The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect 8 String Guitar for Your Metal Journey
Hey guys! Are you ready to dive deep into the world of metal with the best 8 string guitars? Whether you are a seasoned player or just starting to explore the heavy and powerful sound of metal, having the right instrument is crucial. In this article, we will guide you through the top 7 options for 8 string guitars specifically designed for metal enthusiasts. So grab your pick, tighten your strings, and let’s get started!
Introduction
Before we jump into the details, let’s understand why 8 string guitars have become so popular in the metal genre. With two additional strings compared to the traditional 6 string guitars, the 8 string models provide a wider range and versatility, allowing guitarists to unleash their creativity and explore new depths of heavy riffs.
However, choosing the right 8 string guitar for metal can be a daunting task, considering the numerous options available in the market. To make your decision easier, we have curated a list of the best 8 string guitars that excel in delivering the crushing tone and brutal power required for metal music. Let’s explore them one by one:
1. Ibanez RGMS8 Iron Label
🤘The Perfect Blend of Power and Precision🤘
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Material | Maple/Wenge |
| Fingerboard Material | Macassar Ebony |
| Pickup Configuration | H-H |
| Bridge | Fixed |
The Ibanez RGMS8 Iron Label stands out as an exceptional 8 string guitar designed specifically for metal. With its mahogany body and maple/wenge neck, this guitar packs a powerful punch while maintaining excellent sustain and resonance. The Macassar Ebony fingerboard offers a smooth and fast playing experience, allowing you to effortlessly navigate through the fretboard.
Equipped with a humbucker pickup configuration and a fixed bridge, the RGMS8 delivers a focused and aggressive tone, perfect for heavy riffing and intricate solos. The guitar’s sleek and ergonomic design ensures comfort during long playing sessions, making it an ideal choice for both stage performances and studio recordings.
Advantages:
– Powerful and aggressive tone- Excellent sustain and resonance- Smooth and fast playing experience- Comfortable and ergonomic design
Disadvantages:
– Limited tonal variety compared to guitars with multiple pickups- Fixed bridge may restrict some advanced techniques
2. Schecter Hellraiser C-8
🔥Powerful Tones for the Hellish Metal Realm🔥
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Pickup Configuration | H-H |
| Bridge | Fixed |
Next on our list is the Schecter Hellraiser C-8, a guitar that unleashes the true essence of metal. Crafted with a mahogany body and a maple neck, this beast delivers a deep and resonant tone with exceptional clarity. The ebony fingerboard adds a touch of elegance and offers a smooth playing surface for your fierce metal riffs.
Featuring a humbucker pickup configuration and a fixed bridge, the Hellraiser C-8 boasts monstrous tones that will satisfy any metalhead’s cravings. The guitar’s active pickups provide a high-output sound with enhanced sustain, making it an excellent choice for heavy palm-muted chugs and face-melting solos. The Hellraiser C-8’s sinister aesthetics perfectly match its devastating sound, making it a must-have for any metal enthusiast.
Advantages:
– Deep and resonant tone with exceptional clarity- Smooth and elegant ebony fingerboard- Monstrous tones with enhanced sustain- Sinister aesthetics
Disadvantages:
– Limited tonal versatility due to the humbucker configuration- Fixed bridge may limit tremolo techniques
3. ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale
🎸Unleash Your Creativity with Unconventional Design🎸
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Fingerboard Material | Macassar Ebony |
| Pickup Configuration | H-H |
| Bridge | Fixed |
If you are seeking limitless creativity and unique playability, look no further than the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale guitar. This extraordinary instrument features a multi-scale design, with different scale lengths for each string. This innovative layout ensures optimal tension and intonation across all strings, allowing you to explore uncharted territories of metal music.
The mahogany body and maple neck combination deliver a rich and warm tone, while the Macassar Ebony fingerboard provides a smooth and comfortable playing experience. Equipped with humbucker pickups and a fixed bridge, the M-1008 Multi-Scale guitar boasts a high-output sound with incredible clarity, making it perfect for both aggressive rhythms and scorching solos.
Advantages:
– Unconventional multi-scale design for optimal tension and intonation- Rich and warm tone- Smooth and comfortable playing experience- High-output sound with exceptional clarity
Disadvantages:
– Steep learning curve for players transitioning from traditional scale length guitars- Fixed bridge may limit tremolo techniques
4. Jackson X Series Soloist SLAT8 MS
🎵Unleash Your Shredding Potential with Lightning-Fast Playability🎵
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Poplar |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Pickup Configuration | H-H |
| Bridge | Fixed |
For those who value speed and precision in their metal playing, the Jackson X Series Soloist SLAT8 MS is a true shredder’s dream. Built with a poplar body and a maple neck, this guitar offers lightning-fast playability that will skyrocket your shredding skills to new heights.
The ebony fingerboard ensures smooth navigation across the fretboard, while the high-output humbucker pickups deliver the aggressive tones required for heavy metal riffing and searing solos. Whether you are playing intricate sweeps or lightning-fast alternate picking, this guitar will keep up with your every move.
Advantages:
– Lightning-fast playability- Smooth navigation with the ebony fingerboard- Aggressive tones for heavy riffing and searing solos
Disadvantages:
– Poplar body may not provide as much sustain as guitars made from Mahogany- Limited tonal versatility compared to guitars with multiple pickup configurations
5. PRS SE SVN
🎶Elegance Meets Crushing Power🎶
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Fingerboard Material | Rosewood |
| Pickup Configuration | H-H |
| Bridge | Tremolo |
A perfect blend of elegance and power, the PRS SE SVN combines top-notch craftsmanship with crushing tones. The mahogany body and maple neck contribute to the guitar’s balanced and resonant sound, while the rosewood fingerboard adds warmth and depth to your playing.
The PRS SE SVN features a humbucker pickup configuration, delivering a dynamic range of tones suitable for various metal subgenres. The addition of a tremolo bridge allows for expressive playing, enabling you to add dive bombs and other tremolo techniques to your arsenal. With its stunning looks and versatile sound, the PRS SE SVN is a true workhorse for metal guitarists.
Advantages:
– Balanced and resonant sound with warmth and depth- Dynamic range of tones- Expressive playing with the tremolo bridge
Disadvantages:
– Tremolo bridge may require more maintenance compared to fixed bridges- Limited tonal range compared to guitars with more pickup options
6. Washburn Parallaxe Solar 18ETC
☀️Harness the Solar Power of Heavy Metal☀️
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Swamp Ash |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Fingerboard Material | Ebony |
| Pickup Configuration | H-H |
| Bridge | Tremolo |
Designed in collaboration with the legendary metal guitarist Ola Englund, the Washburn Parallaxe Solar 18ETC offers a blend of premium features and powerful performance. The swamp ash body provides a balanced tone with excellent clarity and sustain, while the maple neck ensures stability and durability.
The ebony fingerboard offers a smooth and fast playing surface, perfect for executing lightning-fast metal riffs and solos. Equipped with humbucker pickups and a tremolo bridge, this guitar delivers a wide range of tones with the ability to add subtle nuances and dive bombs to your playing. The Washburn Parallaxe Solar 18ETC is a true testament to the power of metal.
Advantages:
– Balanced tone with excellent clarity and sustain- Stable and durable maple neck- Smooth and fast playing experience- Wide range of tones with expressive tremolo capabilities
Disadvantages:
– Tremolo bridge may require more maintenance compared to fixed bridges- Limited tonal range compared to guitars with more pickup options
7. ESP E-II Horizon-8 NT
🌟A High-End Metal Machine for the Discerning Guitarist🌟
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Fingerboard Material | Macassar Ebony |
| Pickup Configuration | H-H |
| Bridge | Tremolo |
For the discerning metal guitarist seeking uncompromising quality, the ESP E-II Horizon-8 NT is a top-tier instrument that delivers exceptional performance. Crafted with a mahogany body and a maple neck, this guitar offers rich and resonant tones with excellent sustain.
The Macassar Ebony fingerboard provides a luxurious playing experience, allowing for effortless fretting and smooth transitions across the neck. Equipped with humbucker pickups and a tremolo bridge, the E-II Horizon-8 NT offers a versatile range of tones suitable for any metal subgenre. With its high-end construction and outstanding playability, this guitar is a perfect choice for professionals and serious metal enthusiasts.
Advantages:
– Exceptional performance with rich and resonant tones- Luxurious playing experience with Macassar Ebony fingerboard- Versatile range of tones- High-end construction and outstanding playability
Disadvantages:
– Tremolo bridge may require more maintenance compared to fixed bridges- Higher price point
Advantages and Disadvantages of 8 String Guitars for Metal
Now that we have explored the top 7 best 8 string guitars for metal, let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these instruments in detail:
Advantages
1. Extended Range: The additional strings open up a whole new realm of possibilities for metal guitarists, allowing for lower tunings and heavier sounds.
2. Increased Chord Options: With more strings, you can explore complex chord voicings and create unique harmonic progressions.
3. Enhanced Low-End Definition: The extra lower strings provide a deep and tight bass response, crucial for heavy and chuggy riffs.
4. Soloing Possibilities: The extended range allows for wider intervals and unique melodic opportunities when shredding through metal solos.
5. Artistic Expression: With more strings to work with, you can experiment with different playing techniques and unleash your creativity.
6. Stand Out from the Crowd: Using an 8 string guitar sets you apart from traditional 6 string players, giving you a distinctive sound and presence.
7. Future-Proofing: As metal music continues to evolve, 8 string guitars are becoming more prevalent, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve.
Disadvantages
1. Learning Curve: Transitioning from a 6 string guitar to an 8 string guitar requires time and practice to adapt to the wider neck and additional strings.
2. Increased Complexity: The extra strings can be overwhelming for beginners and may hinder their progress in learning the instrument.
3. Physical Challenges: Playing an 8 string guitar can be physically demanding, requiring more finger strength and dexterity to navigate the wider fretboard.
4. Limited Availability: Compared to traditional 6 string guitars, the options available for 8 string guitars are relatively limited, making it harder to find the perfect fit.
5. Higher Cost: The more complex construction and materials required for 8