8 string guitar recommendations

Long response, but imo the most for the money (qc/features) are:
Edit: (recommend looking at features, lots have stainless, different woods, electronics, etc... too much to list for one post)
Soapbar pickups models have way more options due to different manufacture's takes on degrees with their pickups on non soapbar models. You may get stuck and no options for replacements without swapping/modding baseplates otherwise)

Thin necks (think wizard)

2019-2023 Legator N8FP, G8FP, SP8F (used can often be found cheap) My personal favorite necks. 2024 are hit or miss on QC. Easy to identify by ebony fingerboards and the first numbers on the serial for year. Made at World Music Korea, would personally call this era for WMI the new MIJ 1980's for QC/Most for money.

2024 Legator N8FSS or G8FSS (Stainless frets, richlite, active electronics comes in beautiful purple :ROFLMAO:) NOT the models with FS at the end only FSS.
FS = MIC and feel like a toy often GC will mark as a FP model, but if it has a maple board it's chinese FS. FSS made in Indonesia.

2023+ Ibanez RGDMS8 (can be found used for under $1k) Name is about the only thing it has over Legator, comes only in primer gray and gold hardware.

Thick(er) Necks (more round/chunky)

2016+ Agile models with the word Nirvana, mod, or pro in the model name. Probably the best extended range guitars for the money, may need a setup if bought new, take that into consideration if you don't diy. They will often have blems or leftover models on sale at Rondomusic for decent discounts. Click "Summer sale" on main page. The Nirvana models and Pendelum pro are probably the best values, imo, but may have features you/he doesn't want.

2017+ Jackson SLAT8FF also known as Jackson SLAT8X depending on year. Great overall, best value for name brand, imo. Only comes in black, though there is a SLATX8Q model that comes with a trans-black quilt finish, but harder to find replacement pickups.

Schecter PT-8 MS (New model tele) New is a bit higher than your budget, but few other tele variants in 8 string. Only has bridge pickup.

Any Ormsby, have to go used to meet budget, best roll of the dice QC, but generally more expensive.

Tremelo Models

2021-22 Dean Exile or ML select models are one of the few that come with a tremelo, kahlers in this case. New at close to $3k, every once in a while I've seen used pop up for at or under $1k. Kind of ugly finish, but awesome overall. One of my favorites and very odd multiscale leaning towards shredding as it makes for very awkward chords.

2024 Agile Perihelion or SS8TM

2016+ Agile Pendelum, Spector, Intercepor Elite models

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If sticking with equal scale, I would say that the new Legator N8SS or G8SS models are the overall best value, imo. Some name brands like Ibanez, Jackson, Schecter, etc.. all have models in the $600-800 range (new), but imo the above are all more for the money using better woods, finishes, often better electronics, and have lower hours between tool resetting times (higher chance of tight tolerances vs most name brands in the sub $1k). That's not to say there aren't good models with name brands, but you'll have to go used to get an equal instrument and will still be more $ if comparing used to the above, usually. I would say the (new price) $700-1k models from Legator or Agile are in the same realm as the often $1,300-2k models from Ibanez, Schecter or Jackson. If you can find the latter for your price, by all means.

It seems that most any from WMI or Cort in the last 5 years (sans some 2024s) are going to be good/on par with one another despite the brand on the headstock. Fanned frets are awesome for tension, intonation, and comfort. Some models will come in more than one offering of scale lengths (mainly Agiles) which translates mainly into it's comfort for tuning/string gauge, etc...

I'm not against equal scale, but there are benefits to the multiscales that are better for the long term, imo/ime. The closer the two scales are to each other the better for chords. I would recommend researching the neutral/parallel/zero fret to help decide, but basically I recommend finding one where it's within the most often used area of the fingerboard for the specific individual needs for speed and comfort. If it's a surprise gift I would say Legator or Agile you can't go wrong. A bonus is that most of these can be found used for much less than new and in great condition because people tend to give up on them quickly. Whichever direction you go, unless you come across an amazing deal too good to pass I would expect this year to have really good black friday deals. A lot of these are also at certain sellers on reverb marked as used mint, but are actually new (to undermine MAP, imo).

There's a whole rabbit hole to go down, but focus on scale lengths (closer each side is in length=easier chords, further = better string tension balance and intonation) and where the parallel fret is located for the player otherwise it might be uncomfortable for use as a single option. One of the reasons of I have so many of them. Different tunings, tones and whether good for lead or rhythm and where on the fingerboard those are played. Parallel fret at the 7-9 ar probably most versatile, the farther down (say 10-12th fret parallel) will make for harder cowboy chords, but better 12+ shredding.

TL;DR? Equal length or Parallel Fret on multiscales at or around the 8th for most versatile instrument. World Korea or Cort Indonesia, 2019+
 
Long response, but imo the most for the money (qc/features) are:
Edit: (recommend looking at features, lots have stainless, different woods, electronics, etc... too much to list for one post)
Soapbar pickups models have way more options due to different manufacture's takes on degrees with their pickups on non soapbar models. You may get stuck and no options for replacements without swapping/modding baseplates otherwise)

Thin necks (think wizard)

2019-2023 Legator N8FP, G8FP, SP8F (used can often be found cheap) My personal favorite necks. 2024 are hit or miss on QC. Easy to identify by ebony fingerboards and the first numbers on the serial for year. Made at World Music Korea, would personally call this era for WMI the new MIJ 1980's for QC/Most for money.

2024 Legator N8FSS or G8FSS (Stainless frets, richlite, active electronics comes in beautiful purple :ROFLMAO:) NOT the models with FS at the end only FSS.
FS = MIC and feel like a toy often GC will mark as a FP model, but if it has a maple board it's chinese FS. FSS made in Indonesia.

2023+ Ibanez RGDMS8 (can be found used for under $1k) Name is about the only thing it has over Legator, comes only in primer gray and gold hardware.

Thick(er) Necks (more round/chunky)

2016+ Agile models with the word Nirvana, mod, or pro in the model name. Probably the best extended range guitars for the money, may need a setup if bought new, take that into consideration if you don't diy. They will often have blems or leftover models on sale at Rondomusic for decent discounts. Click "Summer sale" on main page. The Nirvana models and Pendelum pro are probably the best values, imo, but may have features you/he doesn't want.

2017+ Jackson SLAT8FF also known as Jackson SLAT8X depending on year. Great overall, best value for name brand, imo. Only comes in black, though there is a SLATX8Q model that comes with a trans-black quilt finish, but harder to find replacement pickups.

Schecter PT-8 MS (New model tele) New is a bit higher than your budget, but few other tele variants in 8 string. Only has bridge pickup.

Any Ormsby, have to go used to meet budget, best roll of the dice QC, but generally more expensive.

Tremelo Models

2021-22 Dean Exile or ML select models are one of the few that come with a tremelo, kahlers in this case. New at close to $3k, every once in a while I've seen used pop up for at or under $1k. Kind of ugly finish, but awesome overall. One of my favorites and very odd multiscale leaning towards shredding as it makes for very awkward chords.

2024 Agile Perihelion or SS8TM

2016+ Agile Pendelum, Spector, Intercepor Elite models

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If sticking with equal scale, I would say that the new Legator N8SS or G8SS models are the overall best value, imo. Some name brands like Ibanez, Jackson, Schecter, etc.. all have models in the $600-800 range (new), but imo the above are all more for the money using better woods, finishes, often better electronics, and have lower hours between tool resetting times (higher chance of tight tolerances vs most name brands in the sub $1k). That's not to say there aren't good models with name brands, but you'll have to go used to get an equal instrument and will still be more $ if comparing used to the above, usually. I would say the (new price) $700-1k models from Legator or Agile are in the same realm as the often $1,300-2k models from Ibanez, Schecter or Jackson. If you can find the latter for your price, by all means.

It seems that most any from WMI or Cort in the last 5 years (sans some 2024s) are going to be good/on par with one another despite the brand on the headstock. Fanned frets are awesome for tension, intonation, and comfort. Some models will come in more than one offering of scale lengths (mainly Agiles) which translates mainly into it's comfort for tuning/string gauge, etc...

I'm not against equal scale, but there are benefits to the multiscales that are better for the long term, imo/ime. The closer the two scales are to each other the better for chords. I would recommend researching the neutral/parallel/zero fret to help decide, but basically I recommend finding one where it's within the most often used area of the fingerboard for the specific individual needs for speed and comfort. If it's a surprise gift I would say Legator or Agile you can't go wrong. A bonus is that most of these can be found used for much less than new and in great condition because people tend to give up on them quickly. Whichever direction you go, unless you come across an amazing deal too good to pass I would expect this year to have really good black friday deals. A lot of these are also at certain sellers on reverb marked as used mint, but are actually new (to undermine MAP, imo).

There's a whole rabbit hole to go down, but focus on scale lengths (closer each side is in length=easier chords, further = better string tension balance and intonation) and where the parallel fret is located for the player otherwise it might be uncomfortable for use as a single option. One of the reasons of I have so many of them. Different tunings, tones and whether good for lead or rhythm and where on the fingerboard those are played. Parallel fret at the 7-9 ar probably most versatile, the farther down (say 10-12th fret parallel) will make for harder cowboy chords, but better 12+ shredding.

TL;DR? Equal length or Parallel Fret on multiscales at or around the 8th for most versatile instrument. World Korea or Cort Indonesia, 2019+
Definitely not TLDR. I read all you wrote here to him and he said thank you for the insightful post. I might post links to a few instruments he is looking at more closely later and maybe you can offer your opinions on them. He is looking at some of the fan fret models that are 25.5 to 27.5. Your post seemed to make a case for multiscale instruments and perhaps a guitar with the parallel fret around 8 since he is just getting into it. We'll see where he goes with this. Thanks again @NowYou'rePlayingWithPower very nice of you to take the time to share all that info.
 
Definitely not TLDR. I read all you wrote here to him and he said thank you for the insightful post. I might post links to a few instruments he is looking at more closely later and maybe you can offer your opinions on them. He is looking at some of the fan fret models that are 25.5 to 27.5. Your post seemed to make a case for multiscale instruments and perhaps a guitar with the parallel fret around 8 since he is just getting into it. We'll see where he goes with this. Thanks again @NowYou'rePlayingWithPower very nice of you to take the time to share all that info.

No problem, it's rare I get to talk about them here :ROFLMAO:
I think your summary of specs is spot on with both the scale and parallel fret position. I have more insight into the little changes over the years on a lot of these models as some things may have changed like hardware, neck position on the body (some may be better for tall people or sitting down vs standing up for example), or move to stainless frets that previous years may or may not have and not even adverstise. Let me know what y'all find, and I will definitely give as much insight as I can
 
No problem, it's rare I get to talk about them here :ROFLMAO:
I think your summary of specs is spot on with both the scale and parallel fret position. I have more insight into the little changes over the years on a lot of these models as some things may have changed like hardware, neck position on the body (some may be better for tall people or sitting down vs standing up for example), or move to stainless frets that previous years may or may not have and not even adverstise. Let me know what y'all find, and I will definitely give as much insight as I can
Way cool, thanks. I'll probably link a few possible candidates in the coming days for you to offer your opinion on.

One thing he had mentioned was hearing of some QC issues with some of the Legator instruments. Didn't know if there was any truth to that but his co-workers are all playing 8 strings, so I assumed he probably heard it from them. Figured I'd mention it while you were online and see if there was any truth to it. They look absolutely beautiful and there are a bunch of purple ones too, lol.
 
Way cool, thanks. I'll probably link a few possible candidates in the coming days for you to offer your opinion on.

One thing he had mentioned was hearing of some QC issues with some of the Legator instruments. Didn't know if there was any truth to that but his co-workers are all playing 8 strings, so I assumed he probably heard it from them. Figured I'd mention it while you were online and see if there was any truth to it. They look absolutely beautiful and there are a bunch of purple ones too, lol.

There absolutely is truth to it. You'll notice I recommended specific years. That is the reason. The mid 2010s can be full of junk, tbh. Left a bad taste in my mouth and so I moved on from them during that time. They are among the best now, ime/imo once they moved to World Music Instruments in 2019. Though they are now bouncing models between there and Indonesia. I think WMI has been overwhelmed and the QC has suffered because brands like Schecter and Jackson went back to them the last year or so. Late half 2023 models from Legator are the best, imo. The P series were upgraded to stainless frets and the hardware is marginally better on certain models than before (every bit counts). This wasn't advertised. The 2024 are the same, but 2 of 3 I've gotten had minor blems, so ymmv.
 
There absolutely is truth to it. You'll notice I recommended specific years. That is the reason. The mid 2010s can be full of junk, tbh. Left a bad taste in my mouth and so I moved on from them during that time. They are among the best now, ime/imo once they moved to World Music Instruments in 2019. Though they are now bouncing models between there and Indonesia. I think WMI has been overwhelmed and the QC has suffered because brands like Schecter and Jackson went back to them the last year or so. Late half 2023 models from Legator are the best, imo. The P series were upgraded to stainless frets and the hardware is marginally better on certain models than before (every bit counts). This wasn't advertised. The 2024 are the same, but 2 of 3 I've gotten had minor blems, so ymmv.
Got it. I noticed you were mentioning years, makes more sense now why you did that, lol. I'm definitely going to have him look closely at the newer Legators and I'll double check your post if he finds particular instruments to make sure they match the years you suggested. I personally don't give a crap about finish blemishes much at all and I don't think he really does either. If it's well set up and plays and sounds good and is purple that what sells it for me.

I notice all of these instruments seem to have double truss rods. Never did a set up on anything like that. I'm assuming it's still fairly straightforward. Lots of five piece necks on these also which is always a bonus and I would imagine necessary for stability since the low string can be a .090! Any opinions on neck thru vs bolt on that doesn't equate to a regular six string? I'm quickly realizing why you have accumulated many of these since the different scale lengths and different parallel frets are pretty radical one to another compared to the usual six string. If I'm asking too many dumb questions just ignore the post, you've already provided a wealth of info. Thanks.
 
Got it. I noticed you were mentioning years, makes more sense now why you did that, lol. I'm definitely going to have him look closely at the newer Legators and I'll double check your post if he finds particular instruments to make sure they match the years you suggested. I personally don't give a crap about finish blemishes much at all and I don't think he really does either. If it's well set up and plays and sounds good and is purple that what sells it for me.

I notice all of these instruments seem to have double truss rods. Never did a set up on anything like that. I'm assuming it's still fairly straightforward. Lots of five piece necks on these also which is always a bonus and I would imagine necessary for stability since the low string can be a .090! Any opinions on neck thru vs bolt on that doesn't equate to a regular six string? I'm quickly realizing why you have accumulated many of these since the different scale lengths and different parallel frets are pretty radical one to another compared to the usual six string. If I'm asking too many dumb questions just ignore the post, you've already provided a wealth of info. Thanks.

Not at all. If you can wait till black friday, I would recommend it as legator usually does 30-50% off on their personal website. It's also worth noting that ordering from them directly will get you the best top, a real setup post factory, and often a very nice gigbag as well as case candy that you probably won't get ordering from elsewhere. The new N8FSS in purple is :love: and will have all the recent upgrades. It or the trem variant ($400, more :cautious:) are next on my list. You could also just call them and ask for a discount, who knows? Maybe Halloween sale, too.

I am usually all about neckthroughs, but I wouldn't use it so much in this case. WMI recommended to a lot of brands to go that route as they can better match them up to bodies depending upon the tolerances of the routings, if that makes sense. Ultimately, the Pendulum pro from Agile are the most for the money due to neckthrough, electronics, and hardware on paper, but are much heavier and chunkier necks than the Ninja. The Ninjas are Ninjas. 🤷‍♀️ The dual truss rods are pretty straight forward and often people will actually have them a little off from each other to have the action a bit lower on the treble side and higher on the bass side when mixing string sets. Speaking of strings, Stringjoy.

edit: also, some years will have 5 piece necks, while other years have one piece necks, also it seems all the white ones have one piece necks that are extra dark. All of mine do, at least. I don't think the multipiece is as important on these because if you think about it the frets all being at different angles kind of work to keep it stable like a bridge (the kind over a river) if you can picture that. It also doesn't hurt for multipiece, I'm just saying not to discount a guitar that has the one piece neck.
 
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I went down the 8 string rabbit hole several years ago. If I did it again I’d definitely go fanned fret.
With a standard fret 8 string I could never balance out the high and low strings.
Either the high E string was way tight and thin sounding making leads suck to play
Or the low string was too loose and floppy. I gave up

In the end, it was a good adventure but learned I don’t like playing low drop tuned guitars, enjoy the mid bite of 6 strings much more. Should be fun for your son to go through and figure out what he likes to. Pretty cool, I got 2 sons and neither plays guitar.
 
What did you want for Christmas this year? Do y'all celebrate Christmas in Azerbaijan?
I don’t know, what you guys usually get/give as Cristmas presents categorywise? Like a pack of of picks/strings (I’d probably would get nothing more than that with my luck), or a pedal, or a guitar, or an amp even? I tried to break in categories of a different scale in guitar terms, hope I did ok haha As for myself, I probably would want something like a PS5 (which I seen to usually be the case on the internet) from non-guitar stuff, because guitar stuff that I want would be too expensive to even consider wanting it, aside from maybe a couple of boost/eq/lofilter pedals to tighten up my amp.

Azerbaijan is considered a country with muslim majority, which is actually a lot better that it might sound, as I think we’re maybe the least religious and strict (actually zero strict) among muslim majority countries, we had bars and clubs (or at least something like those) here before Dubai even became a thing lol The country itself is secular.

Of course we have some christian population, but they are 99,99% Orthodox (Eastern Orthodox??) therefore celebrate it on 7th of January and in a much less fun way than you guys (at least that’s what I saw in movies and what impression I am getting from you), with it not being a nationwide celebration.

We do celebrate New Year, which resembles what you do on Christmas with all that big ol’ feasting, but I don’t usually see grown ups recieve any gifts honestly. Kids sometimes do mostly in a form of treats, but hey, kids getting gifts on every holiday and even on regular days to haha. Last I remember of was when I was a kid, I got a small bag of treats and $15.

We also don’t have the Halloween fun too, like clubs and other leissure places might have something themed accordingly, but those are always looking for reason to throw up a party and get the revenue lol No trick or threats sadly. But we have our own trick or treat thingy without all the dress up and without actually interacting to the home owner. But that’s a whole another story 😂
 
@CrystalSky you still got a six string or two right? And thanks for the info on Azerbaijan. Nice to hear about it from a local!!!

@NowYou'rePlayingWithPower the kid is headed to his co-workers tomorrow to test out a bunch of 8 strings. I think the co-worker is sort of a Jackson guy. Here is one we've been looking at:

https://www.zzounds.com/item--JAC29...MI4cPF8-GpiQMVKwytBh2SwhBxEAQYAiABEgIVwPD_BwE

He's also been looking at this 9 string Agile:

https://reverb.com/item/84738170-ag...uitar-pendulum-pro-92528-eb-emg-x-white-satin

And of course he is looking at the Legator Ninjas also. Truthfully these all look like pretty nice guitars to me I'm just biased towards purple, lol.

Any opinions?

He's taking your advice and is gonna think on it and try some more axes until Black Friday but your post and one or two others have pretty much swayed him towards a fan fret model.

Thank you to everyone who posted, this stuff is as foreign to me as shopping for French horns.
 
@CrystalSky you still got a six string or two right? And thanks for the info on Azerbaijan. Nice to hear about it from a local!!!

@NowYou'rePlayingWithPower the kid is headed to his co-workers tomorrow to test out a bunch of 8 strings. I think the co-worker is sort of a Jackson guy. Here is one we've been looking at:

https://www.zzounds.com/item--JAC29...MI4cPF8-GpiQMVKwytBh2SwhBxEAQYAiABEgIVwPD_BwE

He's also been looking at this 9 string Agile:

https://reverb.com/item/84738170-ag...uitar-pendulum-pro-92528-eb-emg-x-white-satin

And of course he is looking at the Legator Ninjas also. Truthfully these all look like pretty nice guitars to me I'm just biased towards purple, lol.

Any opinions?

He's taking your advice and is gonna think on it and try some more axes until Black Friday but your post and one or two others have pretty much swayed him towards a fan fret model.

Thank you to everyone who posted, this stuff is as foreign to me as shopping for French horns.
I do have 2 guitars, both 6 strings, both superstrats. But they weren’t a christmas gift 😂

I could use a RG2228 too though to try and learn some Meshuggah chops. M8 would be unreachable for now anyway 😁
 
I do have 2 guitars, both 6 strings, both superstrats. But they weren’t a christmas gift 😂

I could use a RG2228 too though to try and learn some Meshuggah chops. M8 would be unreachable for now anyway 😁
What kinda pickups you like in those super strats?
 
What kinda pickups you like in those super strats?
I don’t even know, I just go with what I have. I had a Bill Lawrence HB-R and HB-L set in the first one, then I was owed a set by Fokin Pickups. So I claimed that set, got it installed and have no idea what it is lol

Second just came with company’s proprietary pickups and again I don’t have any idea what to compare them to.

I have zero experience with pickups as I don’t have throwaway money to keep fiddling with it and pay a luthier to do it every time. And I myself wouldn’t want to spoil something in not so cheap instruments. So until I become rich, if it works - don’t touch it 😂

What I didn’t understand after all said and done is am I getting a Christmas gift or no? 😂
 
What I didn’t understand after all said and done is am I getting a Christmas gift or no? 😂
If you been a good boy I think Santa might be coming to Azerbaijan this year. Why don't you PM me your shipping address and I'll see what Santa has in his bag for you come Monday if I can't talk it over with him sooner.
 
If you been a good boy I think Santa might be coming to Azerbaijan this year. Why don't you PM me your shipping address and I'll see what Santa has in his bag for you come Monday if I can't talk it over with him sooner.
Would be cool if you yourself could make it here one day. I would be curious what you guys think about my guitars too and would show you around. Take JBT, Techdeath and Japetus too, we would throw a nice party 🤘🏻
 
Would be cool if you yourself could make it here one day. I would be curious what you guys think about my guitars too and would show you around. Take JBT, Techdeath and Japetus too, we would throw a nice party 🤘🏻
Man you got no idea how much I would love to visit that part of the world. I'm just a poor musician but if I could I would. And I'd have to make a stop into the Podmaine monastery in Budva Montenegro so my favorite Abbot Rafailo could give me a proper orthodox ear chewing. :LOL: ☦️
 
Man you got no idea how much I would love to visit that part of the world. I'm just a poor musician but if I could I would. And I'd have to make a stop into the Podmaine monastery in Budva Montenegro so my favorite Abbot Rafailo could give me a proper orthodox ear chewing. :LOL: ☦️
I’ll have to google that Abbot Rafailo 😂

So you are a full time bluesman? I thought it is a side kick.

Yeah I read that thread about live gigging business dying a horrible death nowaday. Sad.
 
I’ll have to google that Abbot Rafailo 😂

So you are a full time bluesman? I thought it is a side kick.

Yeah I read that thread about live gigging business dying a horrible death nowaday. Sad.
Define "full time". This is the slow time of year for me, which is fine cause I need to finish an album. Post covid and because of my unwillingness to do complete shit gigs anymore I usually play weekends and maybe a week day here or there. I'd like to get a residency one of these days. Been a few years since I had one.

Like any good blues man or farmer I have a wife that has a good job in town. :LOL:

Abbot Rafailo:
 
Define "full time". This is the slow time of year for me, which is fine cause I need to finish an album. Post covid and because of my unwillingness to do complete shit gigs anymore I usually play weekends and maybe a week day here or there. I'd like to get a residency one of these days. Been a few years since I had one.

Like any good blues man or farmer I have a wife that has a good job in town. :LOL:

Abbot Rafailo:

Here bands play for a loaf of bread, so I guess US is still better compared to us in that regard 😂

I mean your blues is probably working if it got you such a good wife 😂

Yeah, I found that Rafailo guy too. Looks a little bit weird 😂
 
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