New to 8 string guitars - What to buy?

[Whitechapelx]

So I'm looking to pick up my first 8 string, and don't really know what to get or what to look for. I briefly played a couple RG8's and Hellraiser 8's at guitar center recently and wasn't that impressed - I'm sure they were not properly set up. So if anyone recommends a well priced (under or around $1000) please let me know! thanks

 

[Orsinium]

Well you could get a carvin dc800 flat out for around $1000 although that would mean it would just be alder, flat paint(black, white, red etc.) and the standard options which would be a shame with all the beautiful figured tops they offer, but its still your best option for around $1000.

 

[Captain Butterscotch]

With all these awesome models coming out from so many guitar companies, I'd wait a few weeks to see what transpires at NAMM and then ask this question again.

 

[WaffleTheEpic]

Rondo/Agile has a lot of options for ~1000.

Agile Septor Elite 827 EB EMG Nat DOT - RondoMusic.com

Agile Intrepid Pro 828 EB DNC Nat Ash - RondoMusic.com

Agile Intrepid Pro 827 EB EMG Bloodburst - RondoMusic.com

Agile Intrepid Pro 828 EB EMG Nat - RondoMusic.com

Agile Intrepid Pro 828 EB EMG White - RondoMusic.com

Agile Interceptor Pro 830 EB DNC Blue Flame DOT - RondoMusic.com

And that's not even all of them. Not to mention the semi-custom option where you can pretty much get anything you'd like. Tons of finishes and stuff are available.

Rondo Music Electric Guitars | Page 1 of 1 for the rest of the options.

 

[User Name]

there are a few good quality esp 8's out there. ibanez has a few signature series 8's out there that i hear have some great tone.

 

[Basti]

Ibanez say they're the leaders in 8 and they don't tend to lie

 

[User Name]

Ibanez say they're the leaders in 8 and they don't tend to lie

well that is quite a claim to make, even for ibanez. its all a matter of opinion in my book. the guitar needs to have a good balance of tone and great looks. i personally think ibanez is a fairly limited company as far as look and tone.

 

[Philligan]

The RG8 is the best bang for your buck. That plus a quick pickup upgrade and you'll have a solid guitar for around $600 The bridge is plain and simple, and all the hardware's not amazing but it's definitely fine. I don't think I've heard a bad thing about them yet. I have an RGA8, and my only real beef is the bridge and locking nut, which isn't on the RG8.

If you wanna spend a bit more (like $600-$800 stock) then look at some of the Schecters. The Damien Elite 8 is good for your dollar, and if you want the longer 28" scale, wait for the Damien Platinum 8 that Schecter just announced. Those have slightly better hardware, and will come stock with EMGs. Similar quality, just a different feel and slightly better features out of the box. (And bat inlays )

Above that, barebones DC800 hands down.

 

[User Name]

i know they have some great schecter 8's out there. theres a pretty sick hellraiser used on guitarcenter.com thats an off white with black binding. really sick looking guitar and a fantastic one at that.

i agree a pickup upgrade is fairly necessary for the rg8, that would work well. for cheaper 8 strings stock your really limited to an rg8, or a schecter omen 8, which i believe would be better because it comes stock with emg active pickups i believe.

 

[shawnperolis]

I really like Agiles... I think they play great.

 

[Whitechapelx]

Totally gonna check out the Carvins for sure. Depending on the price ill probably order one. If not I'm gonna try out the RG8's. Anyone know how the 2228's are?

 

[Philligan]

Totally gonna check out the Carvins for sure. Depending on the price ill probably order one. If not I'm gonna try out the RG8's. Anyone know how the 2228's are?

Awesome, but honestly, the DC800 is going to be on par or better. You could spec out a DC800 with almost identical specs for hundreds of dollars less, and the quality would be as good or better.

IMHO, I'd do RG8 + pickups or DC800. If you do a DC800, consider spending the ~$100 extra and getting a 5 piece neck, whatever wood combo you do. It'll be sturdier and probably add a lot of longevity to its life

 

[Whitechapelx]

Awesome man I'll do that. Thanks a ton for the info

 

[NoMod]

Totally gonna check out the Carvins for sure. Depending on the price ill probably order one. If not I'm gonna try out the RG8's. Anyone know how the 2228's are?

The 2228 is by far the best production 8 I have played - but I must note being in the uk I haven't tried a carvin...whether the 2228 is worth the money or not could fill many many pages of a very long thread but I dearly love my rg2228a - it feels, plays, looks and sounds amazing and I feel it was worth every penny...

 

[Given To Fly]

The 2228 is by far the best production 8 I have played - but I must note being in the uk I haven't tried a carvin...whether the 2228 is worth the money or not could fill many many pages of a very long thread but I dearly love my rg2228a - it feels, plays, looks and sounds amazing and I feel it was worth every penny...

I agree with everything written above expect I don't live in the U.K. I have played Carvins but not the DC800 so I can't comment on them. Before the RG8 came out my advice to potential 8 string buyers was "spend as much money as you can and buy the best." That basically meant an RG2228 or a custom built guitar. The reason I gave this advice was because my experiences with cheaper 8 strings would have kept me from ever buying one. 8 string guitars are a different animal compared to 6 and 7's.
Now I recommend the RG8 because it is really quite good for the price. Ibanez seems to be making their 8 string guitars very simple instruments which allows them to focus on quality. Having said that, you'll probably want to change the pickups, but I bet you'll never complain about the neck.

 

[schecter8]

being a lefty, my choices were super limited for an affordable 8 string, so i took a gamble and just ordered the Schecter OMen 8 after a pile of google research and a few opinions from my guitarists in my band. So far so good. But with limited experience and little to compare to, Im not sure if its amazing or not. lol. It definitely works for my noob level. Cheers, and good luck with your purchase.

 

[axxessdenied]

The RG8 is the best bang for your buck. That plus a quick pickup upgrade and you'll have a solid guitar for around $600 The bridge is plain and simple, and all the hardware's not amazing but it's definitely fine. I don't think I've heard a bad thing about them yet. I have an RGA8, and my only real beef is the bridge and locking nut, which isn't on the RG8.

If you wanna spend a bit more (like $600-$800 stock) then look at some of the Schecters. The Damien Elite 8 is good for your dollar, and if you want the longer 28" scale, wait for the Damien Platinum 8 that Schecter just announced. Those have slightly better hardware, and will come stock with EMGs. Similar quality, just a different feel and slightly better features out of the box. (And bat inlays )

Above that, barebones DC800 hands down.

My vote goes to a barebones DC800... Carvin.com : In Stock DC800 Eight-String Extended Scale Guitar Serial Number 110955
You CANNOT beat that guitar at this price.
RG8 for $600 is not worth it, imo.

You can get a Schecter Blackjack SLS C-8 for $899 I think which will another amazing guitar.

The DC800 is definitely the way to go. Lots of guys prefer the DC800 over the RG2228 as well which costs quite a bit more. Just to show you what kind of bang for your buck you get for that black carvin i posted!

 

[SirMyghin]

^^

He's right, bare bones Carvins are a lot of guitar for very little. I wouldn't fuss about with budget lines if that option is available (see live in North America)

 

[axxessdenied]

Awesome, but honestly, the DC800 is going to be on par or better. You could spec out a DC800 with almost identical specs for hundreds of dollars less, and the quality would be as good or better.

IMHO, I'd do RG8 + pickups or DC800. If you do a DC800, consider spending the ~$100 extra and getting a 5 piece neck, whatever wood combo you do. It'll be sturdier and probably add a lot of longevity to its life

This! I forgot to add the 5-piece maple neck on my original order and paid the extra fee to get it added after! WORTH IT! I live in an area where the weather is all over the place. More sturdy neck is worth every penny

 

[yellow]

rg2228