question about alternate tuning for 8 strings

[pattonfreak1]

I am getting ready to purchase a Schecter 8 string with a 26.5" scale and I've heard a few reports of the scale not quite being long enough for the low F#, resulting in it being "floppy".
So I intended to tune the low F# up to G to compensate.
Would it be okay to tune the rest of the strings up as well or will the extended scale just make the higher strings ridiculously taught?

What could I do to combat the floppy low f alternately?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Harry Hughes]

If you are a heavy string bender, you may find an issue with the top 3 (G,B and E) having a fair bit of tension.
Tuning up will pretty much be the only way to combat the floppy string issue.
Changing string gauges wont change the fact you have a 26.5 inch scale, and personally, I think G is the lowest one should go on a 26.5 inch scale, and even then it's pushing it (ideally I would not want to go lower than A on 26.5 inches if I could help it).
For a low F#, you'd want at least a 27 inch scale.
If you want the best of both worlds, look into an Agile multi-scale 7 string.
25.5 inches at the top, 27 inches for the low F# string.

 

[pattonfreak1]

If you are a heavy string bender, you may find an issue with the top 3 (G,B and E) having a fair bit of tension.
Tuning up will pretty much be the only way to combat the floppy string issue.
Changing string gauges wont change the fact you have a 26.5 inch scale, and personally, I think G is the lowest one should go on a 26.5 inch scale, and even then it's pushing it (ideally I would not want to go lower than A on 26.5 inches if I could help it).
For a low F#, you'd want at least a 27 inch scale.
If you want the best of both worlds, look into an Agile multi-scale 7 string.
25.5 inches at the top, 27 inches for the low F# string.

That's what I was afraid of hearing... (About the high strings).
Hmmmm.
Agiles are outta my price range dammit.
Out of curiosity, what is the tuning of those multiscales?

 

[xFkx]

Yeah, it boggles my mind why the 8-string schecters are 26.5

I have a 7 string schecter that is 26.5 with a 0.74 on it, and it gets hella floppy when tuned down to F#, G is the lowest it can go, exactly as Harry said.

 

[pattonfreak1]

Thanks for the replies fella's.
Much appreciated.

 

[John_C]

no reason why not. As with any change of string gauges or serious tuning change, there'll be quite a bit of setup work to be done

 

[pattonfreak1]

no reason why not. As with any change of string gauges or serious tuning change, there'll be quite a bit of setup work to be done

So you're saying that tuning all the strings up a half step on a 26.5" scale would be do-able?
My main concern is that the tension on the high E string is gonna be more taught any ways due to the scale.
I just don't wanna be breaking hi-strings left and right, so I was wondering if there was some weird alternate tuning I coud use to compensate for the tension.
EDIT: not necessarily weird but something more plausible

 

[John_C]

I think first it might be helpful to read this: http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

 

[pattonfreak1]

I think first it might be helpful to read this: http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf

Awesome. This is just what I needed. Thanks john

 

[Robert W]

Going for an 8 string w/ a longer scale would solve this problem. Something w/ a 28" scale or longer.

 

[pattonfreak1]

Going for an 8 string w/ a longer scale would solve this problem. Something w/ a 28" scale or longer.

Yes I'm aware of that, but anything I've seen other than the Schecter is outta my affordability.
But thanks all the same.

 

[John_C]

have you looked at rondo music? http://www.rondomusic.com/8StringGuitars.html