Drop E string set for 26.5" scale! 27" scale set coming soon.

[Go To Bed Jessica]

I have been in communication with Alex from ZOG strings about a string set for this tuning on my Schecter (Hellraiser C-8 Special) and just wanted to let you all know what it happening.

At the moment, he has designed another set which is based around his existing 8 string set. This uses the low string from the existing set and makes the other strings B-e slightly lighter in order to achieve appropriate progressive tension across the set. I have yet to try it, but I have a set in the post for me today and will report back on how it goes.

He is also designing a whole new set with a 10 for the high E, which means designing a new tapered low E to suit. We are working on making it compatible with both Ibanez and Schecter guitars (ie. suitable for 26.5" or 27" scales). This string will need to be custom made to his spec and should be ready to go in around 2 months.

When this new set is done, I will be ordering 10 sets straight up. If anyone in Australia is interested in trying a set, shoot me a PM and I will arrange to get you a set to try without needing to make a bulk order.

Really looking forward to getting a decent set on my 8. It will be nice to know that someone makes a good stock set and not have to screw around ordering individual strings (even more expensive/annoying for those of us in the southern hemisphere!).



ps - I have no affiliation with Alex or ZOG strings. I am not receiving free or discount products. I have been using his strings on my 6 string guitars for a couple of years now and they are the best I have found.

[Go To Bed Jessica]

Originally Posted by Go To Bed Jessica

At the moment, he has designed another set which is based around his existing 8 string set. This uses the low string from the existing set and makes the other strings B-e slightly lighter in order to achieve appropriate progressive tension across the set. I have yet to try it, but I have a set in the post for me today and will report back on how it goes.

So this string set arrived today, and it's freaking amazing. So amazing, that I'm not sure that even a custom designed low E could be any better than what is currently used.

The set uses a ZOG 10 RW with a B and an E added on. The feel from string to string is beautifully consistent. The low string sounds really beefy and responds well to playing dynamics. Best of all, it was a breeze to intonate the whole set.

The outer wrap of the low E actually starts about 1/2" after the saddle - like the taper on a low B bass string, except it's only a single wrap. The low B on my bass set has at least two layers of outer wrap tapering out at the bridge end of the string.

If you're playing in Drop E on a Schecter, I *highly* recommend giving one of these sets a try. His prices are good, so you're not going to be blowing a wad of cash to try it. The set should work for 27" scale as well. The outer wrap starting on the "speaking length" of the string actually makes it a LOT easier to intonate than if the full girth of the string was coming out of the saddle.

Right at this moment, I could not be happier!

[sleightest]

I just put a .080 on my 26.5 schecter today and I was thinking about how awesome it would be if a company made a higher gauge 8 string set. The ernie 8 is alright but if all the gauges could be a little bit bigger it would be perfect. Ill take 10 packs too!!!

[Go To Bed Jessica]

Shoot Alex an email and ask about the set he has currently. The custom low string hasn't been manufactured yet... although after playing this set today, it would be pretty hard to top it.

[Jordan Djenital Warts]

I have also been using the Ernie Ball set replacing the 74 with a D'addario 80 on my Hellraiser C-8. The 80 sound really dull and 'round' in comparison to rest. Plus unravelling the strings are a pain in the arse...

You say they sound really beefy, but how does it match sonically to the rest of the set? Any samples would be awesome

[quattro19tdi]

Sounds like he can't decide what he thinks about low tunings. I would not buy anything at all from him, here's the mail I got when I asked him about if his 8-string set would fit my 28,625'' Agile Intrepid tuned down to E. This email is from february.

''My Optimized 8 string set is made for guitars with a scale between 26" and 26.5”

28.625”? You got to be kidding me. What idiot would make a guitar that long and still call it a guitar. That is NOT very playable as a traditional guitar unless you use it as a noise making toy. Which is what most kids do with guitars these days. No talent needed any longer. which is great news.

In the old days we bought 6 string guitars, if you ever hear of those. Then we learned how to tune them in standard tuning and then we learned Eric Clapton solos and some old boring songs from the 60s. Then a really cool new band came along called Led Zeppelin and we learned their blues type songs. I know its not what you kids do these days but that was back in the boring old days.

You want to tune an 8 string guitar even lower by a whole step. It sounds like what you really would like to be is a bass player. I suggest you buy a bass instead.

You must know something that I don’t and I guess you are keeping it a secret, because an 8 string is low enough and if you go any lower the darn thing will simply not function. All you will get is mud. I just remembered that is exactly what you kids are looking to sound like; MUD. In that case don’t even worry about strings. Just put a regular 8 string sets you can buy in the store and simply tune them really slack, like a limp noodle and you will get the coolest muddiest noise you ever heard. You can go ahead and call it Heavy Metal if you wish but call it Mud Trash instead.

My 8-string set would be totally useless for you. For one thing they are too short for your very long neck and they are only Optimized if you tune them occurring to what note each string was designed to be tuned at.

Yes, you just keep downloading and searching the internet. When you find that magical set for your new long necked guitar you let me know.
Just remember to give me credit for everything you learn from me.

Alex''

[shitsøn]

Making potential customers look like idiots is an awesome business plan. I have to try that in the future.

[Jordan Djenital Warts]

Wow. Just wow...

[Go To Bed Jessica]

Originally Posted by Jordan Djenital Warts

I have also been using the Ernie Ball set replacing the 74 with a D'addario 80 on my Hellraiser C-8. The 80 sound really dull and 'round' in comparison to rest. Plus unravelling the strings are a pain in the arse...

You say they sound really beefy, but how does it match sonically to the rest of the set? Any samples would be awesome

The set is well matched and sounds consistent from string to string. I don't have a recording of it handy - am having problems with my poor old dinosaur recording PC and the recordings I can make with my phone, while they are in .wav format, sound like garbage.

He does have a rather.. unique.. perspective on things, which can be a little off-putting at times. He has a good product though, and I believe the theory behind what he is doing is a solid one. My guitars certainly feel much better to play with his string sets on them.

He also has a rather evil sense of humour.

[ixlramp]

Alex is crazy in a sorta lovable way if you don't take him too seriously and don't let his outrageous forthrightness get to you. His progressive sets are an excellent idea, he was the first person i discovered on the web promoting the idea (other than myself). I can clearly see the genius of his sets and would happily buy them, i don't care what he says and won't be put off. There is something kinda awesome about a person who just doesn't give a damn what others think of them. I guess it works as a kind of filter such that only the most enthusiastic and cool-headed customers will bother with him.

Go To Bed Jessica, can you judge the gauge of this current low E? I assume it has 2 layers of wrap wire with just one layer over the saddle.

[Go To Bed Jessica]

On closer inspection, it has three layers of wrap, with one layer over the saddle. I would estimate the gauge as being somewhere in the range of 95-100. I had a 90 bass string on before that, but because it wasn't tapered I couldn't get it to intonate properly.

After playing this ZOG set a bit more, I continue to be very impressed with the feel and sound. I'm pretty confident that I've found my 8 string set of choice.

FWIW, I find Alex pretty easy to get along with. If he is brash or dismissive of your question, reply in polite and logical terms explaining what you want and why you want it. He is a bit of a traditionalist, and doesn't really "get" the whole drop tuning and ERG thing. If you can demonstrate that you are serious about what you want and have some idea what you're talking about he will be more cooperative. He is, in my experience, quite a good guy.

[mniel8195]

i would never buy strings from him. I just built my optimized set from another company.

[Go To Bed Jessica]

Whatever floats your boat man. I don't have the time, tools or inclination to work this stuff out for myself. Alex has done the work and offers well designed sets for a good price. I have no complaints.

[sleightest]

Well, that dudes a tool....

[Razzy]

Quote from his website.

"This will be an experience better than a sloppy blow job from a dominatrix midget. Don't worry, I got it figured out for you."

This isn't an "evil sense of humor."

Judging from this and that email quattro got, the guy is just a douche.

[mishabasi]

Originally Posted by Jordan Djenital Warts

I have also been using the Ernie Ball set replacing the 74 with a D'addario 80 on my Hellraiser C-8. The 80 sound really dull and 'round' in comparison to rest. Plus unravelling the strings are a pain in the arse...

You say they sound really beefy, but how does it match sonically to the rest of the set? Any samples would be awesome

I have the same problem on my Damian Elite. I got a d'addario 80 to swap the 74 out and i love the tension but the tone is garbage exactly how you described. I ALWAYS use d'addario on my 6 strings and love the tone.

Does your 80 sound rattly while unplugged? i think i damaged my string unraveling it.

[knuckle_head]

fwiw - I am happy to lend email advice on gauges . . . . a .100 need not be a three wrap string.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by Go To Bed Jessica

On closer inspection, it has three layers of wrap, with one layer over the saddle. I would estimate the gauge as being somewhere in the range of 95-100.

Thanks.
I am no expert but as i understand it: 2 wraps would be more flexible .. and a large outer wrap wire helps since the contact point between winds is halfway into the outer wrap's thickness you can narrow the 'contact gauge' of the string .. ? Circle Ks are 2 wrap to .106 so it must be possible. Also getting the tapering point closer to the saddle will help tone .. although 1/2" is fairly good and better than most bass strings. Seems to me the key is getting the low string as flexy as possible to make it bright and clear, this also allows you to up the gauge for a good tension while retaining a bright tone.

[yellow]

Ahem....did my string help sir? (thx for the update PAL.lol j/k)

[Jordan Djenital Warts]

Originally Posted by mishabasi

I have the same problem on my Damian Elite. I got a d'addario 80 to swap the 74 out and i love the tension but the tone is garbage exactly how you described. I ALWAYS use d'addario on my 6 strings and love the tone.

Does your 80 sound rattly while unplugged? i think i damaged my string unraveling it.

Yeah, that happened to me too dude. If you look closely, you can probably see the wrap is looser towards the nut (I can use that words in a straight context without smiling haha).

I had to resort to using the supplied .74. Which was so much crispier but slack as a wizards sleeve...

I am a long time D'addario user but I have to admit, after using different brands recently; I will not miss them.

If only Elixir did an 8 string set. I contemplated buying singles from them but regular gauges are £3.50 each and anything thicker than a .56 is £8.50 at best!!!

[Stealthdjentstic]

This guy sounds like a ....ing moron, just buy from Circle K instead.

[axxessdenied]

Does Circle K have 8-string sets or do you guys order single strings from them?

[Stealthdjentstic]

Originally Posted by axxessdenied

Does Circle K have 8-string sets or do you guys order single strings from them?

They're coming out with 6, 7, and 8 string sets but you cant see them on the site yet, you have to email skip and I think you can buy them as a set that way or order individuals.

[ixlramp]

6 string sets are here: Circle K Strings - 6 String Guitar Sets and yeah singles up to a 2 layer wrap .106.
I figured out the tensions and there is a choice of balanced and varying gradients of progressive, i assume the ERG sets will be similar. See this thread for the tension profiles visualised: Visualising tension profiles
Such as the 9-45 set:



So yeah it looks like CKS will be an alternative source for progressive ERG sets.

[Go To Bed Jessica]

Originally Posted by Razzy

Quote from his website.

"This will be an experience better than a sloppy blow job from a dominatrix midget. Don't worry, I got it figured out for you."

This isn't an "evil sense of humor."

No, I'm sure this wasn't meant to be humorous at all. I'm sure he was being very serious when he wrote that.

Anyway, the new low string should be ready for testing soon and if it's as good as I expect - there will be a nice, viable, stock string set available online for 8 string.

Everyone has their own opinion and experience with Alex, and I certainly don't pretend to speak on his behalf or understand his approach sometimes... but what I do know is that his string sets are fantastic, and my own personal experience with him has been a good one.

I like being able to order strings online which are cheaper than store bought ones (even shipped to Australia from the US they work out WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY cheaper than strings in retail stores here ) and know that they'll be 10x better (for me) than what I could have bought here in a retail store.