View other reviews for this product:
Audiofanzine FR
Published on 12/05/08 at 08:29
(Originally written by belzeb/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Made in Japan. Superb finish (it's an Ibanez): lime tree body with a thin layer of varnish so the finish is very delicate (the guitar I tested at the store had already two scratches!!).
Two passive EMG 808 pickups (yes!!!).
Tremolo: the same Ibanez tremolo as on all Prestige models. It's a good-quality tremolo but given that it's locked, it's not really a tremolo!!! It's an excellent idea because a tremolo system is more convenient for the string locks than a tune-o-matic bridge.
Controls: tone and volume controls and 3-way toggle switch.
Authentic Ibanez neck: flat, fast and wide. If you like Ibanez guitars, you'll like it.
I give it a 7 because of the delicate finish and the pseudo active pickups!
UTILIZATION
The neck is a typical Ibanez neck so it's flat, well-finished, wide and very comfortable. But you'll need long hands because it's pretty big. Don't expect to play the upper frets for rhythm parts ... On the other hand it's not a problem for solos given the shape of the body (standard SG body)...
The playability is optimal for an 8-string guitar. Regarding 7-string guitars, I've been playing them for several years and the playability and comfort is not as different from a 6-string guitar... But with this 8-string model, you enter a new world... So don't buy it without testing it!
The sound is not surprising: it's extremely powerful... But if you want to get good sounds you have to own a good amp.
The clean sound has nothing special... I understand why Meshuggah uses many effects in clean mode (moreover, they don't play Ibanez instruments when recording). Don't use the 8th string in clean mode because it sounds like a bass guitar with ultra dull strings and a loud fret noise!
Regarding the strings, the string set provided with the guitar is much too light! You make bends unintentionally, even on the E and A strings. It's impossible to control it. So use a heavy string set and take the guitar to a professional so he can adjust it!
SOUNDS
This guitar might be good for my kind of music (progressive death metal)... But I will buy an 8-string guitar when I have enough money!
I can't say anything about the best amp for this guitar because I tested it with a lousy Peavey amp...
The sound is rather fat (as expected), and don't forget the guitar has passive pickups.
Use this guitar with a fat distortion but not with a clean sound!!
OVERALL OPINION
I only tested it.
Pros: playability, weight (not too heavy), neck and distortion sound. Cons: clean sound and very wide neck.
It's the only 8-string guitar available almost anywhere so I can't compare it with other 8-string models... I would like to test the ESP model but I've never seen it in a shop!
The price is too high due to the fact that Ibanez is the only big manufacturer in the 8-string guitar market, but the quality doesn't justify the price. It's the price of originality. But if you want an F sharp you'd better buy a 7-string baritone guitar instead of this RG.
I wouldn't buy it... Save your money and get in contact with Meshugga's luthier. 8-string guitars are very special instruments and it seems they are not compatible with mass production. Perhaps Ibanez will improve this model in the coming years...
Made in Japan. Superb finish (it's an Ibanez): lime tree body with a thin layer of varnish so the finish is very delicate (the guitar I tested at the store had already two scratches!!).
Two passive EMG 808 pickups (yes!!!).
Tremolo: the same Ibanez tremolo as on all Prestige models. It's a good-quality tremolo but given that it's locked, it's not really a tremolo!!! It's an excellent idea because a tremolo system is more convenient for the string locks than a tune-o-matic bridge.
Controls: tone and volume controls and 3-way toggle switch.
Authentic Ibanez neck: flat, fast and wide. If you like Ibanez guitars, you'll like it.
I give it a 7 because of the delicate finish and the pseudo active pickups!
UTILIZATION
The neck is a typical Ibanez neck so it's flat, well-finished, wide and very comfortable. But you'll need long hands because it's pretty big. Don't expect to play the upper frets for rhythm parts ... On the other hand it's not a problem for solos given the shape of the body (standard SG body)...
The playability is optimal for an 8-string guitar. Regarding 7-string guitars, I've been playing them for several years and the playability and comfort is not as different from a 6-string guitar... But with this 8-string model, you enter a new world... So don't buy it without testing it!
The sound is not surprising: it's extremely powerful... But if you want to get good sounds you have to own a good amp.
The clean sound has nothing special... I understand why Meshuggah uses many effects in clean mode (moreover, they don't play Ibanez instruments when recording). Don't use the 8th string in clean mode because it sounds like a bass guitar with ultra dull strings and a loud fret noise!
Regarding the strings, the string set provided with the guitar is much too light! You make bends unintentionally, even on the E and A strings. It's impossible to control it. So use a heavy string set and take the guitar to a professional so he can adjust it!
SOUNDS
This guitar might be good for my kind of music (progressive death metal)... But I will buy an 8-string guitar when I have enough money!
I can't say anything about the best amp for this guitar because I tested it with a lousy Peavey amp...
The sound is rather fat (as expected), and don't forget the guitar has passive pickups.
Use this guitar with a fat distortion but not with a clean sound!!
OVERALL OPINION
I only tested it.
Pros: playability, weight (not too heavy), neck and distortion sound. Cons: clean sound and very wide neck.
It's the only 8-string guitar available almost anywhere so I can't compare it with other 8-string models... I would like to test the ESP model but I've never seen it in a shop!
The price is too high due to the fact that Ibanez is the only big manufacturer in the 8-string guitar market, but the quality doesn't justify the price. It's the price of originality. But if you want an F sharp you'd better buy a 7-string baritone guitar instead of this RG.
I wouldn't buy it... Save your money and get in contact with Meshugga's luthier. 8-string guitars are very special instruments and it seems they are not compatible with mass production. Perhaps Ibanez will improve this model in the coming years...