Schecter Demon-8 Aged Black Satin

Schecter Demon-8 Aged Black Satin review

The Schecter Demon-8 Aged Black Satin is an eight-string electric guitar with a 28-inch scale, two active humbuckers, and a satin black finish. It was available starting in March 2020, and the listed price is $711. Its extended scale and broad neck set it apart from a conventional six-string, so its appeal depends on whether you want the lower range and are willing to adapt your technique and setup.

The body is made from basswood, with no separate top. A maple neck reinforced with carbon meets a wenge fingerboard, which carries 24 X-Jumbo frets and gray pearloid Gothic Cross inlays. The finish is described as aged black satin, paired with black and chrome hardware. One player also praised the guitar's appearance, specifically noting the black finish and contrasting details. The visual style is distinctive, though the inlays and finish are a matter of taste.

Neck and extended scale

The scale length is 711 mm, or 28 inches, and the nut measures 54 mm across. That length supports the guitar's low strings, while the extra width gives the fretting hand more ground to cover than on a standard six-string. A player moving up from six strings should expect an adjustment period. One owner described the neck as comfortable once they had adapted to its size, and another called it quick and easy to play. Those reports suggest the neck can feel manageable, but neither point erases the physical difference of an eight-string layout.

The fingerboard radius is 406 mm. A Graph Tech XL Black Tusq nut is fitted, and the guitar has no tremolo. The factory string set is Ernie Ball 8-String Skinny Top Heavy Bottom, gauge.009 to.080. That is useful reference information if you plan to replace the strings, but changing gauges can also affect tension and may require a fresh setup.

Pickups and controls

The Demon-8 uses two Schecter Diamond Active HB-105S humbuckers. Its control layout is straightforward: one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way toggle switch. The active design drew some concern from one player, who expected an overly distorted or less dynamic sound. Their experience was more positive than expected, using a digital effects chain that included a boost pedal. They found the sound enjoyable and continued adjusting their tone.

That account is useful, but it is one player's experience rather than a guarantee of a particular sound. The available feedback does not provide measured output, frequency response, or a detailed comparison across amplifiers. If you are considering the Demon-8, the pickup configuration and your own signal chain will matter more than relying on a single tonal description.

Setup and playability

Setup is the clearest point of caution in the owner feedback. One buyer reported needing to correct intonation and increase the tension on the thicker strings. They also raised the action to reduce string buzz, which they felt was interfering with the guitar's tone. They considered further truss rod adjustment and described the remaining issue as setup-related rather than evidence of poor build quality. Still, this was their biggest complaint, and it is worth budgeting time for inspection and adjustment after purchase.

Other feedback is more positive. One owner called the guitar stable and not excessively heavy for its size. Another described it as fun to play and said they had encountered no problems apart from a dead spot at the 13th fret on the high E string. A separate buyer reported receiving a guitar with two faulty pickups and expressed dissatisfaction with the retailer and repair experience. These accounts point to mixed individual experiences, not a reliable estimate of how often faults occur. Check the instrument carefully on arrival, including every fret and pickup position.

Verdict

The Schecter Demon-8 offers a defined set of features for players seeking an eight-string guitar: a 28-inch scale, carbon-reinforced maple neck, wenge fingerboard, 24 frets, and a pair of active humbuckers. Owners praise its appearance, sound, and feel, while the reported setup work and isolated hardware complaints deserve attention. At $711, the value will depend on your priorities and the condition of the specific instrument.

For a player moving from six strings, the wider neck and extended scale call for patience. For someone already comfortable with extended-range guitars, the Demon-8's layout may feel familiar, though a careful setup remains important. Check intonation, string buzz, fret response, and both pickups before settling on it. No case or gig bag is included, so plan for separate protection if you need it.