Tried an LTD H308

[DoubleAA]

When I picked up my RG8, I was kind of debating between the Ibby and some of the LTD offerings. I've had some ESP/LTD stuff before and have always been really impressed with the quality for the money.

Anyway, I was at the local GC and they had exactly one 8 string on display, and LTD H-308. I checked it out, just to torture myself if I made the wrong call. Well, I don't think I did, for me anyway.

The LTD is waaay prettier, to be sure, with better bits and pieces, but I think that Ibanez really nailed the important stuff. The LTD neck seemed kind of cramped to me. I think the little bit of extra scale length helps in spacing everything out a bit so it's more manageable. It's a nice feeling neck, don't get me wrong, and being neck-through is awesome, but the RG8 seems more playable, even if you have to work a little harder or reach a little more for some things.

Also, dropped E wasn't even kind of happening on the stock strings.

The EMGs sounded like EMGs, so that's a matter of opinion. Honestly, the guitar sounded fine, but it didn't have the "holy crap, this is like a whole new instrument" vibe that I got when I picked up the RG8 for the first time. It might be a good move for someone who really wants a seamless transition to 8 without having to change their style much. For me, I wanted the 8 to be kind of a springboard into all new territory. I think the RG8 does that better. The LTD just felt like a guitar that someone threw a couple extra strings on.

Obviously, YMMV, but I think the RG8 was the better call. The baritone scale ESPs might be a whole different story, though.

 

[Chuck]

I love stories without substance.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Care to elaborate?

 

[DoubleAA]

I like suspense, or my browser was being stupid. One of those.

 

[Chuck]

I really loved the feel of the H308 when I played one awhile back. Certainly feels more sturdy than the RG8. I didn't like the scale of the LTD though, for F# standard that is. It would be an excellent guitar for tuning say A-D-G-C-F-A-D-G or something

 

[stuglue]

the scale length is the reason that i got the 208, ESP don't do a lefty 308 plus i don't like EMG pickups so they'd have been wasted anyway.
hopefully when i get the guitar back from my luthier i'll be able to tune up to high A.

 

[gunch]

Actually I'm sort of glad that there are at least a few shorter scale 8's out there for those with manlet hands like myself

 

[Kristianx510]

My first 8 string was a 208, and the scale length really helped with my tiny hands haha. I'm pretty torn between a 308 or Iron Label 8 string for my next guitar.

 

[Wyvern Claw]

A friend of mine who is currently the temporary co-guitarist in my band has an H-308. As I mentioned just now in a different thread, I have a Carvin DC800 and I was actually extremely impressed with the LTD. The scale didn't make as much of a massive difference as I'd have thought, and it held drop E just fine with the stock strings and felt about the same as the tension on my 27" Carvin, even though I think the LTD actually came with even thinner strings than that on the Carvin... I have no idea how that works, but somehow that's how it wound up. Aside from that, it looks a bit plain, but better than some other guitars in the price rang; it certainly has some very nice touches, like the binding on the body and such. All things considered, I'm not sure I'd have taken an RG8 over it if I were in the market for a budget 8 string, but everyone will certainly have varying opinions on what they like and what works best for them.