Has anyone ever used a string above the first on gtrs? (tuned to A4)

[AD Chaos]

Hello people

I've long been wondering about this- is it possible to place a string a 4th above the E string (in 6, 7, or 8 string instruments?) -and lowering positions for the rest- without the string breaking too easily, or even causing stress to the arm?

I'm guessing a .008 or .009 string would most likely break, but using a higher gauge could be dangerous maybe? It's 5 semitones higher..

The reason I ask this is because I've always wanted to attempt some classical violin pieces on the gtr, but the thought of having to transpose down or play everything an octave or two lower (and ruining a sequence or the like) has prevented me from doing so.


Thanks much on your opinions

 

[CAlexanderParra]

Yup, Marshall Harrison has done it.


Guess you can go to octave4plus.com to get a .007 gauge string.

 

[Shinozoku]

George Lynch actually designed one of the first electric 7 strings with ESP (ya know, the kind used for Metal ) But he had a high A string instead of the low B that Steve Vai had placed o n his UVs.

 

[Firaxis]

I'm sure the Rusty Cooley 8string sig guitar has a high a