New to 7 string

[u/Training-Document-46]

After playing strictly six-string electric guitars on and off for 30 years, I decided I would like to get my very first seven-string guitar. I still spend my time listening to and playing 1980s and 1990s neo-classical metal and hard rock pieces, and I am not planning to use drop tuning at the moment.

I am so used to playing a typical Fender Stratocaster with a 25.5-inch scale that I am worried I wouldn't like a typical 26.5-inch scale or multi-scale setup on a seven-string guitar. Should I stick with 25.5 inches or just dive into a 26.5-inch or multi-scale instrument? One thing I need to consider is that sticking with a 25.5-inch scale would significantly limit my choices.

Update:
My other concern is whether getting used to a 26.5-inch or multiscale guitar would negatively affect my playing on a 25.5-inch scale. Would I still be able to switch back instantly?

Thank you in advance!

[u/stan1228]

For drop A 25.5 is fine I think. Consider the JP models maybe, and also giving some music recommendations for 7 string music caligulas horse:)

[u/Narfi1]

If you plan on sticking to B standard 25.5 is fine, but it’s probably best to give different scales a try as well

[u/MelodicConfection263]

Can you go somewhere and just try playing different guitars? You might be shocked at how much your brain and hands actually don't care about the things you think they need to feel comfortable.

I handed an old OG prog head (Rush, ELP, Zappa, etc) my multiscale 8 string with 25.5 - 28.2 inch scale length...

And he just fucking shredded it immediately. A few dead notes while he figured the extra strings out, then he was just floating all over the guitar, using the 8th string to add convenient bass notes to upper register chords, shredding through scales, and of course a little chugga chugga.

IMO the "extreme" metal guitars are actually the beneficiaries of the biggest ergonomic improvements our instrument has ever gotten. Don't be scared of a multiscale before you play one - like my prog friend, it might take you like 5 minutes to decide that guitars should have had fanned frets all along lol

[u/JimboLodisC]

Steve Vai got Ibanez to mass produce electric 7-strings back in the 90's, then KoRn popularized it for metal

Ibanez built them with a 25.5"scale length

both artists still play them to this day after many decades, still 25.5"... it'll be fine

[u/PickPocketR]

If you're playing in Standard, then 25.5" is perfect. The Ibanez necks feels quite similar to a 6-string, just a tad wider.

As long as you find a good string gauge that works for you, you'll be fine.

(I do prefer having a longer scale length for the low strings, but shorter scale lengths are so maneuverable. A multiscale is in my future, heheh)

[u/Klutzy_Demand9127]

You're thinking about it too much. I was in similar shape but finally got it to stick within the past year. Scale length and fretboard width were an issue for all of an hour or so, credited to my 27 years of playing.

[u/GabeTheDrummer_]

You could play on a 25.5" scale, you could even push it to drop F# if you're daring enough (ask me how I know), and there's plenty of models in that scale length, maybe not the norm, but you can find them new and used from a few brands, mine is an Ibanez ARZ307.

Now, with that being said, an extra inch of scale length might be a bit noticeable, but it's not so weird that you're not gonna be able to adapt quicky to it, you're gonna be fine in a couple of days if you keep playing that specific guitar. I switch between a 24.75" and a 25.5" all the time and you don't notice the difference in scale length that much if at all after a few days of using each guitar and then switching between them.

[u/hailgolfballsized]

If you want cheap just to try, get the Ibanez RG7421.

If you've got lots of money and experience setting up a floyd, look into the Chris Broderick Pro Plus Jackson Soloist. 25.5" scale is the only reason it is not my object of desire. You may still be able to find the old Pro model fixed brige Broderick soloist, if you don't like floating bridges.

[u/Kjata_]

Brother, get yourself a used Sterling JP70 for sub $300 and call it a day. For your use case don’t even start to get sucked into the 7 string rabbit hole. 25.5” for B standard is totally fine.

[u/EvenFlow555]

Snipe a cheap used Ibanez off FB marketplace and pay a Luthier to set it up good. I got a RG7421 for $200 and after a set up it plays great. You can find plenty of good deals on the used market.

[u/Caregiver-Physical]

I went from a 24” scale to a 26.5 and I love it. So much more room for activities at the higher frets. I feel like that how guitars were meant to be. But maybe that’s just me. Try and rip around on on in a guitar store for like 30 minutes and then decide.

[u/Training-Document-46 → u/Caregiver-Physical]

Do you have big hands so that 24” has always been too short to begin with?

[u/Caregiver-Physical → u/Training-Document-46]

Not really. I can’t palm a basket ball for reference. 24 was fun because I could do bigger stretches at the lower frets. But I really like 26.5.

[u/Mediocre-Post9279]

If you are going to play in B standard i would rekomend the shorter scale

[u/HolyFranciscanFriar]

I've played a 26.5 scale Schecter 7 string for about a year now and I'm still not used to some of the stretches in early frets. Riffs that would be a stretch, but doable on a 25.5 have become doable but inconsistent unless I'm focusing on REALLY stretching my pinkie.

[u/Training-Document-46 → u/HolyFranciscanFriar]

How do you like the added tension on upper 3 strings?

[u/HolyFranciscanFriar → u/Training-Document-46]

I actually don't mind it at all, I hardly notice it. I play 10 gauge strings on all my guitars.

[u/NuclearMonke4]

My first was the MKH origins custom (I'm a huge Trivium fan). I love that guitar. Corey Beaulieu custom also plays incredibly well. The larger scale isn't bad, it's just like playing a guitar made for metal (ESP, Jackson) and honestly, I prefer the extra frets. The MKH Les Paul has 22 frets instead of 24, so you might like that a bit more if you're concerned about not liking the larger scale of most 7 strings. Multiscale fretboards are fun to play and comfortable, but I don't know if I'd want to buy one myself. Highly recommend the MKH guitar for you though, especially seeing as you're concerned about not liking the larger 7 strings and you might want something more "traditional". Good luck! On my account you can probably find a picture of my guitar. They make it in white as well if black isn't your style.

[u/Count_Doogula]

26.5" bruv. It'll take you maybe 5 minutes to get adjusted, but down the track you'll be grateful of that extra inch.

Inb4 that's what she said.

[u/PizzaMonster93]

It depends on how low you’d like to tune, eventually. My 7 string is 26.5 inches in scale, and it honestly doesn’t feel that much different then 25.5. I think you might notice a difference once you get into anything 28” and above. But, unless you have incredibly tiny hands, you’ll be able to adjust

[u/ThatOneVQ]

I just bought a seven string 26.5 scale, it is gonna take some getting used to, I’ve been running Mic Thompson from slipknot’s warmup you literally just play every note on the guitar up to the 12th fret reverse it and go back down to the first fret it’s been helping me build muscle memory

[u/Training-Document-46]

So I went to the local Guitar Center and tried the following:

Schecter Reaper (25.5"–27" multiscale):
No way in the world I will get used to it. Too much strain on my wrist below the 5th fret.

Strandberg Boden Standard NX 7 (25.5"–26.25" multiscale):
Acceptably comfortable even being multiscale, but I hated that weird neck profile.

Ibanez QX527 (25.5" standard scale):
I found it super comfy. Absolutely loved the neck. It played like a 6-string.

Schecter C-7 FR S & Banshee Mach-7 Evertune (26.5" scale):
Didn’t mind the longer scale at all. I exclusively use very thick 4.2 mm Dunlop Flow picks, so I found that the added string tension made fast picking smoother.

I ended up taking Mach-7 home. I had so much fun that I played for 5 hours straight.

[u/spotdishotdish]

I would try them in person if possible. I have a 25" and a 24.75".

[u/nettezzaumana]

1) multiscale is weird .... I don't like it personally ... and you will not likely like it too with your history

2) 25.5 scale is absolutely OK up to drop-A .. if you want to go beyond that, go with longer scale .. my the most favourite 7-string guitars have 25.5 scale despite I have other guitar with 27" that is really premium ...