Is the REAL Meshuggah guitar worth it? (Ibanez M8M)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thomann Affiliate: www.thomann.de/intl/index.html?offid=1&affid=3210 ML Sound Lab: ml-sound-lab.com/ Sweetwater Affiliate: sweetwater.sjv.io/e1vMbD My sponsor ML Sound Lab: ml-sound-lab.com/ My personal Thomann recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/cv37zixo68 My QC Captures, presets etc: ko-fi.com/sonicdrivestudio

[@BlackHeart_YouTube_Channel]

Finally the m8m video! Please m80m full comparison.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I'm super busy but I'd love to do that at some point

[@BlackHeart_YouTube_Channel]

@SonicDriveStudio great! And congrats for the m8m. A dream!

[@djentmaster33]

There is one M8M / M80m comparison on KZbin. The tone is very similar.

[@zloboslav_]

@@SonicDriveStudio +1 for a comparison from you! I'd love to hear that!

[@kokkkztse]

i was just typing the same!! yeah would be super great

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

The holy grail of 8 strings. Based on everything you have said about this guitar, the attention to detail and flawless craftsmanship to be expected from the Japan custom shop makes it worth it!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks for your positive comment!

[@stevestevens1457]

Bullshit. LACS one should be available for those money.

[@mattbarker1411]

Definitely not the holy grail of 8s.

[@davidshurterfoundermembero2885]

Its £4500! I don't care if it was built on the moon, the price is ridiculous. Ibanez prices are getting absurd. This is a pretty simple guitar to make, it ain't a hand carved master craftsman built hand carved archtop, it's a simple hard tail neck thru strat basically. Is it made of myrhh that was sourced from jesus's cradle? I sold a 1990 UV77Mc, the swirly one on steve vais album cover for £6000 a few months ago. That was a special guitar. This is not and its not 34 years old like mine was. Reply

[@off6848]

@@mattbarker1411then what is because I’m pretty sure it is not many 29.5 scale 8s out there

[@gabrielfrison]

You are definitely doing this guitar justice. Your playing, songwriting and production is on point

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you, really appreciate it!

[@CarstenStepanowicz]

I couldn't stop smiling throughout the video! Holy cow, that was fun to watch! Insane sounds you're getting out of this beast!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Dude, thank you so much man!

[@AdamDallas]

What a monster. That scale length is THE secret to that Meshuggah sound in my opinion. Well that and the Lundgren too. Incredible writing here too Jon, that opening song could have been straight from Immutable.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you!

[@sheldonwright8770]

Pretty sure Meshuggah don’t actually use this scale anymore. They both use 28’

[@josuastangl7140]

@@sheldonwright8770 Yes, they've gone shorter in recent times

[@devendasmusic]

@@sheldonwright8770just live 👍

[@sheldonwright8770]

@@devendasmusic no marten recorded new LP with a 28’ peizo m8m

[@ianlahaye9476]

YOLO, Jon! I can empathize, man. A dream acquisition of mine is an Alexi ESP custom shop down the line. If I have $5k to spend I would absolutely have zero regrets... These instruments pay us back in their own therapeutic ways and can last a lifetime. I'm proud of you, dude. A major achievement and insane purchase well deserved. Btw, that Prometheus track was 🔥🔥🔥. Cheers, friend.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks so much mate!

[@LeadMuncher09]

Just yesterday I was Googling demos and differences between the M8M and M80M and today you release a video showcasing the M8M. Amazing

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Awesome!

[@TheChrispablo]

Good for you bro! 6K is kinda crazy but as you said, its once in a lifetime 😄

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yeah I can't see myself spending that kind of money ever again on a piece of gear but carpe diem!

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

Pretty much the best 8 string guitar for djent. Congrats !!!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks buddy!

[@Klgrtrt]

Congrats on the new axe! Tried out both of them recently. M80 is dope for 1.7 grand, quite versatile, but I haven't noticed the 4.5 grand difference between the guitars. Of course, neck-through have a bit more comfortable neck joint, but honestly, not worth overpay at all.

[@Yvng_Brvtz]

I own both the 1st gen and 2nd gen M80M and bought a M8M in June. M8M is pretty much similiar to a japanese ESP in craftsmanship but the 2nd gen M80M comes preety close in terms of sound. The 1st gen M80M has some distinctive upper snarl to it almost Vildhjarthaesque. M8M is just premium in looks and feels, but not very different when it comes to sound.

[@autechrr]

Yes! I've been eagerly waiting for this video ever since your unboxing video. Great video! I would totally love to see the three Meshuggah guitars in a sound comparison. Please post that when you get a chance. Congrats on this beautiful guitar. You totally deserve it and you definitely have earned it.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@BaenaCarcosa]

NASTY

[@Supergrunged]

This is the stuff we always miss. Your positivity of getting a dream, radiates through the screen. This is the stuff I know most people want to see, is you can't hide that excitement.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! This was a special one for sure

[@mattkiser3997]

Brutally clean! The scale does it, I want to play it.

[@endtimeguitarist]

The way the notes flow are like a perfectly timed tremolo effect when you play near the end.

[@RickyVonPooper]

Such a beaut of a guitar! Sick playing and tones!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you!

[@SHARt_murmur]

Stoked for you, man. I had the FTM33, think that’s name of it, the Thordendal one. But I sold it to buy my Singularity 8 from Strandberg, which is essentially everything I’d want in a Meshuggah style guitar but headless and with TT. But I know you like your headstocks. Haha Regardless, so happy for ya, duder. And from one Meshuggah fanboy to another, I’m happy to actually hear what the real deal M8M sounds like, and it’s finally yours.

[@LonelyRocker]

Absolute beast of a guitar! And it compliments your riffs perfectly! Great video and nice T-Shirt!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks buddy!

[@MaxPowersTastyTones]

What an absolute stunner this guitar is! 😍🔥

[@chrisdoe8192]

That capture in the intro was awesome

[@matt926uk1]

That guitar doesn’t sound like a guitar, it transcends that. It sounds like emotions and the universe,

[@zloboslav_]

I like it a lot, but I still think it's too expensive. It's good they make the 3 times cheaper M80M which sounds close enough. The 29 inch scale and pickup location is the only way to get that sound.

[@memq1987]

That riff in the beginning was badass

[@lennarthyland666]

I'm happy enough finally having the M80M. Keeper for life. M8M is the daddy of course.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Congrats!

[@B_E_C_K]

Makes no sense. Same bridge. Same pickup. Same body with no contoured carvings. Should be $3K-$4K. One could buy the Indo version for $1600 and get a Quad Cortex, digital amp, floor board, and nice 4x12 cab for less than the Custom Shop version. For six grand you could buy a custom Skervesen...

[@Hell_Inc]

true. There’s nothing that justifies the price of this thing

[@kibatsu]

Or Mayones 👌🔥

[@samenatorful]

Yeah. doesn't look like a 6k guitar either. if you showed me this, and told me it cost 600 dollars, i'd have believed you. No different from a Cort or whatever...

[@B_E_C_K]

@@kibatsu I believe Mayones does not make 8 strings, or I would have definitely mentioned them as I own two...

[@kibatsu]

@@B_E_C_K You should double check i think 😊 You can order Mayones 8 string and also you can specify any scale you want 👌

[@DennisFeinsteinCEO]

The Lundgren M series is very special... Their Black Heavens are, IMO, some of the most versatile pickups I've ever played. Fantastic company 👍

[@MagnusOlssonGuitar]

Great video. Both versions of the Lundgren pickup are made at the same place here in Sweden. Many of the M8M Meshuggah plays themselves are the Sugi version (well, Fredrik mainly plays his FTM33 these days).

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Ah thanks, good to know!

[@MagnusOlssonGuitar]

I will ask Johan (Lundgren) what makes them different (and hopefully remember to write the answer here).

[@k4mil66]

This demos sound unbelievably good :O

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@k4mil66 glad to hear that, thanks!

[@therealzilch]

Very nicely done, thanks. You are right- the through neck makes a decided difference in the stiffness and subsequent gain of vibrational energy and information from the strings. As an instrumentmaker myself, I'd also add that the lightly curved fingerboard makes it easier to play, compared to the flat one of the Indonesian model. Subscribed. Cheers from cloudy Vienna, Scott

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you! :)

[@therealzilch]

@@SonicDriveStudio Well earned.

[@detuner33]

The cleans are so sweet ! I’ve a Slat8 FF Jackson and I’m yet to dial in nice cleans 🤔

[@nikonirvtube]

Congrats man!!!! And thanks for sharing

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks for the positive comment!

[@DroctorKloebner]

I remember getting my hands on one of these at musikmesse frankfurt when it still was a prototype. it was and is in the top ten, if not top five guitars I ever tried

[@SIGMA-PHONIC]

Man that is sick! It sounds so good 🤘🤤🤌

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Cheers! Agreed, love it!

[@FilziSH]

This is now the only guitar youtube channel where we can properly see and listen this rarest guitar. Congratulations And a few follow-up questions: What gauge strings are installed? 8:09 How low action height on the 12th fret at the moment? How were you able to tell the difference in sound between pickups of the same model on different guitars? I've seen some very old ads for M8s or guitars with M8s installed and they were also with paper bobbins without logo. Perhaps these are just earlier versions of pickups, it"s not a fact that they differ in sound. Previously, the logo was a little different and recently it has switched to black wire instead of gray, Lundgren is making some changes that are more cosmetic in nature IMHO

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I don't know why it sounds different, could be the guitar itself too but there definitely is a pretty significant difference imho. I'm using Elixir strings. 70, 52 and a set of 9s.

[@LeGou]

Please make an album. The demo's are so tasty!!

[@jonathanfoster100]

Sounds Fantastic, damn that’s a great guitar!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Cheers!

[@agirlsname7159]

Congrats. A lovely investment and well-deserved!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Many thanks!

[@figydscnvn9rek]

Every Sugi custom made guitars worth their price tags.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

This one is worth it for sure!

[@MarcelNemec-wg1ds]

That would sound even better with the Titanum12 Phantom Power installed! Get rid of the clanging baritone strings and muddiness, boost where you need it and reduced noise - turn the noise gate right down or even off! Looks like you plenty of space to fit it in this one and it’s super easy to install.

[@skupiony.na.bombie]

that intro riff is mighty, uff

[@insightguitars]

how does it compares to the Strandberg Singularity 8 True Temperament Blue Blast? also used by Meshuggah by former member Per Nilsson?

[@marshall5560]

that must be like... mind-shattering to actually own this thing, and it's always been my dream guitar too, but... does it really feel "superior" to all of your guitars? it sure delivers its unique and truly brilliant sound, probably that's the actual "x-factor" of this guitar and its price, but what about any other aspects like feel, build quality or anything else? anyway, congrats! that's truly beautiful!

[@TG-of3sp]

For this price.. nope, far more better custom options out there in my opinion.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Have you played one?

[@BrolyKenseigoku]

@@SonicDriveStudiothere is no need to play it when for 6 grand you can have so much better in spec and more freedom to looks too

[@dilbophagginz]

You shouldn't have to pay 6k for a guitar that plays well.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@dilbophagginz of course you don't HAVE to. But you can if you want to and that's totally fine. As long as the guitar is really good I don't see a problem at all. There are plenty more affordable options out there that are also great. That doesn't inherently make expensive guitars "bad"

[@dilbophagginz]

@@SonicDriveStudio I'd like to see how it compares to Buster Odeholm's Hapas Ashen 628, same scale length and similar features (altough it's 6 string), but the Hapas is around $3,500 USD I believe.

[@brandonbryson3317]

For me...probably no guitar is worth 6K. And that one is pretty basic, so it's hard to see where that money went other than the artist cut, original R&D and programming costs. To me even 4K would be pushing it, but somewhat understandable. I cut myself off around 3K. For that reason, I buy mostly used for higher end stuff.

[@raytorvalds3699]

Gefeliciteerd, man. Wel verdiend. Congrats, sick fiddle \m/ I wouldn't be able to play an 8-string, but still sick.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@ilovegreenock]

That would be grand if you could do comparison videos!

[@picksalot1]

Here's a YT video with an other-worldly looking, very old-school 8-string like you've probably never seen or imagined before. It will be worth it just having a look, and the sound is amazing as well: "Raag Bhairav | Madhuvanti Pal | Rudra Veena"

[@LouCondon-j1v]

I wish when you clicked on the Sweetwater link it brought you directly to the guitar.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Try again ;)

[@ThoR52]

I don't even play guitar, but those 2 demos were super sick.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you!

[@Picdelag]

Hi great video! How would you compare it to the Schecter Damien Platinum 9 please ? I know you have it too, and it's the only guitar i have right now for recording! I Wonder how much different this is except the one more string on schecter side (Also i put 909x in mine)

[@dreamingdeso]

Tbh the M80M is fucking sick it’s hard to really imagine how much better it can get

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Imagine!

[@DavidMadeira29]

It must be a real heawyweight workhorse with those shiny frets. That's where the classic clean sound goes heavy metal instead of carving the radius of the comfort zone, I guess. Namastè.

[@postbote71]

Hello. First of all, congratulations on the absolutely awesome guitar. I have the RGA8. It has Seymour Duncan Blackouts and I plug it straight into a Peavey Invective. Mh. Can you please play the m8 straight into the Peavey? I use an English 4X12. Many thanks and have fun👍🏻😊

[@idanshahar]

hmmmmmmmm yummy 8 string chugs yum yum. Crazy good tones man! Fractal just added the Meshuggah preamp pedal TC Electronics Integrated Preamp in the Axe Fx 3, you should do a video with this guitar!

[@TheMelodyofChaos]

Finally high end gear on both sides the amps and the guitar, to be honest I'm tired of seeing youtubers playing 90% of the time cheap guitars on boutique amps that costs 3k, 4k or above, I mean come on! where is the logic on that, most people that own a 120, 250 or 500 guitars don't use that gear (I know there are excepcions), and also I get it, the need to try to apeal a mayor audience but come on high end gear people we need cool and well done demos like this, excelent job by the way and what a great Axe you have there, cheers!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@PeterMoore350]

Whilst im not interested in buying this guitar- if ever i was gonna buy an 8 string it’s gonna be Solar or Schecter or a different Ibanez. Tell me why id want an 8 string over the traditional 6 string. Genuine question. Do you still play bar chords etc ? Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘

[@propeller]

whats the tuning? Or more precisely: how low does it go? :) And with that, whats the thickness of the lowest string?

[@JNCGaming]

1:10 serious Akercocke vibes🔥

[@markgalvezkorff9854]

Pleuris dude❤ leuk viooltje!

[@robertdonosobuchner3129]

This guitar sound wonderful!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It sounds just how you'd expect it to sound!

[@ayyveezee2079]

11:59 oh man, thats awesome.

[@a.shorstky]

Great guitar Jon! Have you ever tried the JHS 3 Series Screamer? I compared this effect directly to the Lichtlaerm Audio King in Yellow and I am shocked how good this budget effect from JHS is. The amount of self-noise is lower than in King In Yellow, it has a lot of headroom and the single tone knob works very effectively. I recommend you try it 🙂 Cheers!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! I have not tried that pedal...

[@Ghost17110]

Are you still using Elixir strings? If you don't mind - which specific gauges and coatings are you using? Are normal Elixirs long enough or did you have to opt for bass strings?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yup! I always use Nanoweb. .70 bass string for the low F, .52 for the low Bb and a set of 9s for the bottom 6 strings

[@endtimeguitarist]

All the notes on the a string sound musically restrained. It’s on all rhe strings but immediately there is a difference there. What I mean by this is imagine the note you hit forming a wave and the more up or down it goes the more it goes to another note under those heavy chugs a lot of people enjoy doing on the 8th string but instead of flopping all over like a barracuda caught on a hook 🪝 the note remains right in the pocket of perfect tonal deliverance so when recording you get a beautiful large punch right in the 🌰’s while wearing a smile 😀

[@ConstantineM]

ML Almighty IR is my go to for YEARS. NICE.

[@KreativeDevices]

Straight 🔥!

[@adammassacre4715]

Very nice! \m/

[@user-lw9py]

this guitar sound great and amp. at 12 min 22 and later can hear good. very nice mute transients

[@Big_Riff_Dawg]

Have you ever considered releasing some of your music? Your songwriting keeps getting better

[@k5elevencinc0]

First M8M review video?? 🔥🔥

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I think so

[@crazeyjoe]

The aesthetics alone is not worth the price, imo.

[@CoenBijpost]

Any ideas for gig bags for these kinds of guits? Have a 28” 8 string and a 30” baritone 6, none of my regular gig bags close to fit them 😅

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Maybe a bass bag?

[@stevestrickland0425]

I honestly prefer their 7 string era I like the riffing style better . I do own a Strandberg 8 string it’s nice much lighter than Ibanez !

[@emilklamer6938]

i got the ftm stoneman, but i really wanna get the brother m8m

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

Youve got a few once in a lifetime items of gear

[@monstruonegro05]

Top! 🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@misterringer]

No, but it's pretty cool. Of course, if it's worth it to you from a collecting/nostalgia standpoint then of course enjoy. No guitar is worth 6k in regard to sound and playability. the returns diminish fast after 2k. Used to be after 1k but inflation sucks and not cheap Indo guitars are 1.5k 🤣 Also, these demo riffs are sick and I love that you're actually using all the strings. I'm probably getting rid of my 8 because I don't use them.

[@ZeeJay]

I bet you did this just for write off purposes lol killer guitar dude. I'd love to own an M8M one day. Those Japanese 8 strings just play WAY differently from the indo models.

[@peaceindarkness.darknessis3494]

IMO very few guitars are actually worth 6k. This definitely isn’t one of them

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It is to me ;)

[@SoyAlberto127]

Nice guitar, but that scale it's just too much for me, i know the Messugah guys use mostly 28 inch guitars on tour

[@endtimeguitarist]

I got an idea for a level 99 boss fight. Please compare this with the damien 9 string for one ⚔️ 🦇 FINAL BATTLE 🦇 ⚔️

[@theinfinityscout3289]

I really don’t get why the guitarists of Meshuggah won’t update their signature guitars with Evertune bridges

[@markjacksonmusic21]

You can buy 4 Solar 8 string with evertune bridge for 6k.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I'd rather have this one guitar

[@chexi]

you have all that amps and have decided to use processor

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I used a processor AND a tube amp

[@cortarelva]

That is not worth 3k yet alone 6

[@bluefAng]

How well does this stay in tune vs tue M80M?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Both stay in tune really well

[@BcBaxley]

Slay on 😎🍻🤘

[@RyRyTheBassGuy]

I wonder about the 8 string market nowadays. Are a lot of players like me; bought one and never play it?

[@ashchase8340]

Were they paying the workers $100 an hour

[@ConstantineM]

$6k for guitar? Gosh. I have $8k yearly salary.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

It's crazy, I know... normally I wouldn't be able to afford this at all but the stars aligned.

[@ConstantineM]

@@SonicDriveStudio Sounds amazing tho

[@YouSoundButtHurt]

8k a year? I make that in a month. Where do you live?

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

Nice 🎉

[@BrolyKenseigoku]

No stainless steel frets????

[@VelcorHF]

All of us jackasses out here listening through phone speakers pretending we can hear the difference.😂

[@Hell_Inc]

imagine buying a sig guitar that doesn’t even have stainless steel frets for six thousand dollars

[@dmieahs9499]

why took it sooooo long?! Dude I am waiting for your review since you unboxed it. No one deserves that thing more than you do

[@goblin3810]

No guitar is worth 6000. No amount of wood electronics and craftsmanship can add up to 6000.

[@spongebob6664]

Overpriced out the ass but its still a beautiful guitar

[@RustyRRaven]

Nothing worth more than 2k tbh. Labor costs included.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Not even a piece of art, a house, a car etc?

[@RustyRRaven]

@@SonicDriveStudio I thought we are speaking of guitars here.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I just don't understand why people have problems with more expensive gear? There will always be more boutique and expensive items, why is that a bad thing? It's not for everybody, I get that of course, but it's not a bad thing. As long as the products are well made

[@RustyRRaven]

@@SonicDriveStudio I have a 15k (priced new) bass and the only difference between this and a reasonable priced great quality bass is 'prestige'. So yea...I'm guilty too, spending horrible amounts of money for instruments :D