7 string Gauges. Help

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Hey Guys.. im recently bought an Ibanez S7320 7 string guitar with 22 frets.
im in love with it but couldnt seem to find a right gauge to string it up.
i was using Standard tuning on it then lowered it to Half step and then again to another half step
and this gauge... but its as flabby as ****..
D 0.011
A 0.014
F 0.019
C 0.032
G 0.044
D 0.056
A 0.062

could you guys give me some tips on string gauges? i got some on the ssforum but the guys there are a bit impatient or im too dumb. ahahahah

****ing Thanks
JP

 

[Chad]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

Totally subjective and dependent on the guitar specs, string brand/model, your playing attack, etc.

Are you saying you're playing in standard 7 string tuning with all strings down a whole step?

I'd probably start with 10,13,17,26,36,46,59. But I like lighter gauge strings both for feel and tone reasons. And I play with a light touch. I believe Dino Cazeres used to use a .050" for the low A back in the late 90s. Seriously, if those gauges you mentioned seem overly flabby.....I'd say try working on technique and playing softer and more relaxed.

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

Ah sorry.. forgot it.

Ibanez S7320 with floyd rose.
22 Frets jumbo and 25.5 scale length.
http://profile.ultimate-guitar.com/profile_mojo_data/4/7/2/6/472665/pics/_c810317_image_0.jpg

 

[Zerberus]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

Well, I don´t know if it´s much help as I already play 12s in standard tuning, but on 7 strings I use 14p, 18p, 28w, 38w, 48w, 60w, 70w and tune down a step.

However, I usually play baritone sevens with a 27" scale, which adds even more tension, so that combined with you normally using lighter strings than I do should actually put my gauges in your ballpark

....
Are you saying you're playing in standard 7 string tuning with all strings down a whole step?

Yep, I do the same thing (actually I drop the low e and low B another full step to give me C and G )

Seriously, if those gauges you mentioned seem overly flabby.....I'd say try working on technique and playing softer and more relaxed.

Yes and no.. while developing a lighter touch can help, finding the proper guage for the player is better for a few reasons, one important one being that using what feels best to you allows you to use a light touch OR really whack ´em, depending on what the passage calls for. Heavy handedness itself also lends itself to creating a more aggressive tone, particularly useful in heavier music.

That said, 11s tuned down a whole step is roughly equivalent to playing 10s, which for me personally is a slinky as they can possible be and still be somewhat playable. I´m thinking good old WFD is probably in a similar boat

 

[TheProphet]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

You may want to check the nut slots as well. Mine were too big for the slots and I was getting a pretty flubby sound. Had the string slots filed to the appropriate width/depth and now it has clarity like a piano.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

You may want to check the nut slots as well. Mine were too big for the slots and I was getting a pretty flubby sound. Had the string slots filed to the appropriate width/depth and now it has clarity like a piano.

^^ shouldn´t usually be an issue with a Floyd nut, most will take up to .080 from the factory. Same with teh saddles, though most won´t go higher than .070.

I agree it still can´t hurt to take a look, though

 

[TheProphet]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

Ahhh Floyded ... hmm

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

Well, I don´t know if it´s much help as I already play 12s in standard tuning, but on 7 strings I use 14p, 18p, 28w, 38w, 48w, 60w, 70w and tune down a step.

However, I usually play baritone sevens with a 27" scale, which adds even more tension, so that combined with you normally using lighter strings than I do should actually put my gauges in your ballpark



Yep, I do the same thing (actually I drop the low e and low B another full step to give me C and G )


Yes and no.. while developing a lighter touch can help, finding the proper guage for the player is better for a few reasons, one important one being that using what feels best to you allows you to use a light touch OR really whack ´em, depending on what the passage calls for. Heavy handedness itself also lends itself to creating a more aggressive tone, particularly useful in heavier music.

That said, 11s tuned down a whole step is roughly equivalent to playing 10s, which for me personally is a slinky as they can possible be and still be somewhat playable. I´m thinking good old WFD is probably in a similar boat

zerberus.. check this thread out.. till 22 page.
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/be...-thread-got-string-question-post-here-21.html

tHIS GUY NAMED eXPLORER reCOmmended me some string gauges but i think the last one is way too thick and im not sure about it and i have a lot of questions regard it but the guy seems to be already worned out so .. he wont answer anymore.

 

[Warheart]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

I think floyd's were used on most early 7 strings because of the fact that they could handle the bigger strings, IIRC?

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

still need some help here guys

 

[jacksontrader]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

Strings aren't that expensive, get a few different sets and try them out. What you are going to feel with your fingers is going to be far more informative to you than anything anyone here could tell you. Good luck and I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: 7 string Gauges. Help

You have less difference between the 6th and 7th string than you do the 5th and 6th string, so of course the balance is going to be horrible.
If you're rocking 56 for the 6th string, you would want an absolute MINIMUM of 64 for the 7th string, but 68 to 70 is more like it.