JEM to UNIVERSE

[dahjem]

Or any 6 to 7 string? What can be expected for a learning curve. I was surprisingly comfortable with a seven string in my larger hands. But how intense is the transition and more importantly, how hard is it to go back and forth between the UV back to JEM?? What's everyones personal experience? Thanks for your help!!

[Scali]

It depends on where you start from, in terms of technique, I guess.
The main difference is in the palm-muting technique (not just when playing chords, but also when muting unused strings while playing lead).
You may have to adjust the position of your hand on the bridge a bit to catch all strings, and you may have to apply a bit more force to dampen them properly. Especially the low B is very sensitive, because it's so thick and under such low tension.

I'm still very new to it myself, but I think I got the hang of it after only a few hours of playing. I still make the occasional technical flaw, but I guess I can get away with that.
I've been playing for about 13 years on 6-strings btw, mostly playing lead in the style of Van Halen, Satriani, Vai, Petrucci and that lot... To get an idea of where I was coming from (or you could check my 6-string work on my soundclick page).

[Algiman]

I have absolutely no problem going from 6 to 7, even during a gig, but the reverse throws me for a while. For me the only implication is that it is another thing to consider when putting together a set list if I want to use 6s and 7s.

[jemaholic]

The biggest change for me was on a 6 you use the low E as an 'anchor' for your patterns.

With a 7 you must learn different 'anchors' and 'float' your starting point when you look at your patterns on the fretboard. On a 7 you really never use all the strings together like you do an a 6.
Also, palm-muting: your right hand has to cover more so position it like a knife-blade across the bridge for best effect......happy 7's!

-jemaholic

[kennydoe]

I bought my Universe and gigged with it the night i got it, after never having played a 7 before.

I approach it as a 6 string and just work the low B in where i can. If I strung it as a high B I'm not sure i could deal

It depends on the player and the complexity of the music, i guess. If you're doing a lot of chugaggungagunga you probably won't have much difficulty. If you're copping Allan Holdsworth solos you might be a little reluctant at first.

~K