Should I buy the Ibanez M80M or Ormsby Goliath 8?

[Unlikley]

Haven't been able to try out an Orsmby in person, but I've played the M80M at a shop, really in love with both of these guitars and if I had more money I'd buy both (Probably will end up with both of them in the distant future)
I mostly listen to a lot of Meshugga, Periphery, Ihsahn, and Dream Theatre, I feel like I should just get the M80M + Meshugga is my favourite, though on the other hand, the versatility and ergonomics from the Orsmby Goliath is very enticing.

Wondering if anyone can shed some light on which one I should get first, as I'm a coin toss between the two.

 

[Merge]

I have an Ormsby Goliath 7, and wish I'd bought an 8. I love mine, and would like to get another one.

 

[Pietjepieter]

I think it depends a lot on what you want to do with it. M80M is a super cool monster guitar, but if you what to shred some DT it is maybe not the right tool for the job.

But between those two i whould defently go M80M it got some caracter but if it was my first 8 and I needed more a Jack of all trades I whould go for the Ormsby

 

[jephjacques]

Some people don't love the feel of the Goliath. You've tried the M80M so you know what you'd be getting. Personally I'd go with the known quantity, unless I really wanted a neck pickup.

 

[penguin_316]

I’ve had an m80m and owned multiple Ormsbys. You’re comparing a one trick pony to an actual instrument you can use for anything. Both have their uses, but I would definitely get the Ormsby.

Now, if you are going to immediately sell either…better get the Ibanez. Having said that I just bought an Ormsby custom shop after owning GTRs/GTIs/etc and it is excellent.

Also, just to put it out there Meshuggah are playing 27” scale 8s now. Something to think about…

 

[wheresthefbomb]

no you should not

 

[Robslalaina]

Also, just to put it out there Meshuggah are playing 27” scale 8s now. Something to think about…

Only Fred is, Marten is rocking a 28 incher. Live that is. No idea what they are actually using in the studio. At least no idea what Marten used on the latest album since he recorded nearly all guitars minus the leads.

So OP, unless 1) you genuinely need versatility, as in you'll use your 8 string for anything ranging from Meshuggah to Nile Rogers via Pat Metheny, and/or 2) you hate the FX Edge bridge, I'd say go for the purest production 8 string there is besides the M8M mothership.

 

[Tegara]

Get the Goliath. I've owned an M80M and it wasn't fun to play chords and leads on.

 

[Dayn]

If I had to choose (I'd rather both), then the Ormsby, particularly as it's cheaper for me and I already have an 8-string Goliath. It's just more versatile, and mine with the Hot Rock bridge pickup has an incredible tone for Meshuggah at its scale length.

It really depends on what is more easily available to you, which you prefer, and whether you're fine with how limiting the Ibanez might be with the straight 29.4" scale and single pickup. It also depends on where you are, because all other things equal, it's difficult to go wrong with Ibanez from any general music store.

 

[jephjacques]

Only Fred is, Marten is rocking a 28 incher. Live that is. No idea what they are actually using in the studio. At least no idea what Marten used on the latest album since he recorded nearly all guitars minus the leads.

So OP, unless 1) you genuinely need versatility, as in you'll use your 8 string for anything ranging from Meshuggah to Nile Rogers via Pat Metheny, and/or 2) you hate the FX Edge bridge, I'd say go for the purest production 8 string there is besides the M8M mothership.

in the documentary for koloss he said he recorded all his solos on an old ibanez destroyer

 

[KnightBrolaire]

The Goliath 8 has shit upper fret access ime but beyond that they're solid versatile guitars. Personally I'd go that route.

 

[Thesius]

Save up more and get the m8m

 

[T_Gobbs]

Have no idea what the Ormsbys are like, but the m80ms have been known to have problems with fretwork.

 

[Esp Griffyn]

If you need it to be versatile, get the Ormsby. If you just want to play chunga chunga on the bottom strings, get the M80M.

I've never played one of the factory-built Ormsby guitars, but I have a hand-built Ormsby and it is superb.

 

[Un1corn]

Personally for ergonomics and versatility I would pick Ormsby. I have Hype GTR 6 string, the Ormsby pickups are very good for stock pickups and 28.3 inch on 8 string is more than enough to play Periphery, DT. Besides the fan worked perfectly for me as I really feel comfortable with it.

However if you want absolutely tune down to hell and have superb clarity, M80M's 29.4 inch with Lundgren is still the top in the game. Just beware that M80M will be a pain in the ass playing leads.

Build quality wise, my Korean made GTR 1st Run is good for its price, not custom level but good enough. Some little imperfections that really can't see unless shine a light directly to the surface. However most Indonesia Ibanez I tried are really...subpar to say friendly. Don't know M80M though but those RG really felt not well-built.

 

[Paul McAleer]

M80M gang unite!
Go ahead and grab it, you already like it.

 

[Thaeon]

Personally for ergonomics and versatility I would pick Ormsby. I have Hype GTR 6 string, the Ormsby pickups are very good for stock pickups and 28.3 inch on 8 string is more than enough to play Periphery, DT. Besides the fan worked perfectly for me as I really feel comfortable with it.

However if you want absolutely tune down to hell and have superb clarity, M80M's 29.4 inch with Lundgren is still the top in the game. Just beware that M80M will be a pain in the ass playing leads.

Build quality wise, my Korean made GTR 1st Run is good for its price, not custom level but good enough. Some little imperfections that really can't see unless shine a light directly to the surface. However most Indonesia Ibanez I tried are really...subpar to say friendly. Don't know M80M though but those RG really felt not well-built.

Totally disagree that the M80M is the top option for extended range 8. There are many far better options. Maybe not in the same price range, but there are many better options if the OP is patient and willing to save a little more. 29” ish scale is absolutely great for feel. But not necessary for tone really. It’ll be a slightly stringier. But what you do between guitar and speaker is going to be more important. Specifically right after the guitar before the amp. With the right guitar though, it’s not necessary to do anything. It’ll sound good regardless of what you do to the signal. FWIW the M80M can’t hold a candle to the custom stuff out there by Oni, Padalka, or even some of the top tier ESP stuff. I haven’t played an Abasi yet. Likely won’t until there are dealers or used example in the local market at a shop.

I’m not voting as I’ve never played a Goliath. The few examples of Ormsby guitars I’ve gotten my hands on were any better than an Indo Ibanez. A couple were worse. Perry is a good guy though and stands behind his stuff. If you bought one and it wasn’t right, he’d do something about it. That said, the Ormsby will be more versatile based on the experience I have with the others I have played. If you are adamant about the uncompromising Meshuggah sound, you need Lundgrens and a modded Marshall amp with a boost up front. If you want Periphery tone, it’s a boosted 5150. DT, it’s an unboosted Mark Series. Periphery and DT aren’t married to specific electronics. It’s playing style couple with good guitar, and a specific amp that responds in an expected way to said playing style.

My personal path is always: Decide what I like outside what influences me. None of my influences play Onis or Solid State amps. But I do. Then work toward a sound that you feel expresses your unique thing with the gear you’ve chosen. Any choice you make will limit your ability to do things other than what that thing does best. So best to choose what you like based on what works best for you, rather than based on what your influences use. In the end, what sets you apart from your influences is what will make you interesting to listen to.

 

[Stuck_in_a_dream]

Never played M80M, but I have 2 8-string Goliaths and I love them to pieces. Only potential issue there is that you might want to change pickups, but BKP has you covered, as well as Elysian & Instrumental. Let me know if you have any questions. IMHO, the Goliaths & Ormsby guitars in general are top notch, high quality, high spec'd, reasonably priced instruments.

 

[penguin_316]

I’ve owned all the brands through the years, custom Oni, Ormsbys, Mayones, Blackmachine, ESP, list goes on.

Like I said they are different animals. M80m is basically an rg8 with a longer scale and lungrens. The fretwork is terrible, I tried 3 before I settled on one. Still had to relevel the frets, crown, and press some in.

Ormsbys are much much better than a regular Indonesian build, specifically if you order them from perry. They do a full setup in AUS before they ship, you can have them set it up with preferred gauges/tuning l/etc. file the nut slots etc. dollar for dollar, especially in the US it’s very hard to beat. Then of course they have their factory customs if you want even better build quality etc.

Having said that, they both have their roles. Get both…that’s what I did.

 

[SalsaWood]

Fretwork is an easy fix, and a lot easier than fixing upper fret access or a neck profile you don't like. If you know you like the M80M that's going to obviously be the most viable path.

Any time I am trying hard to find niche guitars for the first time I anticipate not liking it and having to trade or sell it, so word to the wise in that regard with any comparison between a known and unknown guitar. Most of the time I don't like them, but that's me.