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Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass

Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass

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Page last updated Jun 30, 2026

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Description

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Dean designers equipped the Rhapsody 8 with a pair of EMG-HZ Pickups and a custom Dean 3D Preamp to accurately reproduce the wide range of tones that come from an 8-string.You'll love the swirling grain pattern of the African Bubinga top and the great dynamic range that comes from select Mahogany body. The bolt-on neck is made of Maple and paired with a 24-fret Rosewood fingerboard.

Item ID RH8 BUBINGA
Model Name Rhapsody 8 Bubinga
Design Feature 8 String Bass
Dexterity Right Handed
Top Material Bubinga
Top Contour Arched Top
Neck Material Maple
Scale Length 34" (863mm)
Construction Bolt-On Neck
Neck Shape C
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Inlays Abalone Dot
N0. of Frets 24 Jumbo
Fretboard Radius 14" (356mm)
Nut Brass
Nut Width 1 3/4 (44mm)
Tuners Grover
Knobs Dome Black
Hardware Color Black
Bridge Tune-O-Matic
Pickup (Neck) EMG HZ
Pickup (Bridge) EMG HZ
Binding None
Finish Natural
Country of Origin South Korea
Truss Rod Dual Action
Pre-amp Type Active EQ
Controls Vol/Tone/Treble/Mids/Bass
Strings D'Addario EXL170 (.045-.100)

Product specs

Brand	Dean
Model	Rhapsody 8-String Bass
Finish	Natural Bubinga
Year	2010s
Categories	5- and 6-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	No Preamp
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Color Family	Brown, Natural
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Number of Frets	24
Number of Strings	8-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed

FAQs

What is the benefit of an 8-string bass like the Dean Rhapsody?: The Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass offers a fuller, richer tonal range by pairing each string with an octave string, similar to a 12-string guitar. This design enhances the harmonic content and sustain, making it ideal for players looking to expand their sonic palette.
How does the Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass handle tuning stability?: The Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass is equipped with high-quality tuners and a robust bridge system, which provide reliable tuning stability even with the added tension of octave strings.
Are passive pickups suitable for the Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass?: Yes, the passive pickups on the Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass deliver a warm, natural tone that complements its extended range, making it versatile for various music styles without the need for battery-powered electronics.
What kind of tonal options does the HH pickup configuration provide?: The HH (humbucker-humbucker) pickup configuration on the Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass offers a thick, powerful sound with reduced noise, suitable for genres that require a strong, punchy bass presence.
Is the Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass comfortable for long playing sessions?: With its double cutaway body shape and rosewood fretboard, the Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass is designed for comfortable playability, allowing easy access to all 24 frets for extended playing sessions.

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dean Rhapsody 8-String Bass.

Features and functionality

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An 8-saddle bridge is crucial for proper intonation of octave strings, preventing tuning issues.
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User experience

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The Dean Rhapsody 8-string bass has remained stable without needing a truss rod adjustment for over a decade.
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The Rhapsody 8 is harder to frets, impacting the ability to play faster runs cleanly, but offers a unique sound compared to an octave pedal.
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Owners report that the Dean Rhapsody 8 is on the heavy side compared to other 8-string basses.
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A Dean Rhapsody 12 requires a surprisingly light touch to play effectively, emphasizing its ease of use.
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Use cases and applications

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Playing with fingerstyle can be challenging since the thinner string is harder to hit, affecting the full effect of the coursed string.
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The 8-string bass is noted for its niche appeal, suitable for styles like Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," but may end up unused after initial excitement.
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Comparisons

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The Hagstrom H8-II is highlighted as an alternative, with users noting its availability and aesthetic appeal.
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Hagstrom models often use 4-saddle bridges, which can't intonate octave strings separately, a crucial feature present in Dean and Schecter models.
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Hamer 8-string basses are praised for their quality but are typically only available used, highlighting their rarity.
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Build quality

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Warmoth previously offered 8-string necks, praised for their high quality, and it's suggested they may still produce them upon request.
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The stock pickups on the Dean Rhapsody 8 are noted for being very bright, affecting its tonal character.
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