7 Strings for Seven Strings?

[James C]

Apologies for the strange title. Anyways, i've been playing my seven string a lot recently (RG7321) and I'm currently using D'addario 10-59's, but the 59 doesn't seem to be tight enough (tension wise) for fast picking when tuned to B.

Does anyone have any suggestions for 7 String gauges to use for BEADGBE? i'm open to changing brand, i've heard that DR Strings are quite high tension.

in a nutshell, what do you use/recommend for standard tuned 7 strings?

[Keven]

yeah, factory 7 string packs really suck. what i do is get my gauge of elixirs (11 or 10's depending on how i feel...) and add a .68 low B.

i've read that some people go for 80-75-70 too. 68 is fine. but keep in mind that on some guitars you'll need to drill the tuning post so it fits the .68. moreso for bigger guages looking in my catalog your best bet is to buy a 10-46 EXL110 d'addario with a NW068 single. they have gauges 60-62 64 66 68 70 72 74 80. elixir only has the 0.68

I don't know about other brands, ,maybe other people do

if you're from the UK, some peeps on the board really dig newtone strings. custom sets with bigger cores. i need to try them out.

i've also heard that sperzel makes custom tuning keys that accomodate bigger gauges.

[James C]

I will try out the Elixirs - as i really like their tone. cheers for the info!

[Roobubba]

Not entirely hitting the nail on the head here, but I have a 6-string (28" scale length on the bass side, 26.5" on the treble) and I use 14-68s on that for A-E-A-D-F#-B tuning. I find the .068 absolutely fine for low A (but bear in mind I have a longer scale length than 'standard').

Roo

[James C]

I chucked the 68 on a couple of nights ago, and it's amazing at the difference it makes tension wise, thrash rhythms stay nice and tight and fast triplets are much easier now that the string doesn't move.

I had a play through the bogner alchemist yesterday and i think i've nailed my rhythm tone, soilwork meets maiden, just need a noise suppressor as my eq pedal is boosting my amp and hiss.

[TheSixthWheel]

This is my first post here, I'm on a couple of other forums as the same name, mainly sevenstring.org.

I've been completely turned in the last few months by Elixir Nanoweb strings. I feel like I'll never need or want to use a non coated string again. They just last and last. Why buy 4 to 6 sets (at least) of non coated strings per year when you can buy 2 or 3 sets of Elixirs and save money.

Back on topic though, I operate between B standard and drop Ab on my Jackson DK-7 COW and my Ibanez RG7421. Both are equipped with the .068 elixir as the 7th string. I then get a pack of relatively standard Elixir Lights or Custom Lights and use them for the 6 standard strings.

The tension is great on 25.5" scale guitars with the .068 elixir tuned to B or below.

Also, to people mentioning that you have to drill out and damage your machine heads, here's a simple fix I've been doing with oversized strings on my 8 string and my locking tuners on my 7 strings. The Schaller locking tuners on my Jackson DK-7 COW only really accept a .060, which is their only shortcoming in my mind. Expose the inner wound core of the string by unwinding the outer winding. It's definitely strong enough to handle a decent amount of tension and will mean that your tuners needn't have their strength (or value) compromised.

[Philosoful]

Yeah - I've had my tightness tear my low B like that, got a bass string replacement with one of the string bits to go through the post though so should all be fine there.

I may have to try those coated strings you mention, sounds good so long as it has as good tone as my favorite strings. I am noting the string guage I use then buying singles heavier or lighter in accordance to what I want thus all my strings are singles in order to get my perfect fitting. 80 - 10 at the moment and am trying an 85 soon :)

[Wiesner]

Yeah - I've had my tightness tear my low B like that, got a bass string replacement with one of the string bits to go through the post though so should all be fine there.

I may have to try those coated strings you mention, sounds good so long as it has as good tone as my favorite strings. I am noting the string guage I use then buying singles heavier or lighter in accordance to what I want thus all my strings are singles in order to get my perfect fitting. 80 - 10 at the moment and am trying an 85 soon :)

85?!?!

I Thought the 60 for my Low B was heavy on my 6 string!