Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

B

blind1

New member
As the title says...

I heard Whitechapel's new album and rediscovered my love for brutal metal riffs, but they are tuned to drop G.... time for a new guitar I guess.

Can you guys recommend a good 7 string guitar? My budget goes up to about $1000 total (that includes if I need to rip out stock pickups and install some Seymour Duncans to get the ultimate shredding machine), but I'd prefer to stay well below my max budget.

Just for a reference of the sweetness from this new album: https://youtu.be/bf_rq_MTYxo?t=39
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

If you want to tune down to B, A#, A or G and want to keep a good tone, you need an extended range.

Just a warning and a matter of physics, a baritone 6 strings (around 28") should be better for that purpose than a 25'5 scale 7 strings.

But if you find a 27" or 28" 7 strings than it is OK.
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

Francois said:
If you want to tune down to B, A#, A or G and want to keep a good tone, you need an extended range.

Just a warning and a matter of physics, a baritone 6 strings (around 28") should be better for that purpose than a 25'5 scale 7 strings.

But if you find a 27" or 28" 7 strings than it is OK.
Click to expand...

I didn't even realize I could shop for baritone 6 string guitars. Do you have experience with both types of guitars?
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

Schecter 7 strings are 26.5" scale, the last 25.5" scale they made was the Wes Hauch signature, but I agree with Francois, if you are going to be tuning down, a longer scale would be beneficial although the Alex Wade signature LTD 7 was a 25.5" scale IIRC. So, if Whitechapel is driving your choice, the AW-7 might be the place to start looking - https://reverb.com/item/21227451-esp-ltd-aw-7-blood-red-sunburst
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

I had a 26.5” Yamaha Drop 6. It was an awesome guitar all around, easily went down to F#, but still felt like a normal guitar.

Extended scales are the thing right now, but it’s not necessary. Not saying it doesn’t help, but lots of people were pretty happy with Strats, Les Paul’s, and RGs tuned down to B way before fanned frets and long scale lengths.
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

I have an old RG7620 and it may be my best playing guitar, thought about updating but I like the neck too much. I do keep it in standard tuning FWIW.
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

Had a 7421 way back when. You’re right, that 7 string Wizard neck is the stuff.
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

Here is a list of Baritone 6 strings you may have a look at
(I made a list before I bought mine)

- PRS SE 277 solid body with 2 HB (27"7)
- PRS SE 277 semi-hollow with 2 P90 (This is mine ! I love it. It sounds impressive.)
- Jericho Baritone : Someone in the forum bought one recently it has very good specs
- Fender Telecaster Blacktop Baritone HSS (27"). Mexico 2012 (discountinued)
- Fender Jaguar Baritone Special HH 27" (black) made in Indonesia I think (?) alder
- Gibson Les Paul Studio 28" (USA 2011 - discountinued)
- Gibson SG 27" white (USA 2011 - discountinued)
- Gibson Explorer 28" (USA 2011 - discountinued)
- PRS Mike Mushok (27"7) discountinued (the father of the 277) Korea also
- Fender Squier Vintage modified Baritone Jazzmaster (Indonesia) 30" (!!!!) but basswood
- Hagstrom Viking baritone 28" semi hollow
- EPS LTD EC-401B 27" : LP style black
- Danelectro Baritone BMF
- Ibanez RGIB6 Iron Label baritone 28"
- Veillette 12 string baritone (rare !) EVH is supposed to have one or two.

The Fender bass VI (Joe Perry "Back in the Saddle" riff & classic Robert Smith) must be mentioned here also !

Sorry I cannot list the 7 strings. There is a Messhugah signature Ibanez I think. I am not attracted by the almost normal scale 7 string Schlechter.

I experimented low tuning on a 24"2/3 Gibson and it did not worked so well. Then my brother who plays cello told me "Of course the scale is too short."
Now I am very happy with the baritone which also happens to be my first semi-hollow (one stone two birds)

But please note that on the on the Bari, the hightest note is the hightest note on a regular guitar 2nd string.
You loose the first string.
 
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Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

I sort of dig this one.:)

BC%20Rich%207%20String.jpg




;>)/
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

You could get their guitarists signature guitar if you can find it used. the ESP LTD AW-7

I'd also recommend Solar Guitars
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

JB_From_Hell said:
Had a 7421 way back when. You’re right, that 7 string Wizard neck is the stuff.
Click to expand...

Yeah, those were great, the 1527 necks were nice too, but a little thinner. I recently got a RG655 (2nd try with one) and I really don't like the new Prestige Wizard necks, too think and flat for me, I like them a little rounder now days. Strange, that's what's happening to my body now too...
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

LonePhantom said:
For not much money, and a little upgrading, this is a pretty killer extended range 7 string...
https://www.jacksonguitars.com/gear/shape/dinky/js-series-dinky-js22-7/2910132568
Click to expand...

Agreed, those Jacksons are already a good deal to start with and can be found used for an absolute steal. 26.5" scale, 24 frets and compound radius, nice neck profile...an all around decent starter 7.

If I was stepping up from there, I'd personally go with the newer Sterling JP157 series.

From there, Schecter all the way!
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

This Micheal Kelly Telecaster guitar looks very appealing...especially with 24 frets.

mk507eb-glam-1000-717-3.jpg


mk507bkb-glam-1000-717-1.jpg




;>)/
 
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Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

The MK Tele is certainly different. Personally, I'd have to slim up that rather chunky, club-foot of a headstock, but that's just me.

Here's a used one: LINK
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

The RR-7 is back?! That's awesome! Been waiting a long time...

Here's one reasonably priced, if anyone is interested: LINK
 
Re: Recommendations for 7 String Guitar

masta' c said:
The RR-7 is back?! That's awesome! Been waiting a long time...

Here's one reasonably priced, if anyone is interested: LINK
Click to expand...

Based on the original one, I guess. Different woods and construction (I think the RR-7 was a bolt-on), but it ticks a lot of boxes for a different seven string for my purposes.
 
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