Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

[75lespaul]

So...been looking at a few seven strings and the 27 scale seems to be the most widely available. I "standard" tuning is BEADGBE, but is that the most common? Like, do some of you guys tune down to D#, or D, and drop the E to the same...then what would the B get tuned to? A# or A? I'm really new to this and have been eying up a few Agile and Douglas models to try out. Thanks bros.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

Yes, if you tuned down a full step, the B would then be tuned to A.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

Yes, if you tuned down a full step, the B would then be tuned to A.

Thanks. BTW, I got a set of the Heavy Core strings. Can't wait to try them on my Epi Tribute, hopefully tomorrow. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

There are a couple of variations you can do on 7-strings - normally, it's standard E with a B on top, and the 3rd string/4th fret matches the 2nd string open. I've been dropping the 4th string down so the 4th fret matches the open 3rd, so it's basically like you've taken a standard E tuning and dropped it 3 steps and added an extra high (E). Makes life interesting, for sure, especially when muscle memory kicks in and you expect to do a certain pattern a certain distance from the edge of the board, and you're in the wrong place :lol:

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

One of the most common (and useful) tunings I see on a 7 is AEADGBE, where you drop the B down to an A. It makes a lot of chords easier because whatever you are playing on the A string, you simply move to the lowest A string instead.

An Open A chord becomes

0
2
2
2
0
0

You could play a C chords like this:

0
1
0
2
x
x
3

That kind of tuning can be used to add a lot of richness and depth, or to give yourself a very basic baseline tone under your chords. Though I guess I'm also thinking of it a little more as a jazz player than a metal player, though I do know a lot of the big extended range guys (like Tobin for example) drop their lowest string for the same reason.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

Awesome. This is the kind of thing I'm looking for. Just pulled the trigger on an Agile Interceptor Pro 727 on sale for 499, regularly 699. I cannot wait to put this through the Bad Cat Cougar and Valveking. The Valveking actually sounds surprisingly good with downtuned instruments. Better than in standard imo. Anyway, thank you guys. I really appreciate it.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

I've been fascinated with seven string guitars without buying into when they have been in and out of fashion. I started on a Schecter which I believe has proven intuitive to a 6 string player making the switch. The Agiles take a bit of time to master but reward you with fantastic action and stability (you can tune as low as you like with nary a fret buzz to be heard).

My approach to using the seven string is a bit backward compared to most. I treat it as a standard tuned guitar with the option to go lower to pull of to 'surprise' low notes which is most showcased in this song (especially the clean breakdown).

http://www.reverbnation.com/fragmenta/song/23463781-odimorsus

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

I came close to pulling the trigger on a Schecter, Beer$, but went with the Agile because an Interceptor Pro 727 was on sale. I read a lot of good about it, very little bad, and I liked the way the stock pickups sounded in sound clips. Some time in the future, maybe I'll pull the trigger on a Nazgul or Pegasus with a Sentient, but I'll see how it sounds to learn and hopefully record with.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Tell me about seven strings...I want to learn.

I came close to pulling the trigger on a Schecter, Beer$, but went with the Agile because an Interceptor Pro 727 was on sale. I read a lot of good about it, very little bad, and I liked the way the stock pickups sounded in sound clips. Some time in the future, maybe I'll pull the trigger on a Nazgul or Pegasus with a Sentient, but I'll see how it sounds to learn and hopefully record with.

If it's anything like my Hornet 7, it's very tolerant of whatever tunings and string gauges you want to use and really easy to set up. Doesn't take too long to get used to if you normally use a 6 string but I just found the Schecter (which is also a beast) to be very 6 string player friendly.