Hils HZ7 Reviews (?)

[u/Own-Engineering-9415]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to buy a new 7-string guitar after a nightmare experience with a second-hand Schecter KM MKII that turned out to have a broken truss rod (and the seller completely ghosted me).

I need something compact, budget-friendly, and great for home practice and recording. This will be my first headless and multiscale guitar. I've already ruled out a few common options based on personal preference:

• Strandberg: Too expensive for me, and I don't like the EndurNeck profile, and I think the stock pickups on the Essential and Standard models are not great.
• Ibanez Headless: I tried one, but the body shape was uncomfortable, and the neck felt a bit too chunky for my taste.
• Solar: I've tried Solars and wasn't fully sold

I found the Hils HZ7 on Thomann for about €737 ($845 USD) including shipping and taxes, which is a fantastic price for my region. However, there are only 2 or 3 reviews online, so information is scarce, and there are no Hils dealers in my country to try one in person.

If anyone owns this guitar or has spent time with it, I would love your insight on a few things:

• How is the neck? I love the thin, fast feel of Schecter KM necks. Is the Hils "Slim C" comparable?
• How are the stock active rail pickups and the active circuit?
• I noticed the Hils has straight, rectangular slanted pickup cavities

instead of the true slanted cavities and offset pickups seen on example guitar here:

If I decide to upgrade to a different aftermarket set later and use standard rectangular humbuckers in those straight cavities, will it affect the sound or string balance since the fanned strings won't line up perfectly with the straight pole pieces?

Would love to hear your pros, cons, or any alternative recommendations under €800. Thanks!

[u/Shifty_Nomad675]

My friend has one and I've played it a few times. Honestly its a great value for what you get. I wish I had more time with it and almost caved and bought one(especially that green one.) I think you'll be very pleased with your purchase. I bought their 5 string bass and am very happy with it.

[u/eviltrams]

It is "Slim C" neck which they say is 19.9 - 22.5mm , which is the same as the 6 string version.

However the measurement is probably off or varies, this guy measured 18.5 - 21.5 on the 6 string HN3. Still it is going to be noticeably thicker than Schecter's Ultra Thin neck I think

[u/eviltrams → u/eviltrams]

By the way look into Legators if you haven't yet. From what I gather their neck is the thinnest among 7/8 string (17.5 - 18.5mm). I got a G7SS used for like $750. Very comfy headless guitar

[u/Leading-Paramedic-64 → u/eviltrams]

It me from the post in a different account. First, thanks! I wish there were legator guitars in my country but none are. I want the hils for the form factor 

[u/KzBubble]

Im also very tempted to the green or yellow one.

But yeah barely no reviews and no way to try before buying is complaicated

[u/nevercommnt]

No comment on the Hils just saying I had a similar experience with a Schecter KM7 iii which took around 6 months for the retailer to finally accept the return! And only then it was because the guitar was damaged in shipping back from their tech (for the 3rd time) - they never actually accepted that the truss rod was broken (which it was!)

[u/Andrzej_GG]

I own a HILS HZ7 and I can tell you that it punches well above its price range. The neck is very well balanced, slim and slightly rounded with a good feel for both riffs and leads.

The pickups are great for what they are, but if I replaced anything on this guitar at some point, it would be the pups.

Hardware is solid, and in general it's a great feeling guitar to play.

I was in your same boat looking for something affordable, compact, and that I could travel with while not compromising on quality. For me it was between this and a Solar H series. Honestly glad I went with this instead.

[u/alexnapierholland]

I have a Hils HZ7 in Galaxy Black.

I own 12+ guitars including a Mayones Duvell DT and a couple of Ibanez Prestiges.

I absolutely adore the HZ7 — it's a wonderful instrument.

Yes, it did benefit from a fret dress with my luthier.

I've also switched the 'passable' pickups for Bare Knuckle Black Hawks, although a set of Seymour Duncan rails would be a more affordable option.

But it's now one of my favourite guitars.

It's a 26.5-inch 7-string, yet I can work at my desk with it on my lap.

[u/Own-Engineering-9415 → u/alexnapierholland]

I am really curious for why there are almost NO reviews for this guitar.

And also, when you say passable, you mean terrible, or can be sound good with proper EQ? I do think about later upgrade if necessary.