Carefully inspected and meticulously set up by our lutherie workshop, this guitar is a 2013 used model in near-mint condition.

New strings (Dunlop 9-65)

• Overall condition: 9.5/10
• Frets: 9.5/10
• Truss rod: OK
• Electronics: OK
• 100% original, no modifications.
  

IBANEZ RG8-BK Black

• Standard Series
• Serial: I130806146
• Weight: 3.660 kg
• 8-string RG-shaped Solid Body Electric Guitar
• Construction: Bolt-on neck
• Body: Basswood
• Neck: Wizard II-8, 5-piece Maple/Walnut
• Neck reinforcement: KTS Titanium
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Inlays: White dots
• Frets: 24 Jumbo
• Scale length: 27" / 685.8 mm
• Nut width: 55 mm
• Radius: 400 mm / 15.75"
• Neck thickness: 20 mm at 1st fret / 21.5 mm at 12th fret
• Bridge: Fixed Bridge
• Pickups: 2 × Ibanez IBZ-8, passive ceramic humbuckers
• Pickup selector: 3-way
• Controls: Volume + Tone
• Hardware: Black

For decades, the Japanese brand has established itself as an essential reference among rock and metal players, thanks in particular to its fast-playing necks, ergonomic designs and ability to make particularly ambitious configurations accessible to a wide range of guitarists. This 2013 RG8 is an excellent example: a genuine eight-string guitar designed to explore the lowest registers while retaining the comfort and precision that have made the RG series so renowned.

With its 27-inch scale length, it provides enough tension to maintain excellent definition in low tunings while remaining surprisingly comfortable to play. It is a particularly relevant choice for modern riffs, extremely low tunings and compositions requiring a genuine extension of the guitar's range.

The Wizard II-8 maple and walnut neck is one of the major strengths of this RG8. Despite the naturally wider dimensions required for an eight-string guitar, Ibanez has managed to retain a remarkably comfortable and fluid playing feel. The profile remains relatively slim, making movement across the fingerboard easy and preserving the characteristic sense of speed associated with the RG series. The 24 Jumbo frets also provide all the range needed to fully exploit the instrument, while the KTS Titanium reinforcement contributes to excellent neck stability on this generation.

The rosewood fingerboard contributes to the overall balance by providing a precise attack with enough warmth and body. This reflects the Ibanez philosophy of prioritizing playability and precision without making the instrument excessively radical or difficult to master.

In terms of electronics, the two Ibanez IBZ-8 humbuckers were specifically designed to handle the particular requirements of an eight-string guitar. Their level of definition helps maintain clarity when reaching deep into the lower register, while still delivering enough power and bite for high-gain tones. The guitar is particularly convincing for modern metal rhythm work, syncopated riffs and massive tones, while its direct and balanced character also makes it suitable for more nuanced applications.

The fixed bridge is another excellent choice for an eight-string guitar. It promotes tuning stability and provides a reassuring sense of solidity, which is particularly valuable when using the lowest strings with an aggressive attack. It is a simple, effective design that is perfectly suited to the purpose of this RG8.

A particularly interesting guitar for players into metal, djent, progressive metal and modern music, but also for any guitarist looking to move beyond the traditional boundaries of the six-string guitar. With its 27-inch scale length, Wizard II-8 neck, 24 frets and two dedicated eight-string humbuckers, this RG8-BK offers a particularly successful combination of comfort, precision and tonal versatility. Above all, it provides an accessible introduction to the fascinating world of eight-string guitars without taking an unnecessarily complicated approach: it is first and foremost an RG, with everything that implies in terms of comfort, efficiency and playability.