After Kiesel/Carvin released their first multiscale models back in November (click here to watch my review) in 6 and 7 strings, the natural question from everyone was, “When will they drop an 8 string?”. Well, the day is finally here, as they announced just a few days ahead of the 2016 NAMM show (click to follow our in-depth coverage) that the AM8 multiscale 8 string version of the Aries is now available. We’ll be sure to get some video of it at the show for you, but until then, enjoy the picture and here are some specs from the press release:
To kick off this year’s NAMM Show, Kiesel Guitars is excited to announce the new Aries AM8 multiscale fanned-fret bolt-neck electric guitar. The AM6 and AM7 multiscale guitars have received widespread acclaim, so it was a natural progression to create an 8-string model to go along with the recently-released Aries A8 8-string bolt-neck guitar. Extensive R & D by the Custom Shop performed on our multiscale instruments ensure that we’ve come up with a design that will satisfy the most discriminating musician.
The scale is 26.0” on the high side and 27.5” on the low side with the parallel fret being the 9th fret, this gives ultimate comfort and playability. Aries Multiscale Series feature an aggressively beveled body, reminiscent of the popular SCB Series, providing modern looks with comfortable playing. Sculpted horns, inspired by the Vader Series headless guitars, further accentuate the styling of the guitars, while allowing easy access high on the 24-fret fingerboard. A redesigned sculpted neck heel contributes to the ease of playing high on the fingerboard, and the elimination of the neck plate in favor of ferrules adds to the sleek design of the instrument. Dual carbon-fiber rods, along with a 2-way fully adjustable truss rod make the neck remarkably stable, and the tung-oiled Eastern hard rock maple neck makes for fast playing, regardless of your style.
Other features of the Aries AM8 include a standard alder body, 4 X 4 pointed headstock, offset dot inlays, a standard Hipshot bridge, and direct-mount angled Kiesel Lithium humbuckers. Hundreds of Custom Shop options, including body and neck woods, top woods, fingerboard woods, fretwire, a weight-reducing chambered body option and much more allow you to design your new Aries AM8 exactly the way you want it. Like all Kiesel and Carvin Guitars, the Aries Series is proudly made by Kiesel Guitars in our southern California facility.
The Custom Shop can also work with you on special one-off options – check out our Kiesel Guitars Facebook and Kiesel Guitars Instagram to see some amazing examples of the custom finish work we’ve done. From the understated to the completely over-the-top, the skilled artists of the Kiesel Guitars Custom Shop can build your ultimate Aries 8-string multiscale fanned-fret guitar.
McKraken / January 20, 2016 4:10 pm
Seems like an awesome guitar but I find that wood grain somewhat horrendous looking. But that’s a lot of guitar for only $1,400 though.
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Harald / January 22, 2016 7:18 am
I was amazed of the price, 1400 usd for this beast.
I feel a hole burning in my pocket!
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