fjk1138
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2011
- Messages
- 97
Hi All,
So I've got a two-year old 7 String Majesty Monarchy in Imperial Blue that, in all honesty, I'm not totally in love with. I chose a 7 string for something different (I have enough 6 string guitars already) and at first I loved it. But once the initial newness wore off, I found myself just taking the batteries out and putting it back in the case. Many times since then, I've really given this guitar some serious attempts to like it - I take it out, tune it up, play it for about an hour, etc but it always winds up just going right back in the case for several months before I touch it again.
I've had a hard time trying to exactly figure out what turns me off, but I believe it's these key issues:
- I have fairly large hands, so from a comfort standpoint the extra neck width isn't really a concern. But I just can't seem to get used to that extra string: I frequently hit it accidentally, I turn the wrong tuning pegs, I have a harder time visualizing scales, etc. It drives me nuts. I also feel like that by having that low B String that I am more "obligated" (for lack of better wording) to center around the low B tones, etc.
- Metal sounds are generally better than cleans, though even with metal tones it's not quite as clear and articulate as I would like it to be. Other than trying a different brand of strings (I have EB Slinkys on it now), is there anything else I can to do improve the sound? Cable quality and type of amp (I use a Kemper Profiler and Mark V) should not be a factor.
- Cleans also seem to be far weaker on this guitar, yet I have been experiencing some minor clipping issues (not in a good way) on my Kemper Profiler. I notice the that plugging it into a clean setting on a Mark V also is not as clean as where I expected it to be compared to similar guitars (one even with the same Petrucci pickups in it). Is this normal? I always use brand new Energizer batteries when playing.
I'm fully willing to accept that, at this point, maybe it's just not for me and it's time to put it up for sale. But since I've gone through this process several times now, I'm seeing what advice any 7 string users out there might have. I'm also going to try changing the strings to a different brand, but after that I pretty much give up.
Thanks to all who respond.
So I've got a two-year old 7 String Majesty Monarchy in Imperial Blue that, in all honesty, I'm not totally in love with. I chose a 7 string for something different (I have enough 6 string guitars already) and at first I loved it. But once the initial newness wore off, I found myself just taking the batteries out and putting it back in the case. Many times since then, I've really given this guitar some serious attempts to like it - I take it out, tune it up, play it for about an hour, etc but it always winds up just going right back in the case for several months before I touch it again.
I've had a hard time trying to exactly figure out what turns me off, but I believe it's these key issues:
- I have fairly large hands, so from a comfort standpoint the extra neck width isn't really a concern. But I just can't seem to get used to that extra string: I frequently hit it accidentally, I turn the wrong tuning pegs, I have a harder time visualizing scales, etc. It drives me nuts. I also feel like that by having that low B String that I am more "obligated" (for lack of better wording) to center around the low B tones, etc.
- Metal sounds are generally better than cleans, though even with metal tones it's not quite as clear and articulate as I would like it to be. Other than trying a different brand of strings (I have EB Slinkys on it now), is there anything else I can to do improve the sound? Cable quality and type of amp (I use a Kemper Profiler and Mark V) should not be a factor.
- Cleans also seem to be far weaker on this guitar, yet I have been experiencing some minor clipping issues (not in a good way) on my Kemper Profiler. I notice the that plugging it into a clean setting on a Mark V also is not as clean as where I expected it to be compared to similar guitars (one even with the same Petrucci pickups in it). Is this normal? I always use brand new Energizer batteries when playing.
I'm fully willing to accept that, at this point, maybe it's just not for me and it's time to put it up for sale. But since I've gone through this process several times now, I'm seeing what advice any 7 string users out there might have. I'm also going to try changing the strings to a different brand, but after that I pretty much give up.
Thanks to all who respond.
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