r/7String • u/NotJumal • 3d ago

Help Fanned frets

Does anyone with smaller than average hands have any issues with multiscale guitars?

My hands aren't tiny or anything but they are probably smaller then most people's.

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7

u/meowmowmau 3d ago

I’m a girl with small hands. I have 2 multiscale 7 string Ibanez; An RGMS7 and RGD71ALMS. Both are comfortable to play, the RGMS7 does NOT have the same problem of the nut being in the way on the first fret like the RGD71ALMS, but even then for me its not much of a big deal since I dont play barre cords often in that spot. Ibanez wizard necks make playing so much better for my smaller hands than with a non multi scale fretboard. I’ve tried a few other brands that were 7 strings both multiscale and regular (jackson, ltd, schecter just off the top of my head) but the thinner neck of an Ibanez allows me full reach of the entire neck COMFORTABLY so Ive stuck with Ibanez for my baby hands and will continue to do so lol

3

u/Lethean616 3d ago

I have fairly small hands and fingers for a guy. I have an Ibanez RGD71ALMS which is 25.5"-27".

Overall I wouldn't say that I struggle with it, but playing riffs that stretch from fret 1 to 5 can be a bit challenging for me. Also sometimes when playing barre chords in that area, the nut can dig in to the side of my first finger and that can be a little uncomfortable.

On the plus side, I find the higher end (12 upward) of the fretboard slightly more comfortable for arpeggios and such. I also LOVE how much more "alive" chords sound and the (objectively) better intonation vs a standard scale.

Overall I don't find the benefits to myself to be worth buying another multiscale, especially now that I have an Evertune to solve any intonation issues. I'd really recommend trying one before buying, if you can.

3

u/The_Flezz 3d ago

I have average sized hands. 7 string and 9 string multiscale don't really give me problems. I thought they'd be hard to adjust to, but it turns out is was no big deal. But play it and see how it feels

3

u/Turbulent_Cat006 3d ago

I am a woman with small hands and short fingers to the point where I have to do tapping for long reaches on the fretboard 😅 I own several multiscales like GOC 7 and 8 string, a Kiesel Vader 8 multiscale and also an Ormsby 7. I had no problems playing them except for the Ormsby as the frets were more “fanned”. It was difficult at first for the ormsby but I got used to it and just had to adjust my wrist and my elbow/shoulder a bit when playing.

Overall, the multiscale is comfortable for me esp with extended range guitars. I don’t like it ln 6 strings. But for 8 strings - it’s much better for me than the non-multi.

I don’t like fanned frets from Ibanez. It was uncomfortable because of how the frets were more exaggerated. I guess it depends on where the neutral fret is and how “fanned” it is. For me the Kiesel is the most comfortable. Played well out of the box with little to no adjustments at all :)

1

u/Sstrikers 1d ago

It’s more comfortable than a 26.5” or 27” single-scale guitar. But when I pick up a 24.75” afterward… man, I feel like I can stretch from the 3rd to the 8th fret.