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View Full Version : 7 Strings: Innovation or fad?



Mr Badguy
01-18-2004, 12:07 PM
I`ve never played a seven stringer personally, I couldn`t afford one and I don`t have the balls to try one out in store, I was just wondering what everybody else thinks about them.

Does having that extra string give an extra dimension or do you still stick to the usual six strings?

It sure doesn`t make any of Steve Vai`s records any more listenable.

Hecubus
01-23-2004, 11:06 PM
Fad.

Who uses 'em besides Korn & Steph Carpenter from the Deftones?

Panamark
02-18-2004, 03:13 PM
We are talking an extra top string right ?
How is it tuned ? Is it in E or do they actually tune
it to A ?? I wonder how your normally played chords
sound ?

BrownSound1
02-20-2004, 01:13 PM
It's actually tuned to a B, if I'm not mistaken, which is like a 5 string bass. So you get B E A D G B E for a 7 string tuning.

To me there really isn't much point to it. Anything in that low of a register should be handled by the bassist. ;)

Seshmeister
02-20-2004, 03:46 PM
I played one and hated it...

Panamark
02-20-2004, 04:05 PM
Originally posted by Brownsound1
It's actually tuned to a B, if I'm not mistaken, which is like a 5 string bass. So you get B E A D G B E for a 7 string tuning.

To me there really isn't much point to it. Anything in that low of a register should be handled by the bassist. ;)

Shit, I had this figured out the other way, I thought they put an extra high string on, not an extra "Bass" string.

Eyes of the Night
02-24-2004, 09:38 AM
I say innovative ... you guys ever heard of Korn!?;) ... They are da masters of the 7 stringed geeters ...

BigBadBrian
02-24-2004, 02:05 PM
Uh...............this is like the question of whether or not more than 4 strings are needed for a bass. Hell, 4 give me enough trouble. :D :rockit:

Mr Grimsdale
02-24-2004, 04:32 PM
how often does steve vai use them these days?
i think that answers your question

GUSSET

genesius1
02-25-2004, 11:41 PM
Seven String Theory

Seven stringers are very cool but it takes being in your hands to find out. Here's one of the best things ...

Unlike a sax, for example, guitar is often played as a sight-based instrument. I.e, you choose your next note because of its position on the fretboard, not because you have a melody in your head. A seven string screws up your visual accomodation of the instrument and initially leads to some horrible mistakes. And mistakes, as we well know, are often the basis of really cool new ideas. And cool new tunes. In a way, a seven string is like playing in a new tuning. Also, truly thunderous chords are now available.

As to the charge that the seventh string is not necessary, I would point out that the top and bottom octaves of a piano are seldom used. But when needed, those notes are only available in one place. I'm sure your not thinking of taking a chainsaw to your piano because of this (though it would fit better in the back seat).

Also, a seven string can be tuned in a variety of ways. I guess you could put an .008 on top and tune the whole thing a step or two down.

Warning: don't play your 7string at an important gig until your are totally familiar with what it does. Under stress, things can go wrong and you'll have some heavy explaining to do. No one will be happy with your experiment or your excuse.

2nd Warning: if you play your 7string long enough, your regular guitar will feel like a banjo when you go back to it!!!

Good luck, god bless, keep making music.

Genesius

Mr Grimsdale
02-26-2004, 12:57 AM
i know something else that feels like a banjo
a pink banjo
i'm playing it now

mako_kimura
08-10-2006, 04:12 PM
Well, I've tried a used seven string out at Guitar World last weekend. Honestly, it plays well, but the extra bottom string takes some getting used to. It's great to experiment with, and it's even more fun if it comes with a locking tremolo system. Overall, since they've gone "out of style", I'm no longer afraid to experiment. But it was a fad

ELVIS
08-10-2006, 04:18 PM
You go grrl...

ELVIS
08-10-2006, 04:18 PM
Originally posted by Mr Grimsdale
i know something else that feels like a banjo
a pink banjo
i'm playing it now


LMAO !!


:D

doctor roth
08-10-2006, 09:52 PM
I like the low tones you can let ring out over the top of other playing. Jeff Loomis plays 7 strings and imo he's one of the best and most innovative players going around.
As long as all the regular strings are standard tunings dont think there is really a problem with it being 'too low' and competing with the bass. Besides a clean bass note and distorted guitar note of the same octave will sound different anyway. BTW i dont own a 7 string or play one. I just think they have their place. I WAS going to post a couple of cool 7 string clips but u tube is down................TBC

Seshmeister
08-10-2006, 10:22 PM
Originally posted by genesius1

Unlike a sax, for example, guitar is often played as a sight-based instrument. I.e, you choose your next note because of its position on the fretboard, not because you have a melody in your head. A seven string screws up your visual accomodation of the instrument and initially leads to some horrible mistakes.

Yup that's it's exactly. It fucks you up for no great advantage.

Plexi Head
08-10-2006, 10:31 PM
Originally posted by Eyes
I say innovative ... you guys ever heard of Korn!?;) ... They are da masters of the 7 stringed geeters ...

I'm with you. The stuff Korn have done over the years is as innovative guitar playing that I have ever heard. They fucking blow my mind with their creativity, even the last CD without Head was a complete lesson in groove, tone and understated brilliant guitar playing.

mako_kimura
08-11-2006, 09:06 AM
I just wonder what Head's doing now besides saving starving third-world, cannibalist countries

Soul Reaper
08-11-2006, 10:02 AM
Originally posted by Plexi Head
I'm with you. The stuff Korn have done over the years is as innovative guitar playing that I have ever heard. They fucking blow my mind with their creativity, even the last CD without Head was a complete lesson in groove, tone and understated brilliant guitar playing.

they're still absolute shit....

haven't changed a bit since their first album....

it's more like 'lazy' than 'understated'....

kentuckyklira
08-11-2006, 01:08 PM
I had an Ibanez Universe 7-string. I was glad I got it used so I could sell it off again without losing money. I havenīt missed it since!

That said, I recently got a Squier Stratocaster VII as good as new for next to nothing. Strangely enough it plays a lot better than I recall the Ibanez played and appears to have gone through a tougher QC than my p.o.s. Ibanez had.

To summarize, a cheap decently crafted 7 string is a nice gadget to have and fool around with. Spending a grand or more on one is a waste of money!

Mr Grimsdale
08-11-2006, 02:25 PM
i didn't know squier made a 7 string

i've got one of their regular 6 stringers and it's a top guitar for the money

might just have to buy one of those to experiment

Matt White
08-11-2006, 02:33 PM
If memory serves me right...

Didn't the original Jem 7-strings have a extra high string? And not the added low B?

Seems like they made the switch after KORN exploded.....

kentuckyklira
08-11-2006, 03:06 PM
Originally posted by Mr Grimsdale
i didn't know squier made a 7 string

i've got one of their regular 6 stringers and it's a top guitar for the money

might just have to buy one of those to experiment Got mine for 100 Euros! Shipped and near mint. Some people pay more for a cable!

Mineīs a sparkly black, but otherwise looks like this:

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/images/30U/30U-12508_front.jpg

MERRYKISSMASS2U
08-13-2006, 01:41 AM
It's hardly innovative:

<img src="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7133/image4interior3wz2.jpg"></img>

Don Corleone
08-13-2006, 04:46 AM
Originally posted by Matt White
If memory serves me right...

Didn't the original Jem 7-strings have a extra high string? And not the added low B?

Seems like they made the switch after KORN exploded.....

Got it one. I remember reading a quote from Vai about how the extra high string kept breaking.

kentuckyklira
08-13-2006, 07:02 AM
Originally posted by Don Corleone
Got it one. I remember reading a quote from Vai about how the extra high string kept breaking. I mean, it must have been an .07. Itīd either break or cut your finger into slices!

Plexi Head
08-13-2006, 07:57 PM
Originally posted by Soul Reaper
they're still absolute shit....

haven't changed a bit since their first album....

it's more like 'lazy' than 'understated'....

No.

No

& No.

Mr Grimsdale
08-21-2006, 04:04 PM
Originally posted by Matt White
If memory serves me right...

Didn't the original Jem 7-strings have a extra high string? And not the added low B?

Seems like they made the switch after KORN exploded.....

I know a lot of the Passion and Warfare stuff has a low B chugging away in the background so the switch must have been made very early.

Mr Grimsdale
08-21-2006, 04:04 PM
Originally posted by kentuckyklira
Got mine for 100 Euros! Shipped and near mint. Some people pay more for a cable!

Mineīs a sparkly black, but otherwise looks like this:

http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/images/30U/30U-12508_front.jpg

Where did you get it?

kentuckyklira
08-21-2006, 05:09 PM
Used, classifieds here:

www.musiker-board.de

Seshmeister
08-21-2006, 10:36 PM
Originally posted by Mr Grimsdale
I know a lot of the Passion and Warfare stuff has a low B chugging away in the background so the switch must have been made very early.

The main riff in track 3 'The Animal' definitely does.

To me it's all novelty bullshit really and doesn't add anything much.

Once you have mastered 6 strings then move on to 7 but noone has ever mastered 6.

It's the same as adding an octave on a piano. There are good reasons that instruments developed the way they did.

Mr Grimsdale
08-24-2006, 04:48 PM
Originally posted by Seshmeister
The main riff in track 3 'The Animal' definitely does.

The track I Would Love Too features a load of low B stuff too.


Originally posted by Seshmeister
There are good reasons that instruments developed the way they did.

That sounds a bit rude.

Ooh no missus no!

Plexi Head
08-24-2006, 07:48 PM
Originally posted by Seshmeister
The main riff in track 3 'The Animal' definitely does.

To me it's all novelty bullshit really and doesn't add anything much.

Once you have mastered 6 strings then move on to 7 but noone has ever mastered 6.

It's the same as adding an octave on a piano. There are good reasons that instruments developed the way they did.


Originally posted by Seshmeister
The main riff in track 3 'The Animal' definitely does.

To me it's all novelty bullshit really and doesn't add anything much.

Once you have mastered 6 strings then move on to 7 but noone has ever mastered 6.

It's the same as adding an octave on a piano. There are good reasons that instruments developed the way they did.

I always thought he was pitch shifting the riff in 'The Animal', it has that pitch shift toneality. Maybe not?

Mr Grimsdale
08-25-2006, 01:14 PM
live, it's played on a 7 string by a rhythm guitarist

The_KiD
08-27-2006, 04:03 PM
They are pretty cool but I personally have a hard enough time with a 6 string.. LOL..

KiD

Soul Reaper
08-29-2006, 06:42 AM
Originally posted by Plexi Head
No.

No

& No.

I really just don't like Korn....

it may have a 'groove'....but it's just one finger shite....

it may be your sort of thing, but nu metal isn't my sort of thing....it bores me....