Hofner Guitars
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The Evolution And Development Of The Eight String Guitar
This section of the website was added because of the importance of the eight string guitar! As the events surrounding the development of the eight string took place in the decade of the nineties, there are also numerous pictures in another photo gallery titled "The Nineties." Be sure to visit that gallery of photos! At the inception of the 1989 hotel engagement, Conti was still performing with a six string arch top guitar. After a year of nightly solo performances, he felt a need to expand musically, which led to his first seven string instrument. Conti commissioned Luthier Glenn Mers to custom build that instrument in the early part of 1990. That instrument incorporated a low "B" tuning on the seventh string. (See photo in the Eight String Gallery)
In 1992, he began to further explore the musical challenges and possibilities that an additional string might provide with the addition of a low "F#". After much research as to neck scale and intonation issues, Conti commissioned a Los Angeles Luthier to build his first Eight String Guitar, which was completed in March of 1993. During a visit to the B.C. RICH Exhibit at the 1995 NAMM Show, Bernie Rico, the President of B.C. RICH, was so impressed by the incredibly full sound of Conti's eight string instrument, that he decided to produce a further refined Eight String Guitar, utilizing Conti's original design as a working prototype for a production model.
The "Robert Conti Signature Eight String" Guitar was born and formally introduced at the1996 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California.The Eight String Guitar that was created and introduced by Robert Conti, now opens the door to the full harmonic range that has been previously available only to keyboard players. It is a well known fact that many fine establishments routinely employ a solo pianist for no other reason than the full sound of a grand piano. However, ownership of the Conti Eight String instrument now opens numerous employment opportunities for guitarists, as every guitarist can easily compete with any pianist for the high paying long term hotel or restaurant engagements. The exquisite and full sound of the Eight String guitar will also create a demand as a solo accompanist to any singer!
As you can hear in the Video Gallery of this website, the magnificent chord voicings of the Eight String Guitar rivals the sound of any grand piano.The Conti Eight utilizes two additional bass strings below the standard six string configuration. The seventh string is tuned to a low "B", and the eighth string is tuned to a low "F#". This logical and friendly tuning allows any guitarist to quickly adapt the extended range of the Eight String guitar into his/her playing style and immediately incorporate rich and full sounding bass lines into a solo performance!
Those who have heard Robert Conti's live performances in Southern California have been awe struck by the unbelievable sound of his eight string guitar, and many have even stated that the Eight String guitar is one of the most important developments since the invention of the electric guitar! If you have previously been reluctant to move up to an extended range instrument, perhaps because of a lack of confidence, you can now dismiss any fears or reservations you may have about acquiring this magnificent instrument.
Robert Conti is currently in the process of producing a comprehensive instructional video that will guide you through the transition on a step-by-step basis. That video will cover every concern that you might have, including the most desirable and easily understandable tuning, and many clear demonstrations as to how you will be able to easily revoice the six string chords that you are accustomed to playing. It does not matter whether your current level of ability is intermediate or professional, as you will quickly realize that the extended range actually makes desirable chord voicings much easier to attain than a six string!
Take me to "The Nineties" photo gallery to see and learn more about the eight string guitar!