[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by JJ Rodriguez

It's because your anus is in no danger, unless you dress is up to look like a guitar/amp/pedal/etc.

Guys if you don't mind, I'd rather this thread not further plummet into a "____ is gay" bonanza

[Hexer]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

Isn't your badass Ran basically a Vixen though? When I voted for it for 'guitar of the month' I remember looking at it and thinking "wow that looks exactly like a Vixen". Maybe I missed something and should look again Anyways yeah he has some other cool shapes as well that would work well with an 8.

I hear ya about the money thing, just get in touch if you ever are interested in something and I'll hook you up

haha well my RAN is very similar to the Vixen in a way but not on purpose since I didnt really know the Vixen when I ordered it. those tips in the V notch are somewhat different and the (for me) most important difference is that the outer edges of the wings are straight on my guitar while they are curved on the Vixen (thats the thing I dont like about it)

thanks again! I'll do that when the time comes

[zimbloth]

Ah I see, cool man

PS: Yeah I think that's why people who want a sharper edgier look on the Vixens opt for painted bevels or binding of some sort.

[Hexer]

damn nick, you are BAD! you got me to have a closer look at Berni Ricos site even though I dont really have the time for that

but I got a question: on the site it says that all guitars are 25.2" scale. does he also make longer scales and multiscales?

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by Hexer

damn nick, you are BAD! you got me to have a closer look at Berni Ricos site even though I dont really have the time for that

but I got a question: on the site it says that all guitars are 25.2" scale. does he also make longer scales and multiscales?

25.5 you mean? I talked to him on Wednesday and he said he's also offering his 7's and 8's at 27.5" scales. You can get any scale you want with him really, he just has 25.5 as the standard length. I don't think he wants to get into multi-scale stuff though. Personally if you're interested in an 8, I find 27 or 27.5 would be just perfect based on the 7s and 8s I've owned.

Also don't use his website as the only reference as his photography is really unflattering. Real life pics of his stuff are absolutely awesome, I can show you some stuff if you're ever interested.

[Hexer]

damn yes I meant 25.5 of course

well I really got into the idea that a multiscale would be best even though I wouldnt want a very extreme fan. probably someting in the range of 28-29" on the low end and something like 26.5 or even 27 on the high end

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by Hexer

damn yes I meant 25.5 of course

well I really got into the idea that a multiscale would be best even though I wouldnt want a very extreme fan. probably someting in the range of 28-29" on the low end and something like 26.5 or even 27 on the high end

I really don't think it matters dude. You can accomplish the same thing by just using lighter gauges up top and thicker ones on the bottom. Every 27" scale 8-string or 7-string tuned down to F# I've played was absolutely perfect and had no issues.

All you have to do is go to a string tension guide like this, and then go from there. How would you want to tune? If you were just going standard (F#BEADGBE) and you were used to 10's on a 25.5 scale, then you could just use 9's or 9.5's and have similar tension. If you were to tune UP to say BEADGBEA then you wouldn't even need a 27", you could just use a 25.5.

The point is, 28-29 on the low end and 26.5 on the high end is not necessary if you just use the proper string gauges. Tension is tension you know? Like I said, in my opinion an F# has great tension and intonates perfectly in a 27" or 27.5" scale, assuming you use a proper string (68, 70, 72, etc).

[Hexer]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

I really don't think it matters dude. You can accomplish the same thing by just using lighter gauges up top and thicker ones on the bottom. Every 27" scale 8-string or 7-string tuned down to F# I've played was absolutely perfect and had no issues.

All you have to do is go to a string tension guide like this, and then go from there. How would you want to tune? If you were just going standard (F#BEADGBE) and you were used to 10's on a 25.5 scale, then you could just use 9's or 9.5's and have similar tension. If you were to tune UP to say BEADGBEA then you wouldn't even need a 27", you could just use a 25.5.

The point is, 28-29 on the low end and 26.5 on the high end is not necessary if you just use the proper string gauges. Tension is tension you know? Like I said, in my opinion an F# has great tension and intonates perfectly in a 27" or 27.5" scale, assuming you use a proper string (68, 70, 72, etc).

hmmm I would like to experiment with some of those production 8-strings (RG2228 and the upcoming ESPs) that are all 27" first.
I did some calculations with that stringtension calculator, these are the results:
on my 7 at 26.5" my low B is:
B,,, .059" NW == 8.07kg
that feels just right to me

on my experimental 6 at 25.5" my low F is:
F1 .080" NW == 6.7kg
that feels a lot too loose

at 29" a low F# with a .068 would be:
F1# .068" NW == 7.15kg
that doesnt sound too bad to me
with a 70 instead of 68 it looks like this:
F1# .070" NW == 7.55kg

I mean: I can get strings like 80s, too of course but I'd rather keep it to something more like 68

on 27" it would be F1# .068" NW == 6.2kg thats even less then the F on my experimental 25.5" now
with a 70: F1# .070" NW == 6.54kg
or 72: F1# .072" NW == 6.9kg

oh damn, sorry for thread-jacking btw!!!

[zimbloth]

While I fully endorse using consistent string tension, I believe for tonal benefits using a slightly thinner gauge for the F# (68-74) would be a good way to go, even if the B is a bit tighter. That said, Bernie did say he recommended 27.5" for his 8's, so I think that would bring up the tension a bit.

I just really think the cons of an 28-29" scale really outweigh the pros. You're changing everything just to benefit one out of the 8 strings, and making it more difficult to play (I know most of us can still shred on those kind of scales but it's undeniable how much easier it is to play on shorter scales for obvious reasons). On top of that with the fanned fret stuff, in my personal opinion it just looks goofy. I'd rather just even things out with string tension instead of using multiple scales or ultra long scales.

But that's just me, if it were your custom guitar you can order whatever you'd like, it would just be good to explore alternatives first

[Hexer]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

While I fully endorse using consistent string tension, I believe for tonal benefits using a slightly thinner gauge for the F# (68-74) would be a good way to go, even if the B is a bit tighter. That said, Bernie did say he recommended 27.5" for his 8's, so I think that would bring up the tension a bit.

I just really think the cons of an 28-29" scale really outweigh the pros. You're changing everything just to benefit one out of the 8 strings, and making it more difficult to play (I know most of us can still shred on those kind of scales but it's undeniable how much easier it is to play on shorter scales for obvious reasons). On top of that with the fanned fret stuff, in my personal opinion it just looks goofy. I'd rather just even things out with string tension instead of using multiple scales or ultra long scales.

But that's just me, if it were your custom guitar you can order whatever you'd like, it would just be good to explore alternatives first

totally right of course and probably its also an opinion-thing to some extend. well I'm a pretty picky bastard and I also tend to research a lot and think long about such things before I finally get to buy something so I guess it will end up fine in the end
was the same thing with my custom 7. I researched, asked questions, got price-quotes and changed specs for ages (like...at least 1.5 years from the initial idea to the order I think) and the result speaks for itself: I totally love it hehe
I also have to say I'm not that much of a shredder really and so far I actually feel I like longer scales (like my 26.5") better for soloing than 25.5. I'll definitally do more experiments with everything I can get my hands on and then try to decide what would be best to order

thanks a lot for all your help nick!!!