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Average Price: $559

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$400

$1501+

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Description

Unleash your musical creativity with the Ibanez RGA8, an 8-string electric guitar designed for those who dare to explore uncharted sonic territories. Crafted with a streamlined mahogany archtop body, this guitar is built for comfort and style, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: your music. The Wizard II-8 neck, a five-piece maple/walnut construction reinforced with KTS titanium rods, offers unparalleled stability and speed, making it a joy to navigate across its 24 jumbo frets.

The RGA8 is more than just a guitar; it's a tone powerhouse. Equipped with CAP LZ8 active humbuckers, this beast delivers a commanding sound that can shift from thunderous lows to crisp, articulate highs with ease. Whether you're laying down heavy riffs or exploring intricate solos, the FX Edge III-8 fixed bridge ensures rock-solid intonation, keeping your performance pitch-perfect.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. The 27" scale length is engineered for optimal string tension, giving you the freedom to drop-tune without losing clarity or playability. This makes the RGA8 ideal for djent enthusiasts and experimental musicians alike. Ibanez has long been a pioneer in the realm of extended-range guitars, and the RGA8 continues that legacy by offering both versatility and reliability.

Key Features:

  • 5-piece maple/walnut Wizard II-8 neck with KTS titanium rods
  • 27" scale length for optimal string tension
  • Comfortable archtop mahogany body
  • FX Edge III-8 fixed bridge
  • CAP LZ8 active humbuckers in both neck and bridge positions
  • 24 jumbo frets on a rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model RGA8-BK Standard
Finish Black
Year 2010 - 2013
Made In Indonesia
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type String-Through
Color Family Black
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Ibanez RG
Model Sub-Family Ibanez RGA
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple, Walnut
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 8-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Ibanez Standard

FAQs

Is the Ibanez RGA8 suitable for metal and heavy genres?

Yes, the Ibanez RGA8 is well-suited for metal and heavy genres due to its 8-string configuration, which provides extended range and depth. The dual humbucker pickups deliver powerful tones ideal for high-gain settings.

What is the neck profile like on the Ibanez RGA8?

The Ibanez RGA8 features a thin, fast neck profile that enhances playability, making it comfortable for complex riffs and fast solos typical in metal and progressive music.

How does the Ibanez RGA8 handle low tunings?

The Ibanez RGA8 is designed to handle low tunings effectively, thanks to its extended scale length and robust construction, which maintain string tension and clarity even in drop tunings.

What is the body material of the Ibanez RGA8 and how does it affect the sound?

The Ibanez RGA8's body is made of mahogany, which contributes to a warm, resonant tone with strong midrange presence, enhancing the guitar's overall sound for heavier music styles.

Does the Ibanez RGA8 come with a fixed bridge, and what are its benefits?

Yes, the Ibanez RGA8 features a string-through fixed bridge, which provides increased sustain and tuning stability, essential for maintaining intonation during aggressive playing styles.

Pete Cottrell

Pete Cottrell

8 String Guitar | Ibanez RGA8 | Pete Cottrell

Video thumbnail for 8 String Guitar | Ibanez RGA8 | Pete Cottrell by Pete Cottrell

8 String Guitar | Ibanez RGA8 | Pete Cottrell

Pete Cottrell

Pete Cottrell

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RGA8 8-String Guitar: Owen Devotes Slightly More Than A Minute To Each String (Video) by gearwire

Ibanez RGA8 8-String Guitar: Owen Devotes Slightly More Than A Minute To Each String (Video)

gearwire

gearwire

Video thumbnail for 8 String Guitar Demo - Ibanez RGA8 - EMG808 by Hayasaka Akito

8 String Guitar Demo - Ibanez RGA8 - EMG808

Hayasaka Akito

Hayasaka Akito

Video thumbnail for AGGRESIVE Djent METAL TONE - 8 Strings Guitar (Ibanez RGA8) by SunTzu Records

AGGRESIVE Djent METAL TONE - 8 Strings Guitar (Ibanez RGA8)

SunTzu Records

SunTzu Records

Video thumbnail for Re-Buying My First 8 String Guitar! Ibanez RGA8 with Seymour Duncan Blackouts by Andrew Baena

Re-Buying My First 8 String Guitar! Ibanez RGA8 with Seymour Duncan Blackouts

Andrew Baena

Andrew Baena

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RGA8 w/ Seymour Duncan Blackouts | Demo by Milian Malivuk Music

Ibanez RGA8 w/ Seymour Duncan Blackouts | Demo

Milian Malivuk Music

Milian Malivuk Music

Video thumbnail for The RGA8 unboxing & close-up by Mord0s

The RGA8 unboxing & close-up

Mord0s

Mord0s

Video thumbnail for IBANEZ RGA8-BK by MCMusicTelevision

IBANEZ RGA8-BK

MCMusicTelevision

MCMusicTelevision

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RGA8 Low D test - Riffs and solo - Michel Oliveira by Michel Oliveira Official

Ibanez RGA8 Low D test - Riffs and solo - Michel Oliveira

Michel Oliveira Official

Michel Oliveira Official

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RGA8: Round Two - The Comeback by Mord0s

Ibanez RGA8: Round Two - The Comeback

Mord0s

Mord0s

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez RGA8.

Setup and maintenance

  • An .80 gauge string isn't sufficient for Drop D tuning; a .90 gauge is recommended to reduce buzz and improve intonation.

    Source
  • Intonation issues require bridge modifications; expect near-perfect intonation on the 7th string with adjustments.

    Source
  • In tunings like EAEADGBE, a .90 gauge string helps stabilize lower notes, minimizing tuning discrepancies.

    Source
  • Drilling the tuning post with a 3/32" bit allows fitting up to a .90 gauge string without unwinding it.

    Source
  • Flattening the string end with pliers can help fit it into the bridge slot for a better setup.

    Source

User experience

  • Buzzing and harmonic activations on the 8th string are common issues but can be mitigated with setup changes.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners recommend using tapered strings like Stringjoy or D’Addario NYXL to fit larger gauges through the tuner without modifications.

    Source
  • Some users remove the black block piece from the 8th string slot, using just the screw to hold the string in the fixed edge bridge.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • A .105 gauge string, though challenging to fit, is used successfully for Drop A tuning on the RGA8.

    Source

Critic Reviews

RGA8 Review: The guitar is a perfect match for my style of playing. | Ibanez | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Ibanez RGA8 is a dedicated djent machine with a 27" scale perfect for low tunings, making it an ideal choice for fans of Meshuggah and similar genres. The guitar excels in producing a beefy, scooped sound thanks to its EQ boost switch and stock pickups. While it lacks versatility, being pegged as a "one trick pony," it meets the specialized needs of djent enthusiasts with aplomb. Build quality is impressive, with a reliable and durable design that holds up well under regular play. Not for the versatile player, but a gem for dedicated djent aficionados.

positive

Ibanez RGA8 | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

The Ibanez RGA8 is a formidable eight-string guitar, ideal for metal enthusiasts seeking a broader sonic range. It features a well-engineered design with a carved-top mahogany body and a Wizard II-8 neck profile, offering a fast and supple playing experience. The FX Edge III-8 bridge and active LZ8 humbucking pickups cater to high-output, low-end tones, perfect for metal chunking. While its weight might not suit everyone, its versatility appeals to jazz and fusion players too. Minor setup tweaks may be needed, but overall, it's a robust, well-crafted instrument for adventurous guitarists.

positive

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
stravoxid

Good 8-string guitar but needs improvements

When I was a student I fell in love with Animals as leaders' music. I've dreamed about 8string guitar. 7 years passed and I also became a fan of Meshuggah. That is where my 8-string dream became a reality. I've bought used RGA8 with EMG 808 already installed. Stoke pickups were strange decision from Ibanez, you really should change them and your instrument become a true metal-machine. Also, the bridge of this guitar is strange too. But still, RGA8 is a solid and not so expensive 8-string guitar. It will make its work.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Tim Henson uses Ibanez RGA8

Tim Henson

Guitarist, Music Producer

Polyphia

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Tim plays a RGA8, he also confirms it in the description.

See how Javier Reyes uses Ibanez RGA8

Javier Reyes

Guitarist, Composer

Animals as Leaders

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Javier uses the first 8 string guitar model from RGA series. Ibanez released this model between 2010 and 2013 and this video is from 2011 . Later he used mostly custom made RG models, but this - you can see - has typical RGA curves . It's not easy to recognise if at least the stock pickups were changed.

See how Andrew Baena uses Ibanez RGA8

Andrew Baena

Guitarist, Music Producer

Carcosa

...
Verified via Photo

In this post andrew shows of this ibanez rga8. He states that it is torn apart. This is because he wants have people sign it instead of a traditional guest book at his wedding. He states that after his wedding, it will be framed and hung up

Genre Usage

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

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez RGA8, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

DiMarzio D Activator 8 Bridge
DiMarzio D Activator 8 Bridge Electric Guitar Pickups
1

Community setups

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angel_wyboorn

angel_wyboorn

Gear IQ 178

1 alternative for Ibanez RGA8, curated by the Equipboard community.

Ibanez RGA8QM

 

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound

The Ibanez RGA8QM is a similar model, which also features a quilted maple top.

More Ibanez Extended Range Guitars

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