8 String That Can Handle E Standard?

[Carl Kolchak]

My Agile 8227 Septor doesn't have enough overtravel in the saddle to even intonate to F# correctly. So I've given up on trying to use it any more. Am looking now for an 8 string under $600 that can handle being tuned to E standard.

Please, any suggestions?

 

[Winspear]

Are you sure? What string gauge are you using - floppy strings can have a lot to do with it! I'd be surprised if you can't intonate an F# on one of the most popular and regular scaled 8 strings.

 

[Carl Kolchak]

Using a Circle K set of .90s atm. Can almost get the F string to intonate, but the saddle has reached its most rearward position and can go no further. Which is especially infuriating as I don't need that much more room to travel. Oh well.

Was thinking of trying an RG8 or an Iron Label next.

 

[Andrenighthound]

try ordering hipshot shorter style saddles. I like a lot of tension with my 27" scale and the only way to get the tension I wanted was to use a .094 for f# but then I maxed out my saddle. It was barley off intonation, but I ordered shorter hipshot saddles and now I even have more room to go back more if i ever needed!

 

[Dayn]

Really? Hmm. Can you get a shorter saddle?

My experience with my RG2228 is that I have a little bit of extra room for intonation. I use a .090 Circle K/Kalium in E.

 

[teamSKDM]

you could try to move to a schecter 8 string used, they have 28"

 

[Winspear]

Yeah you have the right string. Damn I'm surprised, would think shorter saddles would come stock if this is a common issue!
I remember having to grind down the back of my saddle of a 7 string to tune it like an 8, was pretty easy

 

[DamienE7]

Just got a schecter bamshee passive, ive got it in drop E at the moment and it is brilliant... Couple hundred more if i am correct with your pricing... Amazing guitar though... Might get one second hand

 

[Carl Kolchak]

Yeah you have the right string. Damn I'm surprised, would think shorter saddles would come stock if this is a common issue!
I remember having to grind down the back of my saddle of a 7 string to tune it like an 8, was pretty easy

There's a TOM bridge on this guitar.

 

[schwiz]

Using a Circle K set of .90s atm. Can almost get the F string to intonate, but the saddle has reached its most rearward position and can go no further. Which is especially infuriating as I don't need that much more room to travel. Oh well.

Was thinking of trying an RG8 or an Iron Label next.

Can't you just sand down the screw used for the saddle on the low string? Or will the saddle literally not go any farther?

 

[Carl Kolchak]

Back as far as it'll go.

 

[rockskate4x]

Oh, if it's TOM it definitely won't work to get hipshot saddles. The easiest option would of course be to buy a new guitar with a flatmount hardtail, but there are a few options here. You might be able to remove the TOM, dowel the post-holes, and then drill a new location for the bridge a little farther back to give you more bass-side intonation travel.

 

[DMONSTER]

An Agile Intrepid 830. It is also right around your price range, which I can highly recommend for that low of a tuning. I currently have mine tuned in drop Eb with a 79 on the bottom and get great tension.

 

[Carl Kolchak]

Yeah, I just boxed the Agile up. Not putting any more time or energy into it. Will sell it cheap.

Think I'm done with 8 strings, tbh. Did my research and my next guitar will be an Ibanez SRC6 bass. Plus, I got a SG which I tune to D standard. So, in effect, I'll have the sonic range of an 8 string then.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

^I have an 830 as well.

.094 is my heaviest for E and sometimes D

 

[Go To Bed Jessica]

Back as far as it'll go.

Add some blood and a bit of shredded flesh from the side of my hand hanging off the low string saddle and you have a perfect illustration of my hatred for the TOM bridge.

 

[JPhoenix19]

My RG8 handles E standard.

 

[Andrenighthound]

Sorry I did not know it was a TOM.

JUST TURN THE SADDLE AROUND!

 

[Dead-Pan]

Back as far as it'll go.

I had this situation with a six string. I took the saddle off and turned it around. Perfect.

 

[rockskate4x]

OH that might work! ^^^ The only thing i would be worried about is string breakage from the string going directly over the pointy side of the saddle from the string through ferrules, but that could probably be fixed with some filing!