7 string guitar with high A string?

[BluesGuyJ]

I always have a custom build on my mind, because the specs I usually want are not out there in production models, in terms of wood combinations and what not. I have missed by Ibanez RG7620 and always loved just chunkin' on that low B string but have found some videos recently of 7 strings with a high A string, instead of a low B string.


Has anyone played a 7er with a high A? What was it like? What was the tension like? Man, what string gauge do you use for a string of that pitch?

I think it would be a really cool way of forcing myself to approach the guitar in a different manner. A 24 fret guitar with a high A string could reach some insanely high notes...

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

Any 7 string guitar can have either a high A or low B, it's all how you tune it. One thing I don't care for about most 7 strings is the low B is often muddy and its intonation is off because the scale length is often no different than a 6 string. I would just buy whatever set of strings you use for a 6 string and then add a lighter A string. So if your E is a 10 I would go with a 8 for the A. The string tension and action with a high A will be less than with a low B.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

The high E string is shrill and piercing enough, thanks.

Telling me you wrote a song featuring and highlighting an extra high A string is a great way to make sure i never listen to it.

I am actually not even sure human ears can register those frequencies.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

empty pockets, thanks for contributing nothing to this thread worth anyones time lol

 

[zontar]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

Hey--he expressed an opinion, and I have to say that while I don't agree completely with him, I would say a high A string would have some limited use, but could be fun in some ways.
Mostly I see the harmonic possibilities for chords, rather than using it for solos.

but who knows?

I'm sure there are people out there that could make it sing.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

Yes, I am more interested for chords and writing progressions rather than shredding on one, although new tapping passages could certainly be cool...

 

[Mincer]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

The problem of a high A string is the string itself. 9s or 8s break after one good bend at that tension, and good luck finding thinner strings. I know some guitarists that tune to CGDAEG, and the G on the top is very difficult to keep in tune at that tension, much less an A.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

A few guys have run their 7th on top but most of them tune down a step just to make it work...

Dunlop now has a commercially available .007 gauge string from the Billy F Gibbons strings...you might use a .007 with a set of 10's for a high A but truth is I'd use 10's or 11's, tune down a step, use a .007 or .008 for the high string and make the high string a G...that would work for sure.

Also if you have a choice use a shorter scale guitar...that'll help with the tension.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

hmmm, I think that is when multiscale comes into play?

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

http://www.octave4plus.com/

Have a look through here for the "A440 Hz .0059 Guitar plain steel string".
This is what you want if you're dead set on tuning to A.

The general consensus is that 0.07 just aren't going to manage very long before they snap.
Hopefully that's helpful.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

As if those guys dont already play enough ear-piercingly shrill notes.

Gahhhhh

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

I'd rather down tune rather than high tune though.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

The high octave G in a 12-string set is typically a 9 or 10 (sometimes an 8.) That's 2 semitones below where you'd be if you tuned the top string to A. I reckon if a 10 can do OK for G, then a 8 would be fine for A.

On the other hand, 12-string players don't tend to bend strings as much.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: 7 string guitar with high A string?

That's the point, you're going to instinctively want to bend that string, and the tension will rise exponentially. Consider it snapped. You must shorten the scale. There were some Ibanez AX 7-strings that had 24 3/4" scales which was extremely ignorant on their part for all the problems associated with low B strings. But on the upside, you can probably find one cheap, and/or pirate the neck. That'll help. But really you're going to want a 24" scale or shorter IMO. You can also tune a full scale guitar down some steps and capo.