Ibanez RGDMS8-CSM

Ibanez RGDMS8-CSM review

The Ibanez RGDMS8-CSM is an eight-string electric guitar built for players who want a clear low register without giving up useful sounds for clean parts and leads. Its multiscale design runs from 27.2 inches on the low strings to 25.5 inches on the high strings. That longer bass side helps manage string tension, while the shorter treble side keeps bends and fretting on the high strings familiar.

At a listed price of 1,139, it combines a nyatoh body, a five-piece maple and walnut bolt-on neck, a Macassar ebony fingerboard, and Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers. Field reports praise its sound range, balance, and access to the upper frets. They also flag a couple of small hardware issues and recommend considering a heavier string set for lower tunings.

Neck, feel, and construction

The five-piece neck has a 20 mm thickness at the first fret and 21.5 mm at the twelfth. With a 55 mm nut width, it is naturally broader than a six-string neck, but owners describe it as surprisingly easy to adapt to. One first-time eight-string player found the instrument well balanced and the neck relatively slim for its string count. Players used to a standard guitar should still expect a larger, more substantial feel in the hands.

The ebony fingerboard has a 400 mm radius, white offset step inlays, and 24 jumbo frets. Owners report comfortable access through the full fret range and clean finishing. The body measures 452 mm long, 311 mm wide, and 44 mm thick; total instrument length is 1,017 mm. Its Classic Silver Matte finish gives the guitar a distinctive look, although some reviewers would prefer matching gold finishes on the switches and controls. The hardware is gold-plated.

There is no tremolo. The Mono-rail bridge and Gotoh MG-T locking tuners provide a fixed-bridge setup. A plastic nut is fitted, and the guitar ships with an Allen key and truss rod key. A bag or case is not included.

Pickups and switching

The pickup set pairs a Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic 9 humbucker at the bridge with a Modern AlNiCo 9 humbucker at the neck. The volume control has a push-pull function for the Fluence voicing switch, and a separate coil-tap switch expands the available tones. Players describe the high-gain sounds as powerful and well defined, with a tight response that stays clear in a dense mix. Switching voicings changes the character from rougher and more aggressive to smoother and more polished.

Clean tones are a useful part of the guitar's range, rather than an afterthought. Reviewers praise their clarity, and report good results from both neck and bridge pickup settings. The neck pickup with the coil tap can produce a soft, glassy sound; another player preferred the bridge pickup in its second voicing for some clean parts. The second voicing also drew praise for lead playing, where the guitar was described as sustaining and expressive. These are subjective impressions, but they point to a setup suited to experimentation across gain levels.

Low-string performance and setup

The multiscale layout is central to the RGDMS8-CSM's purpose. Its 27.2-inch low-string scale gives the thickest strings more tension than a conventional 25.5-inch layout, while the 25.5-inch treble side still allows bends. Owners say the low notes sound pronounced and powerful, including with the factory string set. Several recommend replacing the supplied strings with a heavier gauge, especially for drop tunings. The best choice depends on tuning and playing preference.

One limitation raised by players is that the low-string side could be longer still for some very low tunings. With lighter strings, those notes can feel loose. The factory string gauge may also constrain how far a player wants to tune down. Before buying replacement strings, check the tuner and nut fit, particularly when moving to a substantially thicker set. One owner advises having a guitar technician handle the first heavier-string setup if you are not comfortable making adjustments yourself.

Verdict

The Ibanez RGDMS8-CSM makes a persuasive case for an eight-string multiscale guitar at this price. Its strongest points are the useful range of Fishman Fluence sounds, a neck that owners found easier to manage than expected, and a bass side designed for lower notes. It can cover modern heavy parts while remaining capable of clear cleans and expressive lead tones.

It is not a ready-made answer for every tuning: players seeking extremely low notes may want a longer bass scale, and a heavier string set may require setup work. There are also reports of the nut loosening and the pickup selector becoming loose after several months of regular, moderate use. Those are worth checking, though the owners who mentioned them still recommended the guitar. If you want eight strings, want to explore multiscale playing, and are prepared to choose strings for your tuning, the RGDMS8-CSM offers a broad tonal toolkit and strong reported value.