Should I get a 7 string?

[Eng4G3]

I'm looking for a new guitar, and lately I've gotten more and more into black/death metal.. I've been playing in CGCFAD, but I think I want to start playing lower than that and write more black metal/death metal type stuff. My bros band plays in Bb and they use 7 strings, I really like the stuff they are able to do with it. So my question is, would it be worth it to get a 7 string and have to learn to deal with a new string, or would it be better to stick with a 6 string and just have it set up for the lower tunings? I guess my concern with that would be how much different the string tension would be compared to CGCFAD, but would it be easier to deal with that than add a completely new string? What are your guys thoughts?

[michael322006]

As long as you dont get a g-string I think you'll be ok :eek:

Go with what you are comfortable with and what sounds you like. I like 5 and 6 string bass guitars the best.

[JaQ]

A baritone guitar may be another option. Some guitarists have issues with the longer neck, I prefer the longer neck over trying to wrap my hand around a wider neck.

[Ernie Ball]

You should try out a seven string to see if you like it. When I got mine, I found that I was used to the extra string very quickly. There was pretty much no learning curve. I do know some people though that just can't get into them. I guess it depends on what you like

[Eng4G3]

A baritone guitar may be another option. Some guitarists have issues with the longer neck, I prefer the longer neck over trying to wrap my hand around a wider neck.

I don't think I've ever tried a baritone.. Would Sam Ash or Guitar Center typically have one so I could try it? Are there any you would recommend that I look into?

You should try out a seven string to see if you like it. When I got mine, I found that I was used to the extra string very quickly. There was pretty much no learning curve. I do know some people though that just can't get into them. I guess it depends on what you like

Yea, I've played around with them from the guys in my bros band a little bit.. I've never really just sat down and played one for a few hours though, so I'm not sure how long it would take me. But when I did play around with it, it just felt weird because of the wider neck, and I felt like I didn't know where anything was because everything I know would be using (What felt like to me) the 5th string (Technically the 6th though... if that makes any sense). So I'm not sure..

I guess in both cases, the problem is finding a place that has guitars I would actually be interested in buying in stock.

[ToddB]

A baritone guitar may be another option. Some guitarists have issues with the longer neck, I prefer the longer neck over trying to wrap my hand around a wider neck.

JaQ brings up a very good point. I have a 7 string and though the neck is much wider, it fits my hands perfectly because of how big they are.

Baritone axes are very nice, sure the scale length is only 2 more inches longer than that of a standard 25" neck length, but it's a a lot easier to find heavier gauge strings for a 6 string baritone than it is for a 7 string. Plus, most baritone 6 strings come with a tremolo bridge that is either an original floyd rose or a licensed floyd bridge, you'll need one of those to keep in tune if you're tuned lower than C#, either that or have it professionally setup so that the intonation isn't all screwy.

[alliaphagist]

I have a 7-string and I like it a lot BUT you should know that it's hard to find stuff for it. There's only 2 stores in my area that carry 7-string sets, and they each only carry one brand/gauge. Replacement parts are impossible to find. And if you want to switch out the stock pickups, your options are very limited.

[Hakeldama]

I used to really like them but I've completely rethought my stance on it. I say let the bass guitar do it's job in the band and fill out the bottom end while guitar focuses on doing more interesting things rather creating a wall of distorted noise that cuts out the bass. Also, if you're wanting to do black metal, it's probably worth noting that not many black metal bands use 7-strings (in fact, I cant think of a single prominent one of the top of my head)

[Eng4G3]

JaQ brings up a very good point. I have a 7 string and though the neck is much wider, it fits my hands perfectly because of how big they are.

Baritone axes are very nice, sure the scale length is only 2 more inches longer than that of a standard 25" neck length, but it's a a lot easier to find heavier gauge strings for a 6 string baritone than it is for a 7 string. Plus, most baritone 6 strings come with a tremolo bridge that is either an original floyd rose or a licensed floyd bridge, you'll need one of those to keep in tune if you're tuned lower than C#, either that or have it professionally setup so that the intonation isn't all screwy.

Yea.. the thing is, I really don't like messing with floyd rose's.. they're just a pain to deal with when you have to re-string and I don't really ever use it for dive bombs or anything, so if I can, I'd really like to stay away from those.

I used to really like them but I've completely rethought my stance on it. I say let the bass guitar do it's job in the band and fill out the bottom end while guitar focuses on doing more interesting things rather creating a wall of distorted noise that cuts out the bass. Also, if you're wanting to do black metal, it's probably worth noting that not many black metal bands use 7-strings (in fact, I cant think of a single prominent one of the top of my head)

I know Crimson Moonlight and Miseration (not that they're black metal, but..) do.. if most don't, do they just use baritones? Or just drop a normal guitar down?

[the EDGE]

most death and black metal go in standard tunings, not drop tunings. But it comes down to more what I call do you want to play really big strings, or buy a baritone, or a 7 which really is obsolete, unless you play even more extreme styles of playing. Schecter makes baritones, and so does ESP. All in all it is on you, for you have to decide!

[Eng4G3]

most death and black metal go in standard tunings, not drop tunings. But it comes down to more what I call do you want to play really big strings, or buy a baritone, or a 7 which really is obsolete, unless you play even more extreme styles of playing. Schecter makes baritones, and so does ESP. All in all it is on you, for you have to decide!

Well, I guess as far as the tunings go, I was mainly looking at CM (Why have a 7 if your not going to play in B or lower?) I know Extol's undeceived album is in B.. thats mainly what I was basing it off of. So I guess it was a bad genre-wide assumption. But I really like what they are able to do with the lower tunings... I'll have to see if I can find a place with baritones and 7 strings so I can check 'em out and see what I like.

[the EDGE]

the album that Mark and I produced was tuned in B, and I have a 6 string and on top of that the guitar is a 22 fret, so when there is a will there is always a way! I could have went to A if I wanted to, but it all comes down to choice!

[JaQ]

I don't think I've ever tried a baritone.. Would Sam Ash or Guitar Center typically have one so I could try it? Are there any you would recommend that I look into?


I personally favor a Washburn Idol baritone. It's got to be the lightest weight guitar I own, and the tone is nice and thick. ESP's Viper baritone is nice and meaty too. You might be able to find either for around $400 - $500.

GC barely ever carries them, and I haven't seen them at Sam Ash. Last time I stopped at GC to see if they had any baritones, the salesman didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about. He said, "I've been playing guitar for 30+ years and I've never heard of a baritone."

[the EDGE]

I never thought of that....good thought JaQ!

[Raise the Chalice]

I have no guitars but I always wanted to get one someday, I am left-handed and my favorite guitars brands are bc rich, jackson and esp.

[Bribanez]

I have a 7-string and I like it a lot BUT you should know that it's hard to find stuff for it. There's only 2 stores in my area that carry 7-string sets, and they each only carry one brand/gauge. Replacement parts are impossible to find. And if you want to switch out the stock pickups, your options are very limited.

Dude....you need to get out more. Nowadays getting stuff for a 7 is just as easy as a 6. Especially with online stores.

[Bribanez]

GC barely ever carries them, and I haven't seen them at Sam Ash. Last time I stopped at GC to see if they had any baritones, the salesman didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about. He said, "I've been playing guitar for 30+ years and I've never heard of a baritone."[/QUOTE]



And that's why he's working at GC....

[Mortality of Flesh]

I play brutal death metal, and i have a 7 string. It's pretty cool, but i prefer a 6 string tuned to B standard. Too me, it's harder to play shred on and tremolo picking on the low B is more difficult, than a 6 string, as well.

Good luck :)

[Bribanez]

I play brutal death metal, and i have a 7 string. It's pretty cool, but i prefer a 6 string tuned to B standard. Too me, it's harder to play shred on and tremolo picking on the low B is more difficult, than a 6 string, as well.

Good luck :)


I understand what you're saying but I don't agree....for me anyway. To me the clarity is lost on a 6 tuned down to B as opposed to a 7 string. The 7s seemed clearer to me. But to each, his own.

[exo]

I understand what you're saying but I don't agree....for me anyway. To me the clarity is lost on a 6 tuned down to B as opposed to a 7 string. The 7s seemed clearer to me. But to each, his own.


Yes...to each his own. I hear different things, clarity wise between my downtuned 6 and my 7. I believe a lot of it is the relationship of the string guages VS scale length, in addition to the different body woods of the guitars. I've found that using a slightly heavier guage on the shorter scale guitar adds a bot more "snap" and clarity to things.

[the EDGE]

yeah I am about to try that too EXO. I am looking at getting some real fatty boomers, that setup that Nile uses, and Nevermore, I even think that ArchEnemy is going that route. I still do not know about the other deathmetal bands, but the ones I like i see using thick strings, and they make good tones with it!

[exo]

Well, edge....all I'm gonna say about any supposed connection between heavy guages and "good tone" is:

S
R
V

dude had meathooks for hands, and played 13s, a half step down......


my personal theory has always been to play the heaviest guages you can handle for whatever tuning you are in. More mass vibrating seems to generate a lager tone, to my ears....

[the EDGE]

SRV was a fricken legend that must have been lifting 50 lbs per finger.....I know he was brilliant. But he also had Fender make him the perfect neck, that could withstand that much physical abuse! Brilliant man!