New MESHUGGAH Ibanez 8 string signature model WOOT!

[leonardo7]

Originally Posted by MTech

You clearly have no idea what things actually cost...

As Stealthdjentstic mentioned, I was referencing ibanez's typical mark up.

There is a $300 price difference between the RG1527 and RGD2127 which are basically the exact same guitar but with an added 1" of scale length yet with that $300 price increase. In the case of the RG2228 and M8M, we are talking about a 2.4" scale increase which when using the RG1527 and RGD2127 as an example, means that we can expect at least a $700 price increase because of the scale length alone

The UV is the pretty much the exact same guitar as the RG1527 yet has a $1200 increase in price. Most of that price increase is due to it being a sig model and the rest is probably cause of the pickups, inlays and binding upgrades. We all know that those things shouldn't equate to a $1200 increase in price but Ibanez seems to charge considerably more for things when there are significant upgrades or when there is hype such as a new model or sig.

Look at the RG2228, it costs $800 more than the RG1527 because of the extra string and scale length. Due to the scale length and extra string there is a tiny amount of extra maple, wenge and rosewood in the neck and fretboard. The pickups probably cost Ibanez $50 if not less for both 808's considering they also save by not using their own pickups. Theres no way it needs to be $800 more for the extra string and scale length. But it is!

The Apex100 which is a sig model is $2500 and also made from alder just like the M8M. I can only assume that having an added 3.9" will add at least an $800 increase to the M8M over the Apex100 price, just like the difference between the RG1527 and RG2228 is an added $800 because of pickups, a tiny bit of wood and 1.5" scale increase. The math and history is all there.

I could go on and on but after considering previous Ibanez examples and considering additional things like this guitar being neck thru I feel confident in saying that true to Ibanez form, the price is right where it should be, unfortunately.

In addition, yes a few dealers have confirmed a retail list price of $8000 but no dealers even know what their cost is going to be yet. We will have to wait until after NAMM for that. Maybe even a week or two after NAMM.

[sojorel]

Originally Posted by leonardo7

As Stealthdjentstic mentioned, I was referencing ibanez's typical mark up.

There is a $300 price difference between the RG1527 and RGD2127 which are basically the exact same guitar but with an added 1" of scale length yet with that $300 price increase. In the case of the RG2228 and M8M, we are talking about a 2.4" scale increase which when using the RG1527 and RGD2127 as an example, means that we can expect at least a $700 price increase because of the scale length alone

The UV is the pretty much the exact same guitar as the RG1527 yet has a $1200 increase in price. Most of that price increase is due to it being a sig model and the rest is probably cause of the pickups, inlays and binding upgrades. We all know that those things shouldn't equate to a $1200 increase in price but Ibanez seems to charge considerably more for things when there are significant upgrades or when there is hype such as a new model or sig.

Look at the RG2228, it costs $800 more than the RG1527 because of the extra string and scale length. Due to the scale length and extra string there is a tiny amount of extra maple, wenge and rosewood in the neck and fretboard. The pickups probably cost Ibanez $50 if not less for both 808's considering they also save by not using their own pickups. Theres no way it needs to be $800 more for the extra string and scale length. But it is!

The Apex100 which is a sig model is $2500 and also made from alder just like the M8M. I can only assume that having an added 3.9" will add at least an $800 increase to the M8M over the Apex100 price, just like the difference between the RG1527 and RG2228 is an added $800 because of pickups, a tiny bit of wood and 1.5" scale increase. The math and history is all there.

I could go on and on but after considering all previous Ibanez examples and considering additional things like this guitar being neck thru I feel confident in saying that true to Ibanez form, the price is right where it should be, unfortunately.

In addition, yes a few dealers have confirmed a retail list price of $8000 but no dealers even know what their cost is going to be yet. We will have to wait until after NAMM for that. Maybe even a week or two after NAMM.

You've sold me on a 1527!

[CONNORPUTREFY]

I gotta admit i like the guitar. Whilst i would feel alittle better if it were hand made, this is a cool guitar. The Iceman option would have been tidy - perhaps a range expansion? I think if it were hand made -j - craft et al. it would justify the price abit moreso but i would agree the pricetag is abit grim. I built 2 8 string guitars long before this beast was ever conceived for a fraction of the price,very possibly better instruments but as a massive ibanez fan. These will be nothing short of sexy. On the Meshuggah/endorsement thing, this is truly awesome for them because i was into meshuggah when i was 15(im 30) i remember them blanking out their ibanez logos on their guitars because ibanez blackballed them for years.many years. and there they were playing all sorts of madness on their universes but it went unacknowledged for years. in comparison to likes of dino cazares who has been ibby endorser (early esp player too)for a lifetime who initially stole the promotional limelight from them on the actual release of the rg2228. when we all know who brought this to light in the first place. so i think its really cool that their finding their place now on the endorsement ladder and acknowledged for it so. cool. id buy one if i had the spare cash but noooooooooo.its nice though \m/

[AVH]

Originally Posted by MTech

5 piece necks are cheaper than getting a quality 1 piece blank (which is the real reason you see all the 3 & 5 pc necks on imports),

Sorry man, this is incorrect. Multi-lam necks are actually more work to produce (=more cost), are stronger and way less likely to twist, which is the actual reasoning. The financial outlay to repeatedly replace twisted, warped or humped 1-pc necks made from meh quality (often flat-sawn) stock as warranty claims, is way more than the initial increase in extra labor cost to produce stronger 3-5pc necks, which will see far fewer warranty issues to deal with. Of course you can make a wonderful 1-pc, quarter-sawn, stiff and reliably solid neck (my old '58 Les Paul is a great example), but that is not why they make lams initially.

And about these sigs: I'm not sure where everyone is getting the idea that fingerboards are ebony...they're dyed rosewood, just as the originals. And if it makes potential buyers feel any better about the quality of these: they're retiring the originals and taking these exact same sigs out on the road.

[loktide]

just got a reply from Thomann: they can't name prices or availability before NAMM.

i'd take the hypothesized 8000$ list price here with a grain of salt personally

[Randy]

Originally Posted by Dendroaspis

And about these sigs: I'm not sure where everyone is getting the idea that fingerboards are ebony...they're dyed rosewood, just as the originals. And if it makes potential buyers feel any better about the quality of these: they're retiring the originals and taking these exact same sigs out on the road.

Pics when they make it to your shop.

[Stealthdjentstic]

He did hook us up with some nice iceman 8 pics before... Time for round two.

[Alekke]

Originally Posted by Ishan

After reading 9 pages of bitchin' I'll add my view on it
The price was totally expected to me, it's made in japan by a master builder, and is an Ibanez, a company which is known for its over priced signatures and high ends compared to specs... (I'm not trolling, really )
Scale length seems a bit odd but between 29.4" and 30.2" it doesn't really makes much difference in term of tone and feel. The tuning is odd tho, maybe it's their tuning on the new album
My conclusion : a very nicely built guitar, priced around ESP custom shop standards, that will only appeal to the most hardcore and wealthy Meshuggah fans (I didn't say fanboys )

Agreed with everything but the tuning part.
They've always been tuned half step down ...at least last 7-8 albums they were.

[loktide]

MOD EDIT: Keep the bitching about rep off the forum. Got it?

[Konfyouzd]

Fanboys... How do those work?

[Monk]

Originally Posted by Dendroaspis

And if it makes buyers feel any better about the quality of these: they're retiring the originals and taking these exact same sigs out on the road.

Yes, yes it does. Thanks!

If there's any complaint that I have about this guitar...it's that I have to wait until May.

[L1ght]

When will all of these guitars be ready for purchase? I imagine some models will only be in the EU but there are some sexy new hardtails I've got my eye on.

[MaxOfMetal]

Originally Posted by L1ghtChaos

When will all of these guitars be ready for purchase? I imagine some models will only be in the EU but there are some sexy new hardtails I've got my eye on.

They should be available to order this month (after NAMM usually, but a lot of dealers will put orders in if you put money down).

As for shipping out, if it's anything like previous years it'll take a month or two to get the cheaper Indo made models out, and closer to four months to get the first batches of MIJ models out.

As always, talk to dealers.

[L1ght]

Sweet. Thanks for that info Max. I will have a chat with a couple dealers then.

The RG821BK and the GRGR121 have caught my eye. But the GRG's will be Indo made right? And the prestiges/premium are MIJ?

Just looking for a reliable 6 string hardtail.

[MaxOfMetal]

Originally Posted by L1ghtChaos

Sweet. Thanks for that info Max. I will have a chat with a couple dealers then.

The RG821BK and the GRGR121 have caught my eye. But the GRG's will be Indo made right? And the prestiges/premium are MIJ?

Just looking for a reliable 6 string hardtail.

The GRG, as the first "G" implies is a GIO series guitar. It's basically the lowest end of the Ibanez lineup. While some are Indonesian made plenty of them have been Chinese made. They aren't too bad for the usual $100 to $200 they go for, but they typically need a good amount of work.

The Prestige series models are made in Japan and are the highest end Ibanez models. The Premium series is made in Indonesia and bridges the quality gap from the Standard to the Prestige series of guitars.

[L1ght]

True. Well, I wasn't really looking for anything too expensive, but I probably would go with the Premium series 6 that I was looking at, rather then a piece of junk I guess.

[Lern2swim]

Originally Posted by loktide

ATTN angry people ranting about price/specs:

if you don't have anything worthwhile to contribute to this thread, then please just shut the .... up.
this thread is about the excitement for ibanez FINALLY releasing a meshuggah sig 8. many meshuggah fans have been waiting for this moment for longer than most of you are in school.

And here I thought this thread was to discuss the guitar; you know, seeing as this is a DISCUSSION forum, not an everyone has to think exactly the same forum. Where does it say, "Only enter this thread if you are excited about this guitar"? I'm sorry I didn't have anything "worthwhile" to contribute. Here, let me try:

I just jizzed in my pantzzzzz. OOOMMMMMGGGGG DAT GITTARR!!! : agreed:

Better?

[MaxOfMetal]

For the last time, play nice fellas.

[Thrashman]

I am amazed at the ammount of people that neglect the ammount of craftmanship that goes in to making a guitar. Let alone an expensive guitar.

Judging by some people here, there is no idea buying an Ibanez 7, because the Schecter Omen 7 has the same woods but for a FRACTION of the price.

Though, this time, would you really do so? No. Why? Because the ibanez is going to be MILES ahead when it comes to wood, quality and craftsmanship.

[Lern2swim]

Sigh...

It's not that people don't realize this, it's that people doubt that the scale that's being used to determine how much that workmanship is worth is out of whack in this instance.

[Thrashman]

You mean the people that couldn't tell a great expensive guitar from a "good and cheap" one if it werent for the name on the headstock/the pricetag?

[Lern2swim]

That's not what I said at all. I'm hesitant to continue this as I don't want it to be construed as argumentative on my part rather than simply discussion, which is my intention. Here goes:

Analogy:
Ferrari, amazing car, very expensive, most people can't afford them but few would doubt their value to cost ratio.

Corvette, also an amazing car, fairly expensive, a lot of people can't afford them but, again, few would doubt their value to cost ratio.

However, if Chevy tried to charge as much for a Corvette as Ferrari charges for their cars, people would laugh them off the showroom floor. Not because the Corvette isn't a great car, but because the value to cost is off kilter. I think that's what some people are pointing at here. Not that they think this is going to be a shitty guitar, not that they don't think guitars that are as expensive as this is allegedly going to be can be worth it, but that the value to cost ratio, in this instance, is off kilter. I'm not even saying that that's right or wrong. Hell, I'm not even saying that that call can be made objectively. I'm simply saying that that's actually what's going on here.

[Iamasingularity]

Originally Posted by Lern2swim

Here, let me try:

I just jizzed in my pantzzzzz. OOOMMMMMGGGGG DAT GITTARR!!! : agreed:

Better?

I Laughed my ass off.

[AwakenNoMore]

holy ....buckets this thread got long quick.

[Stealthdjentstic]

Originally Posted by Lern2swim

That's not what I said at all. I'm hesitant to continue this as I don't want it to be construed as argumentative on my part rather than simply discussion, which is my intention. Here goes:

Analogy:
Ferrari, amazing car, very expensive, most people can't afford them but few would doubt their value to cost ratio.

Corvette, also an amazing car, fairly expensive, a lot of people can't afford them but, again, few would doubt their value to cost ratio.

However, if Chevy tried to charge as much for a Corvette as Ferrari charges for their cars, people would laugh them off the showroom floor. Not because the Corvette isn't a great car, but because the value to cost is off kilter. I think that's what some people are pointing at here. Not that they think this is going to be a shitty guitar, not that they don't think guitars that are as expensive as this is allegedly going to be can be worth it, but that the value to cost ratio, in this instance, is off kilter. I'm not even saying that that's right or wrong. Hell, I'm not even saying that that call can be made objectively. I'm simply saying that that's actually what's going on here.

Weird analogy, I really wouldn't compare a Corvette, which starts around 60k, to a Ferrari which starts much, much higher.

I see what you mean though, and obviously ibanez is charging a huge mark-up but if they can do it why the .... not right?