RG2228GK, anyone got one?

Lizod · #1 05-26-2007, 09:37 AM

I'm very interested in this 8 string!!! Can't find an awful lot of info on it though, Ibanez don't even list the factory tuning. I think it is a 7 string with an extra high string, but I really want an extra low one! Does anyone know if it would be possible to set it up for (low to high) F# B E A D G B E? Maybe the nut would have to be re-cut for the fatter strings? Also anyone whos got one, how do they feel, what's the action like etc. Cheers peeps!!!

MF_Kitten · #2 05-26-2007, 10:54 AM

it´s tuned with an extra low string, tuned to F, yeah... and it doesen´t come out on sale yet, does it? i can´t remember the release date for those...

Demiurge · #3 05-26-2007, 01:26 PM

Music 123 claims that they'll have them in by June 15.

To be honest, after getting a 30' scale BC Rich baritone and enjoying the hell out of it (low F is clear as a bell- most evil-sounding guitar I've ever played), combined with the persistent delays, my level of excitedness of the RG-8 has been in a freefall.

MF_Kitten · #4 05-26-2007, 02:29 PM

and speaking of scale, i´m a little confused as to why ibanez opted for 27´´scale, as the smallest scale that allows for properly tuning to a low F is 28´´, concidering string inharmonicity... anything below that, and the string will be acting like a metal tube rather than a string... so yeah... it won´t work properly, is what i´m getting at here :P

all scale lengths have a limit as to how thick you strings can get before they are no longer acting like strings...

maybe they just use thinner strings, and have less tension?

Demiurge · #5 05-26-2007, 02:45 PM

I'm a bit puzzled by the 27" scale length myself, especially after playing a 30" scale baritone guitar, where the string gauges are 20-90 (or high teens to mid 80's, not sure) and basically at that point where anything lower than F would start diminishing in clarity. Granted, the variables with my guitar are the ebony fretboard, fairly resonant body, but awful stock pickup (I have a Bill Lawrence 500XL on its way to solve that problem).

MF_Kitten · #6 05-26-2007, 03:08 PM

i´d say the deepest one should go with a 27´´scale guitar is G... which sounds great on that scale, although 28´´would be better...

on 30´´scale, i´d say drop E is the lowest you should even consider going, and F would sound grrrreat (mmm cereal)

so yeah, you´re right about that thing... also, i believe meshuggah uses a .75 for the low F on 30´´scale guitars?

petersfieldpete · #7 05-27-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MF_Kitten

i´d say the deepest one should go with a 27´´scale guitar is G... which sounds great on that scale, although 28´´would be better...

on 30´´scale, i´d say drop E is the lowest you should even consider going, and F would sound grrrreat (mmm cereal)

so yeah, you´re right about that thing... also, i believe meshuggah uses a .75 for the low F on 30´´scale guitars?

On my Fan Fret Novax 8 , Ralph used 29" through to 25" across the 8 strings, taking the idea from the grand piano/harp and adapting it to guitar. The advantage is that the range of tunings and the number of strings force clear compromises over standard 7 and 8 string guitar, barritone guitar, and bass guitar construction. It's also easier to play, as the design takes the improved positioning of your hand, and fingers into account.

The fan fret idea has addresses all the problems and made these instruments, more playable, more practical and in my opinion more balanced across the range, as well as more interesting aesthetically. Stereo and a 5 way just adds to the experience.

If you are really serious about your 'sound', it's the way to go! Pickups from bartollini, dimarzio, s duncan, bare knuckle, and one i've forgotten the name of; more to the point Ralph will build you something more than just a guitar.

MF_Kitten · #8 05-29-2007, 12:57 AM

i´ve been wanting a 29´´-24,5´´ fanned fret 8 string for some time now, so yeah... i don´t quite like the idea of separate pickups for the lower strings though, i want it to be an 8 string guitar, not like a guitar/bass combo...

one thing i think is strange too, btw, is that no-one has thought about making proper angled humbuckers for fanned fret instruments, like you move the two coils apart when angling it, so that the pole pieces for each coil line up perfectly, instead of the half-assed stuff going on at the moment, where they either don´t angle them, use EMG´s (pole-magnets), or angle the pickups, but not as much, so the strings are barely lining up with the pole pieces...

anyone else get what i mean with the angled pickups? :P

dannymills · #9 05-29-2007, 08:20 AM

That's because the lengths that the guitars fan from and to vary. Also, not everyone angles them.

neptoess · #10 06-07-2007, 01:58 AM

WELLLLLLL..... Zakk plays Drop G on his Standard Gibson Scale LPs. And to the dude with an L-500XL, they sound amazing with low tunings.

guitman1 · #11 06-26-2007, 08:55 PM

i just got my new ibanez 8 string today. i am the first person in colorado to recieve it because i paid it all up front. it's fantastic, i ordered the thing in early february and it was well worth the wait. it is a 27 inch scale, but it does not sound floppy on the low end at all-especially clean tone. it has a three way selection switch instead of a five, but that's all you need for the tone these emg's put out. the thing about the serial numbers is they have nothing to do with the order they were built, but my inspection tag has 0001 and then the serial number. they also made the neck with a valute (or thumb heel) for added neck stability which i like. the case they give with it is also specific to the model. it is a black alligator skin like outer material (seems very durable) and the inside is black crushed velvet with an INSANE amount of padding. it is very playable. in fact, the most surprising thing is that the action on this 8string is lower than my collection of personally setup 6strings, and yet it doesn't buzz.
i had a bad day until i got the phone call from the music store. I'd be happy to answer any other questions about my new axe if you got any. i imagine people should seeing as how ibanez has only given us one measly photo to stare at for the last 6 months.

Saffron Shrimp · #12 06-26-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitman1

i just got my new ibanez 8 string today. i am the first person in colorado to recieve it because i paid it all up front. it's fantastic, i ordered the thing in early february and it was well worth the wait. it is a 27 inch scale, but it does not sound floppy on the low end at all-especially clean tone. it has a three way selection switch instead of a five, but that's all you need for the tone these emg's put out. the thing about the serial numbers is they have nothing to do with the order they were built, but my inspection tag has 0001 and then the serial number. they also made the neck with a valute (or thumb heel) for added neck stability which i like. the case they give with it is also specific to the model. it is a black alligator skin like outer material (seems very durable) and the inside is black crushed velvet with an INSANE amount of padding. it is very playable. in fact, the most surprising thing is that the action on this 8string is lower than my collection of personally setup 6strings, and yet it doesn't buzz.
i had a bad day until i got the phone call from the music store. I'd be happy to answer any other questions about my new axe if you got any. i imagine people should seeing as how ibanez has only given us one measly photo to stare at for the last 6 months.

Congrats, Post some pics!