I have an RG2228 8 string which many consider the best, and after playing a few, that's why I bought it. As an 8 string slinger, at Namm there were 2 things I thought interesting:

1) 8 string j custom


now I used to have a jem7vwh so I love vine inlays, but not interesting to me, im actually more interested in the white rg2228 with maple fingerboard, but I have the rg2228 in galaxy black so im not crazy enough to imagine anyone would swap their white for mine, but that's another story

on to the more interesting thing

2) 9 string prototype


now I am not impressed with anything about it aesthetically. im just extremely interested in seeing what this might mean for ERGs and 9+ strings. maybe Ibanez might make an rg2229 or something, and that id be interested in seeing


source:
http://iheartguitarblog.com/page/3

J customs look sweet but i cant imagine a use for a 9 string? it just blows my mind thinking about it!

YESSSS WAAANNNNTTTT!!!!!!!!

agreed. amplifying the sound and getting clarity is not exactly easy, playability is harder because of the huge neck, the scale might make playing difficult, i mean playing in the first position on the 8 string is not all that easy, so u got physical issues, tone issues and amplification issues already with an 8.....

9,10, 11 and whatever else more they have are too much. a low f# on an 8 string is already bass territory, a low c# on a 9 string is totally bass, and 10+ strings are just guitar-bass hybrids with a 6 string on bottom and 4 string bass on top... the ERG is going to become some other type of instrument if it keeps going, I hope they draw the line at 9, factory production wise I mean.

with all that said tho, if they do make an RG2229 w/ EMG 909's and the same neck as the rg2228, then I will eventually have one lol

Not for me. 7 is my usual and 8 is plenty enough for my musical style.

I hope it gets put to good use though in the future!

I've been thinking about going to a seven string, cutting a custom nut and stringing it like a six string with an extra high string. beyond 7 is beyond me.

Is that Rich Harris?

Man, that thing looks incredible, but I don't know what I'd do with it!

well I downtuned my 2228 to Db, C, and theres not much reason for a guitarist to be in that area for many reasons that ive said. I think they should really think about callin it an end to this 9+ business , but its a buyers market so enjoy whoever likes it.

Agile already has a 10 string out. Probably good for someone who isn't me

http://www.rondomusic.com/septorpro1030lg.html

No that's Petie from here, writer of iheartguitarblog.com

Yeah, basically a standard bass and a standard six on the same neck. I play mostly 7's, sometimes 8's. More than that and I'm treading on my bass player, but to each his own. Beyond this and you might as well get a Chapman Stick.

Honestly I'm much more interested in those J-custom 8 strings. Man, do I ever want one!