alternate 7 string tuning possibility?

[Shakma!!]

I remember reading on one guitar Alex something or alexi or something like that, that had Fender build him a 7 string Strat tuned to EADGBEA but they had lotsa tuning issues. Would it be possible to do that on a 1527 or 7620? Even if it was like, DGCFADG? i want to try something like that but i dont know if its possible, and i dont like fenders or anything....

[BucketBot]

Originally Posted by Shakma!!

Even if it was like, DGCFADG? i want to try something like that but i dont know if its possible, and i dont like fenders or anything....

That's how I've had my 7620 tuned for a while now. It's pretty fun.
I would advise using a .007 guage string for the high G though. I got lucky and the local music store had a pile of them so I bought most of them.

[Given to Fly]

An .08 will work for the high G because that's what I have on my 8 string. (It actually broke but that was my fault.) I mention this only because all the guitar stores I have been to say, "Wow! I haven't seen a .07 in a really long time."

[Drew]

Man, there was a time when I used to play 7's. absurdly light. I was just an idiot kid back then, though, and now play 10-60's on my seven, so no hard feelings.

-D

[Jim Soloway]

It's something that would work a lot better on one of the shorter scale 7 strings. 1/2 to 3/4 of and inch an make a very big difference in string tension, so I'd try it with an ESP, a Danelectro or an Epiphone. As I recall, the 7521 and 7221 are also 24 3/4 inch scale length.

[The_Grindfiend]

Originally Posted by Drew

Man, there was a time when I used to play 7's. absurdly light. I was just an idiot kid back then, though, and now play 10-60's on my seven, so no hard feelings.

-D

Actually, many people prefer lighter strings. It is true that the dynamics are superior. I try to kind of split the different these days, and use 9-46 with a .062.

[Shakma!!]

I used to use 8s all the time, then i started tuning to D. Then it was like playing rubber bands, so i moved to 10s, which feel fine in D, but i prefer 9s in standard tunings...

[Drew]

Originally Posted by The_Grindfiend

Actually, many people prefer lighter strings. It is true that the dynamics are superior. I try to kind of split the different these days, and use 9-46 with a .062.

Yeah, I'm mostly kidding here, but keep in mind this was on a strat- you put strings that light over singlecoils, and you'd better have a damned light touch.

I don't really buy the "heavy strings have better tone" argument- it's not better, just different. heavy strigns are a little darker, but also much more compressed. Lighter strigns are a little brighter, but snappier. I've made the switch to 10-60's because I have a fairly heavy pick attack for rhythm, so i want a heavy low B, and i like how the heavier strings feel for alternate picking on lead. This is just what works for me.

So, hopefully no offense taken.

-D

[The_Grindfiend]

No offense at all. Just pointing it out for the viewers at home *winks at camera*

I do prefer slightly heavier strings. They sound thicker to me, and I like their more even response, as opposed to the snap and fade of the lighter gauges.

[Shakma!!]

well, 8s and 9s dont have very much snap when they're tuned down a whole step... And i dunno, but i can hear a pretty big difference in sound at D tuning between 9s and 10s. They just got more chunk and thickness for thrashin and whatnot.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by Shakma!!

well, 8s and 9s dont have very much snap when they're tuned down a whole step... And i dunno, but i can hear a pretty big difference in sound at D tuning between 9s and 10s. They just got more chunk and thickness for thrashin and whatnot.

Yeah, that one's all string tension- 9's are a bit too light for D, thus they're hanging limply, and won't vibrate as well- sustain and volume takes a hit.

-D