCanon]

@scalethesummit I was wondering if Sherman Guitars would be able to make a regular 8 string with a F# string instead of a high G or A string

[UglyScukuggly]

Still working through your book Chris...its so good. Thanks again for putting it together and getting it out. Its so much better practicing MUSICAL exercises and not blah blah blah stuff. Practicing is definitely a lot funner and more interesting now.

I know you want to express some gratitude to me so go ahead and send me one of those stunning Shermans. Its okay Chris. I don't mind. Hit me in a message and we'll work it out.

[scalethesummit]

@UglyScukuggly glad you are enjoying the book! If I win the lottery some day, which for starters I don't even play, I'll gladly send you one.

[brentscottmaze2012]

What do you recommend for buying an 8 string?

[JacksonKBH]

I really wanna see a live vid of rode in on horseback

[METAL420weed]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT ONE



[meatloafgodxer]

i love that tone. I think i would say that my most recent musical focus has been to emulate you and your bands intelligent approach to writing while incorporating my own unique style. It's really inspiring to hear you guys play

[Shimekiri]

Are the rumours true? Are you tuned BEADGBEG?

[scalethesummit]

@Shimekiri right, B E A D G B E G 

[deepsealightsband]

@scalethesummit  In regards to the tuning, do you still have the two bass strings, or do you have one extra bass string and one extra high string?

[scalethesummit]

@deepsealightsband one high and one low

[deepsealightsband]

@scalethesummit Radical, thanks for responding!

[summusicfreak]

@scalethesummit i love you

[DarkMarchSk8]

question for Chris - i appreciate how much hard work and effort has gone into making this work for you, and your music is incredible. I'm still young, but I'm just curious really, does your band provide a steady lifestyle for you? what i'm asking, in a sense is, can you live off just playing in your band, and comfortably? i read tons of blogs from musicians stating how hard it is for them to manage by playing just in their bands and they have to carry other jobs, how is it?

[scalethesummit]

@DarkMarchSk8 yes it is for me. other bands that say that are most likely not running things as best to their ability. we're not a party band, we take this very seriously. it seems as though the major plague for most musicians is that they don't know how to manage their money. So yes, its all about hard work and dedicating your life to one thing. I did and still to this day work hard at it. it took me about 4 years of playing in this band making nothing to get where we are today. -chris

[DarkMarchSk8]

@scalethesummit thanks for the reply, congratulations on your success man, nothing in life comes easy

[earlbrown33]

@scalethesummit That answered most of my questioned but I was just wondering how you survived during your time at school? Like did you get a lot of grants and scholarships that helped you pay for things. Because for me its very hard to go to school without having to work some lame job to pay for my car etc. I wish I could do it like you!

[scalethesummit]

@earlbrown33 lets take this over to a message, lots to write

[crow66693]

Im getting my 8 string guitar in September and one of the first things Ima do is buy both tab books and learn em cause this is just beautiful.You guys and Animals as Leaders really inspired me and my approach to guitar.Thanks.

Live well,love music,and play guitar.

[scalethesummit]

@crow66693 hey thats awesome to hear! thanks for all the support! -chris

[earlbrown33]

I was just wondering how you made it to the musician you are today? Like did you work in between school to get all of your gear and how were you able to balance everything?

[scalethesummit]

@earlbrown33 i quit my normal job at around 18 years old, went to music school, and then got out and started the band. i teach lessons in my free time outside of working with the band, which i saved to purchase gear. now we have endorsements for just about everything. hope that answers your question. -chris

[byGODSGRACEmusic]

Its amazing that you respond to people on here. I love the climax in Alpenglow. Probably my favorite song next to glacial planet. Anyways, how was the education at MI? I'm considering college for jazz and classical guitar along with theory, and I'm shopping for schools. Junior in highschool

[scalethesummit]

@byGODSGRACEmusic I try my best to get back to as many people as I can. And thanks for the Alpenglow comment, appreciate it. All music colleges are going to be great if you put in the effort to take in everything they have to offer and listen to your teachers. All music school's hire the most top notch teachers. MI was great, but I had one of my favorite jazz theory improv classes through Houston Community College, it just so happened that my teacher was good at his job. MI was great though!

[crow66693]

@scalethesummit Ya know,thats really funny cause its true.Over her in Riverside Community College theres a guitar teacher named Jody Fischer and hes is just hands down the best jazz guitarist I've ever seen.And he always states he just getting started and barely learning the guitar even though hes in his 60's now haha

[chuyitodejesus]

your a music major and your how old?? were you a band geek in high school? lol

[scalethesummit]

@chuyitodejesus was a music major. i have been finished for about 5 years now with school. I'm 26 now. i wasn't in band, i just did a lot of private lessons outside of school and spent all my free time practicing. -chris

[svenlk]

hella dope

[JunyaYashiki]

is that a different little bit of wood at the higher frets?

[scalethesummit]

@JunyaYashiki no, same piece of wood. its Bocote, but has some of the hardwood exposed.

[JunyaYashiki]

@scalethesummit thats pretty damn cool :D how did you "adapt" to 8 strings? im just guessing that you started on a 6 string and just wanted to know how hard it was to start using the 8th string properly? i play a 6 string all the time and i really want a 7 but not too sure if i can get used to it... thanks!

[scalethesummit]

@JunyaYashiki I got my first 8 string about 6 years ago. I play with classical technique so it was easy to adapt to the wider neck. There aren't really any tricks or tips to adapting to something other than just doing over some time. I switch daily between 6, 7 and 8 strings so you get it down if you want to.

[JunyaYashiki]

@scalethesummit ok thanks for the tip! have you guys played in England yet? i'd love to go see you all play!!

[scalethesummit]

@JunyaYashiki not yet, but hopefully we'll be making it over there next year!

[babbagoose]

What sorta pups do u have loaded in that axe? Also what type of amp are u using?

[scalethesummit]

@babbagoose this guitar has custom wound Nordstrand. Since this video I have switched to Lundgren in all my guitars, which I prefer way more.

[wolfdemon99]

so what was your first guitar, and how many hours a day did you practice?

[scalethesummit]

@wolfdemon99 an 82 Charvel and I practice 4-6 hours a day during my teens and then 8+ in college. now I play all the time

[wolfdemon99]

@scalethesummit so im guessing you majored in music, what did you do after college?

[scalethesummit]

@wolfdemon99 yes, i majored in music. I play professionally now in my band Scale The Summit

[wolfdemon99]

@scalethesummit i know you play professionally now, and i love your band and all, but what i was asking was what did you do straight out of college? and how did you get your gear and stuff like that

[scalethesummit]

@wolfdemon99 i started teaching professionally and started buying my gear.

[HiImJerry8]

man some crazy ass chords here



[MineSweepingKent]

Can anyone give me some tips on how to get a distorted tone like that? I use Guitar Rig 4, and have almost no idea what I need to do to sound similar.

[flankerchris7]

@MineSweepingKent use the gratifier and it's cab. add some mid-high boosted eq and a touch of delay.

[MineSweepingKent]

@flankerchris7 What pickup setting, neck? And how about the clean tone? Thanks a lot!

[flankerchris7]

@MineSweepingKent your bridge pickup will always give better distortion, while the neck will sound thicker. I'm not sure what to tell you about a clean tone; I only have messed with distortion.

[Poparad]

I know the sound of that Korg MA-30 metronome anywhere!

[alexkills]

Unidenprizes is a shithead. I admire your work. Your hard work shows too! 

[JonDeth]

How is an 8 string definition at this scale?

I've heard 25.5 has your 7th and 8th string a bit sloppy and muddy compared to the longer scales. My 7 strings are both 25.5 and I tune to B/E standard. Not a huge lack of clarity but I do notice SOME mud and worry an 8th string at this scale will be even worse.

[scalethesummit]

@JonDeth muddy is tone, not based around string tension really as you can just string up the 25.5 scale 8 strings with heavier gauge string. I tune my 8 string B E A D G B E G though. So I have a low B as my lowest string, just like every 25.5 scale length 7 string, my 8th string is a high G.

[JonDeth]

@scalethesummit I agree in that sense but I'm talking sludgy where when played with speed, you hear more of a percussion type sound than you do note shifts. After thinking about it a bit more, I realize most these 7 and 8 string players use larger scales because they are tuned to much lower pitches which produces a rather slack string on 25.5 in.scale. A few extra inches of scale takes up that slack.

I personally just prefer the way music derived from E 440 based tunings sounds.

[LeMasterDisaster]

the musically correct standard tune for an 8 string is

F# B E A D G B e

[scalethesummit]

@LeMasterDisaster not true, its not called "musically" correct. it depends on your scale length. for my scale length of 25.5 the standard tuning B E A D G B E A. I tune my high string down a full step. For scale lengths longer than that, its usually the tuning you mentioned, but there is no "correct" tuning system. You can say its the standard tuning, but its not that its "correct".

[gtrwizrd]

@scalethesummit Hello, I'm curious how the high string could be tuned to A and yet be tuned down a full step as you said

[scalethesummit]

@gtrwizrd what do you mean how? you just tune it down to G.

[RingoFreakingStarr]

What gauge string do you use for the high G? Atm on my Schecter Damien Elite 8, I have the thinnest gauge Daddario offers and I can only get it to F# which puts me in A standard; too low for my tastes :/

[ZOMBIELANDakaUSA]

great stuff man, i'm watching this because i'm thinking of going to 8, from 7, need inspiration, this will certainly help...thanks

[neurocosm]

Very slick at @00:38

[VuloNZa]

What Scale do you use in this video?

[leviunpuncher]

you have to play in Portugal some day...

[Saimenism]

what you guys do is amazing! I see more and more bands getting into this genre lately. Some of the stuff sounds like btbam, but i saw you guys toured with them, that's nice! Do you tune one step down, because i saw you have a high G?

[scalethesummit]

@Saimenism thanks man. nope, its B E A D G B E G

[HeyImDallas]

Hey man, what fretboard radius is that? Looks flat as fuck haha.

[scalethesummit]

@HeyImDallas 20

[Nialzzz]

Loving the tone - even with YouTube filtering. Sooooooooo buttery.

[CCresante]

What gauge strings are you using?

[scalethesummit]

@CCresante 10 - 56 for the first, normal 7 strings. then an 08 for the high G string.

[anderscott1762]

Cool style man!

[scalethesummit]

@anderscott1762 thank you, appreciate it! -chris

[dannyzep92]

damn i wish i could write riffs as slippery sounding as the last one. sweet guitar btw!!

[scalethesummit]

@Imparts6893 Its not that I prefer one over the other, it just so happens that I spent more time writing on my 7 strings for ou next album and have been playing them more on tour now. 8 Strings require more work on tour, custom string packs, and if I were to loose/ have one stolen it would be harder to replace while on the road, etc...

[Imparts6893]

@scalethesummit Thanks man I love your work and you bet I'll be buying your next album. I have one last question, How do you pick? do you anchor your fingers or wrist on the bridge or is it floating?

[scalethesummit]

@Imparts6893 It depends on what Im playing. Usually relaxed on the bridge, but I do a lot of floating picking. Really all depends. When playing Jazz its always floating.

[ThatGuy1154]

Excellent playing! Are you tuned F#-B-E-A-D-G-B-E or B-E-A-D-G-B-E-A?

[scalethesummit]

@ThatGuy1154 B E A D G B E G actually.

[JPMisery]

@scalethesummit thats awesome Chris

[whitewalls1222]

i know you have probably answered this before somewhere, but what kind of pickups do u have in that guitar?

[scalethesummit]

@whitewalls1222 they are custom Nordstrand pickups wound to my specs. hope that helped. -chris

[AngryLlamaz]

how old are u ?

[scalethesummit]

@AngryLlamaz 25

[AngryLlamaz]

@AngryLlamaz

LOL. sorry but i thought you were like 17

[scalethesummit]

@AngryLlamaz yeah, i look it. I get carded for R movies still. ridiculous.

[jmrcanada]

is that an swr mini mo in the background?

[ECHOZss]

Does anyone else want to see a scale the summit and animals as leaders tour I think that would just be amazing.

[ThrashDeth17]

Sounds like you put a high A string on it, as a opposed to a low F#... Good man.

[Perputualburn]

how do you guys afford all these exspensive ass guitars

[scalethesummit]

@Perputualburn I play guitar professionally. I endorse many companies.

[Perputualburn]

@scalethesummit

thats awesome. you guys are sick

[scalethesummit]

@Perputualburn thanks man, appreciate it! -chris

[Perputualburn]

@scalethesummit id really appreciate it if i could have one of your shermans

[unidenprizes]

@scalethesummit lmfao what about your rigs and pedals? you sponsered by all of them too... i thnk not i think the seniors in your life helped you guys out alote.

[scalethesummit]

@unidenprizes yes. I endorse everything I need to write, record and perform live. Mesa supplies me with amps and cabs, I endorse 4 small luthier companies for my customs, Ernieball supplies us with strings, volume pedals, straps, strap locks, etc.... See, people who actually work hard, get rewarded. My parents paid for my college, none of my gear or guitars, etc.... The only thing I dont endorse, is the house "I" purchased with my girlfriend.

[hedkutter18]

@scalethesummit Interesting. How is it then that on Mesa's website it says, "Mesa/Boogie Artists are customers and are not paid or given products for free. We think there is a big difference between true "endorsement" and "employment"? Not trying to talk crap or anything, just sounds a bit strange if you catch my drift.

Nice playing by the way.

[scalethesummit]

@hedkutter18 lol, websites say a lot of things. no one can disclose their deal to the public, thats pretty much standard for all endorsements.

[richardthefish]

@scalethesummit :O YOU SOLD YOUR GIRLFRIEND FOR A HOUSE?!

[filipe200x]

@richardthefish wth?

[flankerchris7]

@scalethesummit how did you go about getting endorsements? do you contact the company or do you wait for them to find you?

[expressionmaze]

@unidenprizes what's the deal with everyones jealously? he plays professionally just like thousands of other musicians that worked hard and got endorsements for everything they need. you people are beyond ignorant. Its seems like this unidenprizes person thinks he knows Chris personally. Your comment is definitely something to "lmfao" about. doucher.

[kevyp12]

@unidenprizes HAHA you just got told you faggot

[pw3db4lunch]

you look so young O.o. Nice playing:D

[patinhiselement]

This guitar looks and sounds incredible!

[afromex08]

I remember seeing you guys in Nashville with BTBAM and Devin Townsend, You guys were so amazing IMO, Rcktwn isn't used to Progressive bands just yet.

[JennVOGUE]

I'll always love thiss. 00:49-1:15

[whoabob]

Sherman guitars rock!!!!!

[8StringGuitar]

@whoabob Yes they do! And they cost a pretty penny!

[LordOfThisWorld74]

I saw you guys live with BTBAM and man..... Amazing show.... I really enjoy your guys's music. Please check out my channel and give me any tips or pointers!

[JunyaYashiki]

wow did you write that song?? its really nice!

[Metalinyourass]

sick, fuckin love this shit

[poorpy134]

you guys into any jazz fusion?

[scalethesummit]

@winterchill885 yeah its no worries, didn't mind answering it again.

when you get the book, better be ready to practice!

[boondock1213]

@scalethesummit My technique book just came in the mail a couple days ago. I must say, I was not expecting those exercises to be that hard haha

[scalethesummit]

@winterchill885 yeah man, they are nordstrands. I have actually answered this probably 5 times in this videos comments already haha.

and yeah, fender princeton chorus. I own 3 of them. 2 for teaching and one in my office. who would have thought. personally... its the only thing that I like from fender.

[s1uff1sc001]

What gave you the idea to tune an 8 string with an extra "G" on the top?

[Rocket1771]

If i had one, id tune the eighth string down to E. Either that, or tune it BEADGBEA, so it'd be like a 7 string with an extended high range.

[BigHappy17420]

damn dude how long did it take u to do those sweeps and what type scales could help me get understand seeping better

[Pactoren]

go home stephen carpenter. Chris Letchford is the shit!

[jasemac88]

i love "glacial planet" so the last part of this video is my favorite.

[KGSnow22]

You guys are amazing!!! Anyway I tried checking your tour dates on your website. But I guess I missed you when you came to Boston. I was just wondering if you guys planned on coming back out to beantown anytime soon?

[scalethesummit]

@KGSnow22 thanks a lot! not sure man, hopefully sooner than later. keep an eye out for dates!

[MrCoolio0760]

just wondering, because alot of your songs sound so "major", what scales and stuff do you normally use?

[scalethesummit]

major, minor, dorian, and lydian are the most used.

[MorbidGuardian]

You played an awesome show with BTBAM, Devin Townsend, and Cynic at Irving Plaza, NY :D You've got some sick riffs and awesome chops!

[scalethesummit]

thanks a lot dude, appreciate that! -chris

[ZW1791]

Have you ever given much thought to making a tab book for Monument? I know I would be willing to buy one if you did.

[cfh616]

whats up guy you guy are fucking amazing how long have you been playing?

[scalethesummit]

thanks a lot dude, appreciate that.

about 12-13 years now.

-chris

[cfh616]

dude thats whats up

i love that tapping section you do in the great plains

i still get cold chills when i hear that shit

how did ya'll come up with the time signature for it?

[scalethesummit]

thanks. not really sure how we come up with any of our parts, just do.

[cfh616]

thats whats up are ya'll coming through charlotte north carolina any time soon?

and i play bass in a modern deathmetal band but we throw all types of genre's into our music and i want to do more style's like ya'lls because i love how ya'lls music flows do you have any advice on writing

and who are your musical influence's?

thanks

kevin

[AS ALL LIGHT FADES]

P.S. KEEP IT BRUTAFUL !,,!

[cg28270]

@cfh616

they were in charlotte back in feb. it was a great show, hope they come back and play a longer set.

[NickFerraroAwesome]

I love your tone in "dunes" its my dream tone! youve inspired me to save up 900 dollars to get a decent 8 string, since they are coming drastically down in price. I hear you are changing your rig, still sticking with the powerball?

[scalethesummit]

awesome dude, glad to hear that. make sure they send me my commission check! ha.

-chris

[summitthescale]

just bought the guitar technique book online!

just out of curiosity, I really know nothing about theory... Will this book help me out in a decent amount? Theory-wise at least?

[scalethesummit]

thanks!

its definitely going to help you understand the guitar more, so yes. learning theory on guitar can be extremely hard only because people dont know where to start. everything in this book is explained well. so you'll know exactly what you are learning and how to apply it. you'll see when you get it.

p.s. your user name made me do a double take, i thought someone from our band posted that comment as a joke, under our youtube account. haha.

[smelserdude1]

Hey guys, great job in Atlanta on the Great Misdirect tour. Twas an amazing show!

But anyway, I ordered the guitar technique book Monday morning and immediately got a confirmation email, but I haven't gotten any other emails saying whether it has shipped or even when it might be shipped and I'm just curious as to how long it might take. Also, is there any way I can track my order?

[scalethesummit]

thanks a lot for the support! appreciate that.

this is not the place to talk about orders though, email the email address you sent the money to.

it has already been shipped though, if thats all you wanted to know.

[smelserdude1]

Never mind guys, disregard my stupidity. The book had already arrived when I posted that and my parents just hadn't told me it had come in yet. =P

I've only had a chance to briefly look through it, but I can already tell I'm gonna love it. Great book, Chris!

[bratblaster]

what does your rig look like

and is that on board overdrive?

[bratblaster]

what does your rig consist of

and is that onboard distortion?

[scalethesummit]

in this video Im not playing my rig. its just a fender princeton combo amp.

my rig is changing drastically in the next week when all my new stuff comes in. I'll be doing a walk through video of it, so stay tuned for that and you'll get your answer!

[lasik124]

Hey man, Being honest.

This is Fucking Amazing.

[jbakes730]

chris, i saw your show with BTBAM at the house of blues in boston, a few weeks ago.

you guys blew me the hell away, i couldnt believe how perfect everything was haha i plan on picking up your technique book off the STS site.

hope to see you guys around again soon

later,

Bakes

[DJSUTH6]

i was there too, it was amazing

[CL4551CTriumph]

i saw them in the masquerade in Atlanta, they were amazing.

[xstevenguitarx]

Please explain to me how you get those amazing tones.

[spibby]

Are those Lundgrens in your 8?

[dirtysheep12]

is the 444434 for tuning ?

if so how does that make standard? lol

i mean your the dude that went to school for it but im just sayin lmao

[scalethesummit]

@dirtysheep12 i see what you're getting at, ha. to many 4's.

44434 smart ass

[dirtysheep12]

no you dont get what im getting at cause i dont play a 5 string guitar and i was just asking if yall were talking about tuning cause i was like that is some crazy tuning cause i read that and tuned my guitar to it trying to figure out what it was i get what yall are talking about now after reading it again "is a 4th " is what i didnt read correct so sorry.

[scalethesummit]

well your comment still made me notice that I wrote an extra number which would have made it for a 7 string. anyways.... no worries. i should have wrote the "th" after the numbers.

[Donteatmarbles]

Saw you guys last night in Maryland. Freaking awesome show!

[AntsoftheSky92]

so did i man. Great show. I love these guys, cynic and btbam, but i fucking hate The devin townsend project. there music sounds like shit

[NokturnalMortom]

If I were to buy an 8 string, which would you suggest, and why? Thanks

[DespondentGuitarist]

I love your music, I have both of your albums and am currently waiting on your tab book, I ordered that before I saw the technique book, so I have to wait a week or so before I can order that, You are by far one of the most talented guitarists I've ever seen

**YOU NEED TO COME TO SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA!** or atleast try lol

Id love to get a lesson from you and meet one of my favorite guitarists

Looking forward to a new album and to see yall live! - Taylor Crews

[JeffyMcWafflehz]

do you have a list of scales for 8 strings? I'd love to get one, it'd help a lot.

[scalethesummit]

i dont have anything written out, plus are you playing in the tuning I use? B E A D G B E G ? -chris

[JeffyMcWafflehz]

I was thinking of probably just using standard tuning, mainly because i have no clue how to tune things differently, like with a 6 string: 5-5-5-5-4-5. But I don't know what it is for an 8 string. Or if it has the same rule.

[scalethesummit]

its 4 4 4 4 3 4

[JeffyMcWafflehz]

wait... for a 6 string? I've always read 5 5 5 5 4 5. not 4 4 4 4 3 4.

thats not right dude, not sure where you would have read that.

it is....

E-A is a 4th.

A-D is a 4th.

D-G is a 4th.

G-B is a 3rd.

B-E is a 4th.

Trust me, thats ver