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ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale
Ibanez RG8
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Playability
78
Sound
80
Build
70
Value
76
Score
76
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Playability
75
Sound
65
Build
52
Value
74
Score
64
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LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale vs Ibanez RG8

Reasons to Get
LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale over Ibanez RG8

Decorative Top
Flamed Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Scale Length
27" to 25.5" vs 27"
Less fret buzz with less string stiffness
Neck Profile
Thin U vs Wizard II-8
Comfortable neck with more grip
Pickups Brand
Seymour Duncan vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Bone vs Plastic
Good quality nut with rich tone
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.85'' (21.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
2.126'' (54mm) vs 2.165'' (55mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Fretboard Radius
15.75'' (400.1mm) vs 16'' (406.4mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
76 vs 74
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez RG8 over ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale

Scale Length
27" vs 27" to 25.5"
Easier to adapt to
Neck Profile
Wizard II-8 vs Thin U
Thin neck for playing fast
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.85'' (21.6mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
2.165'' (55mm) vs 2.126'' (54mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Fretboard Radius
16'' (406.4mm) vs 15.75'' (400.1mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Avg. Weight
7.275lbs (3.3kgs) vs 7.8lbs (3.5kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Other Key Differences
LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale vs Ibanez RG8

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Nazgul vs IBZ-8
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Sentient vs IBZ-8
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Meranti
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Jatoba
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
8 vs 4-4
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Bone vs Plastic
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale vs Ibanez RG8

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Strings
8
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Ibanez RG8's 64 score, which is a significant difference.

The ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Ibanez RG8 in every aspect.

However, there's still a reason to choose the Ibanez RG8 instead. If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Ibanez RG8 is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale is the better choice.

The ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez RG8 meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez RG8
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale Overview

  • From ESP LTD's 2020 M series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 8 strings
  • 27" to 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 5pc Maple/Purple Heart neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hipshot w/ String Thru bridge
  • Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Weight between 7.3lbs (3.3kgs) and 8.3lbs (3.8kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez RG8 Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2020 RG series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 8 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Meranti body
  • Maple/Walnut neck
  • Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: IBZ-8 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: IBZ-8 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • F108 bridge
  • Wizard II-8 Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Weight between 6.9lbs (3.1kgs) and 7.65lbs (3.5kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Woods Used in the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Ibanez RG8

Jatoba wood pattern used for guitar building
Jatoba
Meranti wood pattern used for guitar building
Meranti

Jatoba is a hard and dense wood that emphasizes the mid-lows, giving a fuller, more round sound than, for example, Mahogany. However, it also has a lot of clarity in the top end. Find out more about Jatoba.

Meranti is an affordable wood used mainly for affordable electric guitars. It's generally lighter and softer than Mahogany. Find out more about Meranti.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Ibanez RG8. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Heavy Metal and similar genres.

You can purchase similar pickups to the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale's and use them on any guitar:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale pickups switch and push knobs diagram
ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale's switch options
Ibanez RG8 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez RG8's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale.

Final Sound Quality Scores

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 80
Ibanez RG8
Pickups 55
Sustain 80
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 65

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale compares to the Ibanez RG8.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the Ibanez RG8 comes with a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez RG8
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale
Quality of materials 65
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 70
Ibanez RG8
Quality of materials 41
Features 50
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 52

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale Nut Width
ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale Nut Width
Ibanez RG8 Nut Width
Ibanez RG8 Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez RG8 has the wider nut with 55mm (2.165'') vs 54mm (2.126''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez RG8, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale's Scale Length
ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale's Scale Length
Ibanez RG8's Scale Length
Ibanez RG8's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale features a multi-scale of 27" to 25.5" while the Ibanez RG8 has a regular scale of 27".

A multi-scale fingerboard incorporates two scale lengths at the same time. This is present in some instruments with long scale to give a different tension to the lower strings than the higher strings. The thickest strings need more tension to avoid fret buzz (especially when tuned low), so the scale is longer for these strings, while the thinnest strings will need less tension (because they have a lower gauge), so they have a shorter scale to reduce stiffness for bends.

It can feel awkward if you've never played a multi-scale because the frets will have more separation for the higher strings, but a lot of people love their versatility.

On the other hand, the Ibanez RG8's 27" regular scale means it has a fixed scale for all the strings.This is a scale used for baritones and guitars with more than 6 strings. Since the scale is so long, the tension of the strings will be higher. This means that bending will require a lot more strength than with a shorter scale. However, it also allows you to use really low tunings without causing fret buzz and without needing to increase your string gauge too much.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale Neck Profile
ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale's neck profile
Ibanez RG8 Neck Profile
Ibanez RG8's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale has a U type of neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

The Ibanez RG8, on the other hand, has a Wizard neck. This is thinner than most C-type necks. It won't get in your way if you want to play fast solos. It's not as slim as 'Super Wizard' necks, so it might fit you better if you don't like ultra-thin necks.

Fretboard Radius

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale Fingerboard Radius
ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale's Fingerboard radius
Ibanez RG8 Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez RG8's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez RG8's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Ibanez RG8.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale favors large hands more than the Ibanez RG8.

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez RG8:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale Frets Size
ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale's Frets Size
Ibanez RG8 Frets Size
Ibanez RG8's Frets Size

The ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Ibanez RG8's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

ESP LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 80
Playability 78
Ibanez RG8
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale vs Ibanez RG8
General LTD M-1008 Multi-Scale Ibanez RG8
Brand: ESP LTD Ibanez
Year: 2020 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 8 8
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: M RG
Colors: Black White
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Meranti
Bridge: Hipshot w/ String Thru F108
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: LTD Locking Ibanez
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony Jatoba
Neck Material: 5pc Maple/Purple Heart Maple/Walnut
Decoration: Offset Dots White Dot
Scale Size: 27" to 25.5" 27"
Shape: Thin U Wizard II-8
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 15.75" 16"
Nut: Bone Plastic
Nut Width: 54mm (2.126'') 55mm (2.165'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker / Passive) IBZ-8 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker / Passive) IBZ-8 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1