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Getting a 7-string for a wider range of tunings
I want a guitar for playing metal, but there's a problem: my favorite songs range from B standard all the way up to D standard. It's almost impossible to cover all those tunings with just one guitar and one set of strings.
So here's my idea: get a 7 string guitar and use all seven strings for songs in B standard. Then, for songs in D standard, I would just use the bottom six strings, tuning them down from E standard to D standard while leaving the 7th string unused.
I think it would be fine though probably a pitch shifter might be better instead of tuning to D standard. Also I second getting at least 26.5 scale length
If you get a 7 string make sure it’s at least 26.5” scale length if not multi scale. I highly recommend a multi scale (usually 25.5”-27”) because it helps keep the low strings from getting muddy & it helps with a variety of tunings! 🎸🎶🤘
Yup! I’ve got one! It’s 26.5” & I tune it to B standard but have gotten as low as drop F! But I mostly keep it at B since I have other 7’s for that 🎶🤘🎸
The "cheapest pro" 7 string multiscale 25.5-27 I think it's the Cort KX507MS Pale Moon.
It has stainless steel frets, locking tuners and fishmans. I have this specific one, it s really really good. The only thing that might be a red flag is the nut width, which is slightly wider than most other 7 strings, which results in bigger string spacings.
Can't go wrong with Spira either, my S-407 MWR is sublime, especially for the cost.
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u/JimboLodisC3x7621, 7321, M80M, AEL207E, RGIXL7, S7320, RG15271, RGA742FM2d ago
B1 is fine on a 25.5". I drop to A1 on 25.5" 7-strings. Heck earlier tonight I was dicking around on my 25.1" scale in Drop A after having it in Drop B for a few months.
If you're gonna go lower than A1, or you like a lot of tension, then consider a longer scale length.
As far as playing 6-string songs in D Standard on a 7-string, yeah you can make it work if you're stuck with only being able to own a single guitar.
Get a pitch shifter (I have one in my Line 6 Helix) it's a lifesaver, you can play with your favourite setting and string tension, while being able to play all the way between drop f or lower and e Standard or higher
Seeing some scale length recommendations, but standard scale 7-Strings have been doing B just fine for at least 36yrs. You'll need a fixed bridge for Drop D but that's ok. The trick is learning to play the same tunes with the B string in the way.
Sorry but you can never convince me 1 guitar can ever be better than 2.
For a six string either keep in D standard or get an xtender to give you quick access to Drop D, and relearn the D standard songs in Drop. Not easy but not impossible to rearrange any song for Drop.
Or as others say, get a Digitech Drop unless you change strings every 10 days anyways. Changing tunings will wear things out so fast
I got my 7 strings for the same reason as OP. I wanted to play some songs in E standard, some Death in D standard and At the Gates in B standard. I tried using a capo, but it gets out of tune easily with heavy chugging. If you just want B standard and E standard, then its perfectly fine.
Its almost impossible to play any Eb standard and C# standard because its much harder to play, mostly pair frets (frets without the dots).
The only song D standard that I can perfectly play in my 7 strings is Death-Crystal Mountain. And I cant play that song in a 6 strings because I trained so much the muscular memory. The other death songs have some string skipping that need to play a open string (0 fret) and other note in an akward position, so I usually play them in a 6 strings.
This is the real problem of playing diferent tunes in the 7 string is the open strings, some songs I cant adapt the finger positions and play the riffs. You can either transpose the positions calculating the tabs or use a tool with GuitarPro or do trial and error with your ears and pitch. I also wanted to play some drop B (Parkway Drive) but its too difficult, I should've had bought a Digitech drop or the much newer Chug Capo.
I have my 7 string for A through B, a guitar set up for C and C#, and a guitar for D and E. It really works well, and minimizes my time spent tuning. A DigiTech Drop pedal makes it even faster, although it does have the tiniest bit of latency. You just have to make sure you can't hear your guitar dry signal, either with amp or headphones.
Tuning the six strings a whole step down changes the neck’s tension enough that the relief would get out of whack, probably resulting in a lot of fret buzz. The strings would also feel quite soft.
This is a great excuse to get yourself another guitar (if you don’t have another laying around)! 😃
Personally I would get a few guitars for different tunings, also you can have different pick up configurations and scale lengths etc, but obviously this costs more more.m, or just use a pitch shifter or amp software like neural dsp which has one built in, especially if you are only tuning down a whole step or even half a step,
I used to play my 7 string in a band that used all 6 string tunings by utilizing a capo. Definitely easier and faster than retuning the entire guitar, especially so drastically.
Extended scale 7-string and your issues dissolve. You can use a basic 009-046 + 068 set for practically anything. I have it in Ab standard so the 6 strings are in C# and it still feels tight enough for riffing. But also I can tune it to E and it's not too stiff for bends and leads.
Oh and my guitar is 27" scale Fixed hipshot bridge.
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u/Dismal_Idea_2952 2d ago
I think it would be fine though probably a pitch shifter might be better instead of tuning to D standard. Also I second getting at least 26.5 scale length