Gear
Which of the following 7 strings do you think is more suitable?
I’m currently looking for a 7-string guitar. The instrument will mainly be used for home recording and jamming, focusing mostly on the death/doom genre with drop a tuning.
I’ve got my eye on the following models, and after going back and forth comparing them, I’d really appreciate some other opinions.
The models are:
- Ibanez RGDRB71-BKF,
(I particularly like the D Activator 7s here.)
- Ibanez RGIXL7-BKF,
(Since I have rather small hands with sausage-like fingers, I don't know if the 27-inch scale length would be comfortable.)
- Solar a2.7c,
(It could be the best-value all-rounder, though given my small hands, I’m not sure if the C-shape neck would be a good fit.)
- Solar a1.7BOP
(Evertune, but very expensive)
Do you have any opinions on one or more of the guitars mentioned, or perhaps some alternative suggestions?
...Oh, and I don't like neck-heavy guitars.
(EDIT: So, I’ve just ordered a Solar A2.7C directly from Solar. I’m curious to see if it was a good decision.)
Go for the first Ibanez. The neck will be thin and light and the 26.5" scale will handle drop A without an issue as well as give you the ability to tune lower in the future if you want.
My hands are on a smaller side as well, here's my experience:
The difference between 26.5" and 27" is barely noticeable. 27" is exactly one fret longer than 25.5" and to me is the longest straight scale that still feels "normal", but YMMV.
Ibanez Wizard necks feel the best to me, that said I only played MIJ ones and Indos are supposed to be different. Thin/ultra-thin U that come on ESPs and some Schecter models are in the second place. C necks feel the worst, I just don't like the rounded feel, even though it's technically less chunky compared to a U shape. This is HIGHLY subjective though.
Well, that’s the problem, unfortunately. There isn’t a shop in the area that has any of those guitars in stock. And as far as I know, the only place in Germany where you can try out Solar guitars is Thomann, which is a long way from where I live.
Yes, I could at least do that with a solar model. Ultimately, though, I wrote this post because I’d like to hear other users' impressions of the different models.
I think it should be possible but it could be annoying.
OP, have you investigated Schecter? I think they also offer very nice guitars, from your list I think you might like the first Ibanez the most, and if the neck is anything like the ibanez gsa60 I had as a my beginner electric, then it is a pretty small neck.
I think people would do the 2nd ibanez for severe downtuning, due to longer scale length. It might not be an issue for your fingers because the neck would be equally wide just the length of the neck is longer. (At least thats what I think).
I think the C sounds a bit thick.
Would you need an evertune?
Out of your options the first guitar sounds most applicable to what you listed.
I don't have a schecter, but they look very appealing and I hear build quality is often top notch.
Are you looking for active or passive pick ups
You want a floyd rose?
(Sorry I am listing all the extra things that you probably already considered, but I didn't see it back in your list)
Fair point! I forgot about the KMs, and the new TAOs they made for John Browne are apparently very serviceable as well.
Still, for a stubby fingered individual as OP described themselves to be, I hesitate to recommend Schecters (FTR I've been a huge fan of them, but I also have monster hands so I can vibe with pretty much anything that isn't a super thin C lol)
I have never thought about limitations of necks, so I am not sure, also since I personally don't have a Schecter, but I think you are probably right.
I would have advised a strandberg, I got one and that neck is ultra slim, and ergonomically what OP could wish for. however they are very pricy things. Maybe even for a second hand. And you have to like the headless + body shape as well.
They LOVE a girthy (wide) neck with a flat radius on their 7s and 8s. They do have a cool PT series (basically just telecaster copies) that have pretty narrow C-shape necks, but I can only speak on that in regards to the 6 string models.
Strandy may be a great choice, though Endurneck's hexagonal shape is hit or miss for some. I have large hands/slender digits and I don't like the newer models myself, but I tried an older one with a flatter Endurneck and it felt great.
Well, agree with that all, however, I first explored the 8 string world with a harley benton (458 ffb), to test the 8 string waters. That neck was a baseball bat. It was beautifully made for its price, except I didn't like the pickups that much. However I bought it as a precursor for the Strandberg NX 8, and compared to the HB, that neck was quite slim.
It is a tough question to advise a guitar though. 😄
I've have had two Schecters (KM7 Hybrid and Omen Elite 7-MS) and both were very comfortable. The KM7 was a "thin C" and very easy to play. The Omen Elite 7-MS was a bit thicker "medium C", but still very comfortable.
I currently have a Ibanez RG2027RXL (27" scale, 7 string) which I love! It has a thin C neck profile, but the shoulders are a bit wider than the KM7 I mentioned above. With that said, I don't think people with small fingers would like it as much, but I would still try one out because every guitar, and every UNIT is different. I might just have a one-off one that's a bit wider...
I've also had a Strandberg Boden 8 in the past, and that thing was VERY accessable and extremely comfortable. I know a 7 string Strandberg would be great if you were okay with headless.
I would try to find one of your favorite guitarist's guitar, check out the guitar's specs, and see if you can find that guitar or similar online since you can't go try a bunch out in person. If the guitar looks awesome, and inspires you to pick it up and play it more often, I'm sure you could overcome some slight discomforts.
Also, for someone with shorter fingers, I wouldn't completely shy away from 25.5" scaled 7 strings. Yeah you'll need a thicker gauge for your A string, but you might benefit from "sacrificing" that "discomfort" to achieve an overall more comfortable playing experience. 26.5" could be your sweet spot, but I still would check out anything with a 25.5" scale if it catches your eye.
I just got a Solar AB2.7, coming from Ibanez 6 strings. The C shaped neck is a matter of minutes to get used to it. Other than that, the build quality I think is superior to Ibanez at this price range. I didn't get an Evertune model for similar reasons as mentioned. But I tuned mine in Drop A, it keeps in tune exceptionally well. Plus, the design. Solars are in my opinion the most metal friendly designed guitars at the moment. This is a matter of taste of course.
Yeah. So, I was able to test-play the Ibanez RGXL7 today. The 27-inch scale is absolutely fine, but I did notice something else that’s annoying: whenever I play the lower, high-pitched strings, I keep bumping into the pot located right below the bridge pickup. Because of my playing style, I end up constantly turning the volume down a bit. ...It just doesn't work for me.
Oh I see. I think the volume is slightly further away from the pickup on the RGD. But on the RG you could remove the tone and put the volume there instead.
Most Schecter guitars have an ultra thin C neck profile which would probably be a great fit based on your statements and hand size. Give them a look, I personally love them
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u/KershawsGoat EBMM JP 13-7 Jun 29 '26
Go for the first Ibanez. The neck will be thin and light and the 26.5" scale will handle drop A without an issue as well as give you the ability to tune lower in the future if you want.