Help! Need help!!!!

[shawnt3]

Hey everyone,

Just about a year ago, I bought a 6-string black petrucci to improve my sound in my metal band. We tuned to Drop A and I am absolutely in love with my guitar.

BUT recently this band broke up and my friend and I started another metal band...I guess you could call it deathcore. Our aim is to write really really low heavy sounding music which is what I am into. So NOW I am being told by my band that I need a guitar that can tune to Drop G. I took my Music Man to a local guitar shop and they told me that my guitar would not be able to hold Drop G tuning and that I would need a 7 string. I have been looking at a local listing for an ESP LTD EC-407 to suit my needs, although it is paining me to not be able to play my Music Man.

Am I making the right decision by doing this? I don't want to drop a lot of cash if I don't have to, but if I need to get a 7 string I want to make sure that it is good quality. Are we sure that there is no way my Music Man can hold the tuning?

Thank you for any input

P.s. bands that we aim to sound like are:

The Acacia Strain
Oceano
Chelsea Grin
Molotov Solution

 

[koogie2k]

I never dropped a 6 string that low before. I think a 7 is the way to go. Not an ESP LTD fan myself, so, can't comment on that. Maybe try a Sterling JP70. Not looking, but, very affordable and gives you the same JP feel. My 2 pennies.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Did they tell you why it can't be tuned that way? I'm no expert at low tuning, but would think a larger string and cut in the nut might do it. Or is the tuner hole too small? There's a prototype JP57 7 string at DuBaldos right now for $550 and a JP70 for $629. Check their page.

 

[shawnt3]

@koogie2k
Thank you for the input!

@Jack FFR1846
Yeah he mentioned something about the tuner hole being small and expanding the size of the spot where the tuning keys are or something, so it would need to be customized a bit. Is this a smart move?

 

[joe web]

i would watch out for a baritone guitar with that low-tuning.
you´ll get a better intonation as on a regular 6-string with 25.5 scale.
the silo bassguitar is great for low-tunings or you go a step further and get yourself a JP baritone.
a 7-string has a different feeling while playing, a baritone just feels like a 6-string but with extended scale, which is great.
i prefer playing the baritone instead of the 7s. don´t get me wrong, a 7s is cool, but with this low-tunings you´ll probably get intonation problems.
so a guitar with a longer scale would be best for you at this point.

 

[Lou]

Yup - move on to a 7 string or baritone.

 

[auxren]

Silhouette Bass Guitar!

 

[Norrin Radd]

Yeah - that low - get a baritone. It's much easier than going to 7 strings and WILL hold the tuning better with the longer scale.

 

[koogie2k]

Barritone is certainly a great option. I was looking at his "not wanting to drop a lot of cash" scenario.