In the world of electric guitars, seven, eight and even nine-string guitars are becoming more and more widespread. When an instrument has more strings, it becomes more complicated, both in terms of how to play it and how it is put together. With the Boden Standard 8, Strandberg has created an 8-string solid-body electric guitar that combines state-of-the-art technology with ergonomically optimized design.
It claims to answer modern guitarists’ biggest problem: how to seamlessly integrate expanded range capabilities into their song without a large instrument. In this Strandberg Boden 8 strings review article, Eguitarmania will learn about Strandberg’s creation of a musical instrument that improves upon the physical challenges of playing an 8-string guitar while continuing to encourage personal expression.
Specification of Strandberg Boden Standard 8
Along with its futuristic looks and comfortable features, the Strandberg Boden Standard 8 is at the head of this change in guitar design.
Overview of the guitar’s unique design features.
The Strandberg Boden Standard 8 is a masterpiece of a modern guitar model. Its headless construction not only reduces the instrument’s weight but also significantly improves balance and comfort. The body of the Boden Standard 8 pays attention to ergonomics, featuring a chambered body, making long playing sessions more manageable.
| Body detail | Solid basswood body, figured maple top; semi-gloss polyurethane finish |
| Scale length | Multi-scale 26.25″–28″ |
| String Number | 8 strings |
| Fingerboard | Roasted maple, ergonomic arm |
| Pickups | 2 direct-mounted Strandberg-designed passive humbucking pickups |
Detailed look at the Boden 8’s pickups, tuners, and bridge system.
To give the Boden Standard 8 a wide range of tones, from deep lows to clear highs, Strandberg created and built its own pickups. You can get a good mix of warm, full-bodied richness, authoritative upper middle, and sweet, singing highs with its two direct-mounted Strandberg-designed passive humbucking pickups. You can use these pickups to get clear and defined sound whether you’re playing complicated jazz chords or violent metal riffs.
The guitar’s hardware is another area where Strandberg’s innovative spirit shines. The Boden Standard 8 has the Strandberg EGS Series 5 bridge and tuners, which are part of a single system made to be stable and precise. This custom gear keeps every string in tune, even when playing very hard.
For the Boden Standard 8, Strandberg chose a classic body tonewood combination between basswood and maple. With a 1/4″ maple top and a beautifully patterned maple veneer on top, the Boden Standard’s body is made of solid American basswood. Additionally, this guitar’s roasted maple neck and fingerboard make it look great.
How does the Boden 8 string accommodate different music genres and playing styles?
The versatile Boden 8 is built on its well-chosen pickups. This makes it possible to have a wide range of tones, from the sweet, clear tones that jazz musicians want to the harsh, twisted growls that metal fans want.
Adding two extra strings, usually tuned to F# and B below the low E of a normal 6-string guitar, greatly increases the range of its melodies and harmonics. For example, jazz guitarists can use deeper comping rhythms that sound like bass, and metal guitarists can play with a level of power and depth that has never been seen before.
The Innovation of the EndurNeck™ Profile
Strandberg’s patented EndurNeck profile and multi-scale fretboard to improve correct playing position and keep your wrist relaxed on every part of the guitar neck.
Moreover, this model head less design also removes mass from the headstock for lower weight and improved balance. The EGS Series 5 bridge is made of lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum, and its tight component coupling makes sure that all the movements from the strings are successfully passed to the tone woods.
Explanation of the EndurNeck™ technology.
On the Boden Standard, you’ll notice that the bridge and nut are slanted, resulting in a longer scale length on the lower strings and a shorter scale length on the high strings. This helps the guitar deliver a better tone and provide better playability for leads and bending. The neck shape is completely unique, instead of a curve, it is a series of planes.
It feels odd at first, but I became quite comfortable with the very different neck profile very quickly. The curved rear section and the angles of the surfaces interact to encourage a more correct playing position and a straighter wrist. We can have a more relaxed play style, with less fatigue, which results in less risk of injury and better playing.
How does the EndurNeck™ improve playing comfort and technique for an 8-string guitar?
From the headless, lightweight body design to the EndurNeck™ neck profile, Strandberg Boden 8 string enhances the user’s playing experience as naturally and comfortably as possible.
It serves to promote good balance, and the instrument is also easier to play while traveling, as its compact nature means it is less likely to bump into things in the surrounding area.
These features make it easier for artists to try out new sounds, like lower tunings that are popular in modern metal, or open tunings that give them a new way to compose and improvise.
Strandberg Boden 8 Strings Review
I went to try a few when I found a store that sold them. It was a Boden Standard and a Fusion with six strings. It was a standard with seven strings and an original eight strings.
Review of the guitar’s advantages and potential drawbacks.
First impressions of Strandberg Boden 8 were fantastic. The build quality also seemed great. The seams on the wood were great, the finish was flawless, there were no sharp edges, the nut seemed well cut, the frets felt very smooth. There was very little buzzing/rattling even with < 1mm action.
It holds the tune well, string changes are easy, and it’s been a “set up and forget” type of guitar. This means I don’t worry about the painful setups or the design of these guitars. After a period of use, I don’t really notice the headless and Endurneck features anymore. The “classical” position (cutaway for the right leg) is nicely placed and gives me a very pleasant experience. It is really well balanced for a chunky 8-string with a heavy maple neck.
However, I find the fretwork a bit of a problem for me, with some minor fret sprouts. If the weather is too cold and dry, I may find frets on the guitar. The bridge gives me trouble sometimes. The threaded insert of the strings went too far into the bridge piece, to the point where the tuner can’t catch the threads of the insert anymore. To solve these problems, I have to restring the guitar and pull the insert out with my fingers.
Comparing the Boden 8 to Other 8-String Guitars
Let’s dive into how the Boden 8 stacks up against other 8-string guitars:
Unique Design
Its headless design and unique Endurneck shape make the Boden 8 stand out from other 8-string guitars. Many traditional 8-string guitars retain the heavy classic headstock and neck designs.
These qualities contribute to the instrument’s distinctive design, lower weight, and improved ergonomics. This design can provide comfort for players, reduce fatigue, and improve playing posture.
Tonal Versatility
The Boden 8 has custom pickups and a switching system that can be used in different ways to give it a lot of different sounds, from deep, growling lows to bright, sparkling highs. Schecter and Ibanez 8-string guitars, among others, have custom pickups and a variety of tones.
With the Boden 8, however, the guitar’s electronic setup and its one-of-a-kind hardware make for a clear, balanced sound that can be changed to fit any style or genre of music.
Yes, the Strandberg Boden 8 does cost more than other guitars because it is better designed, built, and performs better. The Boden 8 is more than just a guitar; it’s an investment in the growth, comfort, and creative ability of the player. It’s worth more than what you paid for it, as it will improve your health and ability to play for a long time.
What Genres Of Music Is The Boden 8 Best Suited For?
The Strandberg Boden 8 strings electric guitar caters to a wide spectrum of musical genres:
- Modern Metal: This genre’s aggressive tonality and rhythmic precision benefit, a perfect match in the Strandberg Boden 8.
- Djent: Chugging riffs played with the palm muted and dropped tunings are very important to this style. The low B string on the Boden 8 works nicely with these tunings.
- Progressive Metal: Similar to Djent, progressive metal guitar work often explores extended ranges and complex voicings. The Boden 8 gives you the strings to execute those techniques.
Final Thoughts
The Strandberg Boden 8-string guitar is a game-changer in the world of guitars. What makes the Boden 8 special is its smart design and how easy it is to play, even when you’re reaching for those extra strings.
The guitar’s unique look without a head at the top and its special neck shape make playing easier and more fun. This guitar has everything you need, from deep, rumbling tones to bright, sparkling notes.
