Let the RG8 Mods begin...

[Estilo]

Bump. Any fresh thoughts on the newer RG8s? Especially the post-pandemic era builds, has QC gone down recently? Looking through recent posts, general findings are people find the neck profile and pickups ok, the nut generally needs work and intonation can be a problem. Same thoughts as on this forum in 2012 it seems. But they are now made of Meranti and feature Jatoba fretboards, not intending to start a tone wood debate, but that's a bummer.

 

[Robslalaina]

But they are now made of Meranti and feature Jatoba fretboards, not intending to start a tone wood debate, but that's a bummer.

The only problem I have with jatoba is the baby poo orange brown colour it can have, which looks dumb most of the time. As for meranti, depending on the exact species it's at least as hard as alder based on its Janka rating. I guess that's fine.

 

[Shawn]

Bump. Any fresh thoughts on the newer RG8s? Especially the post-pandemic era builds, has QC gone down recently? Looking through recent posts, general findings are people find the neck profile and pickups ok, the nut generally needs work and intonation can be a problem. Same thoughts as on this forum in 2012 it seems. But they are now made of Meranti and feature Jatoba fretboards, not intending to start a tone wood debate, but that's a bummer.

I have a 2013 and have had no problems with it in the 10 years I've owned it. It has the abalone logo and titanium rods, etc. I love it.

 

[Sumsar]

Brougth a RGIR28FE used for 330 euro, so the iron label version of the RG8. Not modded yet, but I came across a set of Seymour Duncan Sentient + Pegasus 8 string pickups on the used market and picked them up, so the EMG808s will go soon enough.

Did a little demo song, just to try and write on it, as it is my first 8 string and to have an idea of what it sounded like before the pickup change so I can compare later.

I also thought I might want to upgrade to locking tuners, but really the stock tuners work just fine, and I have had no tuning issues with it in the couple of months I have had it.

 

[M3CHK1LLA]

Brougth a RGIR28FE used for 330 euro, so the iron label version of the RG8. Not modded yet, but I came across a set of Seymour Duncan Sentient + Pegasus 8 string pickups on the used market and picked them up, so the EMG808s will go soon enough.

Did a little demo song, just to try and write on it, as it is my first 8 string and to have an idea of what it sounded like before the pickup change so I can compare later.

I also thought I might want to upgrade to locking tuners, but really the stock tuners work just fine, and I have had no tuning issues with it in the couple of months I have had it.

Nice riffs
The binding looks great on that guitar. I wish my white RG8 had black binding

 

[Sumsar]

Nice riffs
The binding looks great on that guitar. I wish my white RG8 had black binding

Thanks!
Yes the binding looks great, I wish it was also on the headstock and fretboard, though.

 

[odibrom]

Thanks!
Yes the binding looks great, I wish it was also on the headstock and fretboard, though.

... let the fretboard run free of such invasive aesthetics... the guitar looks cool as is...

 

[Crungy]

Brougth a RGIR28FE used for 330 euro, so the iron label version of the RG8. Not modded yet, but I came across a set of Seymour Duncan Sentient + Pegasus 8 string pickups on the used market and picked them up, so the EMG808s will go soon enough.

Did a little demo song, just to try and write on it, as it is my first 8 string and to have an idea of what it sounded like before the pickup change so I can compare later.

I also thought I might want to upgrade to locking tuners, but really the stock tuners work just fine, and I have had no tuning issues with it in the couple of months I have had it.

Hell yeah, I like the song, thanks for sharing!

What did you use for your tones in that video? I think the 808's sound killer in this.

 

[Sumsar]

... let the fretboard run free of such invasive aesthetics... the guitar looks cool as is...

Yes I guess it is a matter of taste

Hell yeah, I like the song, thanks for sharing!

What did you use for your tones in that video? I think the 808's sound killer in this.

AxeFX2 on the Engl Savage 1 model with the York Audio Orange 4x12 mix02 IR. No boost, but a filter block with the lowcut set to 400hz. I think the tone works great for the tremolo picking and the chord stuff, but I am not really happy with it for the palmmutes on the 8th string, there it needs more gain, but if I set the gain too high it becomes a mess. Input drive is set to 7.00 and overdrive to 6.50 on the axefx2 amp block.

 

[Crungy]

Yes I guess it is a matter of taste



AxeFX2 on the Engl Savage 1 model with the York Audio Orange 4x12 mix02 IR. No boost, but a filter block with the lowcut set to 400hz. I think the tone works great for the tremolo picking and the chord stuff, but I am not really happy with it for the palmmutes on the 8th string, there it needs more gain, but if I set the gain too high it becomes a mess. Input drive is set to 7.00 and overdrive to 6.50 on the axefx2 amp block.

Thank you for sharing that as well! I have an RGA8 with 808X's and an AxeFx 2XL+, so I'll have to try those settings as well.

I like EMG's but I'm not crazy about the 808X's... I might reinstall the SD Blackouts I had in the guitar before the EMG's.

 

[M3CHK1LLA]

Yes I guess it is a matter of taste



AxeFX2 on the Engl Savage 1 model with the York Audio Orange 4x12 mix02 IR. No boost, but a filter block with the lowcut set to 400hz. I think the tone works great for the tremolo picking and the chord stuff, but I am not really happy with it for the palmmutes on the 8th string, there it needs more gain, but if I set the gain too high it becomes a mess. Input drive is set to 7.00 and overdrive to 6.50 on the axefx2 amp block.

I wonder if the string size & tension would help that?
What are you running now?

 

[Sumsar]

I wonder if the string size & tension would help that?
What are you running now?

Daddario EXL120-8, so 9's with the 8th being a 065. It is pretty floppy, but I do like my guitars (7 and 8 string) to sound like a guitar and then have the bass do the bass part.
Might also be the case that I should tighten up things with a tubescreamer instead of just a low cut, to get more of a mid peak, to get the amp to chugga more?

 

[skeels]

I made this to fit an RG8 neck i had laying around. Maple, walnut, maple.
Never posted it - it was my last little project before my upheaval. Got a few irons in the fire - we'll see how I can get to them

Stay tuned!

 

[odibrom]

Super cool.

 

[Hollowway]

I made this to fit an RG8 neck i had laying around. Maple, walnut, maple.
Never posted it - it was my last little project before my upheaval. Got a few irons in the fire - we'll see how I can get to them

Stay tuned!

View attachment 152881View attachment 152882View attachment 152883View attachment 152884View attachment 152885View attachment 152886

Wow, dude, nice work! And good to see you on here! First thing that popped into my mind is that I need to start seeing "skeels likes this" again, lol. The second thing that popped into my head is that I gotta get off my ass and start building like you guys. That's a damn nice looking instrument!

 

[markmcconachie]

Sort of late to the party but I have also just finished modding an RG8

What I did:
* Replace dot inlays with black dots
* Stain fretboard
* Made new 'plain' trussrod cover
* Gotoh locking tuners
* Graphtek nut
* Hipshot bridge (a chinese copy)
* EMG 808x
* DIY lumimlays
* Refinish body and headstock in matt black