7 Stringer.. considerations

mindwalker · #1 07-19-2010, 06:11 AM

Hi guys,

I have never played a 7 string before, but the occasion seems right now

Just recently a guy from my local city is selling an Ibanez RG1570 in blue. He says it's in perfect condition, never gigged, 2008. I might be able to snatch it for 500-600 eur.

However I've heard the guitar chips extremely easily and also that a pickup swap is mandatory.

On the other hand I saw an RG7620 for sale, the owner might still have it. However it's in pure black which I find a bit boring. Although the pickups seem to be far better than the Vs.

Another option would be to just get a new one. RGA427 looks fantastic but it's far too expensive. 1850 eur over here...

Then there's the RGD2127Z which looks cool but I wonder how does it feel to have the extended scale ? I assume you will need thicker gauge strings to accommodate for the bigger scale. Will that mean that the guitar will be a bit more difficult to play ? (harder strings, tighter bends..etc).

Thanks for any hints!!

Fun111 · #2 07-19-2010, 06:37 AM

I'm not much of a 7 string player, but I tried the RGD and it did sound noticeably bigger and thicker. If I was gunna get a 7 (baring in mind I probably won't) that'd probably be what I went for. Maybe also look in to a second hand Universe?

The RG1570 isn't a 7 string. I think you might mean the 1527, and if you do, the stock pickups I thought were horrible.

mindwalker · #3 07-19-2010, 07:35 AM

Yup you're right I meant the RG1527. From what I've read on the internet people seem to have mixed opinions about the V pickups.. some say they're horrible, some say they're pretty good. I've got an RG521 with V pickups and although they're not terrible they're definitely worse than the Ibz/Dimarzio pickups I've got on another guitar.. so I'd think the RG1527 to sound similar

However the RGD and the RG1527 bear the same pickups and body wood.. maybe the extended scale and lower tuning makes it sound fuller ?

RGD looks great however it seems lees versatile as the 1527. It doesn't seem to have a coil-split option neither a tone knob (I'm assuming the only knob on the guitar is the volume one). So RGD is definitely metal oriented which is OK as I'm mostly into metal however should I want to use it for something else it might not cover it.

Aris_T · #4 07-19-2010, 11:15 AM

Haven't played the RGD, but judging from the specs it must be really great. I have an RG1527 (swapped the pickups for more clarity and output with a Q-tuner(n) & D-Activator (b)) and it feels awesome. Since the RGD's neck is prestige, it must feel great too. The longer scale shouldn't be an issue as I have relatively small hands and adapted in no time on my RGA-8 (27"). You won't have to use thicker strings, because the longer scale helps to maintain tension in lower tunings. So no stress! It also adds to the clarity.

If you're into low tunings go for the RGD. As far as the split coil issue, can be mended if you just change the pickup selector (and the wiring).
If not, the RG1527 is an all-around weapon! And 600 euros for a mint prestige guitar is really great.
I think that in both cases you will have to change the pickups though...

If you come down to choose between the RGs (considering that black doesn't bother you), you should know that a lot of guys here like the RG7620 better. I won't say that the RG1527's neck is better, I will just say that it feels different and I personally like it more. But the 7620's pickups are DiMarzios and far better than the 1527's.
The 7620 sounds a better purchase (if it's mint and at the same price range as the 1527).

mindwalker · #5 07-30-2010, 10:43 AM

I just realized that Ibanez has issued an S7420 with 24 frets ? (which I prefer over 22 frets).

How do these compare with the RG series ? I personally find the all black finish rather boring..
The S body is different.. thinner at the edges.. maybe not so comfortable to play over your leg if you're sitting down. No Edge Zero but the ZR tremolo (probably works well the same). And the pickups are Axis Seven 1 and 2... how do these sound compared to V7 and V8 ?

It's also not a MIJ guitar... I'd prefer to have a Prestige model... oh well

danneva · #6 08-10-2010, 04:10 AM

I love music but I never known or thought about 7 strings..

dgbaker33 · #7 08-10-2010, 06:27 PM

Get the 7620. ive owned several, and for the $$, they are great 7s'. Here is mine with a new Crunch Lab 7 pickup!

GuitarBizarre · #8 08-11-2010, 08:21 AM

the S7420 is good if you don't want to spend much and find out if you're going to enjoy a 7 string, but the build quality on mine wasn't very good. I had to have the neck pocket part of the neck levelled and shimmed since it warped and went out of alignment, also the pickups aren't GREAT, and the ZR trem has the old style arm holder, which breaks and should be replaced ASAP.

None of that will matter much if you view it as a project guitar, but if you want GREATNES out of the box, look elsewhere. Frets needed a level straight from factory too.

IamFastEddie · #9 08-21-2010, 09:07 PM

I realize it has been a month since you posted. I have an RG1527. I swapped out the pups for a Petrucci set (Liquifire 7 and Crunch Lab 7). 1000 times better than the stock pups. In fact I've swapped out the stock pups in all of my Ibbys. Also, the paint does chip fairly easily, and I'm the type who plays with a steel pick and doesn't break strings. When I got mine it had already had the trem posts modded.