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Ibanez RG Standard RGMS8 Multi-scale 8-string Electric Guitar - Black

8-string Multi-scale Solidbody Electric Guitar with Nyatoh Body, 5-pc Maple/Walnut Neck, Jatoba Fretboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups
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Item ID: RGMS8BK
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Ibanez RG Standard RGMS8 Multi-scale 8-string Electric Guitar - Black
Price:$749 and 99 cents
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Ibanez RG Standard RGMS8 Multi-scale 8-string Electric Guitar - Black
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Price:$749 and 99 cents
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Frequently Asked Questions

Ibanez RG Standard RGMS8 Multi-scale 8-string Electric Guitar - Black

Q: What is a multi-scale design, and how does it benefit an 8-string guitar like the RGMS8?

Q: Who is the Ibanez RGMS8 Multi-scale 8-string guitar designed for?

Q: What kind of tone can I expect from the Array 8 MS Humbuckers on the RGMS8?

Q: What are the advantages of the Mono-rail bridge on the RGMS8?

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8-string Guitar Built for Performance

The Ibanez RGMS8 Multi-scale 8-string guitar's distinctive fretboard and compensated pickup and hardware configuration give you outstanding playing comfort and great intonation all the way up the fast, super-slim neck. The nyatoh body's warm tone also serves up plenty of cut and sustain. And the RGMS8's Mono-rail bridge lets each string vibrate independently, while a pair of Ibanez Array 8 MS humbuckers delivers the amp-punishing punch you demand. A lot of guitars can play metal, but the Ibanez Iron Label RGMS8 8-string guitar was born for it.

Designed for metal

When Ibanez introduced their Iron Label series of electric guitars, it was clear they were heavy metal guitars through and through. The Iron Label RGMS8 8-string guitar carries on that tradition, and it adds a multi-scale fret design for incredible down-tuned punch while keeping the higher strings feeling familiar and sounding clear. And Array 8 humbucking pickups will push your amp into tight, aggressive distortion. Ibanez is famous for their fast, super-slim necks. The Wizard III-8 neck on the RGMS8 is topped with a premium jatoba fingerboard for enhanced fretting dexterity and optimized articulation.

Multi-scale frets for comfort, tension, and tone

Multi-scale frets are an exciting trend in guitar design aimed at down-tuned and technical playing. Matched to your fretting hand's natural angle of movement, you get a longer scale length on the bass side of the instrument and a shorter scale on the treble side. Not only does this offer you better intonation across all eight strings, but the higher tension on the low strings adds muscle and punch to your tone. The multi-scale neck construction of this 8-string guitar equalizes that tension, resulting in a vibrant, open tone. At the same time, the higher strings have a familiar scale length for great single-string performance. While getting used to them may seem intimidating, guitarists at Sweetwater have found that it's a very natural transition.

Ibanez Array 8 MS humbuckers

A pair of slant-mounted Ibanez Array 8 MS pickups delivers the sonic essence of the RGMS8. Designed for down-tuning, these humbuckers are highly responsive, with a super-tight growl and fat, snarling tone that makes this guitar a natural for progressive metal and aggressive fusion styles.

Ibanez: a brief history

Ibanez began its life in 1908 as the Hoshino Gakki company in Nagoya, Japan. However, the company didn't get into the guitar business until 1929, when they started importing Salvador Ibanez guitars from Spain. In 1935, Hoshino Gakki began building Spanish acoustic guitars under the "Ibanez Salvador" name, which was later shortened to "Ibanez." Although Ibanez began manufacturing electric guitars in 1957, the company was relatively unknown in the West until the 1960s, when they started producing guitars based on American designs. By the late 1970s, Ibanez had stopped producing derivative guitars and had begun manufacturing the original designs that the company is now known for. Ibanez is also famous for their effect pedals (most notably the Tube Screamer) and guitar amplifiers.

Ibanez RGMS8 8-string Multi-scale Solidbody Electric Guitar Features:

  • Sleek, comfortably contoured nyatoh body
  • Fast, slim Wizard III-8 5-piece multi-scale maple/walnut neck
  • 25.5" scale at 1st string; 27.2" scale at 8th string
  • Jatoba fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and offset white dot inlays
  • Ibanez Array 8 MS humbucking neck and bridge pickups
  • Mono-rail bridge minimizes string crosstalk and facilitates perfect intonation
  • Strings: .009/.011/.016/.024/.032/.042/.059/.080
  • Cosmo black hardware

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 8
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Solidbody
  • Body Shape RG
  • Body Material Nyatoh
  • Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
  • Color Black
  • Neck
  • Neck Material 5-piece Maple/Walnut
  • Neck Shape Wizard III-8
  • Neck Joint Bolt-on
  • Radius 15.75"
  • Fingerboard Material Jatoba
  • Fingerboard Inlay Offset White Dots
  • Number of Frets 24, Jumbo
  • Scale Length 25.5"-27.2"
  • Scale Length Type Multi-scale
  • Nut Width 2.165"
  • Nut Material Plastic
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece Mono-rail Bridge
  • Tuners Ibanez Closed Gear
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup Array 8 MS Humbucker
  • Bridge Pickup Array 8 MS Humbucker
  • Controls 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
  • Switching 5-way blade pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings D'Addario, .009-.080
  • Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: RGMS8BK

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Reviews

An Immensely Versatile Guitar
On the surface, this looks like a great guitar for an aspiring Tosin Abasi clone, but I've had it for 2.5 months now and I have used it for jazzy parts, with guitar synths, Strat-quack cleans, screaming distortions and more. I even made some "horn" arrangements with it and two good guitar synths. When I bought it, I didn't know about its unique switching system; I expected it to be a plain ol' 3-position deal, but the 2nd and the 4th positions are not only genius ideas, but also a fantastic way to very convincingly replicate those positions on a Strat, while the straight humbuckers at 1, 3 and 5 and the powerful, full-bodied and super-dynamic pick-ups can cover all your metal needs. Just a fantastic guitar all around, above and beyond even what you'd expect from Ibanez.
It’s all you need
The Ibanez RGMS8 is the 12th addition to my current collection and the only extended range guitar that I own. At one point, I owned the Ibanez M80M which I loved but sold when money was tight. Since then, I haven't wanted to play extra strings until I achieved a proficiency level that would allow me to maximize the instrument's use.

After months of practice and pushing myself well beyond my comfort zone, I found myself coming back to the 8 string. I flirted with more expensive models but came to my senses and decided to go with a lower cost model from a brand I trust. Just in case I didn't stick with it.

After playing this guitar every day for 2 weeks, I can honestly say that it is perfect for anyone at any skill level. As soon as I put my hands on it, I felt like I knew what to do. Every string and every fret is flawless to play and despite being a larger instrument, I find it more comfortable to play than any of my six strings. I have played Haken, Meshuggah, Mick Gordon, and Deftones covers to get myself familiar. But I find myself creating more intricate original music than I ever thought possible. Just playing this guitar has made me a better player. I told a friend of mine that after playing the RGMS8 for a few days, then picking up a six string, the "regular guitar," felt like a toothpick. Not to mention I could move more quickly than I could before playing an 8 string regularly. I think there is evidence that playing a larger scale and playing across 8 strings stretches your fingers and strengthens your hands to the point where your abilities on a six string become surprising in comparison.

To me, you can't go wrong with this purchase. If you can swing it, pay for a set up. Go for 9-80 gauge strings. I asked Sweetwater to tune to standard, but I usually use the transpose feature in my presets to get to "Meshuggah," tuning or to Drop E. So, factory tuning at F and half a step down is good enough.

Pros:
Satin neck is fast and never sticky
Clean tones sound great in positions 1, 2, and 4. Position 5 is where you should chug, as always.
RG body style: cut outs and bevels are designed with the player in mind. Playing in classic position seated or standing allows you to reach every fret and string without a problem.
Tuning stability: despite using modest hardware, the guitar stays in tune very well. The multi scale length contributes to this.

Cons:
the zero fret. Playing around the first fret is slightly difficult because of the slanted nut. This is not a huge problem but it takes adjustment.
Also, the pickups are very powerful. When dialing in your tone, you don't need much gain. These pickups are hot so they emit noise with high gain. I recommend adjusting your picking technique some to account for muting the extra strings. Also, keep the gain around 5 or 6. It will still Djent, I promise.

All together, I am surprised at the bond I have formed with this instrument. I have bought 3 guitars from Ibanez in my life and they have all been top of the line. I trust them in this price range and with a Sweetwater set up, you'll get an instrument that feels like a prestige model. If you want to try an 8 string, this model is an easy adjustment and the fit, finish, and tone are incredible.
Perfect multi-scale starting guitar
I've had this guitar now for almost a year, and I absolutely love it. This is my first and only 8 string and multi scale guitar (after owning a 7-string beforehand). The adjustment for me was almost immediate, and I do not have huge hands. The neck is the standout feature on this beast. Fast, smooth, and extremely comfortable. No surprise, I play mostly Meshuggah with this, and hitting the notes in the upper frets on the low 7th and 8th strings is a breeze. I've not played a standard scale 8 string for comparison, but the multi scale just makes so much sense on this instrument.

The pickups also sound great. The 5-way blade switch offers an enormous variety of sounds, which is great for me still starting out and figuring out my tone. If you've been playing a long time and know what you're after, you might want to opt for something a little higher end that's more focused on your specific needs. But if you're extended range or multi scale curious, I cannot recommend this guitar highly enough.
Loving this Guitar
At the time of writing this review, I've had this guitar for 2 weeks, and I LOVE IT! It's my first 8 string and one of my favorite guitars. Everyone gets hyped about the new guitar, but sometimes you buy one and you still play one you had before more than your new one. Not this time, I want to make this my main for all things metal. The look, the feel, the sound, play-ability, all great! I took it to a friend of mine who is a luthier for review, setup, his two cents. By the end of us testing it and playing it, 3 hours later, he decided he needs one or to build one like it.

I also grabbed the recommended gator case to go with it and I'm pleased with that as well. A great match. I'm pleased with my purchase and have no regrets about it.
fantastic
I love this guitar. The tones are amazing. Weighs just as much as my Les Paul standard but the weight is equally distributed. There is a no neck dive at all. the fanned frets are easy to adjust too.