Q: What instrument makes a seven-string guitar seem practical?

A: The Ibanez RGA8 eight-string guitar.

OK, so that little joke wasn't really fair (or funny (so not even a joke, really)), but upon first seeing an eight-string like the RGA8 most folks' impression is along the lines of "really?" Upon actually picking up the RGA8, however, Owen's reaction was "this is far less carpal-tunnel inducing then I would have suspected!"

Indeed, the Ibanez RGA8 — an $800 version of their Prestige RG2228 — makes taking up eight-string not only practical, but affordable. And with it's built-in boost / EQ circuit and active Ibanez pickups, it's built for some serious low-range shredding. Do you realize that RGA8 is an anagram of GRA8, which is also Owen's moped's license plate ID? Coincidence?