I play the 8 string resonator with a lower than usual action, especially considering that I use it for some bottleneck slide. The lower action means I can get a dirtier sound with the string slapping, against the frets/fretboard when I play. The string spacing / nut width pecs are very similar to a 12 string guitar with the nut width being approx 50mm.

Currently my tunings are:
Main open A tuning from low to high
A E A E A C# e/e

This changes very easily to standard tuning with a low A bass string
A E A D G B e/e

From the main open A tuning I can also very easily get to what I think the most practical tunoing for the general public - Open D tuning with a low A this is how I played Jeff Martin's 7 string, low to high
A D A D F# A d/d

Since successfully showcasing the Ellis 7 string resonator (now the property of Jeff Martin of The Tea Party), Andrew Ellis and James Michael Thompson have been quietly designing, troubleshooting and eventually building what is truly a unique instrument and a world first. It is a Baritone Tricone Resonator guitar with eight strings, designed for bottleneck and finger-style playing.

Thompson had previously been playing a regular six string National style resonator guitar for a short time before being asked to demonstrate Ellis’ unique 7 string resonator at the Frankston Guitar Festival in March 2005. Shortly after, the pair discussed coming up with something that could be even more curious. Thompson was using extremely low tunings at the time so the first consideration was to use an extended or baritone scale length. The low tunings also meant that the six string resonator had to be tuned so that adjacent strings differed greatly in pitch which made some shapes difficult when playing finger-style guitar. This lead to the main unique feature of the instrument: It basically was decided that a standard open tuning (open A) would be used with an additional low string on the bottom tuned to a low A. Then as an additional feature the high E string was doubled up much like the strings on a twelve string guitar. This gives the option of having solo lines stand out even more against the rich low end of the guitar. Ultimately it is these features that make the guitar an even mix between a bass and regular guitar.

Andrew Ellis of Ellis Guitars, Western Australia spent the next year putting together the logistics of such an instrument and although the task must’ve seemed daunting at times, persisted to end up with a truly original piece of work.

The guitar is capable of multiple tunings with minimal adjustment. From the original tuning it can go to Open D with a low A string with ease allowing for better soloing on the doubled high strings which are in tune with the key of the tuning. It can also go from the original tuning to a standard seven string guitar tuning with little difficulty. This versatility means that the guitar can effectively be three or more guitars in one. Currently Thompson uses it to substitute as his resonator, lap guitar and standard acoustic guitar in one. This means when touring or travelling extensively the journey is made much easier.