Hard time finding a 7 string with hardtail bridge

[Geest]

Hey there,

I've probably been looking around for half a year new, looking for some fine 7 string guitars which I might want to save up for. And the time is nearly there! As many, I've discovered Agile but I'm still doubting as I live in Europe.

I know... I know, there are already a lot of threads about this on the forum and in the last 2 months I probably read about 50 of them (not kidding), but I still feel the need to create my own thread. So here's the specs that I'm looking for.

- Extended range (preferable 27" but 26.5 / 27.5" would do too)
- hardtail bridge, no tremolo!
- ibanez-like body and neck structure
- Budget is €800 ($1100)

My uncle is going to Australia in a month, so it is also possible for me to purchase a guitar from Australia without having to pay shipping costs.

This is the agile guitar I was looking at: Agile Septor Std 727 RN Tribal Red at RondoMusic.com

I want to be able to tune down as low as G without having intonation problems and without having to use thick-ass strings. I've calculated that I'd need something like a .060 string for the low G on a 27" scale guitar.

If anyone knows any good, yet unknown European brands then don't hesitate to link! Thanks for your time .

[HighGain510]

Just a heads up, the bridge on the Agile you linked is NOT a Hipshot.

[Geest]

Originally Posted by HighGain510

Just a heads up, the bridge on the Agile you linked is NOT a Hipshot.

Oh then maybe I'm thinking that hipshot is something else haha my bad! Well basicly what I mean is a fixed bridge, such as the Agile guitar, and some Ibanez and Fender guitars have. Not a fixed bridge like Gibson and Schecter uses!

I love the feel of 'em and they're great for adjusting intonation.

Is there a particular name for the fixed bridge that ibanez etc uses then?

[Spaceman_Spiff]

The bridge on the guitar you linked is the Agile copy of Hipshot, not up to par with the quality hipshot has, but I doubt you would ever have a problem with it since that type of bridge are very stable anyway. I'd say go for it but Rondo's shipping outside the US is usually a nightmare...

[Mordacain]

Originally Posted by Geest

Oh then maybe I'm thinking that hipshot is something else haha my bad! Well basicly what I mean is a fixed bridge, such as the Agile guitar, and some Ibanez and Fender guitars have. Not a fixed bridge like Gibson and Schecter uses!

I love the feel of 'em and they're great for adjusting intonation.

Is there a particular name for the fixed bridge that ibanez etc uses then?

You'll see them referred to as "hardtail" bridges. They're an exceptionally basic, but simple design. Personally, I think the hipshot bridges are a bit overkill since the design is so simple. I'd just replace the saddles with Fender bent-steel saddles or Graphtech String Savers.

[s4tch]

If you're looking for just a fixed bridge, extended range 7, you can buy the Agile. But be prepared, you'll have to pay customs and VAT over the guitar's price+shipping. Or you can always find used Agiles within the EU, they are usually priced around 600 euros.

My other pick would be an Ibanez RGD7321. That comes with Ibanez's own Gibraltar bridge. I had an RGA32 with that bridge, it was pretty fine. But that's also a US-only model, so customs and VAT apply here, too. You can ask your local dealer about a possible purchase anyway.

[Geest]

Originally Posted by Spaceman_Spiff

The bridge on the guitar you linked is the Agile copy of Hipshot, not up to par with the quality hipshot has, but I doubt you would ever have a problem with it since that type of bridge are very stable anyway. I'd say go for it but Rondo's shipping outside the US is usually a nightmare...

Yeh I have read some horror stories but also a lot of good ones. And well, it's more obvious for all the horror stories to be posted and obviously, not all good experiences will be posted.

I'm not one to complain about little cosmetic imperfections, some of my guitars have little chips out of them, scratches and heck I don't know how many times I bumped my old ibanez RG320 head against something. As long as it doesn't affect playability, and it's not some huge as scar which I could fit a fist in.

I'm currently working on a mail to Kurt, it's 2 A4's long atm haha .

Originally Posted by Mordacain

You'll see them referred to as "hardtail" bridges.

Ok thanks, title adjusted!

@ s4tch Yeh I found out about this, pretty big setback to be honest! The Agile that I linked would cost me between €700 - €750 euro, depending on the additional bills that I have to pay for the shipping company... fuel tax etc.

570 (total agile costs, including case and shipping) * 1.19 (19% VAT) * 1.035 (3,5% customs) = €702

I was also planning on visiting a local music store, my friend ordered his 7 string Schecter there. They are very friendly so I'll be sure to ask them some questions .

[jl-austin]

LTD MH-417 or SC607B

(the SC-607b is a 27" scale). Both are fixed bridge, both come with EMG's (its a love hate thing with them).

[s4tch]

Cool guitars, but they both feature a tonepros bridge, the one that OP would like to avoid.

[sutchguitars]

Try a luthier! they are not all overpriced :-))

[Geest]

Hey guys, I just received a mail back from Kurt. I'll copy it here so that other people from outside the US/Canada who might be interested in purchasing a Agile might find some answers to certain questions.

Dear Mr Zentmaier,

My name is (CENSORED), and after months of research on the internet I stumbled across your company's website. I'm very interested in purchasing a 7 string guitar, and the Agile Septor model is exactly what I am looking for. I am particularly interested in the Agile Septor Std 727 RN model.
I live in The Netherlands, and I am aware that orders shipped outside the United States and Canada have no warranty and are not refundable. I do have some questions which I would like to ask you, hence this e-mail.

- In what kind of packaging will my (future) guitar be shipped? Will there be additional material inside the case to protect the guitar? And if the case is shipped in a box, will the box be filled with material to protect the guitar and the case?

Kurt> The guitar is packed inside a case. No there is no additional material inside the case. The case is shipped in a box – there is no packing inside the box.


- Which case is the best option for a 27" scale length Septor guitar? It is my understanding that the 727 Septor models are 42" (= 106,7cm) in length. But the Doulgas EGC-200 Baritone Case is only 41.5" (= 105,4cm) in length. So I came to the conclusion that the CNB BC-4100 Bass Flight Case might be a better option.

Kurt> The suggested case will appear when you put the guitar into the shopping cart. – (the egc-200 baritone) – It will not fit in the flight case.


- How does the interior of the Doulgas EGC-200 Baritone Case look like? Is there a guitar-shaped "chamber" inside the case like the CNB EC-4100 TN Guitar Flight Case (<- NOT BASS) has to prevent movement of the guitar? The same question applies for the CNB BC-4100 Bass Flight Case, as it's hard to see what the interior of this case looks like.

Kurt> The EGC-200 Baritone case is made up of “boxes” – a body box, neck box and headstock box area. Areas are not guitar shaped.

- This one is a long shot: Is it possible to have position markers placed on the fretboard?

Kurt> yes – but you would have to wait for the custom shop to open again. It’s booked now for the rest of the year but I expect it to open this winter for mid 2012 production.

- Is VAT included in the shipping costs? And if this is not the case, will I have to pay VAT money at the moment of delivery? I assume that if I would have the pay the VAT when I receive the guitar, then these costs would not be displayed on the site.

Kurt> Yes as we mention on the checkout page, you pay your VAT on delivery (it’s not included in the price)

I have read the returns/conditions page on your site, but because the tax field displays $0,00 costs (as mentioned below) in my shopping cart I am unsure if VAT and customs duty is already included in the total costs displayed in my shopping cart.

Kurt> yes that’s correct – the tax field is US taxes – which you pay none.

- Are there any additional costs I should know about? When I place one Agile Septor Std 727 RN Tribal Red and one Doulgas EGC-200 Baritone case it gives me a total price of $722,67 (which equals €520,84).

Kurt> Just your VAT – figure about 22% - but check with your local officials to confirm.



Very clear and straight forward answers, and a quick reply too! I think I've found a winner, I'll be able to order it next week when I get my salary.

[cwhitey2]

i have that bridge and its tits.

buy now.

[mgh]

dunno if you can save up a little more but if so you could try Siggery guitars (UK), their customs are pretty cheap (as customs go)...around £1000 for a seven string...

[Geest]

Originally Posted by mgh

dunno if you can save up a little more but if so you could try Siggery guitars (UK), their customs are pretty cheap (as customs go)...around £1000 for a seven string...

Interesting, I will do some research on them.

[GSingleton]

Ibanez 7321, RGD7321...

[SamSam]

RGD7321. You're welcome. The Agiles look nice and all, but quite a few have been delivered with flaws and you have no returns in EU.

Plus the shipping rate is so high to EU from rondo you might as well pay Kurt to fly it over personally for you and ass.... you using the plastic from the guitar packaging as a condom.

It was something like 250$ to where I live. Just get an Ibanez 7 locally and have the piece of mind you can return it if it's not to your liking.

[Geest]

Originally Posted by GSingleton

Ibanez 7321, RGD7321...

Originally Posted by SamSam

RGD7321. You're welcome. The Agiles look nice and all, but quite a few have been delivered with flaws and you have no returns in EU.

Plus the shipping rate is so high to EU from rondo you might as well pay Kurt to fly it over personally for you and ass.... you using the plastic from the guitar packaging as a condom.

It was something like 250$ to where I live. Just get an Ibanez 7 locally and have the piece of mind you can return it if it's not to your liking.

Ooh, that Ibanez looks VERY nice! Especially I'm an Ibanez fan ever since I first touched one as a kid (bye bye les paul hehe). Does anyone here have experience with the Ibanez RGD7321? I am looking up reviews and checking out internet stores to get an average price ($600, about €430!).

I like the looks of it, though I'm not a fan of the inlays but that's okay. 5-way switch, yes! I love the 5-way switch on my trusty ol' RG320. Anyway here are some questions about the RGD7321 I have at the moment, but I'll probably do some research on it for another 2 weeks:

- How do the pickups sound? I like to play jazzy stuff, often "jazz breakdowns" with my music so both pickups really matter to me.

- Is there enough room to eventually upgrade to Seymour Duncan Blackouts? With the €200 that I'll save with this, I could probably purchase a set of 'em.

- Is the low G note well accessable without using strings that are too thick? I'd like to have a minimum tension of say, the low D in drop D tuning on a 25.5" guitar with 010 - 046 strings.

Some weeks ago I calculated - using a site I can't find atm, sorry - that with a 27" scale the low G would be as tight as the E on a 25.5" standard tuned guitar with a .062 string. Now, just guessing from some experience, with a 26.5" scale the G would be about as tight as a D#/D on a 25.5" guitar? Still very well in my limits but does anyone have experience with this?

- And will the intonation be fine with a 26.5"?

- Is there maybe like a Prestige edition or something? Or something a tat bit better/longer scale?

But thanks guys! This suggestion might change my mind after all .

[SamSam]

RGD 2127

But it has a floating bridge and is a lot more expensive.

Blackouts for jazz? I think you'd be better off with some slightly lower output passives.

[Geest]

Originally Posted by SamSam

RGD 2127

But it has a floating bridge and is a lot more expensive.

Blackouts for jazz? I think you'd be better off with some slightly lower output passives.

Mm yeh I wasn't sure about the neck pickup yet, I could just leave the original ones in. I'm not looking for that 100% jazz sound, but just jazzy enough if I flick the switch to neck. My friend has Blackouts on his 7 string Schecter, so I'll just listen to his neck pickups and decide whether or not I want them on the neck.

[Geest]

Okay so I've been checking out a lot of pickups, I generally want a clear and tight sound. So I've checked some reviews and sound clips of the Bare Buckle Aftermath humbuckers and they seem REALLY nice.

Aftermath humbucker : Bare Knuckle Pickups Ltd, UK, Handwound Guitar Pickups

But if I purchase the ibanez, then I won't put them on right away. In case I want to return the ibanez - also I still haven't decided for a neck pickup but maybe the stock pickup will be just fine. I've asked my friend if he could drive me to the music store tomorrow, so I'll be able to ask some more questions regarding ordering/pickup swamping/etc.

The stock pickups of the RGD7321 sound a bit muddy to me, but then again I haven't found a clip of the neck pickups yet.

I btw found the site that I use to check string tension String Guage and Tension Calculator - Version 0.1.4 - 26 apr 1998

Here's the results of what I'll tune my 7 string to:

C .011" PL == 13.35#
G, .015" PL == 13.93#
^D, .022" NW == 16.17#
^A,, .030" NW == 17.03#
F,, .042" NW == 17.9#
^A,,, .054" NW == 13.06#
G,,, .062" NW == 12.35#
total == 103.79#

Acceptable tension in my book.

[GSingleton]

The rgd7321 is amazing but it's only made in america. There is a review in my sig.

[Geest]

Originally Posted by GSingleton

The rgd7321 is amazing but it's only made in america. There is a review in my sig.

I just found this out an hour ago . I will still check with the local music store if they sell it for about 400 - 500 euro, but if it becomes as expensive as the Agile then I'm not sure which one I'll choose.

[xCaptainx]

check out ET guitars

ET Guitars

Its $900 australian which is well under your budget. And if you're uncle is going to be in Australia, he can pick it up! I'm pretty sure they are doing an extended range version of this soon and within the same budget, under $1,000aus at least.

Looks like it could tick all the boxes perhaps?

[Geest]

Originally Posted by xCaptainx

check out ET guitars

ET Guitars

Its $900 australian which is well under your budget. And if you're uncle is going to be in Australia, he can pick it up! I'm pretty sure they are doing an extended range version of this soon and within the same budget, under $1,000aus at least.

Looks like it could tick all the boxes perhaps?

Looks very nice! No tone knob though but I'll definitely place this one on the list. Do you happen to know when the extended range version is anticipated to be up for sale?

[Geest]

I visited a music store today, unfortunately they cannot get a hold on the RGD7321. So it seems that it'll either be the Agile or the ET guitar, I'll mail the owner of ET guitars tomorrow to see if he has any long scale 7 strings in stock. If not then I'll order the Agile.