Pricing and availability

Average Price: $450

Standard/Professional

$400

$1501+

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Description

Discover a new dimension of sound with the Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar, an instrument that caters to musicians seeking to expand their sonic palette. This extended range guitar is designed for those who want to push the boundaries of their creativity, offering a rich tonal range that spans the lower frequencies with precision and clarity. The S8QM is part of Ibanez's renowned S series, celebrated for its sleek design, lightweight body, and exceptional playability.

Crafted with a quilted maple top, this guitar not only delivers stunning aesthetics but also contributes to its vibrant tonal character. The S8QM features a wizard neck that provides smooth playability, making it easier for players to navigate its extended fretboard. Equipped with Ibanez Quantum pickups, the guitar is capable of delivering articulate and powerful sound across all eight strings. Whether you're playing complex progressive metal riffs or intricate jazz chords, the Ibanez S8QM ensures each note rings out with clarity.

Key Features:

  • Extended 8-string range for versatile playability
  • Quilted maple top for enhanced tonal quality and visual appeal
  • Wizard neck profile for comfortable, fast playing
  • Ibanez Quantum pickups for articulate sound
  • Double-locking tremolo bridge for stable tuning and expressive playing
  • Lightweight, ergonomic body design for reduced playing fatigue
  • 24 jumbo frets for extended playing reach and flexibility

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model S8QM-TGB Standard, S8QM-TRB Standard
Finish Transparent Grey Burst, Transparent Red Burst
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 Grey, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
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
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Quilted

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar's pickups?

The Ibanez S8QM features a dual humbucker pickup configuration, offering a wide tonal range from deep, powerful lows to crisp, articulate highs. This makes it suitable for genres like metal and progressive rock, where clarity and punch are essential.

Is the Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar suitable for beginners?

While the Ibanez S8QM is a high-quality instrument, its 8-string configuration may be challenging for beginners. It's better suited for players who are already comfortable with extended range instruments and looking to explore more complex musical ideas.

What is the neck profile of the Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar?

The Ibanez S8QM features a Wizard II-8 neck profile, known for its thin and flat shape, which facilitates fast playing and easy access to all 24 frets. This design is ideal for shredders and players who prefer a more technical style.

How does the Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar handle lower tunings?

The Ibanez S8QM is designed to accommodate lower tunings with ease, thanks to its extended range and robust construction. The mahogany body and maple/walnut neck provide stability and sustain, making it ideal for genres that require heavy, low-end riffs.

What is the body material of the Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar, and how does it affect the sound?

The Ibanez S8QM features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, offering a warm, resonant tone with a bright, articulate top end. This combination is popular for achieving a balanced sound that suits a variety of musical styles.

Michael Baddeley

Michael Baddeley

Ibanez S8QM-TRB Review

Video thumbnail for Ibanez S8QM-TRB Review by Michael Baddeley

Ibanez S8QM-TRB Review

Michael Baddeley

Michael Baddeley

Video thumbnail for KNOWER Dreaming On Forever (Meshuggah style 8 string cover) Ibanez S8QM by CarlMornerR

KNOWER Dreaming On Forever (Meshuggah style 8 string cover) Ibanez S8QM

CarlMornerR

CarlMornerR

Video thumbnail for Ibanez S8QM test by L

Ibanez S8QM test

L

L

Reviews

PROS

  • Lightweight design makes it easy to handle for extended periods

  • Thin Wizard II-8 neck enhances playability for an 8-string guitar

  • Comfortable S-series curved body suits various playing styles

  • Gibraltar type bridge offers stability and durability

  • Versatile sound suitable for exploring extended range guitar techniques

  • Affordable price point for beginners entering the 8-string world

CONS

  • Default string gauge can be too thin, affecting playability

  • Loose 8th string may touch pickups during aggressive play

  • Requires careful technique for palm muting due to string looseness

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar.

Mods and upgrades

  • The guitar was modded with Bare Knuckle Juggernaut 8 bridge and DiMarzio Ionizer 8 neck pickups, along with push-pull pots for coil splitting.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Avoid using a heat gun on veneers as it can cause the glue to bubble and damage the veneer.

    Source
  • Locking tuners are highly recommended for 8-string guitars to speed up string changes and maintain fresh strings for optimal response across extended frequencies.

    Source

Build quality

  • The original thin veneer was paper-thin and could refract light, but was difficult to retain when refinishing.

    Source

User experience

  • Transitioning from Ibanez 6 and 7-string guitars to this 8-string model felt like a natural progression for users familiar with Ibanez.

    Source
  • Owners note that transitioning from 7 to 8 strings can be more challenging than expected, with some players ultimately preferring to revert back to 7 strings.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The original thick sealer and paint restrict wood vibration, and removal can increase perceived resonance.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Ibanez S8QM's longer scale length and massive fretboard make it feel cumbersome compared to 7-string models, especially for those not accustomed to extended range guitars.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Despite the potential of 8-string guitars, some users find they accomplish more musically on a 7-string, citing comfort and familiarity with the instrument.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A user found an Ibanez S8QM on Kijiji for approximately $500, highlighting a potential saving compared to new purchases.

    Source
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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sbidirinis

A nice starting point on extended range guitars!

This 8 string guitar is a really great starting point for those who want to explore the extended range guitars world. At first, Is not that easy to play when you don't have any experience on guitars of more than 6 strings but is not hard to get used to it, the whole guitar is ridiculously light weight (for an 8 string guitar), the 5 piece Wizard II-8 neck is really thin, Gibraltar type bridge and the S-series curved body are absolutely comfortable. The pickups do their job well, obviously they are not the best in the market, but they are nice if you are a beginner in the 8 string world. It has two main control knobs: Master Volume and Tone.

In my personal opinion, the only "bad" thing is that the default string gauge (.009/.011/.016/.024/.032/.042/.054/.065) is a little bit thin for this type of guitars. The 8th string is really loose so when you play harder styles and hit the string harder, it touches the pickups and for the same cause you have to be careful when playing with palm muting techniques.

Overall, is an absolutely nice and versatile guitar at an affordable price and a great way to start playing extended range guitars.

ben_liss

Wesley

He played this on the album "Are aliens real"

hamish69fuckingbigpersonality

This shit is lit

would recommend hashtag yelp

Artist usage

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See how Joe Satriani uses Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar

Joe Satriani

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Joe Satriani - Flying In A Blue Dream (Satriani LIVE!)" by mangus, Joe Satriani can be seen playing an Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar.

Album Usage

The Ibanez S8QM 8-String Guitar has been featured on the following albums:

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 S8QM 8-String Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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