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Average Price: $1,436

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$1001+

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Description

For those who crave the extra push beyond six strings, the Ibanez Prestige RG852 is your gateway to uncharted musical territories. As a part of the prestigious Ibanez RG series, this 8-string electric guitar is a masterpiece of Japanese craftsmanship, crafted to meet the needs of modern players with its bold design and stellar performance. The RG852 boasts a meticulously sculpted basswood body, offering a resonant and balanced tone that serves as the perfect canvas for your musical expression.

The heart of this beast is its Ultra-8 Prestige neck, a marvel of engineering that facilitates lightning-fast playability and effortless chord transitions. Crafted from a five-piece maple/wenge blend, this neck is designed for optimal tension and sustain, ensuring your notes ring out with clarity and power. The rosewood fingerboard, adorned with 24 jumbo frets and pearl dot inlays, allows for smooth navigation across the entire range.

Equipped with EMG 808 pickups, the RG852 delivers tight, articulate low-end tones with exceptional clarity, making it ideal for down-tuning and heavy music styles. The Gibraltar Standard 8 bridge ensures maximum sustain and tuning stability, complemented by Gotoh MG-T locking tuners that hold your tuning through the most intense sessions.

With the Ibanez Prestige RG852, you're not just playing a guitar; you're wielding a tool of precision and power that’s ready to ignite your musical creativity.

Key Features:

  • Distinctively sculpted basswood RG body
  • Ultra-8 Prestige neck with five-piece maple/wenge construction
  • Rosewood fretboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearl dot inlays
  • EMG 808 pickups for tight, articulate low-end tones
  • Gibraltar Standard 8 bridge for sustain and stability
  • Gotoh MG-T locking tuners for superior tuning stability
  • Includes hardshell case for protection and portability

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model RG852-GK Prestige, RG852-WH Prestige
Finish Galaxy Black, White
Year 2014 - 2017
Made In Japan
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Basswood
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black, White
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Ibanez RG
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple, Wenge
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 8-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 27"
Series Ibanez Prestige
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the Ibanez Prestige RG852 suitable for?

The Ibanez Prestige RG852 is ideal for metal and progressive rock, thanks to its 8-string configuration and HH pickup setup, which provide a wide tonal range and powerful sound.

How does the neck profile of the Ibanez Prestige RG852 affect playability?

The bolt-on neck made of maple and wenge offers a smooth and fast playing experience, which is perfect for technical and shredding styles.

What is the scale length of the Ibanez Prestige RG852, and why is it important?

The scale length is 27 inches, providing extended range and tension that helps maintain clarity and intonation, especially on the lower strings of this 8-string guitar.

Are the pickups on the Ibanez Prestige RG852 passive or active?

The Ibanez Prestige RG852 features passive HH pickups, offering a versatile tonal palette suitable for heavy and clean tones.

Does the Ibanez Prestige RG852 come with a case?

Yes, the Ibanez Prestige RG852 includes a case, providing protection and convenience for transport and storage.

What is the body material of the Ibanez Prestige RG852, and how does it affect the sound?

The body is made of basswood, which provides a balanced tone with a strong midrange presence, making it suitable for a variety of playing styles.

Andrew Baena

Andrew Baena

My New 8 String Guitar! Neon Green Ibanez Prestige 8 String, Justin Lowe Tribute Guitar

Video thumbnail for My New 8 String Guitar! Neon Green Ibanez Prestige 8 String, Justin Lowe Tribute Guitar by Andrew Baena

My New 8 String Guitar! Neon Green Ibanez Prestige 8 String, Justin Lowe Tribute Guitar

Andrew Baena

Andrew Baena

Video thumbnail for New Gear Day - Ibanez RG852 Prestige 8 String Guitar (Unboxing / First Impressions / Tone Test) by Andrew Baena

New Gear Day - Ibanez RG852 Prestige 8 String Guitar (Unboxing / First Impressions / Tone Test)

Andrew Baena

Andrew Baena

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RG852 Prestige Unboxing (8 string guitar) by Juni41

Ibanez RG852 Prestige Unboxing (8 string guitar)

Juni41

Juni41

Video thumbnail for Rings Of Saturn--Beckon guitar cover (Ibanez RG852 Prestige/ Duncan Distortion 8 String set) by Wilson Thrasher

Rings Of Saturn--Beckon guitar cover (Ibanez RG852 Prestige/ Duncan Distortion 8 String set)

Wilson Thrasher

Wilson Thrasher

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez Prestige RG852.

Build quality

  • Owners note the J Custom model lacks stainless steel frets, unlike Prestige models, potentially affecting long-term durability.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The RG852 features a 10.8mm string spacing, which may require adjustment for those accustomed to narrower spacing.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A Prestige 8-string needed additional fretwork out of the box, suggesting potential setup variability.

    Source
  • Owners note that achieving suitable tension on a 27” scale length for drop tunings may require custom string gauges.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some suggest the Prestige series offers similar playability to J Custom, with the primary differences being aesthetic and ergonomic enhancements.

    Source
  • The RG8EX feels like a step down from the RG8, despite the similar foundational specs, until significant upgrades are performed.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The RG852 is praised for its shredding capabilities while also delivering excellent clean tones, appealing to versatile guitarists.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • J Custom models come with real 4mm+ tops versus veneers, contributing to their higher price point.

    Source

User experience

  • A buyer notes that the finish and top wood grain can vary significantly between individual guitars, affecting aesthetic appeal.

    Source
  • Some prefer pre-2015 RG8 models for their modding potential compared to newer versions.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • One user upgraded an RG8 with Gotoh tuners and Lundgren M8 pickups with coil split, achieving a sound reminiscent of Animals as Leaders.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
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1 star
raymosel

I can't put it down.

Why play anything else. I can play all my 6 string 7 string songs on this baby. I got professional fret work done on this and now it plays like a dream.

Roles:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Andrew Baena uses Ibanez Prestige RG852

Andrew Baena

Guitarist, Music Producer

Carcosa

...
Verified via YouTube

"This one is an Ibanez RG852 Prestige 8 String that has been re-finished in neon green as a tribute to Justin Lowe. It also has Seymour Duncan Blackout pickups, since that is what Justin Lowe used. It also features an LED killswitch created by Iron Age Accessories.", via video description.

See how Alex Winter uses Ibanez Prestige RG852

Alex Winter

Guitarist

Sweet Thing

...
Verified via Photo

In this post alex shows off his rg 8 string. He has it loaded with a set of fishman fluence

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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    raymosel
    raymosel

    Gear IQ 403