Help! I just can't decide, 6 string Artisan Majesty or 7 string Majesty Monarchy Royal Red?

[Elyos]

I have pretty much spent months researching and comparing both of them and yet i just can't decide which one to get... Artisan looks warmer and more elegant in 6 strings but Monarchy Royal Red in 7 strings also looks very nice and could allow some songs to be played without downtuning. Also can anyone give the plus/cons of Illuminator/Sonic Ecstacy pickups?(If i could i'd buy them both i'd do it but i am afraid that's not a choice since they are very expensive and i am working my ass off to get enough money ).

 

[johnnyboogie]

Sonic emphasises more on mid&bass frequencies, and it could be argued that it has a slightly thicker sound. The Illuminator is somewhat more bright. I think you'll find both equally satisfying with not so many differences in the end. Using a basic equaliser will get you where you want.

You'll face an issue with the Artisan's gold plating whereas the chrome plating on the Monarchy is Metal Gear Solid =D

No matter what you get, you're getting one of the best instruments in its field on the market. All the best!!

 

[Elyos]

Oh, indeed, i did hear about the Artisan Majesty gold plating issues of it wearing off, and there doesn't seem to be any improvement, while i think the Majesty Monarchy models in Chrome don't really have those kind of issues (Royal Red hardware is chrome), this might be the thing that sways me the most towards the Majesty Monarchy Royal Red 7 string (Plus the neck seems extremely comfortable even as a 7 string).

 

[johnnyboogie]

Bear in mind that the gold-plating issue applies only on the bridge/vibrato bar and the knobs. Pickups' and tuners' gold plating is superb (DiMarzio and Schaller respectively).

The neck on the Majesty is somewhat chunkier compared to the previous models' shared neck. It can still be considered a thin neck of course, and in my opinion very comfortable as well.