Using 6 string Ibanez RG as a 7 string?

pera_a777 · #1 05-18-2006, 04:29 PM

Using 6 string Ibanez RG as a 7 string (without the thinnest E string)?
What do ou think about this..any experiences..?
My guitar is rg550ex...with lo pro edge..
I am serioslyu planning to do this..so i am just going to buy strings for the 7 string and put on upper six strings..
i think that this should work, as i was doing similar things before..using 10s in a one whole step down tuning gave great feeling, and even i didn't need to do the set up, cause dropping the tuning, and using strings fatter then my regular 9s gave the almost equal tension as with 9s in regular tuning..
Can this be dangerous for the neck or something..?
Any input highly appreciated..
Thank you!

Eddie_UV777 · #2 05-18-2006, 04:44 PM

i used to do it...till i got a 7 string i never had problems

adamh1331 · #3 05-18-2006, 07:16 PM

I used to do that until i got a real 7 string because when i wanted to use drop A on my 6 string the strings were to loose and with a 7 sting it is much easier to drop the B string to an A and have more string tension and etc.

brothersnowgone · #4 05-18-2006, 07:40 PM

I use to play in B with.70's on one of my RG's so I'd say it's pretty safe for you to be using a normal 7 string set on a 6.

pera_a777 · #5 05-18-2006, 07:43 PM

Thanx guys..guess i'll go for it..great..who knows..maybe i even won't need a 7 string at all!!!

JTM45 · #6 05-20-2006, 01:17 PM

It'll never be as good as a full set of seven strings!

guitarplayerone · #7 01-25-2008, 07:39 PM

the high E string is usually a crucial part of most people's phrasing, and helps a lot with your usual chord voicings. I used to do this before I got my seven-string, but if you want a seven-string, do yourself a favor and just buy one.

a use 7620 or 7420 is a good bet

reguv760 · #8 01-25-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Using 6 string Ibanez RG as a 7 string (without the thinnest E string)?
What do ou think about this..any experiences..?
My guitar is rg550ex...with lo pro edge..

no problem at all... Carcass tuned/tunes their RG's/S's to B way since the late 80s/early 90s. If i remember correctly, their gauges consisted of: 56, 46, 36, 24, 18, and 12.

Reg

DEADTUNES666 · #9 01-25-2008, 09:40 PM

I have a Jem that I tune down 2 whole steps to C, With Dean Markley 12's.
The great thing about it, is all my 80's poppy sounding material, is dark and fresh now...

I've had that one tuned down for about 7 years, never any problems with it.

Nordhauser · #10 01-25-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTM45

It'll never be as good as a full set of seven strings!

True dat.

Of Angels · #11 01-26-2008, 12:14 PM

A 7 string RG is far more inspiring and a lot more useful than a 6 string RG tuned to B standard.

However, both have their perks in feel, and I STILL tune a 6 string RG down to B or C here and there, regardless of the fact that I have an RG7621. It depends on the feel you're going for.

I reccomend not using anything over a .60 gauge though, or you'll just have a swell time setting it up.

Dee · #12 01-27-2008, 11:08 AM

You can easily work out which gauges to put together using a tension calculator. A .60 shouldn't be a problem, although a 59 is probably better because when it's tuned to B it's very close to the tension of a 44 tuned to E.

Here's how to get the tension of a low-B tuned custom string set close to the tension of a set of 9's:

12-16-24-32-44-59

Total tension = 90.3 pounds.

That's close to a set of 9's and should only require very minor adjustments of the trem claw. In some ways, a low-tuned 6 will be much better for a player who is used to playing a 6-string only. There is no re-learning the fretboard like there is with a 7-string, it's a straight adaptation. I own a 7 and a 6, and if anyone ever tells you that a 7 is easy to get your head around after playing a 6 for many years, don't believe them! It takes a long time! I've had my 7 for a while now and I'm still nowhere near being as fluent on it as I am on a 6. In hindsight, I should probably have bought another 6 and tuned it down. The only difference is you don't get the 5 highest notes.

EDIT: I just realized I'm replying to a thread from 2006! guitarplayerone, it's your fault!

Of Angels · #13 01-27-2008, 01:20 PM

I dunno man. I'm not trying to be condescending here, but I had a very easy time switching over to a 7 string. I don't know that I "switched over", but it was more like I learned the instrument... again, a 7 string is more inspiring as an instrument, and is almost a new animal altogether. By that token, I definitely want an 8 string.

Dee · #14 01-27-2008, 02:48 PM

There's nothing condescending about your post, my friend. I guess it's different for all of us, but speaking for myself and a few people I know who bought 7's didn't have an easy time making the switch. At first it was easier than I thought, but a little while later I realized it's actually harder to play along with something I'd normally play on a 6-string without really testing my brain. Maybe I just need more time, but it's been a few months already and I'm still having trouble. On the other hand, having played a 6 for about 28 years now I can't expect to adapt overnight.

7-string is a lot of fun, though. I had a great time working out all the songs I have listened to for years but was never able to play along to. Much of the Planet X material was written on a 7, plus the OTV album "Serious Young Insects" are all a blast to jam to. I'm not sure if you're familiar with those bands, but if not, check 'em out! They are awesome. Very difficult to learn, though.

guitarplayerone · #15 01-27-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

There's nothing condescending about your post, my friend. I guess it's different for all of us, but speaking for myself and a few people I know who bought 7's didn't have an easy time making the switch. At first it was easier than I thought, but a little while later I realized it's actually harder to play along with something I'd normally play on a 6-string without really testing my brain. Maybe I just need more time, but it's been a few months already and I'm still having trouble. On the other hand, having played a 6 for about 28 years now I can't expect to adapt overnight.

I played six for about 8 years before switching to 7. It took me about six or seven months to get fully used to it, and now six-string material is the same exact thing, but the extra range is indispensable for soloing...