Is your guitar just not getting you that heavy sound that you crave? Or perhaps you’re just after a challenge to play around with. Then maybe you need to upgrade your six-string guitar to a seven-string guitar.
The 7-string guitars are well known for their heavy metal sound and treble to give you that real aficionado feel. When looking for the best 7-string guitar, it is vital to consider the different factors you need to consider before purchasing one. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled this list so you won’t have to go through the hustle, and you can buy right now to help you reach a real breakthrough of intensity.
So, without further ado, let us get to the list:
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List of Best 7 String Guitars
- Ibanez GRG 7 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar, Right, White, Full (GRG7221WH)
- GRG7 Maple neck
- 24 frets
- High output Infinity R pickups
- Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-7, 7-String Solid-Body Electric Guitar, UV
- Mahogany Body w/Arched Top
- Reinforced 3-pc Maple Neck
- TonePros 7-String TOM Bridge w/ String Thru Body
- EMG 66-7H Neck Pickup w/Brushed Black Chrome Cover
- EMG 57-7H Bridge Pickup w/Brushed Black Chrome Co
- JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22-7 HT AH Satin Black
- Body: Poplar
- Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
- Fingerboard: Amaranth
- Bridge: Jackson HT7 String-Through-Body Hardt
1.Ibanez GRG 7 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar, Right, White, Full (GRG7221WH)
- GRG7 Maple neck
- 24 frets
- High output Infinity R pickups
Ibanez GRG 7 is our choice for the overall best 7-guitar string regardless of cost.
The Ibanez GRG 7221WH is one of the most popular 7-string guitars today. It has all the right strings to pluck your creativity with its 24 jumbo frets and the maple neck that can make any beginner or experienced guitarist feel like a professional within minutes.
Its body is made of basswood, which is lightweight to lessen fatigue when playing for extended periods. This type of guitar is perfect for hard rock, metal, punk, and other edgier styles of music.
Pros:
- It has a good built to last long
- It has a smooth polyurethane finish
- Reasonable price point
Cons:
- Depending on the style of music you play, it might not be powerful enough
- The sound of this guitar becomes a little bit muddy at high frequencies, even with distortion pedals
2. Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-7, 7-String Solid-Body Electric Guitar, UV
- Mahogany Body w/Arched Top
- Reinforced 3-pc Maple Neck
- TonePros 7-String TOM Bridge w/ String Thru Body
- EMG 66-7H Neck Pickup w/Brushed Black Chrome Cover
- EMG 57-7H Bridge Pickup w/Brushed Black Chrome Co
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-7 is our choice for overall best 7-guitar string regardless of the cost.
So what do you get when you cross a classic double-cutaway mahogany guitar with two screaming active EMG humbuckers? Then Schecter Hellraiser C-7 is your go-to solution.
The Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-7 features a mahogany body with an arched top. Two of the most popular active humbucking pickups in the world create an insane amount of pure power. With a set, 3-piece maple neck, you can shred from top to bottom with ease. This guitar comes in various colors ranging from striking finishes to matte black for a more subtle look.
Pros:
- It provides solid playability and a great tone
- Well-built and easy to use
Cons:
- Feels heavy
- It may require costly adjustments to color and quality of paint job
3.JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22-7 HT AH Satin Black
- Body: Poplar
- Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
- Fingerboard: Amaranth
- Bridge: Jackson HT7 String-Through-Body Hardt
Jackson JS22-7 is our choice for the best cheap 7-guitar string.
The JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22-7 HT AH is one of the most affordable 7-strings guitars. This guitar is the perfect example of how seven strings’ scale length makes it easier to produce lower notes than six strings.
The arched top provides additional visual appeal; the satin hue gives a sophisticated touch; the smooth curves offer plenty of conveniences. The high-quality materials work together to create beautiful sounds. This guitar is perfect for any heavy metal enthusiasts on a budget; it’s also great for anyone looking to explore the world of 7 strings. If you like something like that, then go ahead and get this fantastic instrument!
Pros:
- Exceptional Quality
- It is light and well-balanced.
- Outstand performance characteristics
- Elegant and visually attractive
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Many extended range guitars suffer from intonation problems
- It takes a bit longer to tune than a six-string guitar
Overall Reviews of Best 7-string Guitars in 2021
When looking for a 7-string guitar, it is crucial to think about what you like and where your playing style is headed. If you are a professional musician or a beginner, knowing what to look for will help you create the perfect sound for your needs.
Here are some things to consider when looking for a 7 string guitar:
Price
If you are new, it is best to start with an affordable 7-string guitar so that you can familiarize yourself with playing one before investing in an expensive one. You can find a high-quality seven-string guitar at a lower price if you keep your options open.
Brand
All types of professionals use some guitar brands. If this is your first guitar, it’s best to go with a tried and tested brand like Ibanez, Jackson, and Schecter. They may not be the most expensive, but they provide excellent value for the money.
Functionality
Choose an electric seven-string guitar that suits your needs. For instance, if you need extra low notes, look for sub-basses because these have an extended range that goes as low as B. This is great for genres like metal and rock. If you’re not sure if this is the right fit for you, there are also guitars with a longer neck that may be better suited for your needs.
Questions and Answers
Are seven-string guitars worth it?
Yes! The seven-string is a more cost-effective solution for players who want to keep their guitar from feeling out of tune on both chords and lead parts, as it produces each of the seven natural notes on the scale with one finger instinctively picking any note.
Whereas six strings require two fingers to play anything other than power chords, seven strings allow you to play solo lead parts in the same one-finger fashion. They also have more tuning stability over time due to a heavy gauge low E string that is usually wound slightly tighter than other sets, so there’s less loosening over time – no more re-tuning if you’ve been playing steadily all day!
What are the benefits of using 7-string guitars?
A seven-string can cover all of the notes in standard music, plus drop D mode or drop C mode. This means you don’t need to tune down for certain songs that use E-A-D-G-B-E tuning.
Standard six-string guitars are tuned to an open chord of E (lowest), A (next lowest string), D (octave higher than the lowest), G (octave higher than the lowest), and B (next highest). Each octave is doubled with a seven-string guitar; thus, you can sustain an open chord with one less fret needed on each hand without adding tension.
What can you do with a 7 string guitar?
A 7 string guitar can take you beyond the traditional rock and metal sounds to more exciting music styles.
It can go beyond because there are six additional strings tuned differently than what would be expected of a typical 6-string guitar. These strings introduce intervals not seen in standard tuning, which opens up possibilities for new musical scales. Musicians who want these sounds now use this style, making it easier to create unique music that sounds original or never before heard.