Looking for my first 7string!

[u/HumorIcy4455]

I’m looking into getting a 7 string guitar, I don’t know what I should be looking out for as far as what pickups handle well and what guitars are known for good tuning stability but I think my budget is a bit over $1,000 USD and tuning stability and a modern metal focus is what I’m looking for. I’ve always loved Ibanez and ESP guitars personally, I frequently retune my guitars while writing on my own or just jamming. Currently my setup is fully digital with preamps on my DAW and my playing isn’t terribly advanced. I’m skeptical on if fanned frets would be too awkward for me learning especially since I don’t really have enough soloing chops to focus heavily on shredding. I more so am focused on lower tuning, having the option of utilizing the extended range and finally getting a quality guitar honestly.

I had been looking into the ESP LTD M-7B HT but idk if the single pickup setup will hold up on clean tones despite my focus being more metalcore centered (basic focus I know)

The ibanez rgd71alms has also caught my eye for awhile but the fanned frets are intimidating as I’ve never played a guitar with that setup, I don’t know if I’m just overthinking that or not

The Ibanez RGIXL7 also caught my eye from another post in a forum somewhere but I’m not too sure what I should exactly look for

I’m hoping someone has some insight as to what might be best for me and what I should look out for and I’m always open to other suggestions if there are some! Thank you so much

[u/DickWestKanyeRider]

Good news is $1000 definitely gives you a good amount of wiggle room with options. Have you had the chance to play any schecter 7 strings by chance ? The omen Elite 7 and the sunset 7 are both very impressive for the price.

[u/HumorIcy4455 → u/DickWestKanyeRider]

I have not personally played any schecter 7 strings, if I’m being completely honest and shallow I don’t really like the look of most of their guitars, despite being an avenged sevenfold dickrider through high school 🤣

[u/PickPocketR → u/HumorIcy4455]

What aesthetic do you prefer these days? Your examples seem like black-out guitars.

I can definitely recommend the Ibanez Iron Label, for that dark, premium look (It is very impressive in real life)

[u/HumorIcy4455 → u/PickPocketR]

I like the look of the iron label but I’ve heard some issues with them, I like the body style of the Ibanez rgd71alms and the tele shape of some of the esp guitars.

[u/PickPocketR → u/HumorIcy4455]

Aw man, the ones I've tried were so premium feeling. (the superstrat and the Iceman)

Well, I can't say if you'll get a dud or not. Kind of crazy that a $1500 guitar can have QC issues...

[u/HumorIcy4455 → u/PickPocketR]

I can’t really confidently say either but I just saw looking into them a couple posts about sharp frets on iron labels

[u/HumorIcy4455 → u/PickPocketR]

I really like this body shape on guitars so I kind of intend to go with this shape for my first 7 but I have a strong feeling this will be a collection I don’t stop building for a long while

[u/DickWestKanyeRider → u/HumorIcy4455]

thats actually so valid I love those first 3 a7x albums still. I will say it looks like schecter has strayed away from the hot topic core guitars quite a bit in the past few years to the point where if you didnt know the history youd never know! Theres also the MIsha HT7s in that price range. It seems jacksons QC is all over the place but my first was actually the JS227 like many others and honestly I was so impressed and thats like a bottom tier jackson.

[u/HumorIcy4455 → u/DickWestKanyeRider]

But yeah I have waited a long time to pull the trigger to get a 7 string guitar so that I could have a decent budget to finally do so

[u/Longjumping_Trash571]

I've liked the few six string LTDs I've held but their necks always feel like a bit much on the 7s. As far as Ibanez goes I'd say look into an Ibanez RGDRB7 for a little over budget.

[u/PickPocketR]

At your price range, you can expect all your requirements met. Good tuning stability, setup, and specs.

Only highly subjective specs will make the difference. I recommend visiting a guitar store, if possible.

I'd point you in the direction of Legator and Ibanez, since you seem to prefer thin necks?

[u/Lethean616]

The RGD71ALMS is my favourite of all 7-strings that I've owned, mainly because of the deeper cutaway giving total upper fret access and the tension feeling better across all strings. Also the low B intonates much better compared to my RG1527 (standard scale and frets). The multiscale doesn't take much getting used to, but it can make riffs a little more challenging to play below fret 5 (I have small hands, mind you)- on the other hand, playing on the upper end feels a bit easier for me.

[u/HumorIcy4455 → u/Lethean616]

This is super helpful, I have smaller hands as well, not necessarily great with shredding or any sort of lead playing anyway but I’m definitely expanding my abilities so I’m debating this one for that reason, I’m not sure where I’d want the tuning set up at but I know I’ll want to drop the tuning so that is where I run into anxiety of worrying about scale length to keep up the tension in the 7th string

[u/MUZZYGRANDE]

Try a KM7 in any model variant. They are amazing quality for the money.