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GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ Buying First 7 String
Posted by: ElHombre Aug 15 2013, 03:36 PM
Hello
I am going to buy my first 7 stringed guitar, now im going to try out a few, but I still dont know what are models and what are not.
The thing is, right now I have a 6 stringed in drop C and one with normal tuning.
So I thought I might aswell get a 7 string instead of the dropped guitar.
Is that a good idea? I do a lot of metal nowadays, even though im more of a rock/fusion player
I also heard a 7 string feels like a different instrument than a 6 string, not just a guitar with an added string 
Posted by: vonhotch Aug 15 2013, 06:16 PM
I think it is kind of a personal preference 6 or 7. I like the range of a 7, and don't really have a problem going back and forth between 6 and 7 stringed guitars. It didn't take to long to get used to and I like it for the reason you are mentioning. Can kind of combine 2 tunings into 1 instrument, even though I just tune standard BEADGBE.
Posted by: thefireball Aug 16 2013, 04:12 AM
I like the seven. It helps me have the Drop A tuning and solo as normal. But I have an eight for even lower tunings. http://soundcloud.com/fireball100/instrumental-living-in-the/
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 16 2013, 07:58 AM
Hey Erik - try a 7 first - try more 7s at first See how they feel and see which one you like best. It's a first step! What sort of budget do you have?
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 16 2013, 08:21 AM
I've owned wads of 7s and they are a different beast It's important to go put your hands on any guitar you are thinking about buying. The easy way to narrow it down is price. Go in to any music store (hopefully you have one semi close) and ask to see any 7 string guitars they have under your budget amount. Then play them all one by one.
This can easily kill a day if they have lots of guitars. It's worth doing though. Nothing anyone says about a guitar can really prepare you as a player for whether it clicks with you or not. Let go of the idea of the name on the head stock and just grab anything in your price range and see if it feels right You'll be suprised which guitar you end up with. It may be a brand you've never even considered.
That said, I've got an Ibanez MIJ 7620 and it remains my fave 7. But that's one opine from one guy. Let your fingers tell you if a guitar is the one for you If you get a 7, you will need to adapt to it. It's not the same feel as a 6. Neck will feel bigger, low string is tougher to control and mute, etc. Stuff to remember
Todd
I am going to buy my first 7 stringed guitar, now im going to try out a few, but I still dont know what are models and what are not.
The thing is, right now I have a 6 stringed in drop C and one with normal tuning.
So I thought I might aswell get a 7 string instead of the dropped guitar.
Is that a good idea? I do a lot of metal nowadays, even though im more of a rock/fusion player
I also heard a 7 string feels like a different instrument than a 6 string, not just a guitar with an added string
Posted by: ElHombre Aug 16 2013, 10:39 AM
Im pretty sure It will be a RG927, will try one today, only heard good about them.
Anyway, in terms of 7 strings, people talk about scale, 26 scale, 26.5 etc, I did not grasp really what they meant.
But If you wanted to drop tune this affected you.
I will probably have it in standard tuning, but you might have to tune it down sometimes so I dont know really
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 16 2013, 11:21 AM
Anyway, in terms of 7 strings, people talk about scale, 26 scale, 26.5 etc, I did not grasp really what they meant.
But If you wanted to drop tune this affected you.
I will probably have it in standard tuning, but you might have to tune it down sometimes so I dont know really
The longer the scale, the more appropriate for drop tuning that guitar will be
My baritone is a 27.7' scale - it is especially thought for low tuning without having 7 strings, I probably am on the opposite side in comparison to you - less strings, lower range 
Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 16 2013, 01:46 PM
Don't just sit down and try it. Actually take the time to play all sorts of music on it. As everyone says it really is a different kind of beast.
I owned a Schected Jeff Loomis at one point. Pretty much looked at it, noodled on it for 15m, felt good took it home. After 2 months I traded it in, still preferred my 6-strings over it. Not sure if maybe I didn't give it the chance or what to get a feel for the added string.
So then a year later which by then I was only playing Ibanez guitars as the necks are thinner. Well I pulled the trigger and ordered a RGD, not even trying it just straight up ordered it. It's been at least half a year and I still own it. I have it in Drop A (Standard E with the 7 as an A). It can do anything I need. It also helps with ear training as I can play the song different from how the original is, but can be lazy and never need to change tunings! 
Posted by: ElHombre Aug 16 2013, 11:17 PM
Says 648 mm scale, how is that for drop tuning?
I will probably stay in standard tuning, but You might have to change that ocassionaly
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 17 2013, 07:37 AM
SCALE LENGTH equates to may things in terms of playability but IMHO, the big thing is STRING TENSION. The longer scale length necks (27-30) have higher string tension typically so that the low string has adequate tension.
My Ibanez 7620 (MIJ 7 String) is a 25.5 scale length which results in it feeling like a standard guitar in terms of having lower string tension. Once you get in to longer scale lengths, the low strings sound tighter/better but the higher strings get harder to bend and vibrato.
Of course, several folks will reply and say the exact opposite But that's what forums are form. Again it boils down to actually playing the guitar rather than hearing about it. Despite what anyone including me says, your fingers will determine which guitar fits you best
Todd
Anyway, in terms of 7 strings, people talk about scale, 26 scale, 26.5 etc, I did not grasp really what they meant.
But If you wanted to drop tune this affected you.
I will probably have it in standard tuning, but you might have to tune it down sometimes so I dont know really
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 17 2013, 07:58 AM
I will probably stay in standard tuning, but You might have to change that ocassionaly
Hey man - out of what I know, that's 25.5' which is fairly normal for a neck length thought for standard tuning
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 18 2013, 04:04 AM
Yup See my post above for more info. 25.5 is standard scale length and what I'd suggest for your first 7 if you go that way. Longer scale lengths make the strings a bit tighter and make a somewhat less expressive instrument IMHO.
Todd
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 18 2013, 08:12 AM
See my post above for more info. 25.5 is standard scale length and what I'd suggest for your first 7 if you go that way. Longer scale lengths make the strings a bit tighter and make a somewhat less expressive instrument IMHO. Todd
Hey Todd - talking about scale length and expressiveness - here's the most wonderful sounding baritone
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 21 2013, 09:02 PM
Nice!! I'd like to see a fanned fret accoustic If there is such a thing!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 22 2013, 08:37 AM
If there is such a thing!Yes there is! I think Pat Metheny has one!
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