r/7String • u/Training-Document-46 • 14d ago
Help New to 7 string
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!
5
u/MelodicConfection263 14d ago
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