The Official Agile ERG Thread

[cesar]

Sorry, I'm not clear on the question.

Are you asking about the factory tuning on the Agile 9 string or about intonation adjustment? If the latter, which tuning are you using?

Sorry i was not clear.

My question is about the octaves tuning, as we go up on the fret board there are microtonal differences (since the fret can't hit exact intonation on each note) ,as those differences sums up they really affect the upper notes on the fret board.

The individual saddle adjustment can correct this?

I had a lot of problems with tone'o matic bridges that didn't have enough room to move the saddle to correct those distortions on pitch, some strings went up to one quarter of halt tone flatter

AS for tuning it would go fro low to high : C#F#BEADGCF

 

[bostjan]

Ahh, ok.

This is what we call intonation adjustment. Most modern guitars have bridges that accommodate the adjustment, within reason.

If the fretted notes are sharp, tighten the saddle adjustment screw to lengthen the string.

On ERG, it is not uncommon to run out of adjustment on the bridge, meaning that the string will still be sharp when fretted, even with maximum adjustment. Using a longer scale length will make the need for adjustment slightly less necessary.

Some budget guitars also have the bridge placed in an incorrect position, making adjustment impossible, but the situation can be remedied by moving the bridge posts, which is a fairly complicated job for a casual player.

I've only played a handful of Agile guitars, but I, personally, have not encountered a problem with the bridge being improperly placed. To be fair, though, I tend to use thinner string gauges than most folks on this message board.

 

[cesar]

Ahh, ok.

This is what we call intonation adjustment. Most modern guitars have bridges that accommodate the adjustment, within reason.

If the fretted notes are sharp, tighten the saddle adjustment screw to lengthen the string.

On ERG, it is not uncommon to run out of adjustment on the bridge, meaning that the string will still be sharp when fretted, even with maximum adjustment. Using a longer scale length will make the need for adjustment slightly less necessary.

Some budget guitars also have the bridge placed in an incorrect position, making adjustment impossible, but the situation can be remedied by moving the bridge posts, which is a fairly complicated job for a casual player.

I've only played a handful of Agile guitars, but I, personally, have not encountered a problem with the bridge being improperly placed. To be fair, though, I tend to use thinner string gauges than most folks on this message board.

That's nice to hear my friend, thanks for your answer, I really appreciate it

 

[LiveOVErdrive]

I forgot to share pictures of this monster when it arrived.

I still prefer my sixes and seven, but it is a lot of fun to groove on. I recently discovered (based on another thread here) that tuning up a half step makes it sound better to my ear.

 

[MerlinTKD]

Two Agile 8 questions:

- Does anyone know the nut composition? Fairly cheap upgrade, if it's plastic, but if it's not, don't want to waste my money. I can't tell, unfortunately.

- Anyone run in to intonation issues on the 8th string? Granted, I'm tuning drop-Eb with a .076, am I just out of luck getting that string to intonate? (I probably am )

 

[Backsnack]

I forgot to share pictures of this monster when it arrived.

I still prefer my sixes and seven, but it is a lot of fun to groove on. I recently discovered (based on another thread here) that tuning up a half step makes it sound better to my ear.

I'm considering grabbing the same model later this year, just the Oceanburst version. How do you like the shape of the neck? Is it thin, medium, or on the larger side? How's the fretwork, can you get a nice low action without tons of buzz?

 

[Slimy]

I wrote Rondo and asked for a manual for the Gentro LE-8T piezo preamp on the Agile Renaissance series and Theresa graciously provided this to me. It lets you know the frequencies, battery life, etc.

 

[Slimy]

Anyone noticed this beauty yet? 27-30" Renaissance model. Imagine, for once, an acoustic 8-string with a clean-sounding F♯1 string (or E1; whatever floats your particular boat). The possibilities.
I should clarify that the original multiscale Renaissance models were only 25-27", leaving the 8th string sounding rather weak when kept in standard tuning.

I did see that, but I opted for the 827 straight scale on sale for $300, woohoo! I must say that when you swap the stock low F# .073 out for the .095 it sounds just fine, quite clear, no buzzing even when dropped to E. I put on the ,070 B and much lighter strings for the rest, then loosened the truss rod a bit. I have large hands and I have two 30" Dano baris and a Dano 6 string bass - honestly, having less of a stretch is quite nice. To each their own, though!

 

[Slimy]

Update: I was told by Rondo in an email that the heavy gauge 8 string Renaissance string set works with no modification to the guitar. This is NOT true! The F# and B do not fit down into the slots, they rest on top of them. They play, but it is not ideal. My guitar is currently at a luthier having a new nut made for it, the spacing was a bit off on the other strings as well. http://www.rondomusic.com/product8362.html

 

[LiveOVErdrive]

I'm considering grabbing the same model later this year, just the Oceanburst version. How do you like the shape of the neck? Is it thin, medium, or on the larger side? How's the fretwork, can you get a nice low action without tons of buzz?

Sorry I forgot to respond to this.

The neck is probably what I would call "medium". I think it is about the same as my Strat, which has the "Standard Thin C" neck or whatever they call it. It is nice. I think they publish the thicknesses on the site too.

I would recommend going with a slightly less aggressive fan than this one (25.5-28.5), as I've found it to be just a bit too much. I think they also make it in 25.5-27, and I think that would be much more comfortable.

The fretwork seems good. I haven't worked too hard at getting the action low because I still haven't quite figured out how an 8 string is supposed to feel, but I haven't noticed any problems. I think it has two truss rods, which will make adjusting the neck relief interesting if I ever have to. It is well built, for sure, as Agiles tend to be. Fit and finish are nice. Feels like a loaded weapon.

 

[EverDream]

I would recommend going with a slightly less aggressive fan than this one (25.5-28.5), as I've found it to be just a bit too much. I think they also make it in 25.5-27, and I think that would be much more comfortable.

BTW it's 28.625" not 28.5", just in case you weren't aware!

For the fanned frets they make multiple different versions, (the majority are probably sold out or not made yet):

Agile Pendulum (and sometimes Intrepid also) 8-String Guitars:
==============================================

Short fan models (1.375" to 1.625")
----------------------------------
82425 (24.000" - 25.500"): This is ideal for tuning to A, A#, or B
82527 (25.500" - 27.000"): This is ideal for tuning to F#, G, or G#
82728 (27.000" - 28.625"): This is ideal for tuning to D#, E, or F
82830 (28.625" - 30.000"): This is ideal for tuning to C, C#, or D

Long fan models (3" to 3.125")
-----------------------------
82427 (24.000" - 27.000"): This is ideal for tuning to F#, G, G#, A, A#, or B
82528 (25.500" - 28.625"): This is ideal for tuning to D#, E, F, F#, G, or G#
82730 (27.000" - 30.000"): This is ideal for tuning to C, C#, D, D#, E, or F

So as you can see, 25.5" - 27" is ideal as long as you don't plan to tune any lower than F# (standard) tuning.

If you want the shorter fan spread, and you plan to tune lower than F# (standard) tuning... then the 27" - 28.625" (82728) fan model would be more ideal than the 25.5" - 27" (82527) fan model IMO.

However... I don't recall ever seeing a 2728 model, but if there is one, it'd be the perfect fan for tuning down 1-3 half-steps IMO. Anyway if you just want to tune to standard (or even up a little) then the 82527 model should be fine.

 

[LiveOVErdrive]

Nice write-up, EverDream.

Yeah I tune standard. If i could do it all over again I'd go 2527 instead of 2528, but this fan is still fun (and I probably just need more practice with it). Maybe I should leave standard tuning to my 6s and use this one to experiment.

 

[Backsnack]

Just pulled the trigger on an 82528EB Oceanburst. First time buying an Agile or from Rondo, ever. After all the positive feedback I've heard and read (exhaustively), I'm hoping I made the right choice.

Might be my endgame 8 string. It has just kind of fan, tonewoods, and style that I'm looking for. Time for some low riffage!


Probably going to swap out the EMGs for a Lace Deathbar/X-Bar combo. Just trying to decide if I want to do the regular, uncovered pickups or get the "stealth" versions with the plastic covers over them. Decisions, decisions ...

 

[Backsnack]

Sorry I forgot to respond to this.

The neck is probably what I would call "medium". I think it is about the same as my Strat, which has the "Standard Thin C" neck or whatever they call it. It is nice. I think they publish the thicknesses on the site too.

I would recommend going with a slightly less aggressive fan than this one (25.5-28.5), as I've found it to be just a bit too much. I think they also make it in 25.5-27, and I think that would be much more comfortable.

The fretwork seems good. I haven't worked too hard at getting the action low because I still haven't quite figured out how an 8 string is supposed to feel, but I haven't noticed any problems. I think it has two truss rods, which will make adjusting the neck relief interesting if I ever have to. It is well built, for sure, as Agiles tend to be. Fit and finish are nice. Feels like a loaded weapon.

See my previous post. SUPER EXCITED for my new Oceanburst 8 string!

 

[LiveOVErdrive]

See my previous post. SUPER EXCITED for my new Oceanburst 8 string!

Congrats!
I'm loving mine more and more every day. I'm sure you'll be pleased. Ive had a couple ocean burst guitars from them and they can be very cool (though one of mine looked much better than the other)

I haven't swapped my pickups yet but that might have to happen.

 

[Backsnack]

Congrats!
I'm loving mine more and more every day. I'm sure you'll be pleased. Ive had a couple ocean burst guitars from them and they can be very cool (though one of mine looked much better than the other)

I haven't swapped my pickups yet but that might have to happen.

Awesome!

Now I'm deciding if I want to go 0.85 or 0.90 for a drop E tuning. I'm nerding out way too hard over string tension now, lol.

 

[TheMetalDick]

When did Agile stop matching headstock finish to body finish?

 

[Mathemagician]

When did Agile stop matching headstock finish to body finish?

It's an option. They often don't do it on their "in stock" models to keep the price down, I would assume. But my custom has a matching headstock.

 

[LiveOVErdrive]

When did Agile stop matching headstock finish to body finish?

My pendulum from last year has a matching headstock (quilt blue). Probably just depends on the model.

 

[BetterOffShred]

So I have a highly subjective question that I would like to pose, so I guess I'll ask it and then write the conditions.
Should I get a custom shop Pendulum or an Ibanez RG852..

Ok so I want a maple fretboard, 8 string, passive pickups.. and fixed bridge(s). I kind of want a multiscale because I've been playing all the 8's I visit at guitar stores to EBEadgbe and the low E is just a little floppy. The 28 and 5/8 scale for the pendulum is attractive on that bottom string.

I added all the features I want to the Rondo custom shop order and it was only $850.. where the Ibanez is 1700.. I am not too concerned about price, but there is a part of me that wants to get the multi scale and be cheaper.. opinions welcome. Sorry it's kind of a dumb subjective question.

EDIT: I misunderstood their payment scenario. So the pendulum I want would be like $1200.