NGD: Legator Ichabod Crane Not For Everybody Edition

[Warmart]

I'd suggest using a guitar that you like the feel of as an example. Say it's the Majesty with 9's.

Pull up the String tension calculator, and substitute string for string, but change the tuning and scale to see what gauge comes closest to being the same.

The scale on both guitars on the high e side is 25.5", with a 9, that's 14.4 lbs. Tuned down to B, you'd need a 12 to get the same tension.

On the other end, the low E on the Majesty, using a 42, would be 15.8 lbs. Change the scale to 27", tune to B, a 54 would give you 16 lbs. tension.

In a pack of 12's, they go from 12- 56, so that set would get you that tight low end, due to the multi-scale. I think that's what I'd try.

The heavy bottom in that set is a 60, which takes you way up to 19.8 lbs. That's pretty far, and not very balanced either. Almost 40% tighter than the high string. For drop tunings, maybe that would be a good choice. But with the multi-scale, the guitar is already giving your lower strings more tension. Seems excessive to me.

If instead, you want to use 11's, your top strings are gonna be a bit on the loose side in B std, (only 12 lbs.) but you can plug in the #'s and see how it shakes out.

See, great Marylanders think alike! I came to a similar conclusion late last night. Stop guessing and be sciencey!

Specs for this guitar are different depending on the year (and the source of info of course), I just measured (nut to middle of 12th fret, and doubled it).

I'm sure I'm not 100% precise, but here's what I get for scale length of each string, and specs for my current standard set of 10's at E and B:

E B
1 25.50" 10 17.8 lbs 10.0 lbs
2 25.56" 13 16.9 lbs 9.5 lbs
3 25.81" 17 18.2 lbs 10.5 lbs
4 26.00" 26 20.0 lbs 11.7 lbs
5 26.19" 36 20.3 lbs 12.0 lbs
6 26.44" 46 18.3 lbs 11.0 lbs

So the 6th is close to 26.5", not 27" like I thought, lmao. Never trust online specs, ever!

I normally prefer 9's with a straight scale all 25.5" in E Standard, which is:
9 14.4 lbs
11 12.1 lbs
16 16.1 lbs
24 16.7 lbs
32 17.0 lbs
42 15.8 lbs

So, a standard set of 11's (11-15-22-30-42-54) on this guitar would give this in B:
11 12.1 lbs
15 12.7 lbs
22 17.5 lbs
30 15.3 lbs
42 16.7 lbs
54 15.4 lbs

Then I don't have to worry about building custom sets.

 

[State of Epicicity]

See, great Marylanders think alike! I came to a similar conclusion late last night. Stop guessing and be sciencey!

Specs for this guitar are different depending on the year (and the source of info of course), I just measured (nut to middle of 12th fret, and doubled it).

I'm sure I'm not 100% precise, but here's what I get for scale length of each string, and specs for my current standard set of 10's at E and B:

E B
1 25.50" 10 17.8 lbs 10.0 lbs
2 25.56" 13 16.9 lbs 9.5 lbs
3 25.81" 17 18.2 lbs 10.5 lbs
4 26.00" 26 20.0 lbs 11.7 lbs
5 26.19" 36 20.3 lbs 12.0 lbs
6 26.44" 46 18.3 lbs 11.0 lbs

So the 6th is close to 26.5", not 27" like I thought, lmao. Never trust online specs, ever!

I normally prefer 9's with a straight scale all 25.5" in E Standard, which is:
9 14.4 lbs
11 12.1 lbs
16 16.1 lbs
24 16.7 lbs
32 17.0 lbs
42 15.8 lbs

So, a standard set of 11's (11-15-22-30-42-54) on this guitar would give this in B:
11 12.1 lbs
15 12.7 lbs
22 17.5 lbs
30 15.3 lbs
42 16.7 lbs
54 15.4 lbs

Then I don't have to worry about building custom sets.

It's a tough thing just going by these charts. I hope it works out for you so you don't end up needing custom sets!

 

[TSJMajesty]

See, great Marylanders think alike! I came to a similar conclusion late last night. Stop guessing and be sciencey!

Yeah Mr. White! Science!!

So, a standard set of 11's (11-15-22-30-42-54) on this guitar would give this in B:
11 12.1 lbs
15 12.7 lbs
22 17.5 lbs
30 15.3 lbs
42 16.7 lbs
54 15.4 lbs

Then I don't have to worry about building custom sets.

Make sure you get those boomer-bends up to pitch!

 

[Warmart]

Yeah Mr. White! Science!!

Make sure you get those boomer-bends up to pitch!

Next up, Mad Stacks!!!!!

The only store nearby doesn't have Paradigm 11-54, so I ordered a set to try.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

The toilet bowl burst is always an intriguing image when I see it. Not a fan of the finish or headless guitars, but they worked for Vito Bratta, so I must be the one who is wrong.

 

[la szum]

Oh no you just didn't do that.

 

[TubeStack]

Whoa, that is a cool guitar, @Warmart! Enjoy!

 

[Warmart]

Got the 11-54's in the mail today and threw them on at lunch. At least for B they work very well. Intonated and adjusted after a good stretching, will check again in a couple days.

Also called Legator this morning as I wanted to be sure I was restringing properly. Turns out I figured it out 100% , who would've thought that? Definitely a bit of learning curve but all good. Called them 10 minutes before their opening time, they picked up on 1st ring and the dude was cool as hell. Very glad to find helpful support peeps, and he even mentioned hitting him up if I ever need parts!

And if it isn't obvious yet, I love this guitar!! I'd recommend everyone try a headless and this type is surely one of the easiest transitions. Balance and ergonomics is really noticeable, very very easy to play!! And, I still love the Fishman Moderns! They just seem to work for what I'm using this guitar for.

 

[TSJMajesty]

I don't think I asked you..., but, is there an actual #1?

 

[la szum]

Oh, this is going to be good. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and so on and so forth.... all the way to 1m!

 

[TSJMajesty]

So, a standard set of 11's (11-15-22-30-42-54) on this guitar would give this in B:
11 12.1 lbs
15 12.7 lbs
22 17.5 lbs
30 15.3 lbs
42 16.7 lbs
54 15.4 lbs

I just looked at a newly-listed JP15-7, and he said it's set up with "standard NYXL 10-59." If that's a regular set of strings, as opposed to a custom set, they're quite different than the EB set you just bought. Things that make you go,

Edit: Nevermind. For some reason I was thinking your guitar was a 7-string. D'OH!!

 

[Warmart]

I don't think I asked you..., but, is there an actual #1?

You know the answer you fastidious scoundrel!

Oh, this is going to be good. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, and so on and so forth.... all the way to 1m!

Haha! Kind of true, I'm supremely happy with what I have, two are on FB Marketplace to get me back to 12, then may move the LTD Arrow - it no do it for me anymore.

I just looked at a newly-listed JP15-7, and he said it's set up with "standard NYXL 10-59." If that's a regular set of strings, as opposed to a custom set, they're quite different than the EB set you just bought. Things that make you go,

Edit: Nevermind. For some reason I was thinking your guitar was a 7-string. D'OH!!

This set I just put on is the yellow package Paradigm: 11-15-22-30-42-54.

And you just reminded me that I have a set for the 7-string (10-62) as I haven't changed them yet, they were like new when I got it. Hoping it can go down to A with the 62 size, was pretty floppy with the stock - which I think is a 56?

A bit of a challenge getting used to such thick strings, when I firmly live in the 9-42 camp, at least at normal Fender scale. Fukked up more than a few triplets today, ugh.

 

[TSJMajesty]

You know the answer you fastidious scoundrel!

I was beginning to wonder...

 

[Thrifty]

Very cool guitar, I like how the pale moon fretboard contrasts with the tie-dye body.

How do you find the hardware? I was particularly intrigued by the tuners at the bottom, it's a very different design from what they use on Strandbergs.

 

[Warmart]

Very cool guitar, I like how the pale moon fretboard contrasts with the tie-dye body.

How do you find the hardware? I was particularly intrigued by the tuners at the bottom, it's a very different design from what they use on Strandbergs.

Thank you! As far as I know, it's an actual Legator proprietary design. Basically a separate bridge for each string!

Holds tune well, just a couple things to keep in mind when stringing it up - primarily having the tuner in the position where it won't move any further forward. Then once the string is in and locked down at the "head", tightening the tuning knob enough to get the string winding off of the saddle.

 

[Warmart]

I ended up not liking the 11-54 and went back to 10-46 and use the FM9 VC for playing in B

Also was having some weird effect happening on the D string 5th fret, and a bit on 4th - found out it's buzzing bad there. Fret rockered it and the 24th fret is high! Gah.

Bought a StewMac "Fret Kisser" and it's a forearm wearing out little piece of metal, OMG - can't ever remember my forearms going that numb in my life. I'm no longer a spring chicken but shit!

Sanding stainless frets sucks!

Also not liking the Fishman Moderns, they are going to go before long! Just have to be creative with wiring so I can just use the 9v for the pretty kill switch led!

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

Been gassing for a headless multi-scale 6-string, exhaustively searched and then I searched some more. Not quite ready for a Strandberg, the aesthetics have to grow on me a little first. Also looked at Mayones, Skervesen, Ronciswall and some others - but the features at the price point swayed me to take a chance on this Legator.

Multi-scale stainless frets, LED kill-switch - wenge/maple set neck, pale moon ebony board, etc. etc. I haven't had great experience with Fishman Modern's but will have an open mind as they may just work in this one. If not, I can swap easily enough.

Had heard almost universally bad things about Legator, but it seems the past 2-years they've cleaned up their act!? This is their top 2023 model, other than a anniversary one that's a solid off-white and not multi-scale. I'm a sci-fi nerd and I really like the top - named "Galaxy", although obviously it's not for everyone!

This is MIK, for what that's worth - only stock remaining anywhere in the world was in Belgium - might've been one in the UK but was very happy with my communication with Omega Music, so I bought from them. Customs took its jolly time in Belgium but it's getting here today, which isn't too bad since it was initially shipped June 7th. I think it stopped off for a few Monk Tripel Ales or something, can't say I blame it.

Some dealer pics for now, hopefully in hand this afternoon?!


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Jebbiz effin jolly green jahosephat! That thing is beautiful! Congratulations....holy crap.

 

[Warmart]

Jebbiz effin jolly green jahosephat! That thing is beautiful! Congratulations....holy crap.

Thank you!!

Yeah, it's a fabulous guitar with a bit of a fret issue. Good one to learn to fix this on, and I'm going slow - not necessarily because I want to go slow, lol, but because "stainless = slow". Heh!

 

[likitlikeyoulikeit]

Thank you!!

Yeah, it's a fabulous guitar with a bit of a fret issue. Good one to learn to fix this on, and I'm going slow - not necessarily because I want to go slow, lol, but because "stainless = slow". Heh!

I saw that back in the thread...that sucks, but at least you can fix it, but yeah.... stainless is fun.... titanium is more funner.

 

[la szum]

High fret?? Fuck me! And the 24th no less.

And yeah, Fishmans suck Donkey Balls. All the time.