Having never played an 8-string (especially since I usually struggle with 6), how are these things tuned? Is there a "standard" 8-string tuning? My guess would be that the middle six are tuned to concert pitch and the highest and lowest strings are, well, higher and lower. Is there such a thing as 8-string chords, or do you just have to become real good at muting. Or maybe this is primarily a soloing instrument.

I've admired Carvins since I first became aware of them in the mid-80s. I wanted to get one of their "star" basses back in the day but I was a poor college student. The body style wouldn't have aged well, but then again neither have I.

Really nice Satch-esque playing in the video too.