the restringing issue is made easier by the locking nut. dont cut the ball off ,cut the unwound end on the other side, slide it in starting at the tuners, then put the end of the cut string in the bridge. locking the nut saves you a restring step.
I used to own an 8 string with a kahler. I locked that thing down and it had the best tuning stability of any guitar I owned up to that point. I now own a strandberg and while that thing holds tuning very well, it has very limited range on what tunings I can play in unless I set it up. I get it, evertune is a more modern option but that thing makes notes sound artificial. I usually like for low tuned songs some pitch drift because it makes things sound crazier so a fine tuning bridge made sense for me. That’s why I actually am very interested in this bridge on the Meshuggah 8 string. Still one of my dream guitars.
I’m glad to hear somebody else likes a little bit of pitch Warble with drop tunings. I don’t want my drop tuned guitar to just sound like standard but lower, the attack going sharp for like a fraction of a second or the sustain going flat is part of the sound. Alas, it seems like you and I are a dying breed.
@@Viper-dz2kw Maybe a dying breed because you're not aware that an Evertune doesn't need to be set to hold a constant pitch? You would have the same warble with attack if it is set up regularly.
@@Viper-dz2kw From my experience people want no drift in tuning stability over long periods of time and not for downpicking with a heavy hand being perfectly in tune 🤷♂
I’ve owned this guitar since the initial release in 2013 and I love this guitar so much. It was kind of daunting to adjust to the scale but the tone of this instrument is both unique and incredible. After experiencing how scale affects tone with respect to low tunings it made me reconsider the need for 8 strings. I have never been a lead player and hardly use the higher strings on this guitar. So I’ve transitioned back to a 6 string, 29” scale and have a much more comfortable playing experience while sounding just as huge as the m80m. Personally I love the bridge on this guitar and feel that the fixed bridge and locking nut provide so much tuning stability that are crucial in emulating the classic Meshuggah microtonal bends with consistency. Overall great video, thanks!
I have had one of these a couple of years now and I love it. I personally don't mind the bridge, although I do agree it was not needed. A Gibraltar bridge would have been fine.
i personally love that bridge. Ive had an ibanez RG2228 with that bridge since 2007 (i own guitar number 225 out of the first 500 ibanez 8 strings in the world)
That bridge was because the guitarist loves the feel of the Floyd rose and locking the nut and fine tuning the bottom will prevent you from going out of tune plus you can just run the strings through the post then leave the ball end at the tuners
I believe depending on the strings you cannot do this, a lot of ultra thick strings like the kind Baena would be using are tapered at the end to help them fit in the post, which also has the unfortunate side effect of meaning they can’t be reverse loaded.
@@Viper-dz2kw Very true. I cut the ball off and use that end in the bridge. The tapered end can go past the nut but never on the neck side of the nut as that would mess up the tuning.
Gorgeous guitar. The FR-style locking nut is obviously there because of the FR-style bridge (which is super cool, I must say). The locks are only necessary due to the slack induced on the strings when dropping pitch with the trem because there is a chance the strings could slacken around the posts. In this scenario, the locks are not necessary, but it is very nice to have that FR-style nut! That's like having a built-in zero fret with guides!!
Andrew, top lock is literally exist as second part of floyd's locking system. One part locking strings in the bridge, another on the nut. You can't just replace this with locking tuners
Regarding those bridges on the current R8* series. I have an old S8QM (2013 or 2014 I don't remember) which has a similar Gibraltar style bridge on it, like the ones used on the current R8* guitars. Even though it has a wider bass-string sized insert down below, I cannot really put a thick 8th string on it because it won't hold the saddle under enough tension to keep it from wiggling around, which eventually causes the screw that attaches the saddle to the bridge to work itself loose, so tuning stability is only a dream. Thickest string I can put on it without being exposed to this problem is 80, which at 27" is extremely flaccid for any sort of down tuning, even for drop E (but that could be just me, I am used to high tension, I got 10-52 for standard on my 6 strings...). But I'm assuming this is no longer a problem with the newer revisions of that hardtail design since you seem to like it a lot! ^^ I would think those FX bridges are probably way more stable despite the over-engineered appearance.
It sounds like the difference between both signature models is in the midrange. The first one leans towards the low mids, while the second one leans towards the high mids, which would work perfectly if you wanted to have a massive, cohesive sound.
For those concerned about the length being too long, keep in mind: the bridge is near the edge of the body. Ibanez does this so that the neck is shorter in the hand, making 29.4” scale feel more like 26.5” - 27” scale. Reverend does the same thing to make their Descent models feel like a Fender scale.
The neck is closer through the body because of that, but that doesn't stop the frets spaces from being larger. That being said, it's really not that bad unless you have small fingers.
This absolutely does not feel like a 27”, it’s massive. I have this and a 2027XL and it’s noticeable. If it felt like a 27” then Marten would probably still be using it and not the 28” he does use.
It could very well be among the first signature 8-string models by Ibanez, but definitely not the first one. The M80M was introduced in 2014, but was preceded by the higher end M8M released in 2012 (also 29,4"). As your guitar was recently manufactured it should have a rosewood fretboard. The M80M was launched with a rosewood fretboard, but was replaced with jatoba during years 2018-2020 (due to various bans on exotic and endangered wood types I believe). In 2021 rosewood returned, although it could be a different species of rosewood compared to launch. The lighter, almost orange as you say, fretboards on both M80M's and FTM33's could be from the jatoba production period. If your FTM33 is from the 2018-2020 period, then you know 👍 I noticed when you showed the nut that the screws holding it in place are not fully screwed into the neck. I had the same thing on mine, which caused the clamps to not actually clamp down on the strings, especially the thinner ones, but on the screw heads. You could drive the screws a bit further in and see if the tuning stability improves with clamps.
Owning both, I much prefer the feel of Ibanez trems over their fixed bridges on my picking hand, especially when it comes to hand placement for palm mutes and I rarely use the tremolo itself. So while this might be a niche opinion, that bridge makes a lot of sense to me.
I had an rga8 that had that same bridge, it's a common issue that it has to be reinstalled because the main mounting screw at the bottom (with the hex screw) comes out because of the tension. Mine had a couple extra screws that were added around the anchor to hold it in place.
@Viper-dz2kw basically, there was the two mounting screws with the big flathead screws on the top then the one hex screw at the bottom that probably handled most of the tension
The point of the bridge is tuning stability....seems pretty obviously important for people who play outside of their bedrooms.... like...meshuggah. not to mention meshuggah plays alot of microtonal stuff so tuning stability is king
What microtonal stuff have they done, atleast in their official released records? I think their choice of bridge was based on tuning stability, but im dubious as to if it actually improves tuning stability. If we were to compare this to a string through body, hardtail bridge, I presume the argument would be that under weather changes, the strings can stretch/shrink and actually slip through the saddles/nut, meanwhile when they are locked they can't slip. However this doesn't stop the strings from shrinking/stretching between the locked saddles/nut. If anything, I think isolating the string from moving between those 2 points would actually make stability worse in regards to stretching/shrinking. I've had floyd rose bridges which stayed in tune well, but a lot of that was the floating element, where tension changes are spread not just across the strings, but evenly across all strings and through the springs in the back, but removing the floating element completely removes that aspect of tuning stability. Funnily enough, my gotoh unlocked floating trem ibanez AZ stays in tune far better than any floyd rose equipped guitar I have, and I have a feeling that the fact that the string is unlocked and free to move through the saddle/nut in tandem with a floating bridge allows it to go through ridiculous humid/hot weather (I live in australia) with barely any tuning, albeit needing some trem claw adjustments to keep the bridge floating flat. Sadly there are so few tests in this regard, but the more I've gotten floyd roses, the more I doubt the affect of locking saddles/nuts on tuning stability, especially in a situation like this with a non floating locking bridge, to a hardtail bridge. Is there really a difference between the string being locked in the bridge, compared to the ball end being effectively locked into the body of the guitar?
@@Jd0t-plays Is this regarding the notes that are bent up a whole step? the fact that they are bent up a whole step slowly is why they are not microtonal, they have a destination, a 'home' they travel to. If the implication is that any song with bends in it, or even just playing a song tuned incorrectly, that is not microtonal. They are out of tune notes, in the context of a normal western scale.
@johntravoltage959 they bend in microtonal increments over several measures. There are entire measures in which they are in quarter stepped tones and things in between. There are also stretched measures during solos in which microtonal increments are used. This isn't a boomer bend that transfers over a western stepped interval over the course of a beat or two. You're not as prolific with this as you think.
@@Jd0t-plays I play a shitload of meshuggah personally, and I've never had to do any weird tunings, bend strings in bizarre ways accurately to play inbetween notes (only consistent moving bends) or anything. SOme people describe it as atonal for the sound they have because of the sound especially in their solos, but its not microtonal. Their solos are quite interesting, especially live, where they have transitioned through using tons of different equipment live for their sound which is quite interesting to dive into, but although they do often have some interesting pitch shift/delay effects that create an 'out of tune' sound, they are still playing the guitar normally and not doing tons of micro bends to play notes out of the normal scales. The obvious thing with this is looking it up, and seeing that there is absolutely no discussion about meshuggah being microtonal, aside from some people discussing the solos a bit and how they get the kind of 'out of tune' chromatic and atonal sounds. This is significantly different from microtonal though.
Have owned one for 9 years, Andrew's spot on here. Awesome pickup, finish has held up great. Playability is tough on the left hand though, price you pay for such a long scale length. Bridge is terrible for quick string changes, took the locking nut off years ago, stays in tune great.
hey i hope you see this i just had a idea about the string and bridge issue that actually makes this setup awesome thread the ball end through the tuning pegs down to the bridge so you dont need to cut the ball but just the access string, this will also stop the string from slipping when you tune. i have a 8 string black ibanez rg8 i kinda want that setup now lol
Ibanez actually changed the fretboard back to rosewood on the newer models so you have a rosewood fretboard on that one. My 2019 M80m had jatoba but in like 2022 they changed it back. They didn't update the specs on some of the sites.
I have an Indonesian RG-A8. It also has this bridge. I think they're called like, Edge fx 3, or some shit? I was kinda confused by it at first. Like, its not a rose, so whats the point? Well, first, i think it just feels great. Also, I think the locking nut and then the fine tuners on the bridge actually keep the tuning super stable. I mean, I can leave it hanging for months, and its still pretty much in tune when I pick it back up. Maybe thats the whole deal. Also, I think it looks pretty rad anyway. Much love. Cheers.
Personally, I love the idea of locking nut on a hardtail. Yes, you have more things to setup once, and it's not that easy to change tuning, but the tuning stability is just so much better than any guitar with the best locking tuners - it's just a fact. Guitar just holds the tuning for weeks. But it's a setup for the job, not particulary for fun, I get it)
It can be okay depending on what you want to get out of your guitar, but generally, a very well setup guitar without a locking nut is going to have just as good tuning stability. The reason locking nuts are necessary with tremolos is because normal headstocks create an extra break point in along the string, creating the possibility of string binding or inconsistent pitch bending with the trem, but if your guitar is just hardtail, then these aren't really things you need to worry about so it isn't really an improvement
Aftermarket fitting an evertune is hugely expensive and requires extensive, professional-level modifications to the guitar unfortunately. I'm a luthier and even I wouldn't tackle it
I have this guitar and love it. I think Ibanez made an 8 string Tosin. Great video. OOOO. Your are right. They sound different. The M80M sounds nicer to my ears. Slightly less fizz I think.
Sounds great with the clean tone too, always wondered about the pickup position.... The strings dont wiggle too much near the bridge, and maybe it makes the tone cleaner !!! 🤘😁. Wow , no tremelo bar??
Tell me... what's the weight like.... cuz its H E A V Y 😎- Sound is electricity on fire w/ the II II II II. Great demo Andrew and ngl the comment "lower heavier.. OF COURSE" got me. 😆
I’m test driving the II II II II plugin as we speak. What a beast. I can’t get over the versatility of this plugin, compared to most other “single amp” plugins… Incredible work!
The funniest thing about this guitar is that Meshuggah, specifically Marten Hagstrom, has been using a shorter scale M80M for a while now, the same scale as the FTM33.
I know this will sound ridiculous, but I put some extra heavy strings from stringjoy (.11-.90) on mine and have been loving them. I did have some trouble getting the last lock on the nut back on though lmao
I have average sized hands and I'm only 5 foot and 7.75 inches and my M80M is fine for me. Yes some extreme jazz chords are harder and these guitars can be used for that style too, but they're intended more for regular metal playing. My only issue with the guitar is the accessibility of the 20-24th frets. I wish the lower horn had a deeper cut away. I'd also like a neck pick up for smooth lead playing, as the bridge pick up is just so aggressive. The bridge pickup works for smooth leads with the tone control turned down a bit, but in live situation with managing pedal and changing sounds going into a solo having to operate the tone control too is just too much. Other than that it's a perfect instrument for me.
Pretty much nobody liked the fixed Lo Pro Edge when it first appeared in the Ibanez JS 2000. The same bridge then appeared for a second time on the Mick Thomson signature as the Edge FX with about the same "meh" reaction. Then Ibanez decided to stop making a fixed floating bridge until those two signature guitars showed up and are the only 8 string models Ibanez offers with that bridge as well.
I recently installed M8C on RG8. The difference compared to the stock IBZ-8 is less than I expected. Clarity, readability and signal level are better, yes. But there is no miracle. According to my feelings, the difference is about +10...15%. It is much more important to properly configure your VST chain and VST IR. Goog VST chain is more important than the scale length (27" is quite enough, even for the E tuning), than pickups and string gauge (I use the EB-2629 10-74 set). I use Mercurial TSC1.1, Legion, NadIR (Brohyumn Mesa 4x12 SM57 V30-2 + Excalibur Dark3,b). No paid VSTs like Gojira and so on - they are all crap. I never thought that free VSTs could sound much better than commercial crap, I spent half a year looking for the perfect tone because of Gojira. (Also forget about BIAS FX - also crap) Then I accidentally found the Plague Scythe Studios UA-cam channel and started watching and taking notes on it. Finding the perfect tone is not easy, check out his videos: 1) "Modern Metal 8 String Guitar Tone w/ Free VST's - Tutorial" (probably the best) 2) "Meshuggah's Tone w/ Free VST's - Tutorial". Good luck to you!
I recently installed M8C on RG8. The difference compared to the stock IBZ-8 is less than I expected. Clarity, readability and signal level are better, yes. But there is no miracle. According to my feelings, the difference is about +10...20%. It is much more important to properly configure your VST chain and VST IR. I use Mercurial TSC1.1, Legion, NadIR (Brohymn Mesa 4x12 SM57 V30-2 + Excalibur Dark3,b). No paid VSTs like Gojira and so on - they are all crap. I never thought that free VSTs could sound much better than commercial crap, I spent half a year looking for the perfect tone because of Gojira. (Also forget about BIAS FX! Also crap.) Then I accidentally found the Plague Scythe Studios UA-cam channel and started watching and taking notes on it. Finding the perfect tone is not easy, check out his videos 1) "Modern Metal 8 String Guitar Tone w/ Free VST's - Tutorial" (probably the best) and 2) "Meshuggah's Tone w/ Free VST's - Tutorial". Good luck to you!
Dude the point of that bridge is to save up string lenght and allow you to put common strings on that. For 29 scale lenght you would normally buy custom string, but that bridge fixes it
Yeah, kind of painting yourself into a corner with that bridge. Its like a fake floyd. But some of the wood was routed out of the body so if you want to replace it you are SOL... A hipshot Ibby HM bridge would be a better choice. Are you ever going to upgrade your old Ibanez 8 string guitar, Andrew?
how you guys deal with fretting in the 8th string? For its been always a problem when I use distortion and its not to much. I cant hold a note without hearing the string hitting the 3 4 5 6 frets.
Is there much difference between a hardtail bridge with the string locked into the body, as opposed to locked into the saddle? Whats the difference between the string being able to slip through a saddle/nut, as opposed to being locked in place and limited to shrinking/stretching. In my experience living in australia with bad temp/humidity control and wild weather fluctuations which are hell on guitars, my unlocked floating trem bridges stay in tune monumentally better than hard tails, and locked trem systems. Floating bridges allow for the tension changes in each spring to be balanced across all of them, and across the springs in the back, causing the bridge to dip/raise slightly while the strings don't go out of tune as much, but making the bridge locked in place makes this impossible. To me it seems like the string being able to slip through nut/saddle as it stretches/shrinks allows for better tuning stability through harsh playing/weather. Sadly there don't seem to be any serious scientific tests regarding this, but the more and more I try different guitars, the more I despise locking systems because of tuning instability compared to unlocked systems.
I just got mine from Sweetwater a week ago. I was so bummed when I first pulled it out of the box because it was so light and the gigbag feels like something that would come with an entry level guitar. As soon as I played it unplugged I knew it was amazing. This thing resonates in a way no other guitar I’ve owned does. This is a forever guitar. The only thing I’d replace it with is the Japanese Custom Shop version and that is not in the books any time soon. Guess I’m selling my LTD Stephen Carpenter.
Drop d# on my Jackson slatms8 for all those sleep token low riffage songs with an 85 on the thickest string is solid enough, just wish it had an evertune
How is it as stable as an evertune, if anything blocking the trem prevents it from doing some of what evertune can do. A floating bridge allows changes in string tension to get spread between all the strings, and the springs in the back, effectively like a shittier evertune. Locking it in place just means you have a string that is locked between the saddle and nut, and as weather/playing etc. causes strings to shrink/stretch, they will change tension like normal, and there is no system that can counteract that. The bigger question, is if having the string locked in the saddle, as opposed to ball end locked against the body, in combination with locking nut changes anything. From my experience with locking/unlocked floating bridge systems, im starting to become dubious if locking the string at saddle/nut really helps with tuning at all, as opposed to letting the string move through them.
To my ears, the M80M sounds a bit more defined and clear. Maybe due to the pickup position and the scale length. About the bridge piece ... Well, I never really got why this was done like this. Maybe is it a request from Fredrik and Mårten.
Good lord, I always thought 8 string were muddy regardless of gauge or scale, this proves me wrong. Earth Crusher! Shame it's satin, they stain and leave smudges easily. I stick with gloss cause they look way better!
This guitar is meant to be tuned to F standard with a 70 for the low F. If you wanna lower you neeed a little work. And guys listen to Fredrik and Vogg, stop using giant cable strings it will sound worse.
I love that bridge and wish more companies used something similar. I like the feel of a Floyd but I always block them, so it’s perfect. Also, you have to get some locking bridge guitars so you can come at these videos with a little more expertise with something similar. Really comes off as uninformed about an entire selection of guitars.
This bridge is poo-poo caca, little hexscrew for string height can pop up with nut and pieces of wood (that happened to my RGA8). I wish it to be a standard fixed bridge with strings going through body.
I don't understand why people cut ball ends. For decades I have never done that. Just run it through so the ball end is on the head stock and cut the excess off at the other end. No hammering bullshit. I own one of these and I agree about the bridge, but other than that it's a beast of a guitar.
8 STRINGS?!?! I can't even play 6!!!
Most 8 strings are actually disguised 3 strings guitars, so not a problem at all!
Lies
You're right, you cant play 6 strings. Anymore. If it ain't 8 in your hands, it just looks weird. Same with 'ol Andy, here.
Just keep practicing Dean 😂
and I'm Miles Davis....
Hell yes more 8 strings, you’re definitely the most reliable source for good extended range guitars 🔥
And nik nocturnal
@@michaweenah, not even close, I like Nik’s reaction vids and such but in terms of extended range gear review, is not even comparable
THIS
the restringing issue is made easier by the locking nut. dont cut the ball off ,cut the unwound end on the other side, slide it in starting at the tuners, then put the end of the cut string in the bridge. locking the nut saves you a restring step.
I used to own an 8 string with a kahler. I locked that thing down and it had the best tuning stability of any guitar I owned up to that point. I now own a strandberg and while that thing holds tuning very well, it has very limited range on what tunings I can play in unless I set it up. I get it, evertune is a more modern option but that thing makes notes sound artificial. I usually like for low tuned songs some pitch drift because it makes things sound crazier so a fine tuning bridge made sense for me. That’s why I actually am very interested in this bridge on the Meshuggah 8 string. Still one of my dream guitars.
I’m glad to hear somebody else likes a little bit of pitch Warble with drop tunings. I don’t want my drop tuned guitar to just sound like standard but lower, the attack going sharp for like a fraction of a second or the sustain going flat is part of the sound.
Alas, it seems like you and I are a dying breed.
You also have to remove a lot of wood from the guitar to install an Evertune bridge as well. About twice the amount you would with a Floyd Rose.
@@Viper-dz2kw Maybe a dying breed because you're not aware that an Evertune doesn't need to be set to hold a constant pitch? You would have the same warble with attack if it is set up regularly.
@@TampaNoon-d3sI’m aware, I just mean most people I know who want evertunes the fact that there is no drift is a big reason they buy them.
@@Viper-dz2kw From my experience people want no drift in tuning stability over long periods of time and not for downpicking with a heavy hand being perfectly in tune 🤷♂
I’ve owned this guitar since the initial release in 2013 and I love this guitar so much. It was kind of daunting to adjust to the scale but the tone of this instrument is both unique and incredible. After experiencing how scale affects tone with respect to low tunings it made me reconsider the need for 8 strings. I have never been a lead player and hardly use the higher strings on this guitar. So I’ve transitioned back to a 6 string, 29” scale and have a much more comfortable playing experience while sounding just as huge as the m80m. Personally I love the bridge on this guitar and feel that the fixed bridge and locking nut provide so much tuning stability that are crucial in emulating the classic Meshuggah microtonal bends with consistency. Overall great video, thanks!
I have had one of these a couple of years now and I love it. I personally don't mind the bridge, although I do agree it was not needed. A Gibraltar bridge would have been fine.
i personally love that bridge. Ive had an ibanez RG2228 with that bridge since 2007 (i own guitar number 225 out of the first 500 ibanez 8 strings in the world)
Coincidentally, i use it exactly the way you said you'd ideally use it! I took off the locking nuts, and threw on open gear hipshots. :)
That bridge was because the guitarist loves the feel of the Floyd rose and locking the nut and fine tuning the bottom will prevent you from going out of tune plus you can just run the strings through the post then leave the ball end at the tuners
I believe depending on the strings you cannot do this, a lot of ultra thick strings like the kind Baena would be using are tapered at the end to help them fit in the post, which also has the unfortunate side effect of meaning they can’t be reverse loaded.
@@Viper-dz2kw Very true. I cut the ball off and use that end in the bridge. The tapered end can go past the nut but never on the neck side of the nut as that would mess up the tuning.
This is awesome, I had a custom 8 string made a few years ago that has a 30" scale neck double drop D sounds MEGA
Gorgeous guitar. The FR-style locking nut is obviously there because of the FR-style bridge (which is super cool, I must say). The locks are only necessary due to the slack induced on the strings when dropping pitch with the trem because there is a chance the strings could slacken around the posts. In this scenario, the locks are not necessary, but it is very nice to have that FR-style nut! That's like having a built-in zero fret with guides!!
Andrew, top lock is literally exist as second part of floyd's locking system. One part locking strings in the bridge, another on the nut. You can't just replace this with locking tuners
Regarding those bridges on the current R8* series. I have an old S8QM (2013 or 2014 I don't remember) which has a similar Gibraltar style bridge on it, like the ones used on the current R8* guitars.
Even though it has a wider bass-string sized insert down below, I cannot really put a thick 8th string on it because it won't hold the saddle under enough tension to keep it from wiggling around, which eventually causes the screw that attaches the saddle to the bridge to work itself loose, so tuning stability is only a dream.
Thickest string I can put on it without being exposed to this problem is 80, which at 27" is extremely flaccid for any sort of down tuning, even for drop E (but that could be just me, I am used to high tension, I got 10-52 for standard on my 6 strings...).
But I'm assuming this is no longer a problem with the newer revisions of that hardtail design since you seem to like it a lot! ^^
I would think those FX bridges are probably way more stable despite the over-engineered appearance.
HELL yes. Love that you mentioned possibly tuning down to B, I’ve wanted to get a 30” 8 string in order to do that but wasn’t sure if I even could!
what string gauge do you recommend for double drop C on this guit?
It sounds like the difference between both signature models is in the midrange. The first one leans towards the low mids, while the second one leans towards the high mids, which would work perfectly if you wanted to have a massive, cohesive sound.
I have a Jatoba fretboard on an Ibanez and it was quite light at first but has nicely darkened over time.
Great video as always brother
For those concerned about the length being too long, keep in mind: the bridge is near the edge of the body. Ibanez does this so that the neck is shorter in the hand, making 29.4” scale feel more like 26.5” - 27” scale. Reverend does the same thing to make their Descent models feel like a Fender scale.
The neck is closer through the body because of that, but that doesn't stop the frets spaces from being larger. That being said, it's really not that bad unless you have small fingers.
@ oh definitely. The fret spaces will still suck to a degree.
This absolutely does not feel like a 27”, it’s massive. I have this and a 2027XL and it’s noticeable. If it felt like a 27” then Marten would probably still be using it and not the 28” he does use.
the floating bridges gives a different tone to the guitars also so i think its good to have it and also the stability is insane on them
It could very well be among the first signature 8-string models by Ibanez, but definitely not the first one.
The M80M was introduced in 2014, but was preceded by the higher end M8M released in 2012 (also 29,4").
As your guitar was recently manufactured it should have a rosewood fretboard. The M80M was launched with a rosewood fretboard, but was replaced with jatoba during years 2018-2020 (due to various bans on exotic and endangered wood types I believe). In 2021 rosewood returned, although it could be a different species of rosewood compared to launch. The lighter, almost orange as you say, fretboards on both M80M's and FTM33's could be from the jatoba production period. If your FTM33 is from the 2018-2020 period, then you know 👍
I noticed when you showed the nut that the screws holding it in place are not fully screwed into the neck. I had the same thing on mine, which caused the clamps to not actually clamp down on the strings, especially the thinner ones, but on the screw heads. You could drive the screws a bit further in and see if the tuning stability improves with clamps.
Ive never had to hammer the end of the thickest string on my m80m, surprised to hear you had to
Correct, you don’t have to do this, he probably didn’t loosen the screw enough that holds the little nut that holds the string.
Owning both, I much prefer the feel of Ibanez trems over their fixed bridges on my picking hand, especially when it comes to hand placement for palm mutes and I rarely use the tremolo itself. So while this might be a niche opinion, that bridge makes a lot of sense to me.
SHUGG guitar comparison!!?? Sweet man loved the vid
Ha. Was waiting patiently for one of these to fall in your lap. That is the one for me for sure. I might get one. I have to buy a freezer first.
I had an rga8 that had that same bridge, it's a common issue that it has to be reinstalled because the main mounting screw at the bottom (with the hex screw) comes out because of the tension. Mine had a couple extra screws that were added around the anchor to hold it in place.
It only has one load bearing mounting screw?
@Viper-dz2kw basically, there was the two mounting screws with the big flathead screws on the top then the one hex screw at the bottom that probably handled most of the tension
The point of the bridge is tuning stability....seems pretty obviously important for people who play outside of their bedrooms.... like...meshuggah. not to mention meshuggah plays alot of microtonal stuff so tuning stability is king
What microtonal stuff have they done, atleast in their official released records? I think their choice of bridge was based on tuning stability, but im dubious as to if it actually improves tuning stability. If we were to compare this to a string through body, hardtail bridge, I presume the argument would be that under weather changes, the strings can stretch/shrink and actually slip through the saddles/nut, meanwhile when they are locked they can't slip. However this doesn't stop the strings from shrinking/stretching between the locked saddles/nut. If anything, I think isolating the string from moving between those 2 points would actually make stability worse in regards to stretching/shrinking.
I've had floyd rose bridges which stayed in tune well, but a lot of that was the floating element, where tension changes are spread not just across the strings, but evenly across all strings and through the springs in the back, but removing the floating element completely removes that aspect of tuning stability. Funnily enough, my gotoh unlocked floating trem ibanez AZ stays in tune far better than any floyd rose equipped guitar I have, and I have a feeling that the fact that the string is unlocked and free to move through the saddle/nut in tandem with a floating bridge allows it to go through ridiculous humid/hot weather (I live in australia) with barely any tuning, albeit needing some trem claw adjustments to keep the bridge floating flat.
Sadly there are so few tests in this regard, but the more I've gotten floyd roses, the more I doubt the affect of locking saddles/nuts on tuning stability, especially in a situation like this with a non floating locking bridge, to a hardtail bridge. Is there really a difference between the string being locked in the bridge, compared to the ball end being effectively locked into the body of the guitar?
@johntravoltage959 the riff for bleed is literally a microtonal riff
@@Jd0t-plays Is this regarding the notes that are bent up a whole step? the fact that they are bent up a whole step slowly is why they are not microtonal, they have a destination, a 'home' they travel to.
If the implication is that any song with bends in it, or even just playing a song tuned incorrectly, that is not microtonal. They are out of tune notes, in the context of a normal western scale.
@johntravoltage959 they bend in microtonal increments over several measures. There are entire measures in which they are in quarter stepped tones and things in between.
There are also stretched measures during solos in which microtonal increments are used. This isn't a boomer bend that transfers over a western stepped interval over the course of a beat or two.
You're not as prolific with this as you think.
@@Jd0t-plays I play a shitload of meshuggah personally, and I've never had to do any weird tunings, bend strings in bizarre ways accurately to play inbetween notes (only consistent moving bends) or anything. SOme people describe it as atonal for the sound they have because of the sound especially in their solos, but its not microtonal.
Their solos are quite interesting, especially live, where they have transitioned through using tons of different equipment live for their sound which is quite interesting to dive into, but although they do often have some interesting pitch shift/delay effects that create an 'out of tune' sound, they are still playing the guitar normally and not doing tons of micro bends to play notes out of the normal scales.
The obvious thing with this is looking it up, and seeing that there is absolutely no discussion about meshuggah being microtonal, aside from some people discussing the solos a bit and how they get the kind of 'out of tune' chromatic and atonal sounds. This is significantly different from microtonal though.
Have owned one for 9 years, Andrew's spot on here. Awesome pickup, finish has held up great. Playability is tough on the left hand though, price you pay for such a long scale length. Bridge is terrible for quick string changes, took the locking nut off years ago, stays in tune great.
Don't act like that tone knob doesn't bother you at least a little bit :D
👀
hey i hope you see this i just had a idea about the string and bridge issue that actually makes this setup awesome
thread the ball end through the tuning pegs down to the bridge so you dont need to cut the ball but just the access string, this will also stop the string from slipping when you tune.
i have a 8 string black ibanez rg8 i kinda want that setup now lol
Ibanez actually changed the fretboard back to rosewood on the newer models so you have a rosewood fretboard on that one. My 2019 M80m had jatoba but in like 2022 they changed it back. They didn't update the specs on some of the sites.
This my personal favorite bridge
I have an Indonesian RG-A8. It also has this bridge. I think they're called like, Edge fx 3, or some shit? I was kinda confused by it at first. Like, its not a rose, so whats the point? Well, first, i think it just feels great. Also, I think the locking nut and then the fine tuners on the bridge actually keep the tuning super stable. I mean, I can leave it hanging for months, and its still pretty much in tune when I pick it back up. Maybe thats the whole deal. Also, I think it looks pretty rad anyway. Much love. Cheers.
Personally, I love the idea of locking nut on a hardtail. Yes, you have more things to setup once, and it's not that easy to change tuning, but the tuning stability is just so much better than any guitar with the best locking tuners - it's just a fact. Guitar just holds the tuning for weeks. But it's a setup for the job, not particulary for fun, I get it)
It can be okay depending on what you want to get out of your guitar, but generally, a very well setup guitar without a locking nut is going to have just as good tuning stability. The reason locking nuts are necessary with tremolos is because normal headstocks create an extra break point in along the string, creating the possibility of string binding or inconsistent pitch bending with the trem, but if your guitar is just hardtail, then these aren't really things you need to worry about so it isn't really an improvement
@@caelanwatson9812 i strongly disagree)
Maybe you can replace it with an Evertune? It would look fire
Aftermarket fitting an evertune is hugely expensive and requires extensive, professional-level modifications to the guitar unfortunately. I'm a luthier and even I wouldn't tackle it
you're right, the extra scale length does make a difference
I have this guitar and love it. I think Ibanez made an 8 string Tosin. Great video. OOOO. Your are right. They sound different. The M80M sounds nicer to my ears. Slightly less fizz I think.
Sounds great with the clean tone too, always wondered about the pickup position.... The strings dont wiggle too much near the bridge, and maybe it makes the tone cleaner !!! 🤘😁. Wow , no tremelo bar??
So we just playing straight up snowboards now yea?
Tell me... what's the weight like.... cuz its H E A V Y 😎- Sound is electricity on fire w/ the II II II II. Great demo Andrew
and ngl the comment "lower heavier.. OF COURSE" got me. 😆
I’m test driving the II II II II plugin as we speak. What a beast. I can’t get over the versatility of this plugin, compared to most other “single amp” plugins… Incredible work!
@ well thanks for speaking up, honored by that feedback 🤜🤛😎 passion for heavy = 111%
Ive always wanted that guitar. Fucking love that thing
The funniest thing about this guitar is that Meshuggah, specifically Marten Hagstrom, has been using a shorter scale M80M for a while now, the same scale as the FTM33.
the old tosin ibanez sig was coo
I know this will sound ridiculous, but I put some extra heavy strings from stringjoy (.11-.90) on mine and have been loving them.
I did have some trouble getting the last lock on the nut back on though lmao
I fuckin love Meshuggah, ever since DESTROY. ERASE. IMPROVE.
I have a 28" 8-string and my goblin hands are always aching after playing it for a while. 29.4" sounds just crazy to me.
I have average sized hands and I'm only 5 foot and 7.75 inches and my M80M is fine for me. Yes some extreme jazz chords are harder and these guitars can be used for that style too, but they're intended more for regular metal playing. My only issue with the guitar is the accessibility of the 20-24th frets. I wish the lower horn had a deeper cut away. I'd also like a neck pick up for smooth lead playing, as the bridge pick up is just so aggressive. The bridge pickup works for smooth leads with the tone control turned down a bit, but in live situation with managing pedal and changing sounds going into a solo having to operate the tone control too is just too much.
Other than that it's a perfect instrument for me.
Would you replace with a bridge with an Evertune?
At the near end of this phenomenal experience. The U:C is the frets are far too apart from each other. You and I and the assembly know
yes I thing massuga player likes the feels of that bridge that is why it has it.
An EverTune would fit perfectly.
Whatever, this bridge rocks! Stable for days and easy to dial in super low action.
Hey man, what year is your one? They reintroduced the rosewood fretboard in 2021 I think.
Pretty much nobody liked the fixed Lo Pro Edge when it first appeared in the Ibanez JS 2000. The same bridge then appeared for a second time on the Mick Thomson signature as the Edge FX with about the same "meh" reaction. Then Ibanez decided to stop making a fixed floating bridge until those two signature guitars showed up and are the only 8 string models Ibanez offers with that bridge as well.
I need that Lundgren M8 bridge pickup for my RG8!!!
Check out their Black Heaven's too. I prefer it over the M series!
I do have the m8 in my rga8 and yes, you do need it 😊
I recently installed M8C on RG8.
The difference compared to the stock IBZ-8 is less than I expected.
Clarity, readability and signal level are better, yes. But there is no miracle.
According to my feelings, the difference is about +10...15%.
It is much more important to properly configure your VST chain and VST IR.
Goog VST chain is more important than the scale length (27" is quite enough, even for the E tuning), than pickups and string gauge (I use the EB-2629 10-74 set).
I use Mercurial TSC1.1, Legion, NadIR (Brohyumn Mesa 4x12 SM57 V30-2 + Excalibur Dark3,b).
No paid VSTs like Gojira and so on - they are all crap. I never thought that free VSTs could sound much better than commercial crap, I spent half a year looking for the perfect tone because of Gojira. (Also forget about BIAS FX - also crap)
Then I accidentally found the Plague Scythe Studios UA-cam channel and started watching and taking notes on it.
Finding the perfect tone is not easy, check out his videos:
1) "Modern Metal 8 String Guitar Tone w/ Free VST's - Tutorial" (probably the best)
2) "Meshuggah's Tone w/ Free VST's - Tutorial".
Good luck to you!
I recently installed M8C on RG8.
The difference compared to the stock IBZ-8 is less than I expected. Clarity, readability and signal level are better, yes. But there is no miracle. According to my feelings, the difference is about +10...20%.
It is much more important to properly configure your VST chain and VST IR. I use Mercurial TSC1.1, Legion, NadIR (Brohymn Mesa 4x12 SM57 V30-2 + Excalibur Dark3,b). No paid VSTs like Gojira and so on - they are all crap.
I never thought that free VSTs could sound much better than commercial crap, I spent half a year looking for the perfect tone because of Gojira. (Also forget about BIAS FX! Also crap.)
Then I accidentally found the Plague Scythe Studios UA-cam channel and started watching and taking notes on it. Finding the perfect tone is not easy, check out his videos
1) "Modern Metal 8 String Guitar Tone w/ Free VST's - Tutorial" (probably the best) and
2) "Meshuggah's Tone w/ Free VST's - Tutorial".
Good luck to you!
Wait
It's flat satin? Wasn't it more woodgrainy in the past?
(i have 2019 model and the top looks way different)
Thinking about trying the Gretsch baritone for drop G to drop E.
Thinking it would be sick for heavy hm2 and octave tones
i mean the bridge makes sense, its basically like an evertune just less modern
8. I think it needs one more maybe?
Dude the point of that bridge is to save up string lenght and allow you to put common strings on that. For 29 scale lenght you would normally buy custom string, but that bridge fixes it
Yeah, kind of painting yourself into a corner with that bridge. Its like a fake floyd. But some of the wood was routed out of the body so if you want to replace it you are SOL... A hipshot Ibby HM bridge would be a better choice. Are you ever going to upgrade your old Ibanez 8 string guitar, Andrew?
how you guys deal with fretting in the 8th string? For its been always a problem when I use distortion and its not to much. I cant hold a note without hearing the string hitting the 3 4 5 6 frets.
Everyone always wants a rose gold bridge but also in black
Tosin Abasi got two 8-string signature models ; was it before this one?
@@julientredan they launched the same year, 2014
Dumb question, but what picks do you normally use?
I have a Solar 8 string and my the low string will not stay in tune. total bummer. looking for a new guitar
So as a floyd guy the bridge has always seemed kinda cool to me, does it really not hold tune even with the locking nut?
I didn’t really feel like it made a difference in tuning stability whether the locks were on or off so I just left them off personally
It does. Andrew is drunk
Is there much difference between a hardtail bridge with the string locked into the body, as opposed to locked into the saddle? Whats the difference between the string being able to slip through a saddle/nut, as opposed to being locked in place and limited to shrinking/stretching.
In my experience living in australia with bad temp/humidity control and wild weather fluctuations which are hell on guitars, my unlocked floating trem bridges stay in tune monumentally better than hard tails, and locked trem systems. Floating bridges allow for the tension changes in each spring to be balanced across all of them, and across the springs in the back, causing the bridge to dip/raise slightly while the strings don't go out of tune as much, but making the bridge locked in place makes this impossible. To me it seems like the string being able to slip through nut/saddle as it stretches/shrinks allows for better tuning stability through harsh playing/weather.
Sadly there don't seem to be any serious scientific tests regarding this, but the more and more I try different guitars, the more I despise locking systems because of tuning instability compared to unlocked systems.
I just got mine from Sweetwater a week ago. I was so bummed when I first pulled it out of the box because it was so light and the gigbag feels like something that would come with an entry level guitar.
As soon as I played it unplugged I knew it was amazing. This thing resonates in a way no other guitar I’ve owned does. This is a forever guitar. The only thing I’d replace it with is the Japanese Custom Shop version and that is not in the books any time soon.
Guess I’m selling my LTD Stephen Carpenter.
I asked evertune if they would put their bridge in this guitar. Sadly, they don’t. But…imagine if they did!
Did they explain why they don't do it?
Drop d# on my Jackson slatms8 for all those sleep token low riffage songs with an 85 on the thickest string is solid enough, just wish it had an evertune
That bridge and locking nut combo are great. A blocked or hardtail 'trem' is just as stable as an Evertune and way easier to set up.
How is it as stable as an evertune, if anything blocking the trem prevents it from doing some of what evertune can do. A floating bridge allows changes in string tension to get spread between all the strings, and the springs in the back, effectively like a shittier evertune. Locking it in place just means you have a string that is locked between the saddle and nut, and as weather/playing etc. causes strings to shrink/stretch, they will change tension like normal, and there is no system that can counteract that.
The bigger question, is if having the string locked in the saddle, as opposed to ball end locked against the body, in combination with locking nut changes anything. From my experience with locking/unlocked floating bridge systems, im starting to become dubious if locking the string at saddle/nut really helps with tuning at all, as opposed to letting the string move through them.
7:09 what song is this?? I've been trying to find it for so long!
It’s a riff from my old band Galactic Pegasus called Mirages
To my ears, the M80M sounds a bit more defined and clear. Maybe due to the pickup position and the scale length.
About the bridge piece ... Well, I never really got why this was done like this. Maybe is it a request from Fredrik and Mårten.
You deserve a japan made m8m!
Good lord, I always thought 8 string were muddy regardless of gauge or scale, this proves me wrong. Earth Crusher! Shame it's satin, they stain and leave smudges easily. I stick with gloss cause they look way better!
Drop D# tone is thiccccc
why no locks?
I explain in the video
Sorry, I got sidetracked at work and didn't finish the video yet before posting. I need to work on that lmao. Love your stuff Andrew
Thats odd i have that bridge on a 2009 rg2228 never had an issue in 15 years.
nice but no tremolo no block inlays on neck🤔.
Old news
The Ibanez M8M came out back in 2012
Correction: one of 3 signature guitars
It has the correct number of pickups: ONE!
But that bridge is just . . . why?!
Send it to Evertune and get it GOAT’d!
This guitar is meant to be tuned to F standard with a 70 for the low F. If you wanna lower you neeed a little work. And guys listen to Fredrik and Vogg, stop using giant cable strings it will sound worse.
I thought about putting an evertune bridge on my m80m. That bridge is very annoying
I would too if this guitar ends up being a keeper! Expensive mod though
@ for me it’s definitely a studio guitar for me. Expensive but worth it for its benefits!
I love that bridge and wish more companies used something similar. I like the feel of a Floyd but I always block them, so it’s perfect. Also, you have to get some locking bridge guitars so you can come at these videos with a little more expertise with something similar. Really comes off as uninformed about an entire selection of guitars.
Man, Meshuggah needs to do some more songs this low. Crazy how relevant of an album Nothing is to this day. Also, Orange >>>>>>>> Blue.
Orange guitars with Blue drums >>> both versions
@@BOATIE141 wait, is there a version like that that exists???
@@NekBodesh fan made on UA-cam
@@BOATIE141the guitars on the blue album sound way better than on the orange album tho
@ oh shoot I put it backwards, it’s orange drums with blue guitars
it's perfect, no excepts :)
Nihilus in drop D# sounds insane…. Just sayin
Ibanez does a 28" scale. My rgib21 is awsome...you wouldn't like It though it's a sixer😢
Those bridges are a pain in the ass, I would NEVER buy a guitar with it
You referring to Floyd style bridges? They're easy to work with, you just have a low IQ.
Wtf is a meshuggah
This bridge is poo-poo caca, little hexscrew for string height can pop up with nut and pieces of wood (that happened to my RGA8). I wish it to be a standard fixed bridge with strings going through body.
1500 damn my skill worth Mabey 400 on a good day
Suicide silence reference ^^
i mean...if you really think about it.....just keep it and put an evertune?
LIDLESS EYES TWITCHING BENEATH A SHEET OF ROT
THEY REACH OUT, THEY WANT TO KISS
IT MATTERS NOT...
Bro's using a MM stingray lookalike just to not play bass
Wah wah. It takes like 2 minutes extra to string the bridge. Also that’s a rosewood board. The jatoba was only on them for a couple of years
Sweet water isn’t gonna lie mate
@-cobainism- mate, it’s on the Ibanez website, I think the manufacturer is more reliable than a dealer
@@-cobainism-it’s literally on the product page of this guitar on the Ibanez website, lol. Jatoba would never be that dark
buys guitar. plays it lower than a bass 👌
I don't understand why people cut ball ends. For decades I have never done that. Just run it through so the ball end is on the head stock and cut the excess off at the other end. No hammering bullshit. I own one of these and I agree about the bridge, but other than that it's a beast of a guitar.
Pls make 8 string baritone guitar, I want to hear it 🤘🏻
You just heard it haha
@ I need archetype Odeholm but on 8 string, low asf 🫥
@@きょり_ちゃん forget neural DSP))
I really recommend Mercurial TSC 1.1 + Legion + NadIR (with impulses Brohymn Mesa 4x12 V30 - 2 + Excalibur)