The Second Coming of the Mighty 7?

[Two hands31]

Ok, I think we're almost there, I think we're almost to the point where 7-strings are coming back. There are many many bands out there that are slowly gaining popularity that are using 7-strings. For example:

Mushroomhead

Meshuggah (yes, they use 8-strings too, but they still use their 7s)

Dream Theater (I've seen a lot of talk about how great SDOIT is)

Pain (check out the song "Shut Your Mouth", especially the video, it's hilarious)

Korn (on tour now, and Untouchables still doing reasonably well)

Linkin Park (working on their new album as we speak, yes, Brad's mostly into his PRS 6-ers, but I'm almost sure he'll whip out the Ibanez 7 a few times on this album too)
Orgy (ok, the band is basically dead, but Ryan Schuck just got a new signature 7-string from Yamaha, and Amir got himself a 6-string sig model there too, maybe there's something about to happen for them...like a new album)

And many others, almost every day I see a new guitarist playing a 7-string on TV or the net. Canadians out there should watch Much Loud (the show) on Much Music and I guarantee there'll be at least one 7-stringer in there every week.

[germX]

subjective really... it went away? now coming back?

if there are any much anticipated guitar occurence, real ibanez enthusiasts should now get ready to embrace the 8-string...

[caprile]

on the other hand, if you check ebay......every other ibanez is a 7. Economics is a very complicated thing, but a simple point of view could indicate a lot of people don't want 7's anymore so they're selling.

Good for whoever wants a 7 anyway.....the prices are ridiculously cheap.

[BrianH]

I think people buy into 7s thinking, oh I'll sound really cool now. But you don't sound cool because you have the right gear, you sound cool cause you can play. Playing a 7 is much more difficult than a 6 at first. I think most fall from the 7 due to the fact the only thing they can get out of it is some punchy power chords and thats it... and they find that playing the stuff they use to is much harder and they sound worse than they already were.

However I don't think the 7 has come to age yet... I see very few really using the 7 string to its fullest, mostly thumping on the low B a little....

I've spent alot of down time on my 7s... learning new chords, relearning scales and arpeggios... taking the time to retrain myself to make the 7th string as second nature as any other. I still have plenty to learn and explore...

One big thing, is being real with yourself, and not using the low B just to use it, but use it musically, not just cause its there. There are many times I find the low B doesn't add anything to a solo or rythme part, so I don't use it, but other times I find that I can play something differently using the low B and it adds a new flavor and depth.

Anyhoo... long live 7s...

[Pryde7]

Ah yes, this age old question... the coming and going of the 7. I still believe that this instrument's place will stratify and won't be much of a novelty anymore.

As far as the 7 is concerned, I don't see it as a guitar with an extra string, but something seperate. Whether I use the low B all the time or not, I see it as something I COULD use if the need arises. I find it useful in the key of E or D, or C, especially, when I need a lower root or when I need intervals below the roots in those keys.

Either way, its a great instrument and I just hope more and more people will realize its usefulness (and besides, if there's more attention drawn to it, then there'll definitely be more developments for the better, I'm sure).

My two Canadian cents,
K

[NickFlyMan]

Originally Posted by Two hands31

Ok, I think we're almost there, I think we're almost to the point where 7-strings are coming back. There are many many bands out there that are slowly gaining popularity that are using 7-strings. For example:

Mushroomhead

Meshuggah (yes, they use 8-strings too, but they still use their 7s)

Dream Theater (I've seen a lot of talk about how great SDOIT is)

Pain (check out the song "Shut Your Mouth", especially the video, it's hilarious)

Korn (on tour now, and Untouchables still doing reasonably well)

Linkin Park (working on their new album as we speak, yes, Brad's mostly into his PRS 6-ers, but I'm almost sure he'll whip out the Ibanez 7 a few times on this album too)
Orgy (ok, the band is basically dead, but Ryan Schuck just got a new signature 7-string from Yamaha, and Amir got himself a 6-string sig model there too, maybe there's something about to happen for them...like a new album)

And many others, almost every day I see a new guitarist playing a 7-string on TV or the net. Canadians out there should watch Much Loud (the show) on Much Music and I guarantee there'll be at least one 7-stringer in there every week.

dont forget Joe hes using one now too

[somata]

the 7 is also gaining a lot of ground in the underground metal scene...thats why i became interested in them...

morbid angel
pig destroyer
cannibal corpse
soilent green

just to name a few off of the top of my head...

[THE UNIVERSAL ONE]

Flaw's guitarist uses them too. I've seen him using a UV777BK a lot and also some RG's which seem to be custom made. I like their use of it. A lot of people see it as Korn-ish but I see it a little differently.

[THE UNIVERSAL ONE]

Ohh and I saw Wes Borland using an RG7 again. Not sure if he's goin' back to it or not but it's something to talk about and helps the argument of the 7's comeback.

[trajectory fish]

Where did you see this? It would be interesting to see Borland using a 7 again.

[THE UNIVERSAL ONE]

It was on a video that one of my brother's friends made. I asked him about the clip and he said it was made after he parted with Bizkit and was working on side-projects. I found it quite weird but kinda cool too.

[SeRcH]

Originally Posted by THE UNIVERSAL ONE

Flaw's guitarist uses them too. I've seen him using a UV777BK a lot and also some RG's which seem to be custom made. I like their use of it. A lot of people see it as Korn-ish but I see it a little differently.

Flaw are pretty good, they are skilled musicians, and aside from the RG's, they use AX7's and a RG1077XL

[trajectory fish]

I think I saw an article on them where they said that they recorded their album with gear they bought from musicians friend, then returned before 45 days was up.

[sniperfrommars1]

Yeah flaw are from kentucky, no one has wicked gear here. Everyones a vintage strat or les paul guy. BLAH

[PROCOMER]

The guy from American Head Charge used to play a UV777BK, too... Dunno if he still does, his guitar was sold on ebay a while ago.