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Average Price: $700
Standard/Professional
$400
$1501+
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Description
Unleash your creativity and expand your musical horizons with the Ibanez S8 Standard, an 8-string electric guitar that stands at the intersection of innovation and tradition. Crafted for musicians who demand more from their instrument, this guitar combines the legacy of the Ibanez S Series with modern features that cater to the demands of rock and metal genres. The Wizard II-8 neck is a cornerstone of this guitar's design, offering a slim and agile profile that allows for unrestrained speed and dexterity across all eight strings. This neck is reinforced with five pieces of maple and walnut, ensuring both stability and durability for the most aggressive playing styles.
The S8 Standard is armed with IBZ-8 humbuckers that are engineered to deliver a versatile range of tones, from warm, articulate cleans to the most ferocious growls and screams. Whether you're laying down thunderous rhythms or piercing leads, every note will resonate with clarity and precision. Anchoring these tonal capabilities is the Gibraltar Standard-8 bridge, providing rock-solid tuning stability and excellent sustain, all while maintaining a low-profile for a comfortable playing experience.
Designed for the adventurous guitarist, the Ibanez S8 Standard is your gateway to a world of new sonic possibilities. Its sleek body and responsive hardware make it not just a guitar, but an extension of your creative voice.
Key Features:
- 8-string electric guitar ideal for rock and metal
- Wizard II-8 neck for ultra-fast playability
- IBZ-8 humbuckers for a wide tonal range
- Gibraltar Standard-8 bridge for exceptional tuning stability
- 5-piece maple and walnut neck for durability and strength
Product specs
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Model | S8-BK Standard |
| Year | 2013 - 2014 |
| Made In | Indonesia |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | String-Through |
| Color Family | Black |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Ibanez S |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple, Walnut |
| Number of Frets | 24 |
| Number of Strings | 8-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Series | Ibanez Standard |
| Wood Top Style | Opaque |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the Ibanez S8 Standard suitable for?
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The Ibanez S8 Standard, with its 8-string configuration and HH pickup setup, is ideal for genres that require extended range and heavy tones, such as metal, djent, and progressive rock.
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What is the neck profile of the Ibanez S8 Standard like?
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The Ibanez S8 Standard features a slim, fast neck profile made from maple and walnut, designed for comfortable playability and easy access to all 24 frets, catering to fast-paced playing styles.
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How does the mahogany body of the Ibanez S8 Standard affect its tone?
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The mahogany body of the Ibanez S8 Standard provides a warm, resonant tone with good sustain, enhancing lower frequencies which is beneficial for the extended range of an 8-string guitar.
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Is the Ibanez S8 Standard suitable for beginners?
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While beginners can use the Ibanez S8 Standard, its 8-string setup is generally more suited for advanced players familiar with extended range guitars, as it requires specific playing techniques and understanding.
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What type of bridge does the Ibanez S8 Standard have?
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The Ibanez S8 Standard is equipped with a string-through bridge, which enhances sustain and tuning stability, making it ideal for players who require precise intonation and resonance.
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez S8 Standard.
User experience
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Owners note that the extended pitch range of the S8 makes it particularly useful for composing orchestral parts, offering a range similar to a full string orchestra.
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Some players find the wide yet thin neck of the Ibanez S8 reminiscent of a classical guitar, affecting their playing style and technique.
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Transitioning from a 6-string to an 8-string guitar involves a steep learning curve, which can be initially overwhelming.
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Comparisons
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The Ibanez S8 neck is described as wide and thin, offering a different feel compared to a Jackson 8-string, which is perceived as having a fatter neck.
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Users note that Ibanez oversized humbucker routes are also problematic in 8-string multiscales, complicating pickup swaps even for Fishman Fluence models.
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The S8's neck is considered very thin and flat compared to other brands, such as Schecter Hellraiser C-8, which offers a different neck feel.
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Features and functionality
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The Ibanez S8's gold hardware, including a swapped gold Ibanez Gibraltar II-8 bridge, adds a unique visual appeal to the guitar.
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The Ibanez S8 features a 5-piece maple/walnut Wizard II-8 neck with titanium rods, contributing to its stability and playability over long periods.
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The Ibanez S8 can achieve nine unique switch positions using BKP/CTS 550k pots with push/pull volume and a 5-way blade switch, enhancing tonal versatility.
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The DiMarzio D Activator 8 humbuckers are noted to be hot, requiring adjustment with the volume knob to manage their high output.
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Mods and upgrades
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Hipshot Grip-Lock open locking tuners and a Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut are popular modifications to improve tuning stability and string changes.
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The use of custom pickup rings to cover gaps left by Bare Knuckle pickups in oversized Ibanez cavities is a solution some owners have adopted for aesthetic reasons.
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Conversion rings are required for pickup swaps due to oversized humbucker routes; some users find them visually unappealing but essential for fitting standard pickups.
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A hairband is used as a mute to prevent unwanted ringing harmonics on the low F# string during tapping and soloing.
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Use cases and applications
Setup and maintenance
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The guitar exhibits neck dive due to its lightweight body and heavy neck; using a 1.5lb counterweight attached to the strap helps balance it.
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A 27” straight scale is optimal for tension up to the 7th string; the 8th string benefits from a .80 gauge for improved tension at F# standard tuning.
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Genre Usage
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