For you 8 stringers out there!!

[Tom Drinkwater]

http://www.rondomusic.com/8StringGuitars.html

and more specifically

http://www.rondomusic.com/intrepidprodual830nat.html

The great thing about the 8 string is that you can tune in 4ths from the low E of a bass guitar and still have the highest 6 strings only 1 step below the regular guitar. The really nice thing about the 30" 8 string is that you can use off the shelf Ernie Ball Silohuette Bass strings (Music Man short scale 6 string bass similar to the Fender Bass VI) and a couple of single strings that most music stores carry. The set will only cost around $15 total. I have found that 8 string tapping is quite a bit more simple than having two seperate string sets. Notice I said 'more simple', not better or anything like that. I don't want anyone going 'tuning crazy' on me. You can also tune an 8 string in inverted fifths with 4 string per side but it will still be mono in this case.

Anyone not familiar with Rondo Music or the Agile Intrepid guitars may think that these are a low quality import. Not true. The Agile line consistantly produces high quality guitars at a budget price. I can't make an 8 string like this for less than $699 in parts so if you are interested in tapping but are still on the fence and don't want to spend the big bucks on a Stick or Megatar an 8 string is really a smart choice. The 30" Intrepid is a bass, guitar and tapper all in one. How can you go wrong.

[lactose]

Nice price. I have thought about building one, I know it wouldn't be cheaper. I would think the 8 string pickups would start being available somewhere.

[GaryOpenhill]

I find it very interesting. The left handed version is great too, because it can be used as a uncrossed 8 string without tampering with the tuning.

[Tom Drinkwater]

The pickups are available from time to time on Rondo musics website. They are passive. Other companies that make 8 string pickups are Swineshead and Bare Knuckle pickups. Both from the UK and both passive. Villex will make custom pickups for any amount of strings and are very popular among the ERG/ERB crowd. Villex is also passive but has a wide frequency response and is highly sensitive. Of course EMG makes the 808 which is a slightly longer 707. On sevenstring.org you'd think that the 808 gives people cancer. They absolutely hate it. They are all pretty giddy over the Bare Knuckles and Swineshead pickups though and if you say you don't love them you'd probably get kicked of the board. I have used 808's in several guitars now and I like them but I prefer passive pickups. You can also use EMG's bass pickups. I love the DC40TW split coil bass humbucker. I have used the 40 and 45 in that series. Love em. Great for guitar.