erdento Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Hopefully, I'm not jumping on a fading trend but I'm interested in a seven string and have seen a couple models that look interesting. Carvin DC747, Schecter, and the Music Man Petrucci models. I've got to admit the thought of having to mess with some finnicky tremmolo system has caused some reservations about the MM also it has the dreaded artist signature stigma. So, has anyone played any of these or any others worth considering? I'd appreciate as detailed assessment of the instrument as possible and any feedback on what the Petrucci tremmolo would be like to live with. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMcGuitar Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I'm not a 7-stringer, so I can't give any personal opinions. That said, you should check out Jim Soloway's guitars. He posts here regularly, and builds some really fine instruments (7 strings as well as others). I'll see if I can find one of his threads and bump it to the top for you. May all your thoughts be random! - Neil www.McFaddenArts.com www.MikesGarageRocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Soloway Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Thanks for both the boost and the bump. I've been a 7 string specialist for several years and I've owned 31 7-string guitars. I never did find one that really did it all for me. That's why I got into building them. Originally all I wanted was to put together a guitar for myself that had all of the characteristics and features that were important to me. Now I've got my entire existance tied into building guitars, both 6 and 7 strings, complete with sub-contractors and national advertising. So I definitely have a few opinions on the subject. Of the commercial 7 strings that I've played, the Petrucci may have been the best. Like you, I was not excited about the idea of a trem and they won't build it without one. But it plays very well and the basic tones are clear and I think very good. The workmanship is also first rate. The Ibanez 7421XL with a 27 inch scale length is the one that I got the most service out of as a player. It's not a great guitar. The stock electronic and hardward are not very good and the frets needed dressing, but those are all problems that can be overcome. What I did like about it was the extended scale length. I consider that to be critical in a 7 string. Without it, it's very difficult to get decent articulation out of the low end and if that's not important then why play a 7 string in the first place? If you have any specific questions, either about my guitars or 7 strings in general, just let me know and I'd be glad give you all the information I can. www.solowayguitars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolead Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 My .02: Seven strings aren't bad at all. Vai and Petrucci are the only people who have really ever played them well that I've heard. At least metal-wise. I personally don't want one because I have no use. I think the stigma behind the "bandwagon" is just one of all the nu-metal stuff out there with people who can't play. So if you want to avoid that, just don't get an Ibanez K-7. That will label you nu-metalhead to anyone who doesn't know what you really use it for. However, Ibanez does make some nice 7-stringers. I think one is the RG7421, something like that. You'd have to check there website. Shut up and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave251 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Just for fun.... http://www.electrocoustic.com/newimage/nievesfrontlzsmall.jpg Simple, super lightweight, versatile...also available with a bridge floating humbucker. I'm also in the middle of building a 29.5" scale bari-7(straight frets) Dave Wendler Instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Man, I'd like to give that 7-stringed Novaxed-axe of yours a try, Dave! Too bad you're not a little closer! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Soloway Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by dave251: Just for fun.... Simple, super lightweight, versatile...also available with a bridge floating humbucker. I'm also in the middle of building a 29.5" scale bari-7(straight frets)I sure wish I could have tried out that piece Dave. How are you planning to tune the bari-7? www.solowayguitars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 I saw a Fender 7-string Strat somewhere. That would be cool if you could get SD to make a JB jr or Scorcher for a 7-string. Fender also had a baritone Strat called the Sub-sonic, IIRC. I've got short fingers, so a 7-string would be a challenge for me. Still wouldn't mind having one though... BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave251 Posted December 4, 2003 Share Posted December 4, 2003 Originally posted by Jim Soloway: I sure wish I could have tried out that piece Dave. How are you planning to tune the bari-7?I'm not real sure of exactly what he's doing, but I believe it will be, lo-to-hi: F C F Bb Eb G C; ie, a major 3rd down from your tuning; he might be planning on a 4th down. I'll let you know as we get closer to being done. Dave Wendler Instruments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddy ray Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 i have one in the works it's a 24 fret 30" scale baritone neck through that was insprired by the purple princess bass built by alembic it is maple & purpleheart in the neck w/ebony fingerboard mahogany, purpleheart & maple in the body wings i haven't decided on pickups yet...i'm open to feedback on this have fun now! whatever the mind of man can concieve & believe it can achieve! study it as a science/practice it as an art! luck...that's what happens when preparation & opportunity intersect properly percieved every situation becomes an opportunity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 Originally posted by bluestrat: "I saw a Fender 7-string Strat somewhere..." Probably those "I'm gonna sue everyone"-type "I'm the sole inventor of the seven-string electric" ads put out by "the Maestro Alex Gregory" and the lawyers that were humoring and milking him. What a pompous horse's @$$, he may even eclipse Angwy! They featured a Fender Custom Shop seven-string Stratocaster, rather vintage-y in its styling and apointments. (That was supposed to be the big evidence to weigh-in as credence to his idiotic claims.) "That would be cool if you could get SD to make a JB jr or Scorcher for a 7-string." You could! http://www.seymourduncan.com/website/images/bottomlogo.jpghttp://www.seymourduncan.com/website/images/customshop.jpg (LINK) If they don't already make it, you can always throw money at 'em! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Originally posted by bluestrat: "I saw a Fender 7-string Strat somewhere..." Probably those "I'm gonna sue everyone"-type "I'm the sole inventor of the seven-string electric" ads put out by "the Maestro Alex Gregory" and the lawyers that were humoring and milking him. What a pompous horse's @$$, he may even eclipse Angwy! They featured a Fender Custom Shop seven-string Stratocaster, rather vintage-y in its styling and apointments. (That was supposed to be the big evidence to weigh-in as credence to his idiotic claims.) "That would be cool if you could get SD to make a JB jr or Scorcher for a 7-string." You could! http://www.seymourduncan.com/website/images/bottomlogo.jpghttp://www.seymourduncan.com/website/images/customshop.jpg If they don't already make it, you can always throw money at 'em!Kev, The one I remember was a Squier, not a high-dollar custom job. I can't remember if it had humbuckers or single coils, but I'm thinking it was 'buckers. Not too many 7-strings have single coils, I'd guess because of the Goth/Nu-metal stigma that accompanies the 7-string. BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 Oh yeah! I remember seeing some Squier seven-strings in Musician's Fiend catalogs; Showmasters, maybe? I even think one was blue! As for the pickups, that SD page shows that a lot of various things have been done, and often for fairly reasonable prices, all things considered. Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Soloway Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 Originally posted by daddy ray: i have one in the works it's a 24 fret 30" scale baritone neck through that was insprired by the purple princess bass built by alembic it is maple & purpleheart in the neck w/ebony fingerboard mahogany, purpleheart & maple in the body wings i haven't decided on pickups yet...i'm open to feedback on this30 inch scale length? Man that's pretty much a bass. It's probably going to sound great but I sure wouldn't want to be playing complex chords with it. www.solowayguitars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Oh yeah! I remember seeing some Squier seven-strings in Musician's Fiend catalogs; Showmasters, maybe? I even think one was blue! Yeah, I think it was a Showmaster, but it still had the bolt on neck, not the set neck. Musician's Fiend Was the "fiend" part intentional? It can seem as though they're out to get ya sometimes. They're also known as Musician's Enemy. BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddy ray Posted December 8, 2003 Share Posted December 8, 2003 Originally posted by Jim Soloway: Originally posted by daddy ray: i have one in the works it's a 24 fret 30" scale baritone neck through that was insprired by the purple princess bass built by alembic it is maple & purpleheart in the neck w/ebony fingerboard mahogany, purpleheart & maple in the body wings i haven't decided on pickups yet...i'm open to feedback on this30 inch scale length? Man that's pretty much a bass. It's probably going to sound great but I sure wouldn't want to be playing complex chords with it.jim: you are right it is pretty stretched i gave it a lot of thought tho played some chords on my 6 string bass with 35" scale & decided i could handle it & to go for it i've heard a lot about what the extra length does for the tone when strung with guitar strings, that the extra length requires more pull to achieve desired pitch thus adding a lot of crispness to the sound, especially on the bass side. i'm planning to string it with .012/.052's with wound 3rd & then adding a .060 or so for #7 on the low side. i'm quite anxious to get it finnished & see what i come up with have fun now! whatever the mind of man can concieve & believe it can achieve! study it as a science/practice it as an art! luck...that's what happens when preparation & opportunity intersect properly percieved every situation becomes an opportunity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 8, 2003 Share Posted December 8, 2003 Originally posted by bluestrat: "Was the "fiend" part intentional? Yeah, but only as a joke. My few transactions with the 'Fiend have been hunky-dorey, but I have to wonder about some of the stupid mis- and dis-info printed with some of their product write-ups, usually aimed at folks who'll be swayed by bogus "vintage" references, or sometimes when a guitar or amp that is pretty much a reissue of a design from the '50s or '60s is talked up as some kind of new idea! Who writes that crap?!? Originally posted by daddy ray: "i have one in the works (a seven-string) it's a 24 fret 30" scale baritone neck through that was inspired by the purple princess bass built by alembic" Hey, daddy ray- just how are you going to tune that beast? And just where are you gonna position the pickups, and how many, and what basic type? Just curious! Oh, yeah, you've gotta give us some pics when you can! Sounds cool! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddy ray Posted December 8, 2003 Share Posted December 8, 2003 Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Originally posted by bluestrat: "Was the "fiend" part intentional? Yeah, but only as a joke. My few transactions with the 'Fiend have been hunky-dorey, but I have to wonder about some of the stupid mis- and dis-info printed with some of their product write-ups, usually aimed at folks who'll be swayed by bogus "vintage" references, or sometimes when a guitar or amp that is pretty much a reissue of a design from the '50s or '60s is talked up as some kind of new idea! Who writes that crap?!? Originally posted by daddy ray: "i have one in the works (a seven-string) it's a 24 fret 30" scale baritone neck through that was inspired by the purple princess bass built by alembic" Hey, daddy ray- just how are you going to tune that beast? And just where are you gonna position the pickups, and how many, and what basic type? Just curious! Oh, yeah, you've gotta give us some pics when you can! Sounds cool!caevan: probably will start with "standard" to b for the top 6 and down a 4th on #7...try different things & let the guitar show me what it likes best i have duncans & dimarzios both on different guitars at this time & like both for various reasons...i'm still doing homework on this i've been doing some reading on how harmonics effect good pickup placement...i probably will string it up acoustic before routing for pickups & play around with this concept before deciding...i'm pretty contemplative/studious about my work wanting to be satisfied with all my results at this point the neck is still in block form, ready for routing carbon fiber & truss rod channels...then slot the fretboard etc. so i'm actually giving more of my focus to the moment i've been teching/building about 3 years now after retiring from 30 in another technical field & am very receptive to input from readers who have player/builder experience in these areas have fun now! whatever the mind of man can concieve & believe it can achieve! study it as a science/practice it as an art! luck...that's what happens when preparation & opportunity intersect properly percieved every situation becomes an opportunity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddy ray Posted December 8, 2003 Share Posted December 8, 2003 ps how do i load pics...i have plenty have fun now! whatever the mind of man can concieve & believe it can achieve! study it as a science/practice it as an art! luck...that's what happens when preparation & opportunity intersect properly percieved every situation becomes an opportunity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 8, 2003 Share Posted December 8, 2003 Well, do you want to go with two, or three pickups? Single coils, humbuckers, or a combination? You could space them in the same relative locations as a Fender or Gibson, except that the 24th fret will move the neck pickup further "south" (I still prefer 22-fretters for this reason). How about you rig up the pickups on something to allow you to suspend them over the strings to try different locations out and select the ones that sound best to you? Then route for 'em. Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted December 8, 2003 Share Posted December 8, 2003 i thought "7 string bandwagon" was a band http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reachjkh Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I don't think it's a fad anymore than extended range basses are. Just a tool to do certain things that you can't with a standard instrument. I think jazz players like the walking bass lines they can do with that extra low end. Hey you white boy there Go play that funky music "ok...what's it pay?" first smoke, then silence your very expensive rig dies so gracefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Man, if I could have all of my guitars magically transformed into seven-strings, I think I would. Good tools are never a fad, only dopey uses for'em are. Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddy ray Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Well, do you want to go with two, or three pickups? Single coils, humbuckers, or a combination? You could space them in the same relative locations as a Fender or Gibson, except that the 24th fret will move the neck pickup further "south" (I still prefer 22-fretters for this reason). How about you rig up the pickups on something to allow you to suspend them over the strings to try different locations out and select the ones that sound best to you? Then route for 'em.that's a very interesting idea, caevan, to invert & suspend the pickups above the strings find the real sweet spot 'fore you cut any wood i'm going to try that when the time comes...i'll let you know how it works out the article i was reading on harmonics relative to good pickup placement mentioned the 22 fret advantage on neck pickups...the pickup is in the 24th fret area...one of the strongest harmonic spots on the neck however i realy like having 2 full octaves before bending one of the things i'm learning at present is paganini's 16th caprice & it just can't be done without 24 of em even then some of the violin passages have to be played an octave down i've been also thinking about an extended scale 36 fret (roth) just to see how that would work out for some of this stuff i'm setting here looking at my 35" bass w/24 frets...looks like it could take another ocatve & still have a little room between frets still don't know about pickup choice...most of the extend scale instruments are in mosh pit type music & are humbuckers i've thought about a real hot single coil for this one anyone out there have any any real world experience with baritone pickups/sound? have fun now! whatever the mind of man can concieve & believe it can achieve! study it as a science/practice it as an art! luck...that's what happens when preparation & opportunity intersect properly percieved every situation becomes an opportunity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Well, of two (six-string baritone guitars) that Fender came out with that reportedly had a good sound, one- a Tele-style- had two Tele-style single-coils, and the other- a Strat-style- had a "hum-sing-sing" combo plate. What kind of sound do you want? Twangy and low-down vintagey deep, or subterranean rumbly razor-edged-thunder for distortion? Two, or three pickups? Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddy ray Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Well, of two that Fender came out with that reportedly had a good sound, one- a Tele-style- had two Tele-style single-coils, and the other- a Strat-style- had a "hum-sing-sing" combo plate. What kind of sound do you want? Twangy and low-down vintagey deep, or subterranean rumbly razor-edged-thunder for distortion? Two, or three pickups?i want it all...don't we all? have fun now! whatever the mind of man can concieve & believe it can achieve! study it as a science/practice it as an art! luck...that's what happens when preparation & opportunity intersect properly percieved every situation becomes an opportunity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat0124 Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Originally posted by Jim Soloway: [QB]Thanks for both the boost and the bump. I've been a 7 string specialist for several years and I've owned 31 7-string guitars. Man, thats alot of guitfiddles, they haven't been around very long! I think after one or two I'd have figured out whether they were me or not! Hey send me some money, just to see if you like it or not! Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitar Geezer Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Originally posted by bluestrat: Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Originally posted by bluestrat: [qb] "I saw a Fender 7-string Strat somewhere..." Probably those "I'm gonna sue everyone"-type "I'm the sole inventor of the seven-string electric" ads put out by "the Maestro Alex Gregory" and the lawyers that were humoring and milking him. What a pompous horse's @$$, he may even eclipse Angwy! They featured a Fender Custom Shop seven-string Stratocaster, rather vintage-y in its styling and apointments. (That was supposed to be the big evidence to weigh-in as credence to his idiotic claims.) "That would be cool if you could get SD to make a JB jr or Scorcher for a 7-string." Kev, The one I remember was a Squier, not a high-dollar custom job. I can't remember if it had humbuckers or single coils, but I'm thinking it was 'buckers. Not too many 7-strings have single coils, I'd guess because of the Goth/Nu-metal stigma that accompanies the 7-string. Good Call Dude Lynn G Squire 7 string Lynn G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Soloway Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Originally posted by Geenard: Originally posted by Jim Soloway: [QB]Thanks for both the boost and the bump. I've been a 7 string specialist for several years and I've owned 31 7-string guitars. Man, thats alot of guitfiddles, they haven't been around very long! I think after one or two I'd have figured out whether they were me or not! Hey send me some money, just to see if you like it or not! The beauty of the internet is that it's very easy to buy and sell. I made money on most of them and on the first 28 of them, I'm way ahead, enough to have financed much of the start up of my guitar building business. The last three have my name on the headstock. www.solowayguitars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 * New set of strings: $7.95 * Used Squire Stagemaster on e-bay: $250.00 * (Reserve not met.) * Various new seven-string guitars, including baritones: $ morethanI'veg.ot * Being able to say, "I've owned 31 7-string guitars...I made money on most of them...The last three have my name on the headstock": PRICELESS!! Good for you, Jim! That's great! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.