Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK
The Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK pairs a 28-inch scale with EMG 808 pickups and a reinforced set-in neck for extended-range playing. Its substantial scale and eight-string format are best suited to players already comfortable with wider-range guitars.
★★★★★ 5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK review
The Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK is an eight-string electric guitar with a 711 mm (28-inch) scale, two EMG 808 humbucking pickups, and a set-in, three-piece maple neck reinforced with carbon. Its listed price is 949. The specifications point to an instrument built around extended-range playing, with a longer scale and a low.080-inch string in the supplied set. There are no customer reviews available, so this assessment is based only on the published features.
The body is mahogany, finished in matte black, with no separate top listed. The neck combines maple and carbon reinforcement, while the rosewood fingerboard has 24 frets and Platinum Bat inlays. Silver and platinum multi-ply binding provides a contrasting detail against the dark finish. The hardware is matte chrome. These details describe the construction and appearance, but the supplied information does not establish the guitar's weight, balance, setup quality, or finish durability.
Scale, neck, and playability considerations
The 28-inch scale is longer than the common 25.5-inch scale found on many six-string guitars. On an eight-string instrument, that added length is relevant to string tension, particularly for the lowest strings. The included Ernie Ball 8-String Skinny Top Heavy Bottom set runs from.009 to.080 inches, with the.080-inch low string suited to the instrument's extended range. String tension and tuning still depend on the player's chosen tuning and setup; the provided specifications do not state a factory tuning.
The neck profile is described as Thin C, with a 54 mm (2.12-inch) nut width. That width accommodates eight strings, while the slimmer profile designation gives a general description of the neck shape. It does not tell us how the neck will feel in an individual player's hands. The fingerboard radius is 508 mm (20 inches), a relatively flat measurement that can be considered alongside the 24 X-Jumbo frets when evaluating the layout. The frets' material and exact dimensions are not specified.
Carbon reinforcement is listed in the neck construction, but no details are given about the reinforcement's dimensions or adjustment. The neck is set into the body rather than attached with bolts. Grover machine heads are fitted, and the black Graph Tech XL TUSQ nut is specified by name. These are concrete components, though the available data does not provide tuning-stability tests or setup measurements.
Pickups and controls
The guitar uses two EMG 808 humbuckers, one at the bridge and one at the neck. The control set consists of volume and tone knobs, plus a three-way toggle switch. This provides a straightforward layout for selecting between the two pickups and adjusting the overall signal with the listed controls. The specifications do not identify pickup voicing, switching options beyond the three-way selector, or whether the pickups are active. Those details should be confirmed with Schecter or a dealer rather than assumed from the model name.
No tremolo is fitted. Players looking for a fixed bridge arrangement may prefer that simpler feature set, but the bridge type and its adjustment range are not included in the supplied information. A case and gig bag are both excluded, so buyers should account for a separately purchased protective bag or case when planning transport.
What the specifications establish
- Construction: Mahogany body, set-in three-piece maple neck with carbon reinforcement, and rosewood fingerboard.
- Extended-range layout: Eight-string configuration, 711 mm scale, 54 mm nut width, and 24 frets.
- Electronics: Two EMG 808 humbuckers, volume and tone controls, and a three-way toggle switch.
- Included strings: Ernie Ball eight-string set,.009 to.080 inches.
- Excluded accessories: No case or gig bag is included, and the guitar has no tremolo.
Verdict
The Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK has a clearly defined specification for players seeking an eight-string guitar with a long scale, a reinforced maple neck, and EMG 808 pickups. Its 28-inch scale and heavy low string are the most relevant details for assessing its extended-range design. The 20-inch fingerboard radius, Thin C neck profile, and wide nut provide further information for comparing its dimensions with a player's preferences.
At a listed price of 949, the model's value cannot be judged from specifications alone. There is no customer feedback or hands-on test information available here, and important details such as weight, bridge design, pickup voicing, and factory setup are unspecified. Buyers should verify those points, and try the neck dimensions if possible, before making a decision.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Long 28-inch scale and eight-string setup suit extended-range playing.
- Two EMG 808 humbucking pickups provide a matched pickup configuration.
- Set-in three-piece maple neck has carbon reinforcement.
- Includes 24 jumbo frets, Grover tuning machines, and a Graph Tech XL TUSQ nut.
What bugged me
- No case or gig bag is included.
- The 28-inch scale and eight-string layout may feel demanding for players used to standard guitars.
- No tremolo system is fitted.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players seeking an eight-string guitar with a long scale and EMG humbuckers. Also suited to experienced guitarists exploring extended-range rock and metal styles.Look elsewhere if
Less suited to beginners or players who prefer a familiar standard-scale guitar. Consider another option if you require an included case or a tremolo system.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Body
- Mahogny
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Mahogany, Carbon
- Fretboard
- rosewood
- Frets
- 24
- Scale length
- 711 mm
- Pickup
- HH
- Tremolo
- No
- Including case
- No
- Incl. gigbag
- No
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Is this guitar suitable for a first-time player?
Its eight-string layout and 28-inch scale may be challenging for someone learning guitar for the first time. It is a more natural fit for players who already have experience with extended-range instruments.
What pickups does the Damien Platinum 8 SBK use?
It has two EMG 808 humbucking pickups, one in the bridge position and one in the neck position.
Does it include a tremolo system?
No. The listed specifications state that it has no tremolo.
Are a case or gig bag included?
Neither a case nor a gig bag is included according to the supplied specifications.
What is the scale length?
The scale length is 711 mm, or 28 inches, which is longer than the scale on many standard-range guitars.
The last word from the bench
At $949, the Damien Platinum 8 SBK offers a focused set of specifications for players seeking an eight-string guitar, including a long scale, carbon-reinforced neck, and two EMG 808 pickups. Its 24 jumbo frets and stable tuning hardware add practical appeal. The long scale and extra strings make it a less obvious choice for beginners or players who mainly use standard-range instruments. A case or gig bag is not included.
Hanging next to it
Schecter Damien Platinum 8 SBK
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.






