8-Strings (octaves) - Gimmicky?

[Timmay on bass]

Matter of interest - enquiring minds want to know - I would imagine it would be easier to string the octaves Rickenbacker-style i.e. with the octaves vertically below (as you play)?

I say this as I can foresee problems holding down an octave E if it was *above* the main E, due to the thickness of the string - i.e. Ee instead of eE.

So, Ee, Aa, Dd, Gg instead of eE, aA, dD, gG?

I don't think it makes much of a difference for the fretting hand. The main reason anyone has a preference usually has to do with whether the use a pick or not.
I, personally wish Rickenbackers were strung the other way, because I use a technique where I rest the thumb of my picking hand on the octave string, to make it sound like a 4 string, if the song requires that for certain parts.

 

[KPJ]

I don't think it makes much of a difference for the fretting hand. The main reason anyone has a preference usually has to do with whether the use a pick or not.
I, personally wish Rickenbackers were strung the other way, because I use a technique where I rest the thumb of my picking hand on the octave string, to make it sound like a 4 string, if the song requires that for certain parts.

Agreed. I use the same technique on my 12-string as well. I also will mute the fundamental string with the side of my fretting finger and only play the octave strings. Takes some practice and is easier on the wider spaced 12's, but it works.