Agile 9-String....

[Santuzzo]

Originally Posted by Explorer

Since my Intrepid Pro has Ab0 as the lowest note (half step below lowest note on a piano), and since this has the same scale length as mine, I have no doubt that it could reach that note.

I'm considering getting one to tune like an extension of my combination guitar/bass (B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4). I've considered full fourths more than once, but there are too many useful guitar voicings I already know in standard tuning, and I hesitate to toss those all away by changing that interval at the top end to a fourth. If I wanted to use it for normal playing in any way, instead of just touchstyle, it's just too problematic.

Whatever I would tune it to, though, there's no way to do the full fifths thing from my Intrepid Pro unless I add a low Db0 below that low Ab0. For once, I'm hesitant to push the limits, because I don't even think I have an amp capable of moving that kind of air....

Thanks !

So, that Ab0 you mentioned, is that the next Ab below a bass guitar's low E?
And you have that on an Intrepid 8 string with a 28"scale?

[EtherealEntity]

Originally Posted by Santuzzo

So, that Ab0 you mentioned, is that the next Ab below a bass guitar's low E?

Correct - 5 string bass down 3 semitones.

[Santuzzo]

Originally Posted by EtherealEntity

Correct - 5 string bass down 3 semitones.

Holy cow! I jusr realised that's lower than the low B of a 5 string bass

[Hollowway]

Originally Posted by Explorer

I find it more worrisome that I can't find my string calculation notebook, where I keep track of what I use on all my instrument families (and yes, every one of my instruments is in a non-stock tuning, and some of them have more than 90 strings).

You're a mad scientist!
Do you have any clips of that Ab0 in action? And can you distort it, or are you pretty much limited to cleans only?

[Hollowway]

Originally Posted by MaxOfMetal

As far as I know it's something he's "working on". Given how poorly the first fanned 7s have sold (or haven't as I should say), who knows what the fate of future fanned projects would be. I know that no one here bought one.

I guess his options are:

A) Scuttle the whole fanned 7 project and cut his losses.

B) Take an even bigger risk than before and make some better spec'd fanned models, seeing as he [the factory] has the templates and CNC programs already.

He posted a picture of a fanned 7-string Interceptor with a fanned pickup and fanned Kahler. So, depending on how feasible it will be to make that and price it such that Rondo's typical clientèle will be happy is what it's going to take.

Yeah, I actually felt kind of bad about that fanned 7. I feel like we should have supported his efforts, there, which is kind of a weird paternal thing to feel about a company.
But I would think that he'd have way more luck selling a fanned 9 (or even 8) than 7, because generally speaking, I think most of us are fine with a straight fret 7. So I hope he keeps experimenting with these things.

[Explorer]

Originally Posted by Hollowway

You're a mad scientist!
Do you have any clips of that Ab0 in action? And can you distort it, or are you pretty much limited to cleans only?

Sorry to the curious, but I don't have clips. I'm not really motivated to get any form of camera, since I don't do any kind of facebook/twitter/youtube stuff. However, I do play out with a few people who are into that stuff, so I'll see if it's a possibility.

It sounds good in my opinion, but any instrument playing in the bass range needs space if one is playing multiple notes. The further down you go from E2, the worse close intervals sounds. One of the better books I've read, probably long out of print, was titled "Arranging Techniques for Synthesists." It had a great discussion of voice spacing throughout, and convinced me that one should look at why classical and chamber music, as well as rock and roll, normally has its pitch-dense parts starting in the middle octaves, and why the bottom octaves are normally unisons and fifths of simultaneous notes. The bottom notes do sound good stacked densely when I shift up polyphonically with the EHX HOG or the POG2, but there's no real need to do so on the Intrepid compared to a more limited instrument like the fretless bass I have kicking around.

Arrangements aside, the instruments sounds guitar-like at the bottom, at least in my opinion, with normal guitar-like partials in the initial moments of plucking or tapping. I think a lot of bass-like sound and coloration comes from the amps and effects, so I like working with full-range effects and FRFR sound systems (full range flat response), instead of frequency-specific guitar and bass effects and amps. I think there have been some threads where Tosin's rig has been discussed, and he goes the FRFR route for amplification/reinforcement.

Regarding clean and dirty tones, and respecting the limits of note density you can observe in all musics, I can use any of my effects on it, but I bought them with an eye towards them being usable through the entire instrument's range. For dirt, I've found that I really like the Hardwire CM-2, the Four Knob Rat, the Mastotron, really anything that works for both guitar and bass. (I'm having an issue with my Musket at the moment, so it doesn't make the list, but normally it's a great Muff box for an ERG, as are most of the Civil War Muffs.) All my other effects are time-based (Yamaha UD-Stomp 8-line delay/chorus/flange/whatever, Electric Mistress, TC Nova Modulator (which can do a perfect emulation of the Electric Mistress, so I'll probably be selling that), and other reverb/delay units) or pitch based (Boss PS-3, EHX HOG and POG2). The bottom notes do sound good stacked densely when I shift up polyphonically with the HOG or the POG2, but there's no real need to do so on the Intrepid compared to a more limited instrument like the fretless bass I have kicking around. (I don't know in what category I'd stick the AdrenaLinn, but that works too.)

Incidentally, I think the dedicated touchtyle/tap players are onto something when they run their bass and guitar sides into different effect chains. There's a lot to be said for having different sounds available. To that end, at some point I'm going to be picking up a Dual Band Optical Compressor-Limiter from FEA Labs, which has separate outputs for bass and treble, and a selectable crossover point. I'm currently running through a Maxon CP9+ Pro compresser/limiter (awesomely quiet, as long as your guitar and signal chain is also quiet) with no complaints, but nothing exceeds like excess.

----

I don't know if this was an off-topic derailment or not. As the range of these guitars gets wider, using equipment which can effect and/or reproduce that full range gets more important, and I don't know if there's been much discussion of that here at SS.org. Hopefully it will be relevant to someone....

Originally Posted by Hollowway

Yeah, I actually felt kind of bad about that fanned 7. I feel like we should have supported his efforts, there, which is kind of a weird paternal thing to feel about a company.

That's the way I feel about this 9-string. Even if it's not ideal, if I buy one, there will likely be another 9 in the future.

I was pricing how much it will cost me to put Ghost saddles on this, to get a different tone without having to route another pickup. I wonder if that Ghost system is still in the classifieds.

So much want, so little cash!

[Meshugger]

All i see is talk. Has anyone here actually ordered one?

[Santuzzo]

Originally Posted by Meshugger

All i see is talk. Has anyone here actually ordered one?

read the whole thread and your question will be answered.

(but I myself have not ordered one)

[guitareben]

Wow! WOW! I actually love Agile. I mean, i don't even have one, and i really want them to have a fanned one, which will make me buy immediatly (hint hint...) , but it is so good they listen to us . Awesome

[vampiregenocide]

I'd love to try one in F standard with a low Bb, that'd be mad.

[Scarpie]

Originally Posted by Meshugger

All i see is talk. Has anyone here actually ordered one?

As a matter of fact yes. I bought mine Friday.

[vampiregenocide]

Originally Posted by Scarpie

As a matter of fact yes. I bought mine Friday.

Vids plz.

[JaeSwift]

I'de love to get a 9 string simply so that I have 2 extra low strings (like a standard 8) and one extra high string. I'de be able to play Scale the Summit and Meshuggah on the same instrument :o

[TemjinStrife]

Originally Posted by vampiregenocide

I'd love to try one in F standard with a low Bb, that'd be mad.

Or, you know, just don't put a high E on your 8. Same difference, and I doubt you'd be losing appreciable range at that point.

Or start playing bass

[vampiregenocide]

Originally Posted by TemjinStrife

Or, you know, just don't put a high E on your 8. Same difference, and I doubt you'd be losing appreciable range at that point.

Or start playing bass

Well I wouldn't get a 9 string anyway, so I would rather have my high e than the Bb.

[Sponge]

Damnit... Just damnit...

[rippedflesh89]

not interested... 9 strings sound like overkill.... i loooove my 7 string and have now decided to be pretty much an exclusive 7 string player.... i want an 8 string to .... around with in the future as well... but .... 9 strings... 8 is enough

[troyguitar]

Looks cool, I'm glad they got around to it. I like my 9's better, but I just don't have time to make them for other people so it's good to see a <$1000 option out there.

[Double A]

Originally Posted by rippedflesh89

8 is enough

That was a great tv show tbh.

I am in the same boat as you though. I play sevens and want an 8 to mess with but 9? Too much methinks.

[Explorer]

I was writing a few "cello" parts today (POG2 slow attack on dry, run through DigiVerb), and I don't see how this is too many strings. When I want to grab a note below the low E1, that's what I want, and when I want to play above the 12th fret on the high D4 string, that also is what I want.

I like how it's been suggested that one wouldn't miss that added range if just downtuning/uptuning on an instrument with less strings. I suspect it's because the person suggesting can't imagine a context in which to utilize that full range, and also can't imagine someone else's needs being different from theirs. Interesting....

[guambomb832]

Originally Posted by Explorer

I like how it's been suggested that one wouldn't miss that added range if just downtuning/uptuning on an instrument with less strings. I suspect it's because the person suggesting can't imagine a context in which to utilize that full range, and also can't imagine someone else's needs being different from theirs. Interesting....

I for one, would lLOVE to have the option for more range, even though I can't utilize all of it. I think of it as a "more bang for your buck" deal.

[The Echthros]

I love the idea the same way I love the idea of extended range in an 8 string...but I would definitely need a multiscale neck to handle this ....er. and with 9 I'd would definately go with the extra lower string and one higher, going lower than F# in the distorted guitar world IS overkill.

[Double A]

Originally Posted by Explorer

and I don't see how this is too many strings. When I want to grab a note below the low E1, that's what I want, and when I want to play above the 12th fret on the high D4 string, that also is what I want.

It is too many strings for me. I understand how others would utilize this guitar but I just am not into it (although, I was always not into sevens either...) If you are than more power to you.

[TemjinStrife]

Originally Posted by Explorer

I like how it's been suggested that one wouldn't miss that added range if just downtuning/uptuning on an instrument with less strings. I suspect it's because the person suggesting can't imagine a context in which to utilize that full range, and also can't imagine someone else's needs being different from theirs. Interesting....

My reason for that assertion is generally, my experience with 90% of people who add more strings spend more and more time on *just* those added low strings, and if you are looking to add a low C# on such a guitar as the one listed, you would be hitting a very difficult compromise of tension, string gauge, timbre, and playing action.

In my experience, even an 8 string with high A or low F# is a big compromise in terms of tension and timbre on one end of the scale or the other without fanned frets.

[The Echthros]

^^^^well put. That's why I would need a multiscale. I would find it hard to play lead passages at 27" or 28.6xxxxx(I had a hard enough time at it on the 26.5" hellraiser I had for all of a week for that same issue) and the tension the F#(or lower if I tune it to meet the same intervals down a step) is too light for me to play articulate rhythm lines. I need somewhere along the lines of 25.5-27.5/28.5 to make it work with an 8 string, probably even smaller scale on the treble side to feel comfortable with that added higher string. I would definately not be the asshole chugging away on the lowest bass string just cus I could. I like some lead wankery too.