Montalvo 8 string classical guitar FS

Angus · #1 11-16-2007, 05:25 PM

Images below. Just seeing if there is interest here before I put it up elsewhere.

Spruce (forget which; englemenn?) top, straight grain cocobolo top/sides, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard.

The instrument was $2600 new about 8 months ago. I play 8 string guitars as well, but with the classical I've found that I don't play enough pieces that require it (over my 7 string classical) to keep it, and I'm about to do a giant gear exodus. It's an absolutely astounding beautiful sounding classical, and I don't REALLY want to sell it, but since classical isn't my expertise it's probably a good thing that somebody else take it. I'm going to try my hand at building one soon, so I suppose I'll make an 8 then.

Price is $2100 + shipping, and comes with a really nice, heavily padded hardcase. Actually, the case is the nicest guitar case I've ever seen!

Please feel free to PM me with interest!

**j-raj** · #2 11-17-2007, 10:05 AM

just curious... how is that gtr tuned?

**grygrx** · #3 11-17-2007, 10:26 AM

Likely the wrong forum.

Angus · #4 11-18-2007, 12:56 PM

Tuning changes depending on the song. Highest strings are currently EADGbe, and the lowest 2 are nominally E and B. The low E tends to stay at E, F, F#, or G. The B is usually A or B.

Dave Grossman · #5 11-18-2007, 09:54 PM

Damn damn damn damn damn damn damn. I so want this but I just spent $2000 on a Modulus Q5 (not that I regret it).

If this is still available in a month or two, I might be interested.

- Dave

Brad Maestas · #6 11-26-2007, 06:46 PM

Crazy! I was just looking at the 7 and 8 string models and came across this ad on Google. What kind of 7 string do you have?

While I really want a 7 to play choro and jazz, an 8 might be even better (more low notes!). It's too bad it doesn't have the Gilbert tuning machines. That was one of the things that drew me to Montalvo in the first place. He must have just started putting them on the newest guitars. Not a big deal to me though.

I emailed them last week to ask them some questions about the 7 and 8 strings. I wanted to know if they made them without the cutaway and they said no. I thought that was kinda strange. Again, as long as it sounds good, I don't care. I'm not a snob like other folks out there who look down on cutaways.

I'm gonna try and put some money together. I've been saving up for a matched pair of Earthworks condensers and I just might have to get this instead!

Thank you and perhaps I'll PM you with a more serious offer later.

P.S. This has the stock features, yes? (655mm scale, 61mm nut)

Angus · #7 11-27-2007, 12:53 AM

Dave- it very likely will be. To be honest I can't do anything until the new year for it anyway because it's up in Seattle and I'm here in Palo Alto. I'm happy to keep it until then (if VintageBT6 doesn't get there first!) if you'd like to try it given that you are local! It's great for Bach pieces (chorales in particular I've found)- the two extra bass strings are a godsend.

Brad- all stock features, purchased in person from the Montalvo shop in Berkeley. It was one of the only 8's they've had made I understand. Please feel free to PM me about it and we can talk all you'd like! As far as the tuning machines go, I've not had any problems with tuning stability, and they're certainly finer adjusting than regular guitar tuners too. I don't know if it has the Gilbert set, though, as the instrument is currently in Seattle, but the guitar is only about a year old so they can't have changed very much between now and then!

My 7 is some indeterminate brand. It's a glorified POS made playable by me. To be honest, I prefer playing my girlfriend's 6 string classical that she bought at Costco, but it works. The 8 string is fantastically better than both!

I should reiterate that the instrument is in Seattle so I can either send it on Dec. 8th or 9th or after Dec 20th as I won't have access to it until then. Thank you!