What Is Your Favorite Eight-String? Or Your Least Favorite? Why?

[EBassR]

I'm trying to learn more about eight-strings—as in four courses of two strings. What are your favorites? Least favorites? Why? Thanks!

 

[GIBrat51]

My favorite? There's a picture of it in Paul Boyer's Rickenbacker bass book. A one-of-a-kind left handed Fireglo 4005/8. Why is it my favorite? Because I will never, ever be able to own it. It was actually for sale several years ago; IIRC, the starting bid price was $18,000; god knows what it eventually sold for... Which is just as well; I've yet to hold an 8 string bass that I could actually play. The strings are always too close together for my stumpy, thick fingers. But... man, is that thing gorgeous...

 

[Jason Harris]

The only ones I've ever paid attention to are the, Hagstrom hb 8and Hamer 12 string

 

[ZedLepp]

I had a Kramer alum neck 8 string for a while. Nice bass, but heavy.

 

[dannylectro]

I had a beautiful Ibanez Artist 8 that I should never have let go. I did get a Hagstrom 8, but I could not get it to intonate and I ended up selling it for substantially less than I paid for it.

 

[B-Mac]

I'm trying to learn more about eight-strings—as in four courses of two strings. What are your favorites? Least favorites? Why? Thanks!

Might have better results asking your question here?
the official 8-String (octave courses) bass club

 

[lowendblues]

I played an Alembic series II 8 string back in the day, tough to beat.

 

[Cut the middle]

The only ones I've ever paid attention to are the, Hagstrom hb 8and Hamer 12 string
View attachment 3926283
View attachment 3926284

That red one is attractive.