In Pursuit of Rugged Metal Tone

After years of prog-metal experimentation and an intense dedication to guitars and gear, John Browne’s expertise has culminated with the Tao-8 electric guitar from Schecter. With a distinguished tonewood marriage, a pair of scorching Schecter USA humbuckers, and an ultra-fast neck, this 8-string replicates the very style and tone of John’s everyday axe. Undoubtedly, a wealth of sonic versatility is essential to John’s sound design success; therefore, Schecter endowed the Volume knob with a push-pull control, joining a 3-way pickup switch to ensure top-notch audial possibilities. Care to take things to the stage like the man himself? No problem: the Tao-8’s bridge and tuning machines offer excellent intonation stability. What’s more, this iteration of the iconic instrument includes an attention-commanding flame maple top, augmenting the latent firepower of this signature 8-string with immense stage-grade aesthetics. And with a highly visible side marker design, you’ll be able to wield the power of prog metal’s finest in any location possible.

Amicable tonewood selection fuses beauty with bold tonality

Fans of John Browne’s metal-inspired sound will probably cut to the chase and head directly to the Tao-8’s electronics. But don’t be fooled — a swamp ash body, a flame maple top, an ebony fingerboard, and a carbon fiber–reinforced wenge/padauk neck provide a bright, earthy tone with plenty of natural sustain and articulation. Apart from its sound, swamp ash also means less weight on your shoulders, making this axe a perfect onstage companion — an attribute shared by the use of carbon fiber reinforcements and equally valued by Sweetwater’s gigging guitarists. Speaking of which, you’ll have no problem showing off this instrument, thanks to its choice collection of complementary black hardware, a Hipshot fixed bridge, and a deluxe satin finish. So, whether you plan on wielding it in the studio or during a performance, the Tao-8 doubles as a tonal weapon and a wearable work of art.

Made-to-scream USA Colossus and ChaosBreaker humbucker duo

Schecter’s USA Colossus-8 and ChaosBreaker-8 combo is rare for contemporary builds. That’s why, when they appear, Sweetwater guitarists know they’re in for a treat. The Colossus-8 retains a shockingly crystal-clear high end without a spiky treble gain in the bridge position. The ChaosBreaker-8 in the neck is perfect for lead tones and rhythm strumming, allotting plenty of articulation with an unobtrusive amount of low-end punch. As a team, these hearty pickups are the perfect choice for bold shred licks, polychromic pitch-bending panache, and fast-paced melodic runs. Throw in the Tao-8’s push-pull Volume control and 3-way pickup selector switch, and you’ll be coasting the audial plane from sparkling cleans to downright dirty metal crunch.

This axe is no pain in the neck

Considering the Tao-8’s satin-finished neck and ultra-thin U-shaped profile, you’ll have no problem transitioning between notes at any location on the fingerboard. With a deep treble-side cutaway, you can access high-frequency shreds, compose complex solos, and manufacture sharp melodies with the same energy and gusto as John himself. While the neck may lack a standard inlay design, the Tao-8 makes up for it with distinct Luminlay side markers, allowing you to quickly find your spot with a simple glance. Best of all, these markers feature a glow-in-the-dark color scheme, granting visibility in even the darkest performance environments.

John Browne: monumental musicality and genre-defying power

As the English heavy metal act Fellsilent began to gain altitude, lead guitarist John Browne joined forces with the mathcore axe man behind the Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, Josh Travis, to form Monuments in 2007. The deluge of djent-fueled prog metal that followed would bring the band to nearly every corner of the globe, refining and evolving their galvanizing and innovative sound. As the visionary mind behind the musical madness of Monuments, John’s playing has cemented him among the vanguard of djent players, celebrated as a pioneer of the haymaker genre.

Schecter John Browne Tao-8 Features:

John Browne (Monuments) signature model electric guitar
Swamp ash body generates excellent resonance and high-frequency projection — perfect for prog-metal experimentation
Flame maple top blends eye-grabbing visuals with spectrum-spanning brightness and excellent note-separating articulation
Wenge/padauk neck supplies overtone-rich sounds with blossoming harmonics and punchy presence
Ebony fretboard delivers power, precision, and near-endless sustain in every register
Bolt-on neck joint and generous cutaway shape lend easy access to all 24 frets
Schecter USA Colossus-8 and ChaosBreaker-8 humbucker duo churns out crystal-clear high frequencies with an undisturbed bottom end at any gain level
Dial in your sound with a push-pull Volume control knob and a 3-way pickup toggle
Satin-finished neck with ultra-thin U-shaped profile makes quick note transitions a breeze
Hipshot Grip-Lock tuners and fixed bridge promote easy and healthy intonation
Black hardware with TUSQ nut and Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side markers top off this guitar with a unique visual display

Why Buy Your Guitar from Itoli?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

Warranty Info

Itoli FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Save money with FREE parts and labor
Get back to making music with the industry’s fastest turnaround time
Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department