http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-LX408-Custom-8String-Bass?sku=519244
 
...and unfortunately not my Alembic Rogue quite yet.
 
I just had to buy one.  That is so cheap that if it is a total disaster area to play I could light it on fire or something ala Jimi Hendrix. :-) :-)

Dude,
 
If you're going to pull the burn them with fire routine, let me know!  I'd help.  

Damn. I'd like to hear if it's any good after you get it.

A full review and sound clips will follow once it arrives!

Cool. Thanks.

Sounds can be heard here:
 
http://www.briantimpe.com/page/Rogue_8string.htm
 
Pictures will be up sometime tomorrow.  The battery in my digital camera was dead and is now charging.  I got the 'natural' finish option so it basically looks just like the picture on the MF site.
 
I've played around with it for about an hour now.  It is a great bass for $250.  Unbelievable in fact for that price.  The neck is pretty comfortable, the tone is good, and overall the construction is much better than I was expecting.  There were no glaring flaws in it but I haven't gone over it with a super scrutinizing eye yet.
 
Verdict: if you've wanted a cheap 8-string bass to knock around you simply cannot go wrong with one of these.

It sounds pretty darn good to me. I don't NEED a cheap 8, but you might have just convinced me that I want one. =)

Hey thanks. That's damn tempting.  
 
I notice on the bridge it's strung high string first, then low string -- is that the way it usually is on 8 strings? I coulda sworn it was the other way. That would account for the prominence of the octave.  
 
Also, has anyone tried one of those Dean 8 strings that were floating around? Those were also quite cheap as I recall, though not THIS cheap.  
 
I think passive mode sounded best on this one, though the Achilles Last Stand excerpt also sounded good.

I want THIS bass:  
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dean-Zone-Custom-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ220215788562QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I notice on the bridge it's strung high string first, then low string -- is that the way it usually is on 8 strings?
 
That's the normal way to string any guitar or bass with paired octave strings; or multiple octave strings in the case of a 12-string bass.  Idea being that when you're playing with a pick you actually hit the octave string each time.  Otherwise the octave string is hiding behind the normal bass string and you can miss hitting it.

yeah, you know, I could've sworn I knew that....
 
oh well, back to the bass w/ the skull on it....

:-)
 
That skull bass is the cover of Lynch Mob's 'Wicked Sensation' album.  It brings me back to a much more butt-rock time. :-) :-)

I just noticed that this thing is now only $200 at Musician's Friend.  I have since called them and they are crediting me back $50 on my Visa.  Love that 45-day price match guarantee. :-)
 
For $200... how can you not want one?!? ;-)