Channel surfing I caught some performances by jazz guitarist Dave Dana (http://www.davedana.com/) and his band. He has an extensive resume including playing in the Buddy Rich band. He plays a lot at Cafe Nine in New Haven. That was the first place I did an open mic at back in 2001, what a dive :( . He had an interesting guest performer on his Public Access show who I might have mentioned a long time ago; Michael Coppolla (http://www.9string.com/). Michael came up with a 9 string guitar idea in the mid-80's and a luthier in Connecticut has made him a bunch of them. He mentioned that it allows him to create more piano-like chords (similar to what Frank Gambale said about his system). During the show, Michael did a tribute to Chet Atkins since he apparently just came back from some kind of meeting in Nashville celebrating Chet's work. In Nashville he said he jammed with such greats as Tommy Emmanuel (http://www.tommyemmanuel.com/tips/). I recall watching Michael play at a little health food store called Sprouts several years ago during Sunday brunches; amazing player with an unusual style.

Coppolla...

http://decava.com/mick3.jpg

The 9 string uses a standard guitar tuning, a whole step lower with 3 extra strings inserted between the A (G in this case) and D (C in this case) like this: D·G·d·g·c·C·F·A·D

WOW, the guitar is awesome, i bet its a bitch to play!!

that guitar is awsome.....Id love to hear him play that.

Here is a sample of Coppolla doing Little Wing (http://www.9string.com/mp3/Cable_Modm/Monster/Little_Wing.mp3) on a 9 string acoustic guitar.