7 string with octave D

[Matt Madden]

So I remember Martin (I think) made a Roger McGuinn 7 string model with an additional G string an octave above. I play in the key of D a lot. Has anyone thought of or built a 7 string with an additional D string? I think it might sound cool where the D string is played open a lot. A little like a 12 string, but not really. Just a thought.

[Clay Schaeffer]

I've built some eight strings with a doubled unison high e and a doubled unison and octave g. They did have some of the qualities of a 12 string without the tuning headaches. Taylor is building an eight string baritone. They are octave doubling the 3rd and 4th courses. You can here it on You tube.

[Clay Schaeffer]

"You can here it on You tube."
Hear, hear!
(A lack of morning coffee)
You can also hear it on Youtube.

[Mark Swanson]

And I have built a 9 string, with the high three strings as a 12 string. It's one of my favorite guitars to play.

[Matt Madden]

Thanks for the replies. It almost seems that a guitar could be retrofitted with an octave D. It would be right up the middle . On the two guitars I'm looking at now, there would be room on the headstock for another tuner. The bridge would be the issue.

[Michael Lewis]

Look up "Spider" John Koerner. Featured on the "Blues, Rags, and Hollers" album issued in the 60s. Koerner played a 7 string with an octave course. You should hear this record.

[Clay Schaeffer]

The bridge can use a simple solution. The two strings can share a single bridge pin with two slots cut in the bridge in a V pattern. I used mandolin tuners for the eight strings. The closer post spacing allowed for a normal length peghead.

[Matt Madden]

Thanks for the tip on Spider John Koerner. I checked him out on youtube. Great stuff. He seemed to be playing an Epiphone 12 with some kind of floating bridge.

Also, I think I am going to try adding an octave D to my Washburn. It's an inexpensive guitar, so not much at stake. I think I will use a banjo tuner for the seventh string. Thanks all.

[Jim Hepler]

Before you start drilling, I noticed an ad in the latest Acoustic Guitar Magazine (with Willie Nelson on the cover) for a tuning peg that fastens to the top of the headstock and some kind of clip that fits on the string pegs at the other end. This system is designed for just this application and appears not to need any permanent alteration to the guitar other than an extra slot in the nut. If I recall correctly it was for sale through John Pearse. Might be worth checking out.