Well my _other_ (functional) 8 string is a mandola and I love it dearly, but it's difficult to play in sessions, since being tuned a fifth low, I have to play everything in unaccustomed fingerings...and there's a tendency to run out of fingerboard.

It is great fun to play solo, or as an accompanying instrument when the key suits. (Yes, you can capo them, I just don't like the sound of this one when capoed.)

An octave mandolin would give you the best of both worlds.

Bill Still poking the keyboard even though I should be making supper before my better half gets home....