STEF B-8
STEF B-8
BLACK
Here it is: the ultimate guitar to explore the deepest tunings, and for finding all-new sonic textures. Designed by Stephen Carpenter of Deftones, the ESP STEF B-8 is built by hand at the ESP Custom Shop in Tokyo. As the name implies, it’s an 8-string, neck-thru-body guitar at a 27” baritone scale, allowing for amazing stability and excellent string tension even at the lowest pitch registers. The STEF-B8 features an alder body with maple neck and ebony fingerboard, along with Sperzel locking tuners and a Hipshot fixed bridge. Perhaps the highlight of this guitar that was updated in 2016 is its Fishman Fluence® SRC Signature active pickup set. Each pickup has multiple voicings; use the push-pull control on the volume knob to select the one you want. On the middle alnico pickup, push down for “Modern Active” tone or pull up for “Modern Passive Attack”. On the bridge ceramic pickup, push down for “Modern Passive Attack” tone or pull up for “Modern Active” voicing. This model includes Fishman’s universal USB rechargeable battery pack. Available in Black finish.
I bought this guitar brand new. It is the best 8 string production (custom shop) on the market. It is also a Tokyo Custom shop build making it the finest craftsmanship in the world. If you are looking for the absolute finest 8 string guitar and can’t spec out your own custom, this is the one to go with. Is it overpriced? Sure, but so are most things now. All I know is I love my B8.
Body/design:
the woods are my usual favorites so that was a no brainer: alder, maple and ebony. This is the nicest body shape and headstock I have seen for an 8 string. The pickup config adds to its charm. It’s very classy looking but also brutal with refinement. My biggest complaint: why is this offered in only black when the LTD models have amazing colors. But it’s true that 8 strings look best in black.
neck:
this is a fast playing, very thin U 8 string neck. It isn’t as fast as the Ibanez rg2228 but it’s close. I think it’s actually probably a better profile than the shred style necks from Ibanez but they are both incredible. The neck is perfect on this guitar , and incredible fretwork. 27” is the best scale and most comfortable neck for me. It’s really great.
pickup:
EMG and Fluence are my favorite pickups and I think actives rule. Steph’s pickups are really just modern Fluence with different EQ profile (boosted low end, little mid, and boosted highs). I think they are my favorite pickups. ( installed them in another guitar actually). I have about 6 different sounds with the center pickups including split coil.
Hardware:
hipshot bridges and Sperzel tuners speak for themselves; this things never out of tune. Sound is resonant and strings last and ring. The fishman battery charger is very useful . Simply put you can’t put better electronics or hardware for an 8 string. I like my bridges fixed on my 8 string guitars (trems on my 7) so this is what I would recommend anyway. Hipshot bridge is very nice looking a comfortable to rest on.
it’s an expensive buy but if you're a serious guitarist into 8 strings and want the absolute best without paying true custom shop prices for your own specs, this is the one to get
if you have any questions you may reach out to our customer service team at customerservice@espguitars.com or https://www.espguitars.com/pages/support
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