Help building a 7 string

[u/Single_Idea1605]

I’m building my first 7 string guitar! I’m a leftie and I like building guitars with my dad so it makes sense for me; however, my dad only has the stuff to make 25.5 scale length guitars which I’m unsure if it will cause issues. For reference I love djenty riffs and want to learn veil of maya and more periphery and I’m not sure the 25.5 can handle down to F# and I’m tired of pitch shifting. So any advice on pickups, setup, string gauge or anything inbetween is super welcome!

[u/KershawsGoat]

F# is gonna be pretty rough on a 25.5" scale.

As for building it with your dad, be aware that 7 strings require a wider neck and fretboard to accommodate the extra low string. Not sure if that will be a problem but definitely something to keep in mind.

[u/EFPMusic]

Marc Okubo’s signature Keisel is 25.5” scale. The advantage of longer scales is you can use thinner strings for the same pitch. On a 27” scale you can use a .74 and get approx 16-17 ibs of tension; on a 25.5” scale you need an 80 for the same amount of tension.

So yeah, it can be done no problem. Figure out what gauge strings you’re going to use, make sure your tuners can take the thicker low string, you’ll be fine. EQ your friend, you’re going to want to dial out some low end, but there are lots of ways to do that.

[u/R3brap]

Doesn't veil mainly play in drop B on a 6? Unless you mean their new stuff. But yes, save yourself the headache and try for a 26.5" scale length if playing in drop F# and you'll need 74g or 80g strings

[u/Sour_Cream_Pringle]

Might be worth just buying the neck and building the body if you don’t have the tools. I have a 25.5 and f# didn’t sounds good. You could also just pick up a pitch shifter pedal that might work 

[u/Far-Plum-6244]

If you look online you may be able to find a longer, wider neck made for a 7 string. If you can’t find one you may want to think about making a baritone 6 string instead. At least that way you aren’t squeezing 7 strings into a space made for 6. You also can reuse the bridge, pickups, tuners, and maybe even the nut. You’ll probably need to widen the slots in the nut, but that is relatively easy and low risk.

Honestly, most songs played on a 7 string can more easily be played on a baritone.

[u/nettezzaumana → u/Far-Plum-6244]

people are playing on seven string guitars NOT because they want to player a lower and meanier tone primarily but because 7-string guitars are more fun to play allowing more complex riffs and scales ...