How to get the best sound out of your 7 string (low B)

Given to Fly · #1 07-21-2003, 04:46 PM

Well I was playing guitar today and I noticed that when I was playing the beginning part of A Change of Seasons (first heavey part) it did not sound very clear. Each note was not defined. The Low B pedal really took over and was to strong while the other notes were weak. I'm playing straight into a Legacy Combo. My strings are 9's with a low 56. Do you think maybe I should get thicker strings or maybe an extension cab for my amp? Or if there is anything else too, please let me know because I would like a more balenced sound. Thanks

PS I'm playing a Universe.

darren wilson · #2 07-21-2003, 04:57 PM

Try turning down the bass on the amp. Sometimes those lower strings are so heavy on the overtones, they start resonating and won't stop howling. I've found that turning down the bass half a notch or a bit more can help stop those runaway overtones. Even better, if you're using a graphic EQ, see if you can zero in on the offending frequencies and try and tame them that way.

I've got a set of GHS 11's on the way with a compound-wound .070 for my low B. to try and get the sound down there a little tighter and more articulate. I'll let you know how that goes.

Two hands31 · #3 07-21-2003, 10:20 PM

I've got a 10-56 set on my Schecter (basswood, stock pickups, hardtail), and it's got great articulation on some settings, and crappy on others. You definitely have to back off the bass a bit, depending on the amp of course, and just play with the EQ. Just don't expect to use the same settings as on your 6-string (assuming you have one). Pickup choice may be a big factor you may want to look into as well though.

stretcher7 · #4 07-21-2003, 10:43 PM

Ditto on the pickups. What kind are you using? I would bet that has the most to do with it.

Given to Fly · #5 07-21-2003, 10:44 PM

Thanks guys. Well I messed with EQ and that helped a whole bunch. You really can't have as much bass on there as a six string so I learned my lesson and turned it down.

sam669 · #6 07-22-2003, 05:55 PM

i have it turned to the max on my 7string riff sound. not muddy at all. articulate etc. and that on my 2027 with the stockers.
not implying anything wrong about your playing, but i think that a good right hand palm mute also helps alot! also, reduce the reverb and delay, they can mess your sound so hard!

btw, as we're talking about sounds, i'd like to tell Drew (i think) that i managed to find a good low B riff sound on the 2027. or at least one that i like. it sounds close to a universe. with just a bit more mids, but nothing that anoying

Drew · #7 07-23-2003, 02:18 PM

Yeah, that was me, Sam. Idunno... I think we're just looking for two different things, in terms of tone. The basswood 7620 just seems to have a little more clarity and "mass" to the notes on that string... Eh, write it off to personal taste. As for the bass knob, the 2027 definately has less bass response than a 7620, but what amp are you playing it through? Just wondering...

Another thing you can do is try adjusting the polepeices, to restrain that low B a tiny bit. It's a subtle effect, but it can help give you a little extra balance across the frequency spectrum.

-D

sam669 · #8 07-23-2003, 04:41 PM

Drew, could you give me an example of riff sound that you really like? from an artist or a sound clip?
i myself was looking for something heavy, like a huge waterfall when playing powerchords on the low B string. but individual notes had to remain quite and almost "spongy"

Soloist · #9 07-23-2003, 11:00 PM

I have tried and owned many 7's (both mahogany and basswood), I have found that basswood is usually clearer and more articulate when it comes to 7 strings. One thing that you might want to try is switching to a lower gauge seventh string (anywhere from .052-.054). When I originally purchased my RG8527 I was not very pleased with the clarity of the seventh string (it was overpowering the other strings when doing heavy rhythms), I switched the seventh that was on it (I think it was a .056) to a .052, now it sounds great.

Drew · #10 07-24-2003, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam669

Drew, could you give me an example of riff sound that you really like? from an artist or a sound clip?
i myself was looking for something heavy, like a huge waterfall when playing powerchords on the low B string. but individual notes had to remain quite and almost "spongy"

Hmm... Tricky question... I like JP's tones on "Awake," but they're a tocuh over-compressed to my ears, so you don't really get the full effect of the low B. I remember a track off one of the first or second "Secret jewel box" disc, a vocal tune, where Vai was playing what sounded like a 7-string riff in a vocal tune with this very marshall-y sounding overdrive that was absolutely crystal-clear- it was like a clean, channel, almost, but too strongly colored for that. I couldn't believe the tone... I don't know if i'd want to live with it, but it was beautiful. And this is a fairly obscure tune, but Lifer's "Not Like You" has one of the best rhythm guitar sounds I've ever heard. Massive, thick, but still defined.

I guess JP's G3 tone has been the best I've ever heard, really... It was more his lead sound than his rhythm sound, but both were just incredibly- smooth, warm, yet incredibly articulate and heavy- they seemed to cut much better than vai and satch's in the jams at the end.

Who knows... I'll dig through my CD collection after work looking for the perfect distortion tone. Thing is, I haven't heard it yet.

Heavy, but with a clear attack and tight definition- clear, defined, but still able to rip your head off.

-D

sam669 · #11 07-24-2003, 06:17 PM

how do you find the sound used in "the mysterious murder of..." in fire garden? i find it damn thick and wicked!
the marshall thing you tell me about reminds of the time i played a universe through a jcm2000, i loved it! playing the same UV through a mesa nomad & triple recto didnt please me as much!

jp's live solo sound is incredible yeah! loud, clear, cutting through, and taking a lot of the sonic space (?) of the place.

Drew · #12 07-25-2003, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam669

how do you find the sound used in "the mysterious murder of..." in fire garden? i find it damn thick and wicked!
the marshall thing you tell me about reminds of the time i played a universe through a jcm2000, i loved it! playing the same UV through a mesa nomad & triple recto didnt please me as much!

jp's live solo sound is incredible yeah! loud, clear, cutting through, and taking a lot of the sonic space (?) of the place.

Is that the stupidly fast tapped thing after the low-end riffing? Yeah, that's a cool tune... I can't remember the tone terribly well, but i think I liked it... How about Vai's demo on the 7th heaven video? I've only heard the streaming version, and don't own the vid, but THAT is a sweet tone... Also, "Die to Live" is a tune of his where I've always loved the tone of....

-D

sam669 · #13 07-25-2003, 03:05 PM

yeah it starts with some low B then tap/slides. i really dig the low sound. especially the hammer-sledge power chord right before the sweeps.

the sound on that demo is great yep. i've got the 3mb video.

The_Grindfiend · #14 07-28-2003, 12:02 AM

I think my favorite rhythm tone ever is the Offspring's Smash tone. Their guitar, even though it's relatively low gain (as opposed to extreme metal tones) just sounds so mean. The Mark IV is such a wicked amp. Their tone has that growl that I like, while remaining trebly and clear. I'm trying to duplicate their tone for my 7 string, and just add a little more bass and more gain.