AudioFu

Best 8 String Guitars for Intermediate 2026

Perfect 8 string guitars for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $2,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Djent For Progressive Metal For Experimental For Modern Metal For Extended Range For Ambient
BRANDS: Harley Benton
Solar Guitars A1.8SVART - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Solar Guitars A1.8SVART

by Solar Guitars
Extended Range Experimental Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Modern metal capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum extended range
  • • Great for complex arrangements
✗ CONS
  • • Significant learning curve
  • • Requires specialized skills

Solar Guitars A1.8SVART8-String Electric GuitarBody: AlderNeck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard: EbonyFluorescent Luminlay...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 584883
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB Bundle

by Harley Benton
Ambient Modern Metal Experimental
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Great for complex arrangements
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Complex string management
  • • Significant learning curve

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB*8-String Multiscale...

⭐ 4.4/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 561137
$466
Buy at Thomann View Details
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Blue

by Strandberg
Progressive Metal Djent Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Maximum extended range
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
  • • Maximum extended range
✗ CONS
  • • Complex string management
  • • Very wide neck profile

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Blue8-String Electric GuitarBody: Solid boxwoodTop: Flamed maple veneerNeck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 532627
$2,034
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB

by Harley Benton
Modern Metal Experimental Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent for experimentation
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum extended range
  • • Excellent for experimentation
✗ CONS
  • • Complex string management
  • • Very wide neck profile

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB8-String Multiscale Electric GuitarBody: PoplarTop veneer: quilted maple5-Piece...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 461578
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Jackson JS32-8 Dinky DKA SBK AH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Jackson JS32-8 Dinky DKA SBK AH

by Jackson
Experimental Djent Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Maximum extended range
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
  • • Great for complex arrangements
✗ CONS
  • • Significant learning curve
  • • Complex string management

Jackson JS32-8 Dinky DKA SBK AH8-String Electric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck with graphite reinforcement: Maple and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 457343
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez RG8EX-BKF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ibanez RG8EX-BKF

by Ibanez
Ambient Djent Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Modern metal capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Modern metal capabilities
  • • Excellent for experimentation
✗ CONS
  • • Very wide neck profile
  • • Significant learning curve

Ibanez RG8EX-BKF8-String Electric GuitarRG SeriesBody: Meranti5-Piece bolt-on neck: Maple / WalnutFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582095
$609
Buy at Thomann View Details
Legator Ninja N8FSS BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Legator Ninja N8FSS BK

by Legator
Ambient Extended Range Experimental
Key Feature:
• Modern metal capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
  • • Modern metal capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Significant learning curve
  • • Limited mainstream applications

Legator Ninja N8FSS BK8-String Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 605293
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars A1.8AAN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Solar Guitars A1.8AAN

by Solar Guitars
Extended Range Ambient Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Maximum extended range
✓ PROS
  • • Great for complex arrangements
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Complex string management
  • • Very wide neck profile

Solar Guitars A1.8AAN8-String GuitarAlder bodyMaple neckEbony fretboard24 Stainless steel fretsNut width: 54 mmScale:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 538117
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-8 TBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-8 TBB

by Schecter
Ambient Djent Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
  • • Modern metal capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Complex string management
  • • Very wide neck profile

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-8 TBB8-String Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyQuilted maple topEbony fretboard3-Stripe maple...

⭐ 4.4/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 474251
$1,506
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD EC-258 Black Satin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

ESP LTD EC-258 Black Satin

by ESP
Djent Progressive Metal Modern Metal
Key Feature:
• Modern metal capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for experimentation
  • • Great for complex arrangements
✗ CONS
  • • Very wide neck profile
  • • Complex string management

ESP LTD EC-258 Black Satin8-String Electric GuitarBody: Mahogany3-Piece Set-Thru neck: mahoganyFretboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 431684
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton R-458FFB Roasted MultiScale - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton R-458FFB Roasted MultiScale

by Harley Benton
Experimental Djent Modern Metal
Key Feature:
• Modern metal capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Modern metal capabilities
  • • Maximum extended range
✗ CONS
  • • Very wide neck profile
  • • Requires specialized skills

Harley Benton R-458FFB Roasted MultiScale8-String Multiscale Electric GuitarProgressive SeriesBody: PoplarBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 550472
$274
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK

by Schecter
Extended Range Djent Experimental
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Modern metal capabilities
  • • Maximum extended range
✗ CONS
  • • Complex string management
  • • Significant learning curve

Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK8-String Electric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in 3-piece maple neck with carbon...

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 591775
$1,132
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez RG5328-LDK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ibanez RG5328-LDK

by Ibanez
Djent Progressive Metal Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern metal capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Great for complex arrangements
  • • Maximum extended range
✗ CONS
  • • Significant learning curve
  • • Complex string management

Ibanez RG5328-LDK8-String Electric GuitarBody: AshBolted neck: Maple / wengeSet Makassar ebony fretboardNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 456257
$2,155
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton R-458BK MS w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton R-458BK MS w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Djent Experimental Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Great for complex arrangements
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
  • • Great for complex arrangements
✗ CONS
  • • Limited mainstream applications
  • • Significant learning curve

Harley Benton R-458BK MS w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton R-458BK MultiScale*8-String Electric...

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 539140
$244
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune

by ESP
Djent Extended Range Modern Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent for experimentation
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum extended range
  • • Modern metal capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Complex string management
  • • Very wide neck profile

ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune8-String baritone electric guitarBody: Mahogany (Khaya Ivorensis)Top: MapleSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 515065
$1,832
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 8 String Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 8 string guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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