Vintage 22.5” 8-string Console Guitars

[Phil Iacone]

I’m curious about 22.5” 8-string console guitars made in the 1930s-1950s. Do you guys know of any specific models?
I don’t know much at all about the console guitars, I just have 1939 and 1948 6-string Epiphone Hawaiian guitars and I want to stick with 22.5” to keep my slants consistent.
I’m interested in single, double, and triple neck models

[HowardR]

The Fender D8 Stringmaster.....22 1/2" scale length was standard in 1955 and was discontinued in 1979.....

[Tony Oresteen]

As were the trapezoid pickup Fender Professional models 1951ish.

Rickenbacker made a D8 and a T8 consoles:



Gibson also made a number of D8 guitars, most famous is the Grand Console used by Don Helms.




Joel Katz uses D8 Guyatone console guitars.



And there are lots of others.

[Paul Seager]

I noted this Fender on sale in Switzerland which fits what you are discussing:

https://reverb.com/item/65874127?utm_so ... t=65874127

If the number of frets is a guide, the same dealer has a quad with that scale length (which seems silly!)

I have a '56 Rickenbacker DW16 with 22.5 inches, an absolutely lovely instrument.

To your point on slants, I just took delivery of a Stringmaster T8 with 24.5 inches and the transition to the length is minimal; the slants on Hawaiian songs were no problem.

[Tim Whitlock]

I have a '56 Rickenbacker DW16 with 22.5 inches, an absolutely lovely instrument.

The DW16 is indeed a nice instrument. Very portable - I'm told it fits easily in an airplane overhead compartment. I had one briefly and sold it which I regret. Here's the new owner playing it:

https://youtu.be/YMX01fcef9M?si=nXudquzIFJR_ZrDa