Who's played a seven string?

[NateFreezy]

Came across a Jeff Loomis vid the other day where he was playing his sig 7 string and started thinking about how it might be to play one.

How many people have played one? How difficult was it to get adjusted to, even if just playing for fun/ messing around?

I occassionally want to play some metal tunes tuned down to drop B or A and thought this could be a cool way to go rather than a heavily de-tuned 6-string. Don't know if other people have done this...

 

[reentune]

Ain't nothing to it but to do it.

It's every bit as easy as 6-string, no matter what others might tell you.

Don't fear it.

 

[Kappy]

A lot easier if you tune it down a 4th to A, but if you tune it down a 5th to B, it takes some getting used to.

 

[Smakutus]

I owned two of the Vai's, a black and the swirly paint job one and didn't like the way either of them sounded. If I could have bought one with the maple fretboard it may have sounded better to me.

Jeff

 

[marsos52]

its not hard to get use to but many have gone back to the six string

why? not totally sure, for me, why do you need the extra bass string

now make a 7 string so the extra string is a high A wow

 

[jeffwith1f]

I had one, but recently sold it.

I found it confusing, in particular because:
a) I spent 20 odd years getting used to the neck dimentions of 6 string instruments, this felt like gripping the thick end of a base ball bat.
b) Being the guitar player that I am, I tend to think of the neck from the thick strings up. the extra low string always had me wrongly placed on the neck

thats me. It was fun.

 

[Kappy]

Wow, that's an Epi? Are they still in production? Looks hotter than hell!

 

[mwhy]

its not hard to get use to but many have gone back to the six string

why? not totally sure, for me, why do you need the extra bass string

now make a 7 string so the extra string is a high A wow

Yep -- Ralph Novak makes 7-strings with either a low A or high A option, solid body or semi-hollow. Very cool. http://www.novaxguitars.com

 

[Ros]

I have an Ibanez 7 string that I play here and there and it didn't take that much to get used to. Since the fretboard is wider the original 6 strings seem to be roughly in the same place as a regular old 6 string so it's not too hard to ignore the extra string until you need it.

-R.

 

[wemedge]

Try it to see if it suits you. I play a 7-string archtop, 7th string tuned to "A". I also played Ibanez Universes for awhile. For chording, I like the different voicings you can get with the 7th string. You don't always have to use the 7th string just because its there, but it's there if you need it.

cheers,
wemedge

 

[TaylorBarefoot]

My theory for 7 strings is that like yourself (and me) most players don't run out and buy the most expensive 7 string on the market because they're not sure if it'll be something they like or want to stick with. In my case I was in my late teens, using PRS and Mcinturff guitars primarily, went and got an Ibanez 7 string... of course I didn't like it as much and eventually gave it up because it felt like a "metal" guitar. It didn't sound as good to me as the other guitars I had even though I put custom wound Duncan 7-string pickups in it.
I guess my point in this ramble is that for me it wasn't about getting used to the extra string. I got a little confused from time to time when going back and forth between the six and seven string guitars but for me it was a sylistic issue that bit me in the arse. I just felt like I sounded better for my style of playing though the PRS and Mcinturffs. Maybe if they made seven string guitars (or at least more of them than just a few custom builds) I might still have one. I do like the fender baritone guitars though... go figure...

 

[giannifive]

I use a 7-string pretty regularly. I like it not only for the metal tunes I play, but also for the flexibility. For example, I can keep it in standard tuning and still play tunes that are usually played tuned down a half step on a 6-string, like Thin Lizzy's "Jail Break." The only thing that takes getting used to, in my opinion, is that you generally can't thumb bass notes on the low E.

 

[suhrbrutal]

Own/have owned several. I like having the extended ranfe in the bottom end, while still being able to maintain a standard tuning on the upper 6 strings. I am waiting for Suhr to make a 7 string, then I may become a full user. I love his stuff.

 

[ghoti]

It's pretty easy, as long as you don't like skinny necks and don't thumb-over. I have a Loomis signature and it's a good guitar. Actually, I've gone over to 7's exclusively on guitar...only have one 6-string guitar left (not counting my basses).

The guitar and viol families actually used to often have more (and sometimes less) than six strings anyway.

There are a few nice things about playing 7's...deals can be easier to find, and the extra string can add some nice resonance as well as range. On a 7, you don't have to deal with a shorter scale or too-skinny necks. The only real drawbacks are sometimes you get strings too close together, the pickup selection isn't nearly what you can get with a 6 (try to find something besides a humbucker on a 7...there is the occasional rare single but anything else you'd have to get special-made), and there are fewer models to select.

 

[tnvol]

I have a Loomis sig and it's a pretty nice guitar. The neck took some getting used to but now it's comfortable. I have the hardtail version. It crushes.

 

[kmanick]

I play 7's all the time, I actually prefer playing a 7 to a 6 now that I'm used to them.
I've owned all of the Schecters
4 Ibanez's a Carvin and and ESP M-207.
One of the problems I found with 7's is that a lot of them are cheap ass guitars.
If you're used to playing a high quality 6, well then you need a high quality 7 (unless you just want it to fool around on once in while and go chug chug.)
Out of all the Schecters the Loomis was hands down the best 7 out of the bunch. that is actually a pretty nice guitar for the money.
I've had 3 Ibanez 7620's (currently still have one) they are mediocre guitars at best but they do have pretty comfortable necks.
I also had an Ibanez J-custom 8527 that was in a different league than the 7620's, that is the way to go if you're thinking Ibanez, those are beautiful guitars.
My Carvin DC727 was easily my favorite 7, beatiful build, very comfortable neck, I modded it with BareKnuckle pups an OFR trem , and SS jumbo Frets. It had acrazy 5A quilted top, tung oiled neck birdseye maple board.. for the money they are my favorites.
If you do decide that you like playing a 7 I suggest getting someone like GMW or Bernie Rico to make you a CS 7. that way you get a 7 exactly the way you want and it will rival a PRS or a USA Jackson.
this is my plan now as I am a total 7 string convert (and I don't know a single song by Korn ) I am a big Loomis/Nevermore fandoy and a big Petrucci fan

 

[Help!I'maRock!]

i like baritone guitars better than 7 strings. i can adjust easier to the longer scale than i can to the extra string.

 

[jeffwith1f]

Wow, that's an Epi? Are they still in production? Looks hotter than hell!

it was a well put together instrument. I don't believe they are made anymore, but again, keep an eye on the used market, they pop up for cheap (too cheap). They also made a 7 String LP. Gibson has a 7 String Explorer at the moment as well.

 

[lamenlovinit]

its not hard to get use to but many have gone back to the six string

why? not totally sure, for me, why do you need the extra bass string

now make a 7 string so the extra string is a high A wow

Ummm... Never played a 7 string, but couldn't you put any strings on there you wanted? Most I've seen have floyds. You wouldn't even need a new nut to go EADGBEA with an 8 or a 7 for the A if you wanted to go standard tuning... ... I could be totally off base, never having played a 7 string... I'm totally prepared to be schooled on how stupid I am on the subject Wouldn't be the first time!

 

[Pablo]

7-strings are GREAT fun and to me the transition between 6 and 7 strings is an absolute non-issue. For a while, I actually thought I would abandon 6-strings completely... That was just after I had my Carvin DC727 scalloped and thus found the most comfortable 7-string these fingers ever came across. However, missing the wonderfull tone of my old Yngwie Strat, I dug it out and fell in love with it again. These days I switch between 6- and 7-string guitars depending solely on my mood and (obviously) the music that I play. I even bought another 6-string a few months back - something I wouldn't have seen coming just a year ago.

Cheers

Eske