Recommend a 7 string guitar? Or Drop Tune a 6?

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ibanez4life SZ!

ibanez4life SZ!

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Hey guys!

I'm getting together with a friend to really get into recording and producing all our music, and I'd like to add a 7 string to the stable before we get started. I've owned some 7 strings in the past...never for too long, because my old bands never used them, but I'm ready to keep one for good :rock:

Here's what I've had:
-Schecter C-7 blackjack...didn't like it much
-Schecter Hellraiser...better, but still not my thing
-Schecter Loomis..my favorite of the schecters for sure
-EBMM JP7....great guitar, but EXPENSIVE

My friend recently got an Agile 7 string with duncan blackouts,and I'm quite impressed by it....I'd really need for time with it to see if it's really for me.

What 7 stringers out there have impressed you?

Another option for me is to take one of my 6 string PRS guitars and tune it down to 7 string tuning (I'd lose the treble e, but since it's for recording, I'm sure we could live without)....has anyone taken this approach? Am I loosing much by not having an actual pickup optimized for this like a 7 string? What pickups would you recommend for a 6 string in 7 string tuning?

Thanks for your advice!

Eric
 
I had a Schecter C7+. I hated it. neck was too thick.
I sold it and bought a Baritone, George Lynch.
Couldn't jive with it either.

Been thinking of getting an Ibanez, since most people like them, and I've played some, like a Universe, that had really nice playability, but I don't do Whammy's anymore, so need something with fixed bridge.
also was considering the RGD321 for lower tuned stuff, but that is only to D.

Recently played someone's Bernie Rico, and that was very very nice, indeed, with a Warpig in the bridge.
sounded pretty cool.
 
I have a Schecter Loomis and I really like it. Haven't been playing much 7 string lately, but if you liked it get another.


Jason
 
I liked the Ibanez Rg 1527 I played, the necks on the schecter 7s always felt too thick to me.
 
Ibanez S7420 for sure.

Awesome price, awesome playability, awesome tone. Extremely resonant with the thin body. Plus, they look so sexy.

I got my S7420 for $350 on eBay. I got a great deal.



p1040014os8.jpg
 
Ibanez rg7321 with emg's or blackouts. Mine has a emg 81-7. Its the cheapest guitar I own by far, but plays like no other with the right set up. Ibanez wizard necks are just unbelievable.
 
If you're a 6 string lover, I'd honestly just get a Baritone. I had NO ISSUES at all playing the extended scale, and the girth and aggressiveness is awesome. I own PRS SE Mike Mushok.
 
I tune my BRJ & ibanez 6's to drop A# and drop G#. They are all 25.5" scale guitars
It can be done but i would recommend at least a 25.5' guitar to play in tunings that low (although bands like the acacia strain tune even lower on 24.75's).
It's important that the guitar is well balanced and punchy, I've always had best results with maple neckthroughs with mahogany wings. I use BKP C-pigs for the A# stuff and aftermaths, C-pigs or painkillers on G#. I also use 12-60 & 13-65 gauge strings. Having good tension is very important as well as a stable bridge and proper setup.
 
Ive been detuning 6 string guitars for well over a decade with zero issues. Now im using a les paul with an emg 85 in the bridge tuned to straight a#, and it sounds massive. Finally decided to go 7 string so i dont have to sacrifice the high e string. But at the end of the day, a 6 string with a proper setup and string gauge will suffice.
 
I use a 24.75" scale guitar for Drop B (0.060 low string) and it's not bad. I do plan on getting a baritone soon though. I wish the PRS SE Baritone came in more colors though.
 
That PRS SE baritone is a nice guitar. If you can swing it, buy that and the Agile 7 since it floats you're boat. That will cover the bases.
 
I had an Agile baritone LP and wasn't into it. I went 7 and couldn't be happier. I'm probably going to go 8 sometime too, hah!
 
PRS Mike Mushok SE Baritone. Keep it in the family :rock:

It's an excellent guitar. Once you swap the pickups, it'll hold its own against the USA PRS models. I love mine, and go between that and my Custom 22 with no problems.

Only problem is finding a case for it :doh:
 
I picked up an Ibanez RG7321 for like $100, great for just getting into the 7's. I'd love to grab an S series 7 string next, but if ur into the 6 strings u can def drop tune. I have a PRS SE One that I have in B with 13 gauge's on it and it sounds great; after gutting the soapbar and throwing in a Dimarzio Super distorion lol. I wish I had the cash to pick up a Mike Mushok Baritone or a George Lynch... they look and sounds badass
 
I, too, have a white SE One that I have in A right now. I dig the hell out of that little geetar. Got her used for pretty cheap, as well. Stock soapbar sounds decent for now.
 
Jordon":v7hj3i0f said:
I, too, have a white SE One that I have in A right now. I dig the hell out of that little geetar. Got her used for pretty cheap, as well. Stock soapbar sounds decent for now.
Click to expand...

I like it too... I got it as a gift from my bandmates a few years ago. Soapbar was cool, but I had stopped playing it when I got the Paul Allender SE. I had the dimarzio layin around and figured why not lol. did some routing to make it fit and added a tone knob to it. Sounds great plays awesome... in desperate need of a set up tho... i really need to learn how to do that myself.
 
ibanez4life SZ!":3no9iexq said:
Hey guys!

I'm getting together with a friend to really get into recording and producing all our music, and I'd like to add a 7 string to the stable before we get started. I've owned some 7 strings in the past...never for too long, because my old bands never used them, but I'm ready to keep one for good :rock:

Here's what I've had:
-Schecter C-7 blackjack...didn't like it much
-Schecter Hellraiser...better, but still not my thing
-Schecter Loomis..my favorite of the schecters for sure
-EBMM JP7....great guitar, but EXPENSIVE

My friend recently got an Agile 7 string with duncan blackouts,and I'm quite impressed by it....I'd really need for time with it to see if it's really for me.

What 7 stringers out there have impressed you?

Another option for me is to take one of my 6 string PRS guitars and tune it down to 7 string tuning (I'd lose the treble e, but since it's for recording, I'm sure we could live without)....has anyone taken this approach? Am I loosing much by not having an actual pickup optimized for this like a 7 string? What pickups would you recommend for a 6 string in 7 string tuning?

Thanks for your advice!

Eric
Click to expand...


How would you compare the Schecter Loomis vs. the Hell Raiser. I like the looks of the Loomis, but I don't like the idea of the ash body. Is it too bright?

Actually I'm considering the C-7 ATX with blackouts as well.
 
I would get a RG1527 and block it myself if you do not want to deal with a floating bridge, they are great guitars for the money. Carvins are also very good and due to the lack of gear flipper value structures can be had cheap.
 
I've played Agile, LTD, ESP, and BRJ 7s but haven't managed to try out an Ibanez, Schecter, or Jackson one. Having said that, the ESP NT-7 and Bernie Rico Jr Hesperian or Jeckyll are AMAZING. Bernie Rico's guitars are unbeatable, even made my NT-7 feel like a toy...

I think you should figure out if you want a fixed bridge or not. If you want a fixed bridge then that'll really cut down which 7s you have to choose from. I personally avoid 7s with trems.
 
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