Best 8 String Guitars for Intermediate 2026

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

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QBB

by Harley Benton

Djent Experimental Progressive Metal

Key Feature:

• Maximum extended range

✓ PROS

• Great for complex arrangements
• Modern metal capabilities

✗ CONS

• Requires specialized skills
• Significant learning curve

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QBB 2020 DLX8-String Multiscale Electric GuitarBody: PoplarTop veneer: quilted maple5-Piece...

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 461579

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

Legator Ninja N8FSS BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

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

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Natural

by Strandberg

Progressive Metal Ambient Modern Metal

Key Feature:

• Unique tonal possibilities

✓ PROS

• Modern metal capabilities
• Maximum extended range

✗ CONS

• Significant learning curve
• Limited mainstream applications

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Natural8-String Electric GuitarSolid basswood bodyFlamed maple veneerMaple neck with...

⭐ 4.4/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 549289

$1,846

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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

Solar Guitars A1.8AAN - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

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 Damien Platinum 8 SBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

Jackson JS32-8 Dinky DKA SBK AH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

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

Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst

by Cort

Modern Metal Djent Experimental

Key Feature:

• Modern metal capabilities

✓ PROS

• Great for complex arrangements
• Modern metal capabilities

✗ CONS

• Complex string management
• Limited mainstream applications

Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst8-String Multiscale Electric GuitarKX SeriesBody: OkoumeTop: PoplarBolt-on 5-piece...

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 539947

$989

Buy at Thomann View Details

Solar Guitars A1.8SVART - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

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

Ibanez RG8EX-BKF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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

ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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

Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH

by Harley Benton

Djent Progressive Metal Extended Range

Key Feature:

• Great for complex arrangements

✓ PROS

• Excellent for experimentation
• Great for complex arrangements

✗ CONS

• Very wide neck profile
• Significant learning curve

Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH8-String Electric GuitarLeft-handed modelBody: PoplarNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 570068

$208

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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TOP

Best 8 String Guitars for Intermediate 2026

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QBB

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Blue

Legator Ninja N8FSS BK

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Natural

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB Bundle

Solar Guitars A1.8AAN

Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK

Ibanez RG5328-LDK

Jackson JS32-8 Dinky DKA SBK AH

Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst

Solar Guitars A1.8SVART

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB

Ibanez RG8EX-BKF

ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune

Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH

How to Choose the Best 8 String Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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