Trying 7 Strings

[diablo175]

After much consideration, I've decided to give 7 strings a try. Sure, there's the compelling argument that I have a LONG way to go in mastering 6 but the added low B would fit a few of the band's covers and might open some writing possibilities re: my originals.

I'm looking at Schecter as I've had good experiences with their MIK axes in the past. I have an angle on a sweet deal for a 7 string with a FRT1500 and a Sustainer.

Anyone on here have any experience with 7 strings and if so, what model/brand did you go with?

 

 

[RobB]

Get a hard tail. 

[Jeff R]

I'd lean towards used MIJ Ibanez and hard tail as well. Trems just feel funky and clunky with seven strings, even the real deal first-run Ibanez Universe I had back in 90s with the 7-string original Edge felt like ass under your hands compared to its 6-string counterpart.

On the non-MIJ front, I recently had one of these cross my bench for a pickup upgrade and I was quite impressed with it for the money. And the blue burst was GORGEOUS - I typically detest satin finishes but man, it worked for this top and this color. Photos don't do it justice.

http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eg_detail17.php?year=2017&cat_id=1&series_id=1&data_id=169&color=CL01

[Studio Custom]

I had a Johan Gustavsson 7 string Bluesmaster.  I was unable to adjust mentally and rarely utilized the extra string, so I sold it.  

I can see it for NuMetal or Jazz, but I am doing neither. 

[alantig]

PRS SE-7 is what I got.  Saw a couple guys playing 7s (Dave Weiner, Emil Werstler), knew of others who'd played them.  Could not make it work in my head, even after seeing Emil do a nice demo at PRS on one.  Couple weeks later, just randomly thinking about it, the different chord shapes just kind of clicked in my head.

One other thing I'd suggest - don't lock in that it's got to be a metal/heavy thing.  I've used mine on tracks that my mother plays with in church.  There can be some versatility there.

I just ordered a set of the Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb pickups for the SE-7.  I like the sound they have in the Holcomb SE - figure they'll change the character of the SE-7 a bit.  They coil-tap, like the originals do.

[Armitage]

I have a lovely black Floyded Ibanez... I really enjoy rocking it once in a while... but most of the time it just sits.

[jwhitcomb3]

Been 7 string curious for a while. Also fan-fret curious. It seems that a 7 string screams for a fanned fretboard.

[velorush]

A thought occurs to me about a 7 with a trem: does the low B on a seven-string guitar suffer from a lack of tension (as is the complaint on some (many?) 5-string basses)? 

If so, I can see where a trem might be problematic.

 

[murkat]

just worked on a Ibanez 777 universe. setting up the trem was double time. setting it up period to a bit, very touchy.

I "played" it.... (try'd)

good luck with it Jim

[murkat]

dbl post

[diablo175]

1 minute ago, murkat said:

just worked on a Ibanez 777 universe. setting up the trem was double time. setting it up period to a bit, very touchy.

I "played" it.... (try'd)

good luck with it Jim

I've dinked around on a few in the past and didn't find them too terribly confounding. Like anything, it's a matter of time and will. I have no doubt that setting it up and getting everything just right will take some doing and a whole lotta patience. Luckily, I have half of that going for me

[MCChris]

"A thought occurs to me about a 7 with a trem: does the low B on a seven-string guitar suffer from a lack of tension (as is the complaint on some (many?) 5-string basses)?"

All the more reason why all 5-string basses and 7-string guitars should have reverse headstocks (Diablo will like that).

[stonge]

make sure you get one with enough frets lol.

It's surprisingly ergonomic and easy to play; there's a pull-tap on the tone control to split the humbucker.   Perfect for that Uli Ray Vaughn cover band.

There's also an original 1990 multicolor Ibanez Universe down in the woodpile that is a case queen.

Edited to add: it's intonated all the way up to the 36th fret with a strobe tuner.  Combines the dog-whistle pitches with the sustain of a banjo. Good times lol.

[murkat]

32 minutes ago, diablo175 said:

confounding patience.

LoL

[tobereeno]

if you're getting one just to play around with, I'd go with a hardtail Schecter. I'm consistently impressed by mine (6-string short scale bass, playable like a guitar like the old Fender Bass VI). Grover locking tuners, EMG 81TW/89R pickups, Tonepros bridge. For $800 brand new I got a very playable guitar with solid fretwork. It's not going to win tone awards, but you'd get a fully functional guitar with no playability problems and a good platform to explore if 7 strings are for you (7 strings are NOT for me!)

[Devnor]

The trick I learned from a Petrucci video was to play your normal 6 string warm up, then begin to add the low string into your scale exercise routine. Soon the extra string becomes familiar  

i would recommend the EBMM seven over most others including my former Ibanez J Custom. 

I found it useless to play a seven if your bassist is using a 4-banger.  Unison riffs are da bomb.  

 

[G Man]

I think it would really depend on how and what your playing style is.  As a solo/lead instrument using mostly single notes, it just opens up the low end in a huge way.  I'm thinking if you're mostly a chord player, it could be frustrating, like playing golf frustrating.

[velorush]

10 hours ago, G Man said:

I think it would really depend on how and what your playing style is.  As a solo/lead instrument using mostly single notes, it just opens up the low end in a huge way.  I'm thinking if you're mostly a chord player, it could be frustrating, like playing golf frustrating.

E. Gad!

[Biz Prof]

11 hours ago, G Man said:

I'm thinking if you're mostly a chord player, it could be frustrating, like playing golf frustrating.

I'm somewhat slow to adopt (or recognize) new styles, but I have noticed myriad neo-shredders who seem to eschew chords mostly in deference to their penchant for non-stop 32nd-note noodling, sweep picking, tapping, etc. The tell-tale sign is the hair scrunchee pulled over the nut. A dead giveway that screams: "Not to worry; I'll not be bothering with any of that pesky chording stuff or open notes".

To each, his own.

[sixesandsevens]

18 hours ago, jwhitcomb3 said:

Been 7 string curious for a while. Also fan-fret curious. It seems that a 7 string screams for a fanned fretboard.

That's why I went with the strandberg Boden...  the multi-scale thing helps with low end tension issues.

Failing that, I'd probably go with a PRS SE 7...  I feel like that line is about as close to a "sure thing" as you get good-quality-wise in a modern import guitar build.

[anotherfreak]

" dog-whistle pitches with the sustain of a banjo"

 

I had a Aturias Prelude 7-string while I was in college Used it for some Classical pieces. Most of the pieces I was playing were in crazy tunnings and I really just memorized my parts. it never really became part of my playing. A couple years ago I bought an Ibanez Hollow body 7-string. I planned to use it for some solo guitar arrangements, and went back and forth between B and A tunnings. I never ended up using it out live, and sold it 6mo ago. I really just gave up being "that" guitar player  I do play 5-string Bass, but the guitar never took off for me.

[Ting Ho Dung]

EBMM JP7. We have 2. They are both swing tails but the most stable trem ever. 

You should have gotten the Hamer 7 that was on here.

[LucSulla]

I just bought a used RG1527.  Wanted to stay MIJ, so Schecter was out.  I quite like it, though I may update the pickups. I haven't really found the extra string all that wild; you just can't overthink it.  And if you get a little out in the weeds, you can always ignore the low B for a measure or two to get your bearings back. 

[ptm1diver]

I tried 7 strings, but I seem to always have an extra string left over every time I restring my guitar.

[LucSulla]

On 3/8/2017 at 9:44 AM, Biz Prof said:

I'm somewhat slow to adopt (or recognize) new styles, but I have noticed myriad neo-shredders who seem to eschew chords mostly in deference to their penchant for non-stop 32nd-note noodling, sweep picking, tapping, etc. The tell-tale sign is the hair scrunchee pulled over the nut. A dead giveway that screams: "Not to worry; I'll not be bothering with any of that pesky chording stuff or open notes".

To each, his own.

But you can definitely chord with them, and it kind of gives you a new range if you approach from that perspective.  Jazz dudes have been using 7-strings for a long time, usually in drop A, and they definitely chord. 
 

Unfortunately, Korn made them popular, so... you know.  This side of the seven string isn't terribly well represented.