That Jackson has a really good articulate sound. The notes come through very well, especially the low strings. Usually I find that common 8 string guitars sound kind of flat and/or muddy. Sadly, Jackson guitars rarely come set up properly....unless it's an American made Jack$on.
Unfortunately, can confirm. I just received my Jackson DKAF8 MS X-series Dinky. It's a beautiful guitar to look at. Personally I absolutely love the dark burgundy-stained mahogany. It has that Jackson head and fretboard running beyond the nut, but I don't mind that too much. Pick-ups sound very powerful, good fretwork and overall just a great quality guitar at its price point in my opinion. I don't have much to compare playability since I've been playing trashed knock-off flee market guitars before, but it definitely feels very comfortable to play on. Although, again, it could be that I'm experiencing just how awful my previous guitars were to play. But the set-up. Lord, the set-up. It's atrocious. Huge amounts of fret buzz in general, but the first few frets of the G B and E strings don't even come through at all. It's just buzz and nothing but buzz, literally. There is no note to be heard, just a 'clang'. I mean, I'm sure a trip to the luthier will make this an absolutely awesome guitar, but it absolutely needs a set up to work.
cannot stand that the fretboard runs beyond the nut. Don't know why they can't come up with a better solution than that. It adds to the "fugly" of the headstock.
I’m a newer guitar builder myself and I absolutely love watching your reviews. I take notes. Lots and lots of notes. Your thoroughness helps me think of details I might otherwise miss.
One of these just came through my work and I was thinking of buying it ($500), but couldn't find any decent demos/videos of it and out of nowhere you drop this! Ironically only found your channel sometime last week and I've watched a few different reviews here and there. I think you sold me on it!
what would you think of doing a Periphery signature model review? or even a shootout between the "budget" models like the Holcomb SE, Juggernaut Pro, etc.
AlasPoorJordan probably wouldn’t be a good idea. I imagine the Holcomb will body the Ibanez and Jackson. Wasn’t feeling Misha’s budget model but haven’t been able to play the Ibanez.
I just got one of these as my first 8 string and i played it for a bit and i love it. Its so comfortable and it sounds great. Picked it up for 640 including tax which wouldve been the same price as the ibanez RGMS8 after tax
No guitar I’ve ever bought has came set up the way I like it, so having to set up the guitar isn’t a big deal to me. Having said that... I think I’ll buy one!
I bought this guitar for $1000 here in Australia about a year ago. It was made in Indonesia to very strict Jackson specification, using local woods. I dont believe any countries are still using Rosewood as they were harvested nearly out of existence, but there are many dark woods they use. My guitar was set up in factory, and then boxed and sent overseas and then to the other side of the country,...and it arrived in perfect condition and intonation, it plays beautifully to this day, although I don't gig with it. I haven't found much wrong with the build. It is smooth, no fret buzz, and the ergonomic multi scale is magnificent. A step above othr similar builders like Ibanez and Agile
Arnold, you seemed kind of lit from the get-go on this one, and I'm not complaining. Really enjoy your narrative, and the licks... holy shit dude, you have ALL the skills. Thanks for the massive enjoyment factors.
This has been my guitar of choice for a relatively short time. Maybe about 9 months. I got one on a whim when I was looking for a mid-high range guitar. I was originally going for one of those Ibanez guitars you mentioned lol. But I'm very happy I got this guitar. Super tight tone. Fits well with a Precision Drive and a 6505. Great if you're looking to play deathcore or djent. Middle position is fucking sick on this guitar btw.
I think for $999, this guitar is a steal. 28” scale length on the low end really sells it. I had a Majesty 8 string and if I didn’t spend $4200 on it, I wouldn’t have been so critical of everything on it, but I returned it because a guitar at that price should be perfect, and it wasn’t. I think I might see this one in my future.
I was hoping for a review on the 7-string version of this guitar, but i think it's similar enough that i can make some judgements based on this review of the 8-string. Good shit as always.
The shape of the headstock doesn't bother me that much. To me, the excess fretboard behind the nut is kind of the ugly part of this instrument. I can see why different companies do that, making fretboard blanks and using them on their guitars, fanned fretted or not. Less maintenence for higher production numbers, maybe. But it is solely this excess that makes me saying, nope..not this instrument; even though every thing else is good for the price this instrument costs. File it down, adjuste the headstock and truss rod cover and I'm in.
I seriously considered ordering the 7 string version of this and swapping out the pickups, and it looks like I wouldn't have been disappointed. I was lucky enough to find a used Ormsby SX GTR 7 for around the same price, though, and it's waaaay better than I imagined it would be
Unintended but funny effect is that your wide-angle lenses almost exactly eliminate the fanned-frets effect. I had to google an image to see how far the multi scale thing affects the look, he he.
I got a Jackson 7 string, put a Bare Knuckle Juggernaut in it, gave it a good set up, it's my favorite guitar of the four I own. I thought Jackson was gunna go to shit after the Fender buyout, like when Mustaine got rid of all his Jacksons and shit, but I think they're better than ever now. And shit man, good guitars, good beer, subscribed.
Thanks Awesome Arnold!!! I was looking for an entry point that made sense for what i'm doing, all considered, especially the deal I got on Reverb. This video helped me tremendously , The demo playing, all the technical details and your setup adventures. In general I learned from you the importance of the fan fret / scale length situation for this type of beast, coming from quite a different playing background. I'll make sure my friends know about your channel!
Nice. That sounds about right with everything you said. I have the slat 7 ff and soon as I got it chunked up the strings a gauge and set that sucker up plays like a dream. Hate that it doesn't sustain tho. Brutally honest Arnold you got yourself a subscriber. P.s. I see you like yourself a craft beer. Look into some Michigan craft beer. I think you'll enjoy what you'll find.
I never get tired of the clean tone part! I've watched this like 5 or 6 times since it came out! This time I'm watching it this time because I'm trying so hard to get a certain type of tone on my 9 string. I think I just need the action to be super low. Josh travis said his action is so low it buzzes because he likes how it sounds.
I keep coming back to this one for the demo song!! Holy shit your on point Arnold!! I’m thinking about getting this guitar my first 8 and project guitar
Interesting comment on the neck finish, I've played some Jackson soloist 7strings which seemed like your typical gloss neck. I've also played some MusicMan and Suhr which had incredibly smooth gloss finish.
Why don't you like the individual saddles? Hipshot actually makes ones like those now, as well as a slanted multi scale bridge with all the saddles on one big base.
I'm trying the same set up, did you have to file out the nut to get the 80g string to fit?my ghs80 sits on top. Also the 80 doesn't fit through the eye of the tuning key once it tapers to full 80, the result is like 5 layered coil around it, which I see doesn't happen for you. I'm thinking I should resize the nut so the 80 fits at least, but the 5 wraps around the tuning key because the 80g wont fit the eye just looks nasty, it works though :/
Great review, very helpful. Arnold - when you say the fanfret Ibanez ones flowering around, you mean the RGMS8 I assume? I agree, but I'm wondering about the RGIM8MH (Black Label multi-scale). It's more expensive but no neckthru, I can't decide which is better.
I don't remember what type of Jackson my friend bought, but he bought a 6 string straight from the factory and he had to adjust everything on the guitar as well when he got it. It was all out of whack.
Misha has a basswood body on his USA Sig, difference is how they treat the wood ,I saw something on another videos (comments )where they said they're fired ,not sure what that means ,makes em resonate more was the idea
hey arnold, why do you use a straight-jack instead of a hook/crook-end jack? i feel that the way you play and the input on most guitars you test doesn't seem too comfortable or durable long-term (for the input jack).
So you tried the Ibanez 8 strings fan fret too? I had bunch of Ibanez but only one from India, an Iron label 7 strings RGIR27FE which turned out to be a crappy guitar. So i'm not that much tempted to try another one whatever reviewer have to say about it. Most reviewer are biased anyway... It is great to have your point of view.
Seems like there is a lot to like abut this guitar. It's one I've actually looked at several times but it always comes down to two things for me: I do not like basswood as a body wood and I don't like EMG pickups. Give this thing a mahogany or ash body and put some SD active pickups in there and I think it would be killer.
Do you think you could do a review on the Ibanez RGIF8? I'm really thinkin I wanna buy one when I get the extra cash, and your reviews are my favorite 😂
Mark Daurelio that was my Bond. #25. I had longed for that guitar for a loooooong time, and when i finally had the chance i went for it...and got a bit ripped off and got an extremely disappointing guitar. Heres the video: ua-cam.com/video/_PByfBxhw6E/v-deo.html
If you were trying to decide between this guitar or an Agile Pendulum Pro 82528 (28.5 - 25.5" multiscale), which would you choose? The Agile (objectively) looks prettier and has a better mix of tonewoods. Same price, too.
JoseitoEdlVodao 12"-16". And I did it the hard way. I just adjusted the truss rod until it was straight, and then I adjusted the heights until there was no buzz, and it just ended up being nice and low.
for ask arnold: If you had to design your own guitar from the ground up (scale length(s), construction, timber, fret type, pickups, electronics, shape, glue type, finish, colors, break angles, # of strings, hardware, etc) what would you choose?
If you ever want to have an Ibanez RGIF8 for you to review you should hit me up. I MUCH prefer through body necks to bolt on, and if you ever get sick of this SLAT i'd love to do a swap.
Hey dude looking at this or that ibanez fanned fret 8 which do you think? Why did you say this over ibanez in the video? I don't know which I like I like the neck on ibanez but some of them haven't been too good
I just ordered this. Website says its scale is 27" - 25.5" he says it's 28" - 26". I know Jackson's site is wrong on some things due to them listing my Slathx 3-7 as mahogany when it's basswood.
Watching Thursday
Video published Wednesday
Arnold: "It's Tuesday."
A very nice 8 string tone. Quite brutal. Much chug
That Jackson has a really good articulate sound. The notes come through very well, especially the low strings. Usually I find that common 8 string guitars sound kind of flat and/or muddy.
Sadly, Jackson guitars rarely come set up properly....unless it's an American made Jack$on.
Unfortunately, can confirm. I just received my Jackson DKAF8 MS X-series Dinky. It's a beautiful guitar to look at. Personally I absolutely love the dark burgundy-stained mahogany. It has that Jackson head and fretboard running beyond the nut, but I don't mind that too much. Pick-ups sound very powerful, good fretwork and overall just a great quality guitar at its price point in my opinion. I don't have much to compare playability since I've been playing trashed knock-off flee market guitars before, but it definitely feels very comfortable to play on. Although, again, it could be that I'm experiencing just how awful my previous guitars were to play.
But the set-up. Lord, the set-up. It's atrocious. Huge amounts of fret buzz in general, but the first few frets of the G B and E strings don't even come through at all. It's just buzz and nothing but buzz, literally. There is no note to be heard, just a 'clang'. I mean, I'm sure a trip to the luthier will make this an absolutely awesome guitar, but it absolutely needs a set up to work.
That’s not true at all the Indonesian models as of late come perfect
Exactly as you’ve said.
4:20
It's fanned-tastic (sorry, couldn't resist making the pun)
cannot stand that the fretboard runs beyond the nut. Don't know why they can't come up with a better solution than that. It adds to the "fugly" of the headstock.
I like that this has that 26 to 28 in scale. All the other multi scales in this range typically go to 27.5 max.
Longer scale the better with these.
I have a Baritone that's 28in scale and I can't imagine having an 8 string any shorter than that
Holy, that's one of the best tones you've had in the channel, impressive!
I’m a newer guitar builder myself and I absolutely love watching your reviews. I take notes. Lots and lots of notes. Your thoroughness helps me think of details I might otherwise miss.
gym floor feel, great description to that kind of stick against your hands
One of these just came through my work and I was thinking of buying it ($500), but couldn't find any decent demos/videos of it and out of nowhere you drop this! Ironically only found your channel sometime last week and I've watched a few different reviews here and there. I think you sold me on it!
what would you think of doing a Periphery signature model review? or even a shootout between the "budget" models like the Holcomb SE, Juggernaut Pro, etc.
AlasPoorJordan probably wouldn’t be a good idea. I imagine the Holcomb will body the Ibanez and Jackson. Wasn’t feeling Misha’s budget model but haven’t been able to play the Ibanez.
@@majinmudkip4185 Halcomb Se is one of the best production guitars to come out in years
I just got one of these as my first 8 string and i played it for a bit and i love it. Its so comfortable and it sounds great. Picked it up for 640 including tax which wouldve been the same price as the ibanez RGMS8 after tax
No guitar I’ve ever bought has came set up the way I like it, so having to set up the guitar isn’t a big deal to me. Having said that... I think I’ll buy one!
Thank you for the head stock comment!!! Fuck me is it annoying that they don't do that on all their guitars
I bought this guitar for $1000 here in Australia about a year ago. It was made in Indonesia to very strict Jackson specification, using local woods. I dont believe any countries are still using Rosewood as they were harvested nearly out of existence, but there are many dark woods they use. My guitar was set up in factory, and then boxed and sent overseas and then to the other side of the country,...and it arrived in perfect condition and intonation, it plays beautifully to this day, although I don't gig with it. I haven't found much wrong with the build. It is smooth, no fret buzz, and the ergonomic multi scale is magnificent. A step above othr similar builders like Ibanez and Agile
Dude that headstock is friggin awesome
Just ordered this guitar now I'm super psyched to get it
God I love gloss finishes. And gloss necks - if well done. Keep up the fantastic reviews man! Always makes my day to see a new vid!
That is some crazy fast pickin'. 🤯
I had to listen to your jam like four times before I finally got into the video.
Thanks for doing this thing you do.
Brutal as fuck demo, especially the end.
Arnold, you seemed kind of lit from the get-go on this one, and I'm not complaining. Really enjoy your narrative, and the licks... holy shit dude, you have ALL the skills.
Thanks for the massive enjoyment factors.
Just bought one, my first 8, should be here on Saturday.
Heard a lot of good things about this guitar :) Plus I'm a Jackson fan boy
i like how the bond cyclone is turned the other way so you don't have to look at it
This has been my guitar of choice for a relatively short time. Maybe about 9 months. I got one on a whim when I was looking for a mid-high range guitar. I was originally going for one of those Ibanez guitars you mentioned lol. But I'm very happy I got this guitar. Super tight tone. Fits well with a Precision Drive and a 6505. Great if you're looking to play deathcore or djent. Middle position is fucking sick on this guitar btw.
I think for $999, this guitar is a steal. 28” scale length on the low end really sells it. I had a Majesty 8 string and if I didn’t spend $4200 on it, I wouldn’t have been so critical of everything on it, but I returned it because a guitar at that price should be perfect, and it wasn’t.
I think I might see this one in my future.
Liked cuz of clean tone inclusion. Thank you Arnold :)
I was hoping for a review on the 7-string version of this guitar, but i think it's similar enough that i can make some judgements based on this review of the 8-string. Good shit as always.
Can you imagine if one day there’s an EverTune for multi-scale instruments (especially with a True Temperament fretboard)
The shape of the headstock doesn't bother me that much. To me, the excess fretboard behind the nut is kind of the ugly part of this instrument. I can see why different companies do that, making fretboard blanks and using them on their guitars, fanned fretted or not. Less maintenence for higher production numbers, maybe. But it is solely this excess that makes me saying, nope..not this instrument; even though every thing else is good for the price this instrument costs. File it down, adjuste the headstock and truss rod cover and I'm in.
Can vouch for what you said. It's going to need heavier strings and a setup but once you do it oh man, get ready.
4:19 It's "FAN"-tastic. Pun intended? ;)
Pretty awesome riff there bro! Loved that shit \m/
Just bought a 2012 Jackson KVMG pro with the 3 piece maple neck and EMG’s I think it’s cool.
I seriously considered ordering the 7 string version of this and swapping out the pickups, and it looks like I wouldn't have been disappointed. I was lucky enough to find a used Ormsby SX GTR 7 for around the same price, though, and it's waaaay better than I imagined it would be
Unintended but funny effect is that your wide-angle lenses almost exactly eliminate the fanned-frets effect. I had to google an image to see how far the multi scale thing affects the look, he he.
Another suggestion: What about the Chapman ML1 Modern Pro? I'd be curious to see how it holds up under your scrutiny.
I got a Jackson 7 string, put a Bare Knuckle Juggernaut in it, gave it a good set up, it's my favorite guitar of the four I own. I thought Jackson was gunna go to shit after the Fender buyout, like when Mustaine got rid of all his Jacksons and shit, but I think they're better than ever now. And shit man, good guitars, good beer, subscribed.
What song were you playing at the start of you playing the guitar? I can't find it
Thanks Awesome Arnold!!! I was looking for an entry point that made sense for what i'm doing, all considered, especially the deal I got on Reverb. This video helped me tremendously , The demo playing, all the technical details and your setup adventures. In general I learned from you the importance of the fan fret / scale length situation for this type of beast, coming from quite a different playing background. I'll make sure my friends know about your channel!
Nice. That sounds about right with everything you said. I have the slat 7 ff and soon as I got it chunked up the strings a gauge and set that sucker up plays like a dream. Hate that it doesn't sustain tho.
Brutally honest Arnold you got yourself a subscriber.
P.s. I see you like yourself a craft beer. Look into some Michigan craft beer. I think you'll enjoy what you'll find.
I never get tired of the clean tone part! I've watched this like 5 or 6 times since it came out! This time I'm watching it this time because I'm trying so hard to get a certain type of tone on my 9 string. I think I just need the action to be super low. Josh travis said his action is so low it buzzes because he likes how it sounds.
As a strat owner since 1996 I approve of the clean sample. NOW MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE THUMPIN!
I keep coming back to this one for the demo song!! Holy shit your on point Arnold!! I’m thinking about getting this guitar my first 8 and project guitar
Interesting comment on the neck finish, I've played some Jackson soloist 7strings which seemed like your typical gloss neck. I've also played some MusicMan and Suhr which had incredibly smooth gloss finish.
Picked this guitar up a a couple weeks ago! Came all out of whack as you said lol but it's setup proper now and I absolutely love it
Why don't you like the individual saddles? Hipshot actually makes ones like those now, as well as a slanted multi scale bridge with all the saddles on one big base.
I'm trying the same set up, did you have to file out the nut to get the 80g string to fit?my ghs80 sits on top. Also the 80 doesn't fit through the eye of the tuning key once it tapers to full 80, the result is like 5 layered coil around it, which I see doesn't happen for you. I'm thinking I should resize the nut so the 80 fits at least, but the 5 wraps around the tuning key because the 80g wont fit the eye just looks nasty, it works though :/
FatedForFailure absolutely file slightly into the nut, but just unwrap the coils on the string and feed it into the tuner
what you would prefer ESP LTD SC-608b or this SLAT8FF?
thank you for this video. cheers up from Mexico
Great review, very helpful. Arnold - when you say the fanfret Ibanez ones flowering around, you mean the RGMS8 I assume? I agree, but I'm wondering about the RGIM8MH (Black Label multi-scale). It's more expensive but no neckthru, I can't decide which is better.
AMAZING VIDEO...!!! 🤘🏼😎👍🏼🎸
I don't remember what type of Jackson my friend bought, but he bought a 6 string straight from the factory and he had to adjust everything on the guitar as well when he got it. It was all out of whack.
hello arnold, i hope you review an ibanez rgms8 someday. .
Its a compelling option!!! nice work! Thanks for the detailed review.
How do you go about setting the saddles at the correct height? Cheers from Canada
Misha has a basswood body on his USA Sig, difference is how they treat the wood ,I saw something on another videos (comments )where they said they're fired ,not sure what that means ,makes em resonate more was the idea
This. There's a difference between the quality of the basswood on low-end guitars and higher-end guitars.
nice playing dude. Are there other fanned fret models Jackson has?
awesome playing and shirt, by the way!
hey arnold, why do you use a straight-jack instead of a hook/crook-end jack? i feel that the way you play and the input on most guitars you test doesn't seem too comfortable or durable long-term (for the input jack).
So you tried the Ibanez 8 strings fan fret too? I had bunch of Ibanez but only one from India, an Iron label 7 strings RGIR27FE which turned out to be a crappy guitar. So i'm not that much tempted to try another one whatever reviewer have to say about it. Most reviewer are biased anyway... It is great to have your point of view.
Man you're great! Will there be any
chance to watch an Esp Ltd M-1008 review one day? Thanks!
Actually this is the best tone of all your videos...
I been checking your tones
Hey,did you had to file the nut slots for upgrading to heavier gauge
Seems like there is a lot to like abut this guitar. It's one I've actually looked at several times but it always comes down to two things for me: I do not like basswood as a body wood and I don't like EMG pickups. Give this thing a mahogany or ash body and put some SD active pickups in there and I think it would be killer.
Fuck! Nice review man, you should take a look at the schecter synyster custom!
It sounds fucking good mate.
You got the Bear in Oakland in San Francisco Bay area?
i Live in Oakland in SF bay area.
Being that basswood is pretty light and maple is heavy, I'm wondering if you noticed any neck diving?
Do you think you could do a review on the Ibanez RGIF8? I'm really thinkin I wanna buy one when I get the extra cash, and your reviews are my favorite 😂
Johnathan Gifford I think that guitar has been discontinued. You will have to get a used one
its awesome, i preffer Jackson always, hey man u did a revise id that bass behind you? the fanned one? would you do one if u didnt? greetings
Great review as always. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the LTD KS M-7
sounds sick and nice rollins poster!!!
Great review! Loved this guitar when I had it.
Sour Beer is what's hip bro. Loving it.
great review! Love your videos. I am curious though, what do you do for a day job? surely you don't live off of UA-cam.
Arnold, what is that of to your right against the wall?..it looks like a huge bodied guitar.
Mark Daurelio that was my Bond. #25. I had longed for that guitar for a loooooong time, and when i finally had the chance i went for it...and got a bit ripped off and got an extremely disappointing guitar. Heres the video: ua-cam.com/video/_PByfBxhw6E/v-deo.html
Basswood sounds great, especially w a trem cavity.
If you were trying to decide between this guitar or an Agile Pendulum Pro 82528 (28.5 - 25.5" multiscale), which would you choose? The Agile (objectively) looks prettier and has a better mix of tonewoods. Same price, too.
What's the fretboard radius? Just to know how did you adjust the saddle height to follow the fretboard radius. Thanks!
JoseitoEdlVodao 12"-16". And I did it the hard way. I just adjusted the truss rod until it was straight, and then I adjusted the heights until there was no buzz, and it just ended up being nice and low.
Looks solid.To bad I just bought an 8 string now I gotta wait to get another in the future.
What's that blue fanned fret bass on your wall? I see it in all your videos.
Dingwall NG-2
Someone loves Beeradvocate. Great guitar and beer review!
for ask arnold: If you had to design your own guitar from the ground up (scale length(s), construction, timber, fret type, pickups, electronics, shape, glue type, finish, colors, break angles, # of strings, hardware, etc) what would you choose?
Nice playing. I'm looking to buy an 8 string but haven't decided on what brand.
Don't look at brands try them, or choose something with a neck shape that u like and a decent scale length
Could you actually test the Ibanez RGIF8 and compare it a bit? Kinda torn between those two atm
I like the headstock 🤷🏻♂️
LOVE IT! Come down to Massachusetts and join my band! A fucking masterful player like you would be welcome in the mix!
Great review Arnold
I would HIGHLY recommend trying out the Spencer Trappist Ale if you can get a hold of some.
Did you say which fret is the parallel?
I love the headstock
Nice shirt, best show I've ever seen 😎
It was goddamn incredible! The wife and I were only two rows back.
That headstock it unreal
EMG's in basswood always sound so good, much better than in mahogany IMO.
If you ever want to have an Ibanez RGIF8 for you to review you should hit me up. I MUCH prefer through body necks to bolt on, and if you ever get sick of this SLAT i'd love to do a swap.
Great review, subscribing!
so this one you do a complete set up on it but when you did the harley benton 8 string no set up ?
Hey Arnold, what tuning do you use on 8 strings?
love your vids man! much love from Belgium.
I hated those pick ups so I put fishman Tosins in mine. Now it’s more gooder.
Hey dude looking at this or that ibanez fanned fret 8 which do you think? Why did you say this over ibanez in the video? I don't know which I like I like the neck on ibanez but some of them haven't been too good
I loathe Ibanez these days. The QC is inconsistent as hell. If something isn't falling off, it's at least rough enough to make you bleed.
I just ordered this. Website says its scale is 27" - 25.5" he says it's 28" - 26". I know Jackson's site is wrong on some things due to them listing my Slathx 3-7 as mahogany when it's basswood.
Benjamin Browning how is that axe holding up so far, would you recommend to show the greens?
Would you please do the Jackson Misha Mansoor pro model