If you're left-handed and want an 8-string for recording, you've probably noticed how short the list is. Flipping a right-handed guitar upside down isn't a real option when you need to play it cleanly for hours of takes. So when a left-handed Schecter John Browne Tao-8 LH shows up for less, it's worth a close look.

The B-Stock price is $1,479.20, against a $1,849 new price. That's about $370 off. Here's what the guitar gives you in a studio, and where it might not fit.

View the Schecter John Browne Tao-8 LH guitar in Ozone Burst Product Page

What You're Actually Getting for Tracking

This is a hardtail, bolt-on 8-string built around a long scale and a fast neck. Those choices matter once a microphone or DI is involved.

• Scale length: 27-inch (686mm). The extra length keeps the low F# string tighter than a 25.5-inch scale would, which helps note definition on palm-muted and sustained low parts.
• Bridge: Hipshot Hardtail. With no trem to drift, tuning stays put between takes, and that saves you from re-tuning mid-session.
• Body: Swamp ash with a flamed maple top, in a contoured Ultra Access bolt-on design.
• Strings: Ernie Ball 8 EX #2624 (.009 - .080) from the factory.

The Neck: Where This Guitar Earns Its Price

An 8-string neck is wide, and this one is built to stay manageable. The Ultra Thin "U" profile measures about 0.75 inches (19mm) at the 1st fret and 0.79 inches (20mm) at the 12th. The graphite nut is around 2.13 inches (54mm) wide.

The neck is a wenge/paduak 5-ply laminate with carbon fiber reinforcement rods. It carries an ebony fretboard with a 20-inch (508mm) radius, which is flatter than most. Flat radii suit fast lead lines and low action without choking out when you bend.

It has 24 X-Jumbo stainless steel frets. Stainless wears slowly, so the fret edges stay consistent through lots of takes. Luminlay side dots help when you're tracking in a dim room.

Pickups and Coil Split in a Mix

The bridge pickup is a Schecter USA Colossus and the neck pickup is a Schecter USA Chaosbreaker. Controls are a master volume with a push-pull coil-split and a 3-way selector.

The coil split is the part we'd pay attention to as a producer. On a dense 8-string mix, a thinner single-coil-style tone can sit differently against bass and keys than a full humbucker does. It gives you a second option without swapping guitars, which is useful when a part isn't fitting. Treat it as another tool to try, not a guaranteed fix.

Who Should Skip It

• If you want a tremolo: this is a hardtail. Dive bombs are off the table.
• If you want a thicker neck: the slim U profile is quick, but some players prefer more wood in hand.
• If mint condition matters: B-Stock carries a cosmetic note. If resale or collector value is a concern, pay the difference for new.

What to Check When It Arrives

Look over the listing photos and the noted blemish first. Then check the basics before you rely on it for a session:

• Tune it up and confirm intonation on the low F# string.
• Check the frets and the nut slots for any rough spots.
• Test the push-pull coil split and the 3-way switch for noise.
• Plug in and listen for any hum or crackle when you turn the controls.

Our Take

For a left-handed player who records low-register parts, this is a well-specced 8-string at a meaningful discount. The 27-inch scale, stainless frets, stable hardtail bridge and coil-split option are all things you use in a session. If the cosmetic flaw is somewhere you won't see while playing, the $370 savings is a good reason to buy it. If you want a trem or a chunkier neck, look elsewhere.

View the Schecter John Browne Tao-8 LH guitar in Ozone Burst Product Page

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the B-Stock Schecter John Browne Tao-8 LH cost?

The B-Stock price is $1,479.20, compared with a $1,849 new price. That's roughly $370 in savings on the same left-handed model in Ozone Burst.

Is the Tao-8 LH good for recording low-tuned parts?

Its 27-inch (686mm) scale and Hipshot Hardtail bridge help keep the low strings stable and defined. For tunings below standard, you'll likely want heavier strings than the stock .009 - .080 set.

What does the coil split do?

The push-pull on the master volume splits the pickup coils, giving you a different tonal option without switching guitars. It can help when you need a part to sit differently in a mix.

What should I check on a B-Stock guitar when it arrives?

Compare the guitar to the listing photos for the noted cosmetic blemish, then check tuning, intonation, frets, and the electronics. Test the switch and coil split before you start tracking.