Advantages to 7 string guitar

[Ratrod]

It's one better, innit?

Sometimes less is more.

3 strings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RlUwS1LKRs&feature=related

1 string: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s98WwTgCSKU

[Dmoney]

Seasick Steve. man, he's a good fella... this attention he gets from a wider cross section of those interested in music rather than just blues guys or whatever is a bit weird for me. I mean, his background is as interesting as his music, but surely there are so many good slide players out there past & present. It's as thought to some people that kind of music just passed them by and now Seasick Steve is IT. Nothing to hold against him though. I just wish I could see more slide players on tele.

ha! is seasick steve responsible for a diddley bo resurgence? electric diddley bo at that!

but also...
3 string guitar, 2 string bass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvcohzJvviQ

[MDV]

Too much can be done on six for me to bother

I had a 7 for a few years to test this.

And I detune my 6s to drop B.

[Antag]

was the setup that good? I really struggled to get the playability close to were I wanted it when I first bought it and I just couldn't get on with the trem on it.

Well, I've not adjusted it one bit since I got it & spent hours trying to get the new one I bought to feel the same (no way I could cope with just one 7-strung! :lol:)

I think it's the extra string tension from the 10-46 strings being tuned to E as opposed to Eb + the firmer pick (I was using .73 gauge before, moved to 1mm to handle the low B).  It's so much tighter & easier to play precisely.  In fact, I find it hard to believe I coped with such soft picks for the last 25 years! :)

I don't use the trem much, suppose it I was getting Feline to build a 7 for me I'd go for tunomatic, so the trem arm thing doesn't bother me.  It's a solid feeling bridge though, doesn't wobble much...

[Dmoney]

I like the idea of Matt Pike's 9 string. but that is a different kettle of strings.

[Lew]

double post or I hit enter before I typed or something  :lol:

[Lew]

It's one better, innit?

Sometimes less is more.

3 strings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RlUwS1LKRs&feature=related

1 string: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s98WwTgCSKU

In the Gilmour sense sure. But mostly less is just less and more is more. I'm not really feeling those examples, though :D

Tuning down a 6 is fine as long as you don't need to keep your range.

But I'm biased. I've been exclusively playing 7's for 7months now. I bought MDV's old RG7321 on a whim to see how I got on with it and it changed everything for me and I'm kicking myself for not trying one 10 years ago. I bought an RG1527 6months ago to tide me over while my Daemoness is being built. I'm still really enjoying that guitar but it desperately needs BKPS - the stock pups are dire. 

I quite fancy trying an 8 string now too.

[dheim]

i always tuned my guitars in E, but more or less a year ago i started writing songs in B as well as in E, so i bought a 7 stringer to have that extra range rehearsing with my band without the need to carry an extra guitar! :)

[MDV]

It's one better, innit?

Sometimes less is more.

3 strings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RlUwS1LKRs&feature=related

1 string: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s98WwTgCSKU

In the Gilmour sense sure. But mostly less is just less and more is more. I'm not really feeling those examples, though :D

Tuning down a 6 is fine as long as you don't need to keep your range.

But I'm biased. I've been exclusively playing 7's for 7months now. I bought MDV's old RG7321 on a whim to see how I got on with it and it changed everything for me and I'm kicking myself for not trying one 10 years ago. I bought an RG1527 6months ago to tide me over while my Daemoness is being built. I'm still really enjoying that guitar but it desperately needs BKPS - the stock pups are dire. 

I quite fancy trying an 8 string now too.

I still have the stock pickups

I sold you it with swineshead venoms (which I rather liked :lol:)

If you dont like those, you would LOATHE the stock pickups.

[Lew]

Yea, I know. I mean my rg1527 still has the stock pickups :)

[MDV]

Ah, riiiight!

Sorry, skipped over a bit fast!

If they're anything like the infinites (or if they are infinities) then, yes, among the worst pickups I've ever heard.

[Roobubba]

I down tune my six to drop A, and I barely ever use the top three strings.

Actually, that's not quite true, I use them on the most recent track we're working on, and a couple before that.

But then I am an uncultured monkey who butchers his 14-70 strings with a 2.5mm pick (but only because the 3mm pick wasn't hard wearing enough). Rawr!

[diego2parker]

Some advantages are:
-you get the extra string
-more tuning options
-more finger position options
-greater range

[murraymurray]

I like the idea of Matt Pike's 9 string. but that is a different kettle of strings.

yeah that shite rules, the f*(king champs were the first band i saw rocking 9 strings like that, just added the extra awesomeness to their harmonies. but matt pike does it well with the 9 string just making his crazy leads sound even cooler.
they played in NZ last week opening for the melvins and were one of the best bands ive ever seen at a bar show
not sure if you guys have heard of the earthquake here but they were in christchurch when it hit, 20 minutes earlier and both bands couldve been seriously $%&#ed up

but anyway, never been into 7's, used to tune down to b on a 6, never required the low notes along with the high notes at the same time. tried some mates ibanez 7 strings, and with the wizard neck its just way to over the top to try and get your hand around and play comfortably across the whole range

[andrew11]

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?