Is the 7-string community getting smaller again?

[Jim Soloway]

I've been checking the auction listings for 7-string on pretty close to a daily basis for years. I don't think I've ever seen as many high end 7-strings up for sale as there have been in the last two weeks. Right now there are three US custom shop Schecters, a Buscarino, a Foster (there was another last week), and a Moll. Over the last couple weeks there's also been a Comins and a Benadetto Benny. Other than the Schecters these are all considered jazz guitars and it looks like a major exodus is happening there. These are all multi-thousand dollar guitars and even at heavily discounted prices, they don't seem to be selling.

Clearly there are changes going on and I think the 7-string community is taking another hit. In the rock world, people seem more interested in baritones and in the jazz world, I think they're following Jimmy Bruno's lead and going back to 6-strings in droves.

[Flobanez]

I surely hope not.......I, myself play 7-strings exclusively and have for 8 years.
However, I play prog rock, metal, funk, blues, jazz, etc....
I play only Ibanez though so I would have no interest in no other 7-strings.
I definately would love to play a Comins or a Benedetto Benny but it's not my style.
I would like to think there are more 7-string players that some would play these
guitars.

[frankfalbo]

It could be based on economics, just as much. I mean, if you play 6's and 7's and have multiple guitars, when you need cash, perhaps the expensive 7 is the first to go. What I've noticed too with e-bay is that there are a lot of copycat auctions. Whenever there are a couple edge trems sold at mid-to-high prices, then there's 10 of them within a week. It doesn't mean people are all swapping them for OFR's or anything, its more like it convinces people or reminds them that they could make some money selling what they have.

Also if all those guitars are sold, then they haven't gone without an owner, right? Your net 7-string ownership is still the same, right? It's not like those 7's went into a museum, there're new owners playing them now. Maybe people are just "stirring the soup" It's the same soup, just mixed up a little.

Edit: I just read that you said they didn't seem to be selling either. So maybe everyone is just "trying" to stir the soup, but the soup is frozen.

[sepsis311]

Originally Posted by Flobanez

I surely hope not.......I, myself play 7-strings exclusively and have for 8 years.
However, I play prog rock, metal, funk, blues, jazz, etc....
I play only Ibanez though so I would have no interest in no other 7-strings.
I definately would love to play a Comins or a Benedetto Benny but it's not my style.
I would like to think there are more 7-string players that some would play these
guitars.

I definately hope so. Once no one plays 7's anymore, it wont be a "fad." It wont be dubbed the Korn revolution. I love 7's, they feel natural. So let everyone else switch back to 6's, so i can be original again with my 7's.

[Bluestreak]

Originally Posted by sepsis311

Once no one plays 7's anymore, it wont be a "fad." It wont be dubbed the Korn revolution. I love 7's, they feel natural. So let everyone else switch back to 6's, so i can be original again with my 7's.

Being original and playing a 7-string are two separate and distinct concepts. Anyone can play a 7, not anyone can be original with a seven regardless of how many people play them. I see far too many extended range guitarists banging the daylights out of that seventh string as opposed to incorporating it into chord phrasings and scales. An intelligent, educated and well-rounded player able to use the extra range is one thing... a hack banging away at a low A/B string is... well, frankly, pretty much like every other local yokel I see picking up a 7-string.

But I wouldn't consider the guitar a fad. It has existed in the hands of jazz musicians long before it hit popular rock culture in the late 80's. Sure - the 7-string has had peaks and vallies in popularity. But then, hasn't all the world of "guitardom" felt that? Just like society itself, guitar has its many trends that come and go and return again. The popularity of the 7-string ebbs and flows as does everything else about playing the guitar.

-Roger

[zEr0]

Is it really that important?!?

I mean I'm getting my first seven in a few months and I know I won't be selling that ever. But I really don't care what the rest of the world is doing with their axes. If everyone wants to play 5-strings, so be it. It's not like it's going to make me feel abandoned or anything. To each their own!

[fettouhi]

Originally Posted by zEr0

Is it really that important?!?

I mean I'm getting my first seven in a few months and I know I won't be selling that ever. But I really don't care what the rest of the world is doing with their axes. If everyone wants to play 5-strings, so be it. It's not like it's going to make me feel abandoned or anything. To each their own!

Ditto!!!!

Regards

André

[7 Dying Trees]

There's definately less people playing them, I guess a lot of people figured out they didnt need them for what they were playing.

Myself, I still have mine and would probably like one or two more, but as there isnt much room in my band for them they stay at home. Still love playing them though.

I think what is happening is that there was a backlash against them in a way, but at some point i reckon people will rediscover their uses. In fact, they have gone back to being a more specialised tool rather than mainstream.

Just like gibsons/fenders etc I am sure the dip wont last, all it is goig to take is another popular player to emerge that uses them well.

James

[the.godfather]

I totally agree with James. I think people will discover their uses once again, I think its just a "quiet" period. I defenitely dont think they will die out. I personally dont own one, and I have only ever played one once, but I enjoyed it alot! I am actually looking into getting my first one, and by the sounds of it - now might be a good time in the "lul" as they say. I certainly hope they dont die out because I think they have their purpose.

[Allen Garrow]

Yeah, it's seems to have mellowed out some. Some follow trends others wait for their favorite musician to start playing one. Personally I am totally committed to the use of the 7 string. The only 6 string that even interest me is the Jem7VWH. I'm not sure that the 7 string will ever become mainstream. For me that's cool,,, I kind of like it the way it is. Just so long as Ibanez doesn't stop making them. However I think if they did I would have to go Custom, LGM or Conklin.

I really think that 7 strings scare off some people especially new players. I often hear people say "whoa,,7 strings,, that must be complicated". Hard core 6 stringers are often content with just tuning to C or what ever the need to get the beef.

~A

[sepsis311]

Originally Posted by Bluestreak

Being original and playing a 7-string are two separate and distinct concepts. Anyone can play a 7, not anyone can be original with a seven regardless of how many people play them. I see far too many extended range guitarists banging the daylights out of that seventh string as opposed to incorporating it into chord phrasings and scales. An intelligent, educated and well-rounded player able to use the extra range is one thing... a hack banging away at a low A/B string is... well, frankly, pretty much like every other local yokel I see picking up a 7-string.

But I wouldn't consider the guitar a fad. It has existed in the hands of jazz musicians long before it hit popular rock culture in the late 80's. Sure - the 7-string has had peaks and vallies in popularity. But then, hasn't all the world of "guitardom" felt that? Just like society itself, guitar has its many trends that come and go and return again. The popularity of the 7-string ebbs and flows as does everything else about playing the guitar.

-Roger

Without over analyzing, i would just like to mention that the 7-string with regard to rock/metal (and or sound) has become a fad. It was introduced and exploited through limp bizkit, korn, fear factory, and any other band that posed in ads, with the 7 string headstock in your face. Now that it's over, and the market has died down, they are selling real cheap on ****.

[Bluestreak]

Originally Posted by sepsis311

... i would just like to mention that the 7-string with regard to rock/metal (and or sound) has become a fad...

I can somewhat agree with that. But not completely. Petrucci is one of the few I see continually employing them. Dave Weiner. Marc Tremonti. All inspiring six/seven string players.

It'll always be a useful rock guitar. I wouldn't have two of my six being 7-strings if I didn't believe that.

-Roger

[Two hands31]

Woah...wait...Mark Tremonti doesn't play 7-strings. Does he?

[BucketBot]

That's what I was wondering.
I'm not really a fan of his but I'd be interested to hear what he can do with it.

[tone_connoisseur]

I think Frank Falbo is right. It's like jumping on a bandwagon because people see $$$. I can't tell you how many posts I've seen on other forums with people selling guitars because they need the cash.

I think it's kind of even though. Many people are picking up 7 strings, and with the new models that Ibanez has, like the K7 (if that's the correct model #), it's becoming more affordable for people looking to pick up a 7 string and no pay retail for it. I picked mine up for just over 300. It needs some work, a paint job which is in the works, but it plays great!