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Ibanez RG Standard RGMS8 Multi-scale 8-string Electric Guitar - Black
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Is an 8-string Guitar the Next Stop in Your Musical Odyssey?
There’s a breed of guitar players whose music is a rare alloy, forged in the fires of passion from raw aural ores and hammered into sonic sculptures towering above the masses. These tone warriors pick up a standard guitar and yearn for the guttural growl and resonant bass needed to probe the miry depths of the soul.
Do you have harmonies in your mind for which there simply aren’t enough notes on a standard guitar? Will only an axe imbued with the power of an extended range and a fretboard of extra girth and length do your songs justice? Sweetwater has a deep selection of these worthy weapons; let us help you choose the 8-string guitar meant for you.
A Cache of Unique 8-strings for Players Like You
8-string electric guitars at Sweetwater are built from time-honored tonewoods such as bubinga, padauk, mahogany, ash, and basswood. You have your choice of several popular body shapes, including the venerated S-style, the Modern, the formidable Doublecut, and more.
Many 8-strings feature ergonomic contours such as armrest curves, leg hollows, and treble-side cutouts to accommodate high soloing acrobatics. These can help make proper technique and instrument positioning more comfortable. And for players into dive-bombing, we carry many models with locking nuts designed for rock-solid tuning.
Jazz Fusion to Technical Death: The Breathtaking Versatility of 8-string Guitars
At Sweetwater, the beauty of tops hewn from traditional maple, prepared in a variety of solid and transparent finishes with textures ranging from satin to high gloss, ensures your instrument looks as commanding as it sounds.
You can choose electronic configurations with one or two pickups, including active humbuckers engineered for the extended sonic range of 8-string instruments.
Necks are available with up to 24 frets and scale lengths ranging from 25.5 inches to 29.4 inches. Many guitar makers also offer left-handed versions of their popular 8-strings for southpaw players.
8-string Electric Guitar FAQs
Are you ready to set sail on your 8-string journey? Here are some quick answers to common questions to get you pointed in the right direction.
What bands use 8-string guitars?
Here’s a list of bands and guitarists known to plumb the depths of 8-string guitars. Click each artist’s link to see their signature.
- Javier Reyes and Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders)
- Stephen Carpenter (Deftones)
- Richard Henshall (Haken)
- Rob Scallon
- Dean Lamb (Archspire)
- Devin Shidaker (The Acacia Strain)
- Ihsahn
- John Browne (Monuments)
- Mike Derks (GWAR)
- Ichika Nito
- Robert Conti
- IV (Sleep Token)
Are 8-string guitars hard to play?
They can take some getting used to, especially if you come from a 6-string background. Our best advice is to try several 8-string electrics until you find the neck profile and string spacing that suits your style, whether you’re walking basslines, tapping, or sweep picking.
Another piece of advice for new 8-string converts: experiment with alternate tunings. DADGCFAD, for example, can reduce the likelihood of hitting a “wrong” note while you’re still learning your way around the fingerboard.
What is the range of an 8-string guitar?
In standard tuning (F♯, B, E, A, D, G, B, E), an 8-string provides around five octaves of range. Range can be further expanded through the use of dropped tunings. See our 8 String Guitar Tuning Guide for more information.
Sweetwater Is Your Premier Destination for 8-string Guitars
Many guitarists have personally experienced that only 8-string guitars are capable of transmitting their songs in full harmonic glory. Maybe you’re a seasoned 8-stringer, and you’re just looking for your next extended-range guitar. For other players seeking their first 8-string, the characteristics of these powerful electric instruments may still be unfamiliar. Give Sweetwater a call for help finding the perfect 8 string electric guitar for your rig
What are the most popular brands for 8-string Guitars on Sweetwater.com?
What are the most popular 8-string Guitars on Sweetwater.com?
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Ibanez Axe Design Lab RGDMS8 Multi-scale 8-string Electric Guitar - Classic Silver Matte
5 out of 5 stars 5 reviews
$1,299.99 -
Ibanez Meshuggah Signature M80M - Weathered Black
5 out of 5 stars 7 reviews
$1,699.99 -
Strandberg Boden Original N2.8 8-string Electric Guitar - Sunset Coral Burst Satin
5 out of 5 stars 1 review
$2,699.00 -
Ibanez RG Standard RG8 8-string Electric Guitar - White
4.5 out of 5 stars 13 reviews
$499.99 -
Jackson X Series Soloist Arch Top SLAT8 Multi-Scale - Gloss Black
4 out of 5 stars 5 reviews
$1,069.99
Why shop 8-string Guitars at Sweetwater.com?
With a massive selection of 8-string Guitars, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about 8-string Guitars, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.
