7 String owners, One last question

[Gsxrbusa]

What scale length to go with? If the choices are 25.5, 27 and 30? What's the difference in sound and playability? Personal preference or what

 

[Code001]

I like 25.5'' up to A. If I want to tune lower, I gotta move to a longer scale. Just think of 25.5'' and 27'' as 24.75'' vs 25.5''.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I like 25.5'' up to A. If I want to tune lower, I gotta move to a longer scale. Just think of 25.5'' and 27'' as 24.75'' vs 25.5''.

As a future 7 string newbie I doubt I would go lower than A. So, Gibson vs Fender hhmmmm. I always prefer 25.5 to 24.75. Fuck. 25.5 would probably feel right to me.

 

[MYLILSS]

i dont have much experience with 7 string guitars, but what experience i do have is with 25.5" guitars and they feel right to me. i dont know that i would wanna mess with a longer scale 7 string, but thats just me, and it also comes from the fact i am comfortable with that scale length. if 25.5" feels right to you with a 6 string, i would go with that for the 7 string

 

[Shask]

I like the 26.5" Schecter scale, so I would probably go with 27"

I have the smallest hands in the world, and have bitched about scale length for years, but the longer scale doesnt bother me one bit. I switch back and forth all the time.

That extra inch does a lot to make the low end tone clearer.

 

[locoed]

I really dig my 27" has that Satan tone.

 

[Tawlks]

I like the 26.5" Schecter scale, so I would probably go with 27"

I have the smallest hands in the world, and have bitched about scale length for years, but the longer scale doesnt bother me one bit. I switch back and forth all the time.

That extra inch does a lot to make the low end tone clearer.

I'm with shask on this one. I also have relatively small hands, my hand span is average thoguh, I don't have difficulty reaching on a higher scale instrument.

 

[mboogman]

I've had both Schecter and Ibanez 7's. The Schecter was 26.5, and the Ibanez is 25.5. The Ibanez feels more natural to play. The 26.5 scale length always made me feel like I had to work too hard to play simple chords. Sure the extra tension on the strings is nice, but sometimes felt too stiff.

 

[chunktone]

I really like the Schecter 26.5. One thing to consider is a reverse headstock. This will give you higher string tension on the low strings due to the increased overall string length.

 

[JakeAC5253]

I wouldn't touch a 25.5" 7 string. At that point it is just a six string guitar with an extra string slot and won't be any tighter on the lower notes than a strat tuned to B. I want a whole new instrument if I am going with a 7. It should be IMO. Try putting a set of baritone strings on a 25.5" 6 string and tune to B or lower to see if a 25.5" 7 is for you. I did this and came to the conclusion that 27" it is.

 

[Sixtonoize]

I really like the Schecter 26.5. One thing to consider is a reverse headstock. This will give you higher string tension on the low strings due to the increased overall string length.

That's not really how it works.
String tension is a function of the vibrating length of the string, not the total length.

 

[PeteLaramee]

If you're used to standard tuning or drop D and/or you play .009s you will probably like the 25.5 better. I like 25.5 because it just seems more natural to me and is what I'm used to.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

Thanks guys. You all make valid/interesting points. I don't want to spend a ton of cash on something and fucking hate it so, here is what I am looking at getting. Any pos/neg about this company?

http://www.rondomusic.com/product3192.html

 

[technomancer]

I play seven strings on a regular basis and have owned several Agiles. They tend to be great guitars for the money, but their quality control is hit or miss. Fortunately their return policy more than makes up for this, as it's very simple to get a replacement or full refund if you get a guitar with issues. Their 7s have a full, round neck that I found to be pretty comfortable.

Personally most of my sevens are 25.5" tuned with a low B. I have one 26.5" that's tuned down a step on all strings. If you're planning on just using a low B the extra scale length really isn't needed.

 

[the4thlast1]

If you will be tuning standard then 25.5 is good IMO...... If you are tuning the guitar a whole step down or lower than the extended scale helps keep tension normal.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

Thanks for all the input guys, much apprieciated. I think 27 is what I will go with. May not tune down past B but it would be nice to be able to experiment if needed and not have the guitar go to shit.

 

[chunktone]

I really like the Schecter 26.5. One thing to consider is a reverse headstock. This will give you higher string tension on the low strings due to the increased overall string length.

That's not really how it works.
String tension is a function of the vibrating length of the string, not the total length.

No, it is the overall length. This is why I did not put IMO, or IMHO. Because it is not an opinion, it is a fact. I built guitars for 1 of the biggest names in the industry for years. You may not notice a difference. this does not mean there is not one.

 

[polaris20]

I really like the Schecter 26.5. One thing to consider is a reverse headstock. This will give you higher string tension on the low strings due to the increased overall string length.

That's not really how it works.
String tension is a function of the vibrating length of the string, not the total length.

No, it is the overall length. This is why I did not put IMO, or IMHO. Because it is not an opinion, it is a fact. I built guitars for 1 of the biggest names in the industry for years. You may not notice a difference. this does not mean there is not one.

I don't know who you built guitars for, but no one I know that builds guitars would agree with you. What breaks over the nut isn't going to have a profound effect on the tension of the strings.

How would you explain a 7-string with a locking nut then?

 

[chunktone]

I really like the Schecter 26.5. One thing to consider is a reverse headstock. This will give you higher string tension on the low strings due to the increased overall string length.

That's not really how it works.
String tension is a function of the vibrating length of the string, not the total length.

No, it is the overall length. This is why I did not put IMO, or IMHO. Because it is not an opinion, it is a fact. I built guitars for 1 of the biggest names in the industry for years. You may not notice a difference. this does not mean there is not one.

I don't know who you built guitars for, but no one I know that builds guitars would agree with you. What breaks over the nut isn't going to have a profound effect on the tension of the strings.

How would you explain a 7-string with a locking nut then?

The entire length of string is at tension before being locked at the nut. Again, fact.

 

[Motorpud]