7 string or 6 string?

[fungwabus117]

I am currently debating whether to get a 7 string or 6 string model of the fully loaded JPM mystic dream. I would have more range (obviously) with a7 string and would not have to tune lower to play lower or heavier things, i also already have a 6 string (strat). But i dont know if would be able to adjust to a bigger neck, although i do have very large hands so maybe that won't be a problem. Do any 7 string owners have any input? much thanks

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I am currently debating whether to get a 7 string or 6 string model of the fully loaded JPM mystic dream. I would have more range (obviously) with a7 string and would not have to tune lower to play lower or heavier things, i also already have a 6 string (strat). But i dont know if would be able to adjust to a bigger neck, although i do have very large hands so maybe that won't be a problem. Do any 7 string owners have any input? much thanks

If nothing else, go to your local guitar store and try out a 7 string anything for a while to see how you like it. I did so and decided against it. You might like it. I do see more and more guitar companies coming out with 7's, so there's gotta be a good number of players out there.

jack

 

[fbecir]

The size of the neck of a 7 strings is not a problem. You will adjust very quickly. The problem is more a problem of visualization of the neck : when you want to play an E chord, you will play a B chord ... After a few days, you will start to feel confortable.

 

[charndt]

I was in the exact same position you are in a couple of months ago; I'd never played a 7 before either. Since there were no stores around me that carried 7's, I decided just to get the 7 string model of the fully loaded JP in mystic dream.

I extremely glad I did so. The problems I thought I would have are really minor and are going away the more I play. The size of the neck isn't a problem; I got used to that in a couple of days. Like fbecir said, visualizing the neck has been more of a problem. However, it's getting better the more I play. When I want to play a song that doesn't use the 7th string, I just don't use the 7th string; it's as simple as that.

I'd suggest trying out one in a local store. If that's not possible and you think you'd actually use the 7th string, I'd suggest getting it. That's what I did, and I haven't regretted it for a second.

Good luck

 

[Karl Hungus]

Adjustments only take a short time, after that you'll be flying it. I find the wider neck of a 7 string much, much more comfortable to play, so for me it was really worth switching over. I play 7 strings pretty much exclusively these days. I have a few 6 strings, but I really just don't play them, because I'll simply play any songs arranged for 6 strings on the 7 string.

 

[MesaBeno]

Exclusive 7 string player here too...Once I went to the dark side I never looked back...even for songs where I don't touch the B string I prefer to play a 7 string, the feel of it is just so good to me

 

[Rossie]

It's actually harder to switch between your six and seven...
JS said something like this in the G3 Tokyo DVD...

 

[ScoobySteve]

If you've ever played a full 2inch neck, like that of a classical or flemenco guitar, then the 7 stringer width wont be a problem at all.

Obviously, head to a shop and check one out first, but I learned first on a Jose Ramirez R2, and that neck was bloody wide! Going to a LP neck was almost shocking, particularly because I have big hands.

For me, I had a 7 stringer, a limited RG-7 from '98, but I'm so ingrained with the open E reference, I goof up a lot on the 7 stringer. Suffice it to say, I just couldn't adapt as much as I would've hoped so I sold it, and settled for 6.

It's a challenge, but in a good way, I was really young when I had my 7 stringer, like middle school, and at that time I was looking for a way to play cheap metal songs. I think if I had the chance to pick up another 7 stringer I definitely would.

So if you already have a 6 you're ENTIRELY happy with, I'd say yeah man, go for it, get that 7.

 

[73h Nils]

To be honest, I like having both 6-String and 7-String guitars. By all means, get the 7 first, if you wish though, just to see. 6es just feel SOOOOOO easy to play after. Even though you can "ignore" the low B in 90% of cases, there are certain times where it will get in the way, like in looser feeling riffs such as the beginning to Beyond This Life etc.

Seeing as you're on this forum, though...you'll end up buying more anyway.

 

[Pablo]

I crossed over from 6 to 7 strings around two years ago and my 7-strings are pretty much all that I play now. The only time I dig out one of my 6-strings is when I long for the sound of a Strat in the neck position... However, I have a 7-string Strat being built, so those days are drawing to a close as well.

From my experience, getting used to the extra string takes no time at all and (more importantly) it's a LOT of fun. Frankly, when I got my first 7-string I put in more wood shedding than I had done in years - it simply reminded me of all the cool things about playing guitar.

In short: give it a go!

Cheers

Eske