6 string as a 7 string.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Markedman
  • Start date Start date

6 or 7

  • 6 as 7

    Votes: 5 55.6%

  • 7

    Votes: 4 44.4%
  • Total voters
    9
Markedman

Markedman

Well-known member
A couple of years ago, I was at a Sevindust concert and noticed that the guitar player had the 7 string sound from a 6 string guitar and thought to myself that that was a great idea. I never could adjust to a 7 string so I'm thinking of changing one of my lesser used guitars to this configuration.

Has anyone done this and liked it? Or just get it over with a buy a decent, +/- $1,200.00, 7 stringer?
 
I'm definitely way more comfortable on a downtuned or baritone 6 than I am on a 7 string.
 
It's whatever you are more comfortable with and what you are wanting to play. I prefer a 6 string downtuned, to a 7 string if I am going for that aggressive downtuned metal sound. If someone is doing the more virtuoso thing, or playing jazz I would say get a 7.
 
I play 6's tuned to drop B a lot. But when I go lower than that it's 7 strings all the way for B or A standard/Drop G etc. I do use 7's for 8 string tunings though. Tried an 8 but feel way more comfortable with a 7.
 
Use a detune effect with one of your existing 6 strings (or just go ahead and re-string/set up) to first see if you are really committed to playing songs with the lower tuning. If yes, then determine if you are limited with your playing because you don't effectively have that high 7th string.

As was said earlier, it depends on what your goal is. I've bought and sold a 7 string four times because I was convinced I was finally going to get some Nevermore material down, and it never gelled with me. If I was just going to just riff with a low tuning, the better fit for me would be a downtuned 6 string.

Though as I write this, ironically I was shopping for an old Ibanez Universe this morning. Sometimes there's just that itch to scratch, even when you should know better.
 
I like the concept but not having the high E is odd.
 
7 string all the way. I still have my custom shop ESP 7 string from when i was a teen.
 
I used to play a lot of Korn 20 years ago, with a 6. You really need the extra string for bands that use 7s.

I always wanted a 7 but it took until this year to actually get one... two actually. I like being able to play the 7 as a regular 6 if need be. It doesn't take much to get used to.

I tune my 6s as low as drop B. It's nice to have options. 7s are different and make you write and play differently.
 
7 string for me , I have an Ibanez RG 752AHM that is one of my best all around playing guitars. it's effortless to play.
my Avatar pic was a Bernie Rico Jr. custom shop I had him make for me. another effortless playing 7.
I took to playing 7's quickly so it was never a big deal to me.
 
The first time I tried a 7 string, it was just like playing a 6. Feels good. But, If you just want the lower tunings, just get a baritone or multiscale
 
I use an Ibanez MMM1 exactly for that purpose. Barytone 6 string but tuned standard B or drop-C. Very comfy, sounds huge, relatively cheap used. Great guitar.
 
Just like I play differently on my Strat than I do my JEM, I play differently on a 6 versus a 7. Maybe it’s because, despite owning several over the years, I never devoted a ton of time to a 7-string.

I feel they definitely have a different sound to them than a 6. I dunno if just a resonant feeling in the neck or what, but every 7 I’ve ever played just seems to have more resonance/sustain than a 6. Hitting a Emin on a 7 feels and sounds different than it does on a 6 to me.

This thread has reminded me to order locking tuners for the Jackson 7-string I have now. My wife bought it for me years ago when we were dating and because it had all cheap hardware/pickups, it just sat around. I put some Dimarzio PAF’s in it but because it can’t holding tuning I never play It. Breathing around that thing will knock it out of tune.
 
i couldnt get along with sevens unfortunately. Ive owned about three now, and got rid of them after a couple months of fumbling around them. Years ago i found out both cryptopsy and carcass tuned to B standard on 6’s, so i just detune my superstrats. I use 12-56 for B standard, and 12-60 for dropA....
having said that: my friend who plays sevens primarily, told me to try a different tuning, and it would be more comfortable for me. I.E., the bottom(heavy) six being tuned like a normal six, B to B, with a high E, vs. the top six(light) strings being tuned as a normal six, with a lowB. Sorry my technical knowledge is zilch, but sharing what my experience has been.
 
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