Fanned 8

Maybe I missed this but it's labelled as new at Solar's web store: A1.8BOP, a fanned fret 8-string. Just by looking at this pic, that headstock looks a little overwhelming. Hopefully it does not translate into neck heaviness. Imagine struggling with the number of strings here plus those fanned frets & your guitar's neck keeps diving. Hmm.

Pic: Solar

S/C 8

Was trawling the net for live Meshuggah stuff & came across pics of Marten Hagstrom playing this beast. It seems that some Ibanez interest groups had documented their interest as well. Looks like something is in the works & it's a matter of time when details would be made public.

In the mean time, this is one of the pictures released by parts manufacturer, ABM Guitar Parts (Germany), that is responsible for the bridge & tail piece of this beast. 

 Pics: Fillmore Audi / ABMGP

HR8

New stuff from Edwards - the Horizon goes 8-string + FR bridge. Not too many 8s sport the FR bridge, the one in this guitars is the FR 1000, 8-string version. 

If you don't fancy such bridges, this fixed bridge version is also available. Pickups for both guitars are Seymour Duncan's Nazgul / Sentient pair. 

Through-neck construction if you doubt playability & upper fret access. 

Pics: ESP Japan

Solar 8

The inevitable- Solar guitars released an 8-string model (A1.8C). 👍

Stoned

The official release of Fredrik Thordendal's Ibanez baritone FTM33. Affectionately dubbed as the Stoneman by the endorser himself, this one was in the making since 2012 at the LACS. We note that it's not a Japenese model & it's not true to the custom specs when it was in proto version. Acquired taste, definitely but it may be your thing.

Super D 7 & 8...

Dimarzio had gone full swing in the production of its ever reliable, Super Distortion 7.

OK, so they did the 8-string version as well. If you've ever encountered the SD before, you know you'd get your PAF-esque performance with lots of high octane drive voicings. I'm largely a Duncan fan but DiMarzio's Super Distortion is something I make a point to have (in certain guitars).

Ibanez 2014: More nylons

Still more to come, more strings that is.

You guessed it- it's those Ibanez chaps. They've added more strings to more models, seen here are the solid top classical guitars, a 7 & 8-string version respectively. Distortion inclined people (myself included) embrace the application of the extra strings that make themselves heard/useful for intense/heavy music genres. You'd have concluded the fact that these acoustic behemoths have very little applications for cleans but let me just stop you there- were extra strings meant for drive/distortion/heavy music exclusively? Why do bass players who play more than 4 strings not get pigeon-holed into such restrictions? 

So, fellow string benders, extras are there for the taking, should these have no applications for you, you should move on & leave them be. This is my retaliation (sort of) against people who blabber excessively when it comes to seeing non-conventional instruments out there addressing a niche market. You wish to stick to your conventions? Go ahead but do not deem others queer. 

Seen here: Ibanez G207/G208 (top/bottom)

Banshee 2014

This is something to look forward to come 2014, the Schecter Banshee model will be offered in a fixed bridge version, 7 & 8-string selections will also be available. The Banshee is indeed one of my preferred bolt-on guitars out there, just the right reference to dispel the bolt-on-is-inferior myth.

Sonic pickups of death

Many of us are familiar with this Nazgul- you did watch Lord of The Rings, didn't you?

The other Nazgul is Seymour Duncan's latest addition to the fold- high output, chug-friendly pickups. Currently offered for 7 & 8-string instruments only, it SHOULD be a good alternative for many of us. Some sound bytes here:

Not quite it

Jackson, like many other guitar manufacturers out there, are joining the 7/8-string camp. The new Pro DKA Dinky 7 & 8 (pic above) are worthy guitars but because they are 'Jacksons', we expect the Jackson headstock but the ones here aren't quite it in terms of the traditional design.

Personally, I prefer this headstock design. I guess adding one more string to this one is a little too much...

Understand 8

Let's begin March by acknowledging the fact that the 8-string guitar -like any other guitars with whatever number of strings in there- are artist tools. Due to its use by artists with extreme inclinations, the 8-string guitar is conveniently tagged as the metal musician's affable extension. Well, not according to this clip; Alex Hutchings & in awesome Waghorn custom 8-string simply kills.

More 8s

Good to know the Rotosound people have joined the 8 camp; variety is good. AVAILABILITY is better :-)

Ibanez: TAM100

Here's an official look at Tosin Abasi's signature 8-string; I am both attracted & repelled by it (honest truth). I know the FX Edge III is a good bridge (em, what's not to like about a bridge that doesn't wobble, he he...) & it deserves to be there. Well, the fact that it's there implies Mr. Abasi's preference for it. Also like the fact the pickups are passives & the body remains to be a basswood make.

However the gold hardware is kinda out of place... The finish is acquired taste as well, I'd rather it sports the natural basswood finish because that's what you'd see on the flip side.

But, hey- it's a signature preference, who are we to argue?

Ibanez 2013: S8

Another attention grabbing release by Ibanez this year & it comes in the form of an 8-string model: S8. This isn't just another 8-string showcase, the bridge in there is a refined Gibraltar model. The current Gibraltar Standard bridge received negative feedback with regards to the depth of the item per se. Players are saying that the edges of the GS could be trimmed so it would feel more like a standard fixed bridge; if you own the first generation RG321, that bridge in there would be a good example. It's a gorgeous model, it's not a Prestige model so look forward to a very Standard-like price tag.

FR-8

You might have seen this in a Schecter before but it's official now; Floyd Rose has one for your 8-string guitar, the FR8... so unleash your down-tuned madness, all ye bottom dwellers...

Octo-ionizer

News: DiMarzio had been working with 8-string maestro, Tosin Abasi, for a passive pickup set.

Yes, 'set', meaning- a single coil model is included. These new passive units are called the Ionizer 8 with a ceramic focus & lots of midrange for clarity; my kinda pickups.

The other implication is, since there's a single coil in the offering, Mr. Abasi's upcoming (2013) 8-string signature will feature a single coil in there :-)

Ibanez: RG8 *sigh*

 This is Ibanez's new RG8, the most affordable 8-string guitar in the manufacturer's catalog. Good thing- affordable 8-string for us. Not so good- look at that pickup cavity spacing... if you wish to do away with the default units, the only way to go are active pickups since those are the ones which can fit in there. DiMarzio D Activator 8 perhaps? That won't fit...

Selling: Agile Interceptor Pro 830

This is a cool Agile Interceptor Pro 830, one to acquire if you are into 8-string guitars but would want to whammy as well. This isn't my guitar, if you are interested, please get back to Mr. Fabian at the following number: 82-82-2390 (text/ whatsapp)

• Selling: Agile Interceptor Pro 830 (bag not included)
• Featuring: Kahler whammy bridge for 8-string guitar/ Seymour Duncan Blackout active pickups/ 30" scale length/ through-body construction/ ebony fretboard
• Condition: 9/10
• Price: $800

GUITAR SOLD as at 17th Nov. Thanks.

Thank you, D'Addario!

Janet (Davis GMC) alerted me to the availability of the new, revised, D'Addario 8-string pack in store. I have been waiting for this to happen, to know why this is so, do read this: CLICK

It's absolutely rectified! The new .074 string has the correct tapered length to fit into Schecter's machine head.

If you are interested to purchase this 8-string set, look out for the QR code printed on the bottom right-hand corner of the string box, this is a sure indicator that you've gotten yourself the latest, rectified string set

Selling: EMG equipped guitars

I've decided to keep my EMG-equipped guitars in check & decided that I'll be parting ways with them since I am not a fan of these pickups (keeping the exceptional performers, nevertheless...). The LTD H-308 is fresh on the to-go list... Selling for $680.

The other would be my LTD H-351- I'm giving this a revised price of $520... (Guitar SOLD as at 11-5-2012)