AudioFu

Best Ibanez 8 String Guitars 2026

Premium Ibanez 8 string guitars - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: August 31, 2026

⚡ The best 8 string guitars in 2026 are Ibanez RG5328R-LDK (top pick), Ibanez A528-CMG for tighter budgets, and Ibanez A528-IPT for pros — selected from 5 options, priced $645–$2,443, ranked by brand, price and popularity.
PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Modern Metal
BRANDS: Harley Benton Ibanez
Ibanez RG5328R-LDK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Ibanez RG5328R-LDK

by Ibanez
Nut width 55 mm (2.17") Scale 686 mm (27.01") Frets 24 frets Fingerboard radius 430 mm (16.93") Strings 8-string Body Ash body Fingerboard Rosewood fingerboard
Experimental Djent Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
This eight-stringer packs a solid ash body with a long scale and jumbo frets for speed. The bolt-on neck keeps it sturdy, but the flashy black finish hides wear easily. It suits players who need extra strings without complex controls.
PROS
  • • Solid ash body offers strong resonance and projection
  • • Maple/Wenge bolt-on neck ensures stability and easy setup
  • • 24 jumbo frets allow faster playing on the upper frets
  • • DiMarzio Fusion Edge 8s deliver tight, modern humbucker tone
CONS
  • • Lightning Through A Dark finish shows every scratch and dent
  • • 8-string scale length is very long at 27 inches
  • • Simple controls limit tone shaping compared to multi-pickup models
⭐ 4.8/5 AudioFu Score
Specs:
10/10
Detail:
9/10
Value:
5/10
Art. 633126
$2,444
Check Price
Ibanez A528-CMG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Ibanez A528-CMG

by Ibanez
Nut width 48 mm (1.89") Frets 24 frets Fingerboard radius 508 mm (20") Strings 8-string Body Basswood body Fingerboard Ebony fingerboard
Modern Metal Djent Extended Range
Key Feature:
This eight-string guitar uses a light basswood body and a parallel neck to make playing easier. The ceramic bridge pickup helps your sound cut through a loud band, while the extra long scale keeps notes tight. It suits players who want more strings without too much weight on their shoulders.
PROS
  • • Parallel neck design offers easy string access
  • • Basswood body keeps the guitar light
  • • Ceramic bridge pickup cuts through mix well
  • • Extra long scale length tightens tuning
CONS
  • • Single volume control limits tone shaping
  • • No weight spec listed in description
  • • Plastic nut may feel less smooth than bone
⭐ 4.9/5 AudioFu Score
Specs:
10/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
5/10
Art. 632720
$2,327
Check Price
Ibanez A528-IPT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ibanez A528-IPT

by Ibanez
Nut width 48 mm (1.89") Frets 24 frets Fingerboard radius 508 mm (20") Strings 8-string Body Basswood body Fingerboard Ebony fingerboard
Djent Modern Metal Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
This guitar feels great to play because the multi-scale neck makes bending high strings easier. The Fishman pickups let you switch between quiet and loud tones easily. It is a solid choice for players who want an 8-string that does not feel too heavy.
PROS
  • • Multi-scale neck reduces string tension on high notes
  • • Fishman Fluence pickups offer clean and noisy modes
  • • Solid basswood body keeps instrument lightweight
  • • Parallel Wizard AS neck profile aids playability
CONS
  • • Single volume and tone control limits sound shaping
  • • Plastic nut may wear down over time with heavy use
  • • No active preamp switch for pure acoustic tone
⭐ 4.9/5 AudioFu Score
Specs:
10/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
5/10
Art. 632712
$2,288
Check Price
Ibanez RG8EX-BKF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ibanez RG8EX-BKF

by Ibanez
Nut width 55 mm (2.17") Scale 686 mm (27.01") Frets 24 frets Strings 8-string Body Meranti body Fingerboard Jatoba fingerboard
Ambient Djent Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
The RG8EX-BKF is a solid entry point into the world of 8-string guitars. It's built for players who want a fast neck, a modern aggressive sound, and a reliable platform for shredding, especially those drawn to djent and progressive metal. The overall package provides excellent value for the price.
PROS
  • • Meranti body offers a surprisingly resonant and warm tonal foundation.
  • • Wizard III neck profile is exceptionally fast and comfortable for extended playing.
  • • Jatoba fingerboard provides a snappy feel and resists wear well.
  • • Super 8 pickups deliver high output and a modern, aggressive tone.
CONS
  • • Matt polyurethane finish can feel a bit plasticky to some players.
  • • F108 bridge, while functional, is a basic design lacking advanced locking features.
  • • Longer scale length demands heavier gauge strings, increasing tension and potential fatigue.
⭐ 5.0/5 AudioFu Score
Specs:
10/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 582095
$645
Check Price
Ibanez FTM33-WK Fredrik Thordendal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ibanez FTM33-WK Fredrik Thordendal

by Ibanez
Nut width 55 mm (2.17") Scale 686 mm (27.01") Frets 22 frets Strings 8-string Body Ash body Fingerboard Rosewood fingerboard
Djent Extended Range Ambient
Key Feature:
This FTM33-WK is Fredrik Thordendal’s vision brought to life – it’s built for the kind of polyrhythmic brutality Meshuggah is known for. The neck profile is comfortable despite the width, and those Lundgren pickups are a huge part of the sound. It's perfect for progressive metal players and anyone chasing that unique, percussive tone.
PROS
  • • Lundgren M8P pickups deliver crushing, articulate Meshuggah-style tones.
  • • 7-piece maple/walnut neck with KTS Titanium reinforcement offers exceptional stability.
  • • Ash body provides a resonant foundation with a tight low-end.
  • • Edge III-8 bridge ensures reliable tuning and string anchoring for extreme playing.
CONS
  • • The extended scale length (686mm) demands adaptation for players used to shorter scales.
  • • Weight can be considerable due to the ash body and 8-string hardware.
  • • Limited tonal versatility; designed for a specific, aggressive sound.
⭐ 4.9/5 AudioFu Score
Specs:
10/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
5/10
Art. 406157
$2,397
Check Price

8 String Guitars by the numbers

Measured across all 28 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.

Price
median $465
from $208 to $2,327
Nut width
median 54 mm (2.13")
from 48 mm (1.89") to 56.6 mm (2.23") · 25 models
Scale
median 673 mm (26.5")
from 673 mm (26.5") to 711 mm (27.99") · 13 models
Frets
median 24
from 22 to 24 · 10 models
Fingerboard radius
median 355 mm (13.98")
from 305 mm (12.01") to 508 mm (20") · 18 models
Strings
median 8-string
from 8-string to 8-string · 28 models
Body
poplar, mahogany, ash
most common · 27 models
Fingerboard
maple, rosewood, ebony
most common · 14 models

How This List Is Built

We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 5 of 28 8 string guitars from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 5 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.

Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.

What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.

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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