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LTD: H-308 (List: $880)
LTD is perhaps one of the leading contenders out there when it comes to 8-string guitar manufacture, offering players a range of affordable models sporting tolerable appointments. The H-308 on review here hails from LTD’s mid-priced range, a status above the entry-level units with an arguably inviting price tag.
Construction/ Fit/ Finish
The H-308 is a Chinese output. Of late, we noticed a surge in QC from the Indonesian instruments especially in terms of consistency. The Chinese counterpart enjoys an on par performance in terms of standards but not quite the expected consistency. However, the H-308 here would do the Chinese hands proud as it screams ‘well-built’ all round. Manufacturers often made the effort to put up a quality façade for instruments in this price bracket only to let buyers down when they peep under the covers to see some of the most appalling disregard for demeanor. The H-308 here would prove the cynics wrong as it is, to say the least, very well put together. You’d want to own this guitar due to its high standards in this consideration. The satin finish (body/ neck) did well to mask off all fitting lines so at a single glance, you wouldn’t make out the through-neck construction of this guitar until you read the manufacturer’s specifications. The in-house tuners are also praise-worthy in keeping the tuning spot on considering the angled string travel from the nut to the machine heads.
Room for improvement? The pots could have been smoother; they feel semi-stuck albeit still being functional.
Rating: 85%
Playability/ tone
Unlike other 8-strings offered by other brand names, LTD has kept the H-308 well within the 25.5” scale length so our finger/ hand movements remain familiar during play. The satin finish gives this guitar a very manageable weight despite having a wider than standard feel & an overall more massive neck. Despite all the considerations for acoustic resonance, do keep in mind that there is a pair of EMGs in this guitar to propel tone. Active electronics has this overbearing command of tone compared to their passive counterparts, the goodness coming from this instrument are largely from the EMG performance more than any other considerations. With that said, the EMG pickups continue to be the standard to beat in manifesting distortion & we should be mindful of the bland cleans coming from them (or any other active pickups for that matter). I have another 8-string here with me which are adorned with a pair of passive pickups, I hear a more appealing lower frequency performance from active electronics in this aspect so thumbs up to the EMG 808.
Top marks to LTD for including deep bevels to accommodate rib-cage comfort & upper fret reaches. You wouldn’t realize these plus points until you play standing up. I especially appreciate LTD’s fusion of its shallower through-neck bump & that lower cutaway rear bevel; it puts to rest the perceived difficulty of upper fret access for an 8-string instrument. Together with the H-308 curved top, this makes a very pleasant playing experience indeed.
Amps used for tone test:
• Marshall JVM410
• Marshall MG100FX
Rating: 85%
Conclusion
Owning an 8-string guitar is an attempt by the player to move away from his/her comfort zone on creative grounds. It is definitely not about having a total mastery of the 6-string & the obligations to move on to more strings- it’s an absolute ‘NO’ in this aspect. We appreciate LTD’s efforts in giving us affordable options when considering an 8-string guitar. The H-308 isn’t an entry level model but the price on offer is definitely buyer-friendly because we know there are 6-string guitars in this price bracket which don’t carry the same reputation in terms of quality & appeal. If it is within your budget, do not hesitate to consider this guitar & not make do with a lower alternative just because it’s your initial foray into the 8-string realm.
Final rating: 80%
Product availability: Davis GMC
Likes:
• Fantastic QC
• Playability
• Distorted tones
• Price
Dislikes:
• Stiff volume/ tone pots
• No bag included
Worthy competitors:
• Ibanez: RGA8
• Schecter: Hellraiser C-8
