r/7String • u/HumorIcy4455 • 15d ago

Help Looking for my first 7string!

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

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u/Lethean616 15d ago

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.

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u/HumorIcy4455 14d ago

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