Technically, I still had an 8 string, but it was the 25.5" V that makes those bottom strings more of a thuddy rubber band than a playable string. Any rate, wanted to get a longer scale, and Rondo finally had a sale on the 30" scale Intrepid Pros. Neck-thru, active pickups, plays alright though the neck is still settling so needs a little under a quarter turn a day on the two truss rods. I'm assuming that'll stop in a few days. Original strings couldn't be tuned up, the ball ends came unwound when tuning the top two strings to pitch. Labellas to the rescue, they worked just fine.
It took a few minutes to get used to the scale, but it ain't bad when standing. I have to figure out how to hold it sitting, because it ain't good classical. Like, at all. That neck sticks out into the stratosphere, or I end up hunched over like Quasimodo. It's wild hearing that bottom string actually sound tight and not floppin' around like a loose rope. Spent the weekend practicing my old 8 string tunes and trying to get my fingers used to the new stretch.
I kinda dig the pickups, but am debating grabbing another 57/66 EMG set for it. Or maybe some X series. We'll see how it does in a recording this week or next.
Aside from a six string bass, this should about do it for my new instruments this year. Got a whole bunch of songs I wanna finish up and start final recordings over the next couple months. Fingers crossed for a fall/winter album.
