ĒMI 8 // MASTER SERIES // SELENITE

This is my 6th guitar, but first 8-string. It is set up exactly how I would want to set it up right out of the box - I opened the case and played the guitar. Easy and satisfying. I love playing it.

Some annoying things: the tone pot wasn't fully tightened. I have no idea what strings the guitar comes with, and I'd love to get some replacements. And there's no info on the switch wiring - just go with your ear here.

Would I spend that much money on this guitar again? Yes, I would. I treat it as a unique instrument in my collection. It's the dream guitar that I can get once in my life.

I have played a lot of high-end guitars thanks to a wonderful music store near me. From 20k+ PRS private stock, to Suhr, Mayones, Gibson, Jackson and Fender USA. This guitar is special and takes the cake for me personally.

Starting with the looks, this guitar is gorgeous. Came in perfect condition, as is to be expected. I love the dual finish with gloss sides and satin front. My previous guitar was a suhr modern satin, and the satin finish by the humbuckers began wearing through after a short while. I don't say that as a diss to Suhr at all, but it is a reality of getting a satin finish guitar. However, this guitar does not seem like it will go through the same issues. The only thing that could make this better might be a nitro finish to relic as I own it, but that is a matter of taste.

As for feel, this guitar is superior to most other guitars I've played. I have tried a few multiscale instruments but never got on with them, so even getting this was a risk. There was nothing wrong with the instruments themselves, they just felt clumsy. I did not have the same learning curve with this guitar. From the first time picking it up, this guitar felt perfect in my hands. I have played 7 strings for a while, so I was a bit nervous as to whether I would enjoy 8 strings as much. If you are a player who has only played 6 strings or 7 strings and have the same worry, don't. There is an adjustment period to learning the low b and e strings, but it does not get in the way of playing once you are used to it.

The sound is incredible as well. The cleans are gorgeous and it handles high gain like a champ. The dual voicings on the humbucker are both a lot of fun! The active pickups are well-suited for chords and ultra-clean ambient sounds.

As far as critiques, there are a few. The guitar does not have rock solid tuning-stability for me. It will not drift out of tuning within a playing session of a few hours. However, overnight it consistently goes noticeably flat. I have had better tuning stability with previous guitars (Suhr with floating tremolo, Jackson fixed bridge). However, my area is changing seasons quite drastically, and my apartment is not the best climate-controlled, so that is a likely culprit. Additional little niggles would be I would appreciate a bit of an explainer-type brochure to explain the voicings on the HSS pickup set because I believe only positions 1 and 2 are affected by the push-pull voicings. However, these are such minor gripes that are easily addressed that it doesn't warrant taking away a star.

Incredible guitar, and I hope Abasi expands their production line in the future, because I would love to get my hands on a few more of their wonderful guitars!