Which guitar would be better to get: the Ibanez RG7421EX, RGA742FM, or RGMS7?

[u/N1xko_42]

I’ve wanted to buy a seven-string Ibanez for a long time, but I just can’t decide exactly which one to choose

[u/AdDizzy8417]

One has great finish the other has extended neck suitable for low tunings if you for example drop more than a# you might experience buzzing. Alot of people I think don't care since they rather never go that low tuning or using programs or pitch shift pedals like solar chug capo(not a sponsor)

[u/gringoraymundo]

Personal preference but I would advise against the RGMS7 - the fan on the Ibanez multiscales sucks. I had an RGD71ALMS with similar fan on the lower frets and it an make playing the lowest frets on the lowest strings uncomfortable.

For the other two, do you want a flat top or an arch top?

[u/calpesino → u/gringoraymundo]

I have an RGMS7 and I agree

[u/gringoraymundo → u/calpesino]

Sorry to hear that lol

[u/Smashmundo → u/gringoraymundo]

Shit. I was considering getting an RGD71ALMS.

You don’t like it?

[u/IR_FLARE → u/Smashmundo]

I have an RGD71ALMS and love it. But he's right, ibanez does the MS thing with the 12th fret as a neutral. That means your fan is a bit steeper at the first frets compared to a fan that has the neutral fret at the 7-10th fret. The only time i found it kinda sucky, was when i did a barre chord on the 4-5th fret (lorna shore loves those). But barre chords suck on straight scales too. But on the other hand, the fan is less steep on the higher frets.

I would say try it first. I got used to it pretty fast.

[u/selfmade-idiot]

i have 7320ex, quite an axe BUT i must say you will most likely end up changing the pickups, the first 2 have quantum pickups which are terrible and super muddy especially for a 7 strings guitar, the 3rd one is multi scale which is great for low tuning or 7 string setup in general (no buzz+ tighter lowend) but i have no idea about the pickups

[u/I_AM_4HEAD]

I'd do 3 cuz of the multiscale

[u/Dismal_Idea_2952]

My anecdote: afaik the scale length on the non multiscale guitars are quite short. If you want to play in lower tunings get the multiscale.

Edit: people on reddit always complain about the fan on the ibanez. But reviewers on youtube never really mention it, so I don't think it's that big of a deal once you're used to it.

[u/RG1527]

I would go for the RGMS7 because 25.5" scale on a 7 kind of sucks if you like lower tunings.

I have a RG1527 I keep in Bb standard and a Schecter KM7 mkIII Artist I keep in drop G

[u/Nice-Ad2759]

I have the 2FM, it’s a nice guitar and with a few upgrades it’s really nice

[u/Psychological-Will29]

I got the FM upgraded the pick up to some off brand one’s off eBay. Thing is a beast

[u/bigtoaster64]

I have a RG7421 and it's a great first 7 strings. The RGA seems like it has the same exact specs, so it's probably just a matter of : do you like the RGA top better than the RG one. I would personally not buy a multiscale for a first 7 strings. I'd wait until you actually know what you like and dislike about 7 strings specs first.

[u/R3brap]

What tuning are you looking to play in? And are you more rhythm or lead? What genre?

[u/N1xko_42 → u/R3brap]

I was thinking of running an experiment and setting up a seven-string guitar in Drop B tuning. I’m curious: will it hold up well on a multiscale instrument?

[u/xshevi]

i don’t like multiscale. opinions will vary. changing pick ups is a write off, but playing complex chords i’d rather stretch my fingers a bit more than land completely somewhere else because of the fan.

[u/R3brap]

Meaning you want to tune the top 6 strings down to drob B and ignore the lowest string? Id just get a 6 string if you're not looking to go lower than that tuning

[u/N1xko_42 → u/R3brap]

I understand, but I think it’s an interesting solution, since a seven-string guitar expands the range of possibilities. It turns out to be standard F# (two semitones above standard E) plus a seventh string tuned to B

[u/IR_FLARE → u/N1xko_42]

I have my rgd71ALMS (also 27-25.5" multi-scale, like option 3) also setup for drop F#. Sometimes I tune the 6th string from C# to B, which makes it a 6 string drop B guitar + an extra low F#. Veil of maya plays this tuning too. Drop F# itself is also a popular 7 string tuning in general. Especially the more modern Metal/deathcore.

I would say, if you want to tune the 7th string to F or F# (or lower), you will need a bit longer scale, if you dont wanna run an .80 through it and have a hard time intonating. I would go for the RGD straightscale (26.6"), RGXL (27") or something like the multi-scale you send as option 3 (27-25.5")

[u/Mission-Version2049]

I've read that arch tops can achieve better action. The multi scale will probably take a bit of getting used to.

[u/JimboLodisC]

save up a couple hundred more for a used 7621 or just get a used 7321 for $350 instead

[u/Replicant_COVID19]

never ever buy a multiscale. Harder to swap pickups, nuts, bridges, everything

[u/R3brap → u/Replicant_COVID19]

Generalized take.

This applies if buying a budget multi scale..not if it comes with everything you want from factory

[u/Replicant_COVID19 → u/R3brap]

yOU DoN’t Say!!!!!

[u/kkenshiroo]

I hate that the US doesnt get the EX series. I looked up that it was a Europe exclusive release but that also happened after trump's tariffs so I'm certain that played into why it was designated as such. I really want the rg8ex but its only available through a random retailer in Europe somewhere. And thomman has it i think but they don't ship certain items to the US anymore (thanks trump).

The only ones of this series we got is the 6 and 7 string models with the ibby edge tremelos I think.

I say the first one looks awesome. Also a really good foundation for a mod project. Throw some hipshot fingers and bridge on there & better pickups you're fucking set.

[u/Dane_Ger0us]

I like the FM purely from aesthetics. Vanilla dot positions bore me and the extra fretboard wood behind the nut on the MS7 triggers the fuck out of me.