To Be or Not To Be (a 7 stringer)

[Zeek]

I'm sure this has been hashed over endlessly before... but it's a rather hard topic to search on so please humor me.

I've been thinking about picking up a 7 for a long time now. I'da had 1 a long time ago, but it always comes down to wanting something else more. That's been the case lately with a new RG421 i'm about to buy.

However, i stumble into the local pawn shop couple days ago and find an RG7621 in really good shape for $399. Man, now i'm thinking this wud be a perfect time to nab one. So i'm torn between it and the 421.

But... the crux of my question is, am I gonna like the 7? I know no one here can answer that... hardly. I don't want it cuz it's cool (tho it is), i don't wanna sound like Korn (tho i do love and play heavy music), i think i most want it for the added versatility.

I'm just soliciting your input on how you took the plunge and why you did or didn't like it, and why it was a good idea for you and continues to be.

Tnx,

[Wound]

U should give it a try. 7 strings r awesome! Since I got my first 7 string I've never touched a 6 string again heh...
It takes a bit of getting used to the extra string, but when you do, you'll never regret it.

Kim

[caprile]

kind of the opposite opinion here. Don't think your playing is gonna develop more, or that you'll come with a lot of new ideas. However that 7621 seems good, since you're already considering a fixed 6.

[Zeek]

You guys are a lot of help... 2 opposing positions right off the bat!
You see why i'm torn?

[pawel]

I am not a very technical or talented player, but i did try a seven string a few times and i managed to adapt pretty quickly...I wouldn't have one as a main guitar, but that 7621 seems like a good deal and it is slightly higher end guitar than the 421...i'd go for it...

[EvilMonkey]

I now play 7s almost exclusively. I love them and I cannot fathom going back to using 6s all the time. This said, I will have to agree with caprile that its unlikey that your playing is going to develop or that new ideas will abound (there will be some)...I think there's usually a period of new-ness about the 7th string, which leads one to use it just cause it's there (something I'm still in). In my opinion, my playing has gotten cleaner and more tight since I got it, from the extra stretching needed to cope with the width of the neck (or it could just be all the practicing) They're neat though. 'specially if you have big hands.
I wanted one for years but I never wanted to pay the money to buy a new guitar I didn't know would work. But you can still play everything you could on a 6. And I say if you want one at all, you'll probably always kinda want one, so you might as well get it over with.
So I say: Give it a try! You're not losing anything. You might like it a lot, you might not. If nothing else, you'll have some new options to work with on occasion. And you can always sell it if you don't like it.
The 7621 likely was made in Japan, and the 7420 likely in Korea. So the 7621 will be a better buy (a bit more meticulous construction).
-Chris

[germX]

hey regardless of how many strings your guitar has, you are still a guitar player...

[somata]

i resisted the idea of the 7 string for a long time too, due to its associations with korn & nu-metal, as well as the degree to which it exploded as a fad. however, upon really getting into morbid angel last year, i took the plunge and picked up a 7620 off of ebay...and i'm so glad i did. it took me awhile to warm up to it (thought about getting rid of it after about a month...) but once it clicked, i've never looked back. its pretty much all i play now (and i have a killer parker fly classic!!!), and my next guitar purchase (as if i need a 10th guitar--but when does "need" even figure in to the equation? lol!) will definitely be a 7 string (universe? *drool*). i don't think that any of us can tell you that you'll love it or won't, but i'd say give it a try and stick with it for awhile. and i would also disagree, i think that having a 7 string has definitely improved my playing, and does open up many new possibilities...

good luck!!!

btw-if you get one, get the 7621 over the 7421, it is a much better guitar

[sniperfrommars1]

If your not into playing multiple instruments I wouldnt go for it. I play a little bass, 12 string, mandolin, and keys, and found the transition to 7 strings fairly easy. I still like the tone of a regular six better though

[Zeek]

Multi instruments are no problem. I also play bass, keys, drums, mando, fiddle, etc. I like diversity, i guess

I went and played the beast some today and got a much closer look at it. It's been around the block for sure. A number of pretty good dings all over it, plenty of pick swirl on the front and belt buckle scratches on the back. Also, the pickups are not the stock DiMarzios. Can't tell what they are... quite rusty and old looking. Also has some minor fret wear. They guy said he'd take $375 for it and it does have a nice case but... i don't know, as far as a 7621 goes, i think i could do better off the net. Actually, i'm not 100% certain this isn't a 7421. Serial # is an F but... dunno.

Play-wise, I did like the feel. 'Course, i love the Wizard neck to begin with. I think i could like it but i'd really like to spend a week with one sometime before i shell out the cash. (or better yet, i'd like to have the cash to buy it and a 421 )

[germX]

strange but my hands now are more comfy with the 7 neck, although it's wider but i feel i can play faster on the 7...

before the korn thing exploded, i had always wanted to get a 7, it's like a need for an outlet to express a different musical idea. now that i've owned one, it draws me to getting another just purely on the fact that i have put it to good use, nevermind which pop bands are using the 7 now....

[Zeek]

Well, since the RG421 is now disco'd, I was forced to decide on it for now (at $299, cripes, couldn't hardly pass on that).

I will, however, have to have a 7 before long. Around here, that 7621 will most likely languish in that pawn shop til doomsday, so i'll wait a while and make the guy an offer.

Thanks for all the input.

[Drew]

Good plan, Zeek.

A 7 string won't revolutionize your playing, but it'll make you look at a 6-string a LOT differently. Before going for the 7, i played most of my lead stuff on the three thinnest strings on the 6. After the transition, i found myself using all 6 a decent amount.

Basically, i'd had a few preconcieved notions about a guitar- E is sort of the "default" key to riff away in, the thin strings are for soloing, etc. Having the extra string thrown into the equation shook my assumptions enough that i no longer default to the key of E when i pick the thing up, and that i use all 7 strings while soloing-yeah, i spend MOST of the time on the top 5 or so, but it's definately more of a holistic thing than it was before i made the switch.

Hope this makes any sense... i say, do it!

-Drew

[Zeek]

Yeah, Drew, I know just what you mean. I recently bought my first 5 string bass and had very similar experience on it as what you describe. I can very easily see the same thing happening with a 7.

[7LightWithOutHeat7]

i found that i can play faster on a 7 string