Advantages to 7 string guitar

[HairyChris]

There's obviously a difference in the chording, as a standard tuned 7 is a concert 6 with added bass string. To keep the chording positions the same but on the low B you can tune B - B and add the high E. BEADGbe vs BEADF#be.

Keeping the 7 in standard + low B allows you to play anything that a 6 does without having to change any finger positions on the treble strings.

I also have a guitar tuned to B Standard but occasionally tune the 5th string to up 1/2 step to BEADGe because I'm used to playing that with a 7 and I don't have to think about changing finger positions. As a number of songs that I play with my current band were originally written on 6 strings, using the concert tuning + low B tuning is a no brainer.

I've also got a cheap 8 string that's interesting. I notice the range available in one position (3.5 - 4 octaves) much more then when using a 7. It takes a lot to get your head around, and I'm not there yet!

As a note my #1 7 string guitar has Alnico Warpigs, and I use a 60 gauge low B. As I have a tonally tight guitar and tight amp, this just about works but I'd definitely go for a lower gain - and/or ceramic - solution if I wanted ultimate clarity. I don't, I like a bit of girth and dirt.

[Alex]

The thing that interests me about a 7 string is the extra string and being able to play in B and have that full downtuned crunch that u can only get from the thicker strings and still have the standard 6 string tuning. Ive been playing for only 3 years so I've by no means mastered a 6 string so the extra chords a scales will do me no good now but there's always time to learn. Right now I have 2 six strings one tuned standard and other to B. Not because I need it I just enjoy riff along in B, sounds heavier and fuller. So the way I look at it a 7 will give me two guitars in one. Does this seem correct to you guys? Also how much do the scales and chords change with a 7?

THis is why Steve Vai went for the 7-string in the first play - to add a low B string to the rhythm playing.

Yes, you can do that, and still play in standard tuning with the 6 "normal" strings, if that is what you want to do.

[andrew11]

HairyChris,

First of all thanks for the great post. Now let me see if I understand u correctly, using standard tuning with the low B (standard 7string tuning) its not that i have different chords, but just more ways to use them because i have really 2 different tunings on 1 guitar? As for pickups I'm debating between EMG 81-7 B, 707 N or BKP warpig set (ceramic bridge). EMGs are great for metal (which I play) and will stay nice and tight on the low B. But I have a warpig set (ceramic bridge) in my 6 string Jackson and they are by far the greatest pickups I've ever used, the bass response is so huge and powerful I'm afraid any other pickup I use just won't satisfy. But its nice to have some different flavors. So don't know yet.   

Alex,

I'm glad to hear that about Vai, I guess i do make sense.

[Antag]

Yes, as HairyChris says, the "challenge" (or rather the thing you have to get used to) if you are a predominantly rhythm player who thinks from the bottom string up, is the different interval from the 4th from bottom to 5th from bottom string: it's 5 half steps instead of 4 (& of course the 5th-6th from bottom which is 4 half steps instead of 5).

In other words, if you played the E major chord shape on the bottom 6 strings of a 7, it won't be a B major, it will be a minor major 9 or a major 7 #5 chord, depending on whether you also sound the top E string (can't find a 7-str chord finder anywhere to confirm).

[HairyChris]

It's not exactly 2 tunings on 1 instrument, it's just 2 of the tunings that are available.
 
http://guitar.to/folder/guitar7.html

Note the difference between following tunings:

BEADGBE (Concert with low B)

and

BEADF#BE (B Standard with high E)

 8)

Good examples are Bmaj and Dmaj at 0 fret (for 6 strings think Emaj and Gmaj chords from concert tuning = Bmaj and Dmaj on a B standard tuning). Note what happens with 5th string.

As for pickups, well, you know what will be suggested here. Ceramic Pig bridge will be insane, but tighter Ceramic (Painkiller, Aftermath, Miracle Man) or lower power Alnico would work. MM on a B standard tuned guitar is intense, although cleans are not ideal!

[Lew]

There's no need to make it complicated, it's just an extra string.

[HairyChris]

There's no need to make it complicated, it's just an extra string.

Well yeah, that.  :lol: :lol:

[andrew11]

Thanks everyone for all the help. After reading all your replies I'm going to try a 7 string, I really think it will fit my type of playing. HairyChris, thanks so much for that link I made sure I bookmarked it thats going to come in handy. I also found a page with all the 7 string scales. Now the question is which 7 string? anybody have any recommendations?

[Stevepage]

Depends on your budget really.

Schecter do nice 7 strings from £200 up to £700
Ibanez have the RG7321's at around £340
Jackson do a cool signature 7 string (Christian Wolbers) at £700. I had one and it's one of the nicest 7's around.

You could try Ebay and look for an old Ibanez RG7620 for around £400. I bought one recently with Duncan Blackouts and it's a solid guitar. The neck is very very similar to the old Ibanez Universe necks.

[andrew11]

Well my budget is up to $3000. Not to say I'm going to spend all of it. I've been looking at Guerilla guitars based out of Quebec. Was originally going to order a 6 string from them but now thinking of ordering a 7, there really strong in there 7 and 8 string guitars.

[Stevepage]

Ah ok. Well Bernie Rico Jr makes very nice 7 strings. I hear nothing but good things about them.

[Antag]

If I were you, I'd try to borrow a 7-string before I spent that kind of money - play one for a few weeks to see if it's really for you (as I posted earlier in this thread, I didn't get on with it first time around).

Or perhaps compromise & buy something half-decent like an Ibanez RG1527 (I have two of them & really like them - no problem playing them alongside my US Jacksons).

[dheim]

If I were you, I'd try to borrow a 7-string before I spent that kind of money - play one for a few weeks to see if it's really for you (as I posted earlier in this thread, I didn't get on with it first time around).

Or perhaps compromise & buy something half-decent like an Ibanez RG1527 (I have two of them & really like them - no problem playing them alongside my US Jacksons).

+1

it would be pointless to buy a handmade custom to discover that you can perfectly live with a 6 string guitar...

[merkaba]

hey andrew11
i think you better be sure about ordering a 7. guerilla make neck thru's, which i'm not too hot on, even tho' i will have them make me a 7 at some point...also you'd be better to try a longer than 25.5" scale, it helps with the low B. something not mentioned in this thread, you might need to re-think your amp and speaker set up, as you'll need to move some air on the low end. to me, the shortcomings of 7 strings is in the player and the speaker technology. i've played lot's of 'guitar stars' guitars, and it never ceases to amaze me just how below average they tend to be. but then again, if they can play these planks and get out of them what they do... respect!
basically, be careful, spend your £ once and wisely. i have a bunch of schecter custom shop 7's to re-home because i have far too many. anyway, good luck
sam
07725634034

[andrew11]

Thanks guys, I think I'm going to rent a 7 for a month or 2 and see how I like it. Then I will be able to make a better decision on how much $ to spend. Those guerilla guitars are just so frickin cool though, guess I have to fight the temptation a little bit longer. Better that then spending $3k and regreting it. As far as the 27" scale that's a good point, I will have to test out some longer scale guitars. I do like heavy strings on my guitars so I might really enjoy a 27".