Best 8 String Guitars for Progressive Metal 2026

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

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

Solar Guitars A1.8AAN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Solar Guitars A1.8AAN

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
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Natural

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
Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Cort KX508MS II Marina Blue Burst

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
Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK

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
Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB Bundle

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
Harley Benton R-458FFB Roasted MultiScale - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton R-458FFB Roasted MultiScale

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
Solar Guitars A1.8SVART - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Solar Guitars A1.8SVART

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
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-8 TBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-8 TBB

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
Legator Ninja N8FSS PUR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Legator Ninja N8FSS PUR

Ambient Modern Metal Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
  • • Great for complex arrangements
✗ CONS
  • • Very wide neck profile
  • • Complex string management

Legator Ninja N8FSS PUR8-String Multiscale Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on neck:...

4.8/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez FTM33-WK Fredrik Thordendal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ibanez FTM33-WK Fredrik Thordendal

Djent Extended Range Ambient
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
  • • Great for complex arrangements
✗ CONS
  • • Significant learning curve
  • • Very wide neck profile

Ibanez FTM33-WK Fredrik Thordendal8-String Electric GuitarFredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) Signature ModelBody:...

4.9/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton R-458 BK Prog. Series w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton R-458 BK Prog. Series w/Bag

Djent Ambient Modern Metal
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
  • • Great for complex arrangements
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specialized skills
  • • Very wide neck profile

Harley Benton R-458 BK Prog. Series w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton R-458 BK Progressiv Series*8-String...

4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton MultiScale-8 QEB

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
Ibanez RG8EX-BKF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ibanez RG8EX-BKF

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
Harley Benton R-458FFB LH Roasted MultiScale - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton R-458FFB LH Roasted MultiScale

Experimental Modern Metal Djent
Key Feature:
• Excellent for experimentation
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for experimentation
  • • Unique tonal possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specialized skills
  • • Significant learning curve

Harley Benton R-458FFB LH Roasted MultiScale8-String Multiscale Electric GuitarLeft-handed modelProgressive SeriesBody:...

4.5/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 8 Blue

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

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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