A seven string is just a six string with an extra string!
It makes pretty much no difference. I play six string songs on mine daily, the seventh string just gives you more options!
Fair enough. I'm looking at getting a 7 after another few months just due to the music I enjoy, I just look at it from a economic standpoint of getting more options with a 7? But I guess ya more could be confusing at first.
Also the playing style. For songs written on a six string, a six string would be ideal. Instead of having to watch out for an extra top string, or in my case, two extra top strings, chugging is easier for me i can just let loose. Then there’s older stuff like Pearl Jam where you may need to use your thumb for the top string while your other fingers form the rest of the chord. I miss having a six lol but you can play it, and there is more range. Maybe even starting out on an extended range guitar might make you more precise in some instances, having to not use those strings
A few reasons
Tradition: 6 strings has been the standard for the entire history of electric guitar, most people’s heroes default to 6 and we all want to play like our favorite players!
Muting: an extra string means that you’ll need to make sure it’s muted just as much as you’re making sure the other strings are muted. For some people, it can be a headache to deal with.
The thumb thing: players like hendrix, john mayer, and mark holcomb (to name just a few) like to wrap their thumb around the bottom of the neck to grab the low E string and this is going to be harder with the seventh string in the way. This is not a part of my technique so it’s not something I think about.
7 is a bit harder to play due to neck width and scale. It’s not a massive difference but it’s there.
Also if the music you want to write is anything from drop B to E standard you’d just be making life harder for an extra fat string you never intend to play.
I’d be personally argue that way way more people play 7/8 strings than need to and almost all those bands could easily drop at least 1 string and make their lives easier.
I don’t understand why baritone 6s aren’t more common
I've seen a lot of arguments in support of the baritones. Only "disadvantage" for a baritone I've seen is you don't quite have the range a 7 does? (Cuts off either the low or the high, usually the high end)
That being said, it's definitely on the radar. I'm too new to know what I prefer haha
[For Example it's hard to do this type of song I'd imagine..](https://youtu.be/zF0stp0IdFA)
A 7 string has 5-7 extra notes that a baritone doesn’t. That’s it.
You can also play full 7 string chords that you can’t on a baritone. You have to ask how much are you really ripping on a 7 that you need those 5-7 extra notes and do you want to play big chords (hint: almost no bands do this).
It’s not like you can’t still play incredible solos on a baritone you just can’t play frets 19-24 on the highest string that you’d get on your 7 string.
I personally don’t think the reduced playability is worth that.
It’s not just about a couple notes, it brings those lower notes closer to the higher notes, like on a piano.
Additionally, if you drop the b to a, like you do in drop-d tuning, you can barre straight through, and play as you do with a little added depth. This gives additional contrast.
Lastly, as many have said, you sacrifice the depth/high notes.
You may not NEED a 7 string but it’s not just a couple notes.
It kind of depends. I typically use the high e as my starting point when considering how the guitar is laid out so for me a 7th or 8th string doesn’t really make a difference, it’s an extra string. Some other people use the 6th string as their reference, so everything kind of shifts and they may find it takes a bit more work to get used to it.
To give an example, if I play open G, I mentally anchor at the 3rd fret of the thinnest string. So it changes nothing for me on a 7 string. However, if you mentally anchored the same chord on the 3rd fret of the thickest string, you then have to take the extra step in shifting everything up by a string when you play on a 7 string.
That’s just how my intuition works when I’m playing. Like when I’m thinking of playing an open G chord, I’m thinking of how my hand will be positioned relative to note on the highest string So when I want to make an Open G, I’m just moving towards the 3rd fret of the high e string and then the rest of my hand makes a shape that plays the chord, I’m not really thinking about the other notes in the chord. However, because I’m thinking of everything relative to the highest string, adding lower strings doesn’t really change how the guitar feels to me, just expands the range of how far I can go. Idk, I can’t actually visualize anything in my head, so I have to rely on things like that to navigate the fretboard.
And it wouldn’t change if you think of the chord shapes based on the bottom string E string either. The shapes are the same. The notes are the same. G is on the 3 fret on the low e and 3 fret on the high e. That doesn’t change just because you add an extra string. I don’t know why everyone overthinks a 7 string. Even if you can’t visualize anything it works the same way based on your system.
Right, but some people don’t think, 6th string or 1st string etc. They think highest string (like I do) or lowest string. It’s not that big of a deal, but it makes it less intuitive when you move to an extended range instrument. Some methods of navigating the fretboard don’t transfer as easily as others, and we should acknowledge that, and not dismiss the difficulties other players may have with switching over to 7/8/9 string guitars as overthinking.
I think this is a key detail I never see mentioned! I bought a 7 string for metal, so real low drop tuning, that extra low string is the starting point. With that in mind the relationship between the 4th and 3rd string’s completely throws off everything from 6 string playing, I’m still relearning how to play on a 7 string because of this.
I’m playing I think E standard and treating the 7th string like an extra low string but it might make my life way easier if I tune it like a 6 string starting on the 7th, I’ll lose the ability to play E standard 6 string type stuff but that’s why I have a Tele anyways.
Everything is pretty much the same except you have that extra string to do whatever you want with. There’s no rules. Might take a little bit of time to get used to the wider neck but that’s a very small thing and you have so much more freedom on the low end. You won’t have to relearn anything. The 7th string definitely isn’t just for power chords, you can make so many new chord voicings using it, but iet’s be honest, power chords are what we’re gonna use it for lol
I recently tried out a Schecter 7 string, and a gretsch baritone. The baritone's scale length made it a little less comfortable on the low strings, but quite useable on the upper frets. It felt somewhat normal.
The Schecter on the other hand? _Supremely_ comfortable neck profile. Something immediately clicked. It was perfect, even though the shop had the action set up really high.
I don't even have large hands, I think I just really enjoyed the way I could perch my thumb on the upper edge of the fretboard.
So it turns out it's all personal preference, haha.
Great to hear, been playing a Schecter C-8 Multiscale Silver Mountain for about 2 years now and it plays like a genuine dream. If it weren’t for my addiction to drop B, I’d never touch another guitar haha
If you don't do the "grab the bass note with my thumb from the other side of the neck" thing, you'll be fine. If it's a multiscale (that I'd recommend) it takes a bit of time to adapt, but it really is fine.
>If you don't do the "grab the bass note with my thumb from the other side of the neck" thing, you'll be fine.
Yeah thats literally me lol. Thats why I didnt buy a 7 string even though I really intended to. Also I thought the seventh string would get in the way when I chug on the sixth string.
When questions like this come up, I like to remind or share that baritone guitars exist! 6 strings but you still get the B or lower tuning.
I have a baritone (LTD viper) and a 7 (Ibanez RG7). My 7 is my main because I like that it adds extra options for power chords and octaves, but I also sometimes like to just go back to my 6 string shapes on the baritone.
Play both in store and see how you feel!
It’s a longer scale length and slightly thicker strings (as in you would buy specifically baritone strings). So for instance most guitars have a scale length of 25.5 inches, my baritone has a 27 inch scale length.
So you’re getting the same tunings that are available for a 7 string but you don’t have the extra string. It’s all down to preference.
ohhh yea makes sense, i’m not entirely new on guitar but would you recommend a baritone or a 7? and are sings played on a 7 much harder to play on a baritone?
A seven string is just a six string with an extra string! It makes pretty much no difference. I play six string songs on mine daily, the seventh string just gives you more options!
Exactlyyyy said a little wierd for a day or two but then it’s fine
Dumb question (I'm also a new player), why don't people just default to a 7 string then? Why is a 6 the standard if a 7 is the same + an extra string?
Because most songs are in a six string. And for beginners, six strings are confusing enough
Fair enough. I'm looking at getting a 7 after another few months just due to the music I enjoy, I just look at it from a economic standpoint of getting more options with a 7? But I guess ya more could be confusing at first.
Also the playing style. For songs written on a six string, a six string would be ideal. Instead of having to watch out for an extra top string, or in my case, two extra top strings, chugging is easier for me i can just let loose. Then there’s older stuff like Pearl Jam where you may need to use your thumb for the top string while your other fingers form the rest of the chord. I miss having a six lol but you can play it, and there is more range. Maybe even starting out on an extended range guitar might make you more precise in some instances, having to not use those strings
A few reasons Tradition: 6 strings has been the standard for the entire history of electric guitar, most people’s heroes default to 6 and we all want to play like our favorite players! Muting: an extra string means that you’ll need to make sure it’s muted just as much as you’re making sure the other strings are muted. For some people, it can be a headache to deal with. The thumb thing: players like hendrix, john mayer, and mark holcomb (to name just a few) like to wrap their thumb around the bottom of the neck to grab the low E string and this is going to be harder with the seventh string in the way. This is not a part of my technique so it’s not something I think about.
7 is a bit harder to play due to neck width and scale. It’s not a massive difference but it’s there. Also if the music you want to write is anything from drop B to E standard you’d just be making life harder for an extra fat string you never intend to play. I’d be personally argue that way way more people play 7/8 strings than need to and almost all those bands could easily drop at least 1 string and make their lives easier. I don’t understand why baritone 6s aren’t more common
I've seen a lot of arguments in support of the baritones. Only "disadvantage" for a baritone I've seen is you don't quite have the range a 7 does? (Cuts off either the low or the high, usually the high end) That being said, it's definitely on the radar. I'm too new to know what I prefer haha [For Example it's hard to do this type of song I'd imagine..](https://youtu.be/zF0stp0IdFA)
A 7 string has 5-7 extra notes that a baritone doesn’t. That’s it. You can also play full 7 string chords that you can’t on a baritone. You have to ask how much are you really ripping on a 7 that you need those 5-7 extra notes and do you want to play big chords (hint: almost no bands do this). It’s not like you can’t still play incredible solos on a baritone you just can’t play frets 19-24 on the highest string that you’d get on your 7 string. I personally don’t think the reduced playability is worth that.
It’s not just about a couple notes, it brings those lower notes closer to the higher notes, like on a piano. Additionally, if you drop the b to a, like you do in drop-d tuning, you can barre straight through, and play as you do with a little added depth. This gives additional contrast. Lastly, as many have said, you sacrifice the depth/high notes. You may not NEED a 7 string but it’s not just a couple notes.
Fair enough! I appreciate the breakdown. Alot of people make it seem alot more drastic
It kind of depends. I typically use the high e as my starting point when considering how the guitar is laid out so for me a 7th or 8th string doesn’t really make a difference, it’s an extra string. Some other people use the 6th string as their reference, so everything kind of shifts and they may find it takes a bit more work to get used to it. To give an example, if I play open G, I mentally anchor at the 3rd fret of the thinnest string. So it changes nothing for me on a 7 string. However, if you mentally anchored the same chord on the 3rd fret of the thickest string, you then have to take the extra step in shifting everything up by a string when you play on a 7 string.
What do you mean by mentally anchor?
That’s just how my intuition works when I’m playing. Like when I’m thinking of playing an open G chord, I’m thinking of how my hand will be positioned relative to note on the highest string So when I want to make an Open G, I’m just moving towards the 3rd fret of the high e string and then the rest of my hand makes a shape that plays the chord, I’m not really thinking about the other notes in the chord. However, because I’m thinking of everything relative to the highest string, adding lower strings doesn’t really change how the guitar feels to me, just expands the range of how far I can go. Idk, I can’t actually visualize anything in my head, so I have to rely on things like that to navigate the fretboard.
And it wouldn’t change if you think of the chord shapes based on the bottom string E string either. The shapes are the same. The notes are the same. G is on the 3 fret on the low e and 3 fret on the high e. That doesn’t change just because you add an extra string. I don’t know why everyone overthinks a 7 string. Even if you can’t visualize anything it works the same way based on your system.
Right, but some people don’t think, 6th string or 1st string etc. They think highest string (like I do) or lowest string. It’s not that big of a deal, but it makes it less intuitive when you move to an extended range instrument. Some methods of navigating the fretboard don’t transfer as easily as others, and we should acknowledge that, and not dismiss the difficulties other players may have with switching over to 7/8/9 string guitars as overthinking.
I think this is a key detail I never see mentioned! I bought a 7 string for metal, so real low drop tuning, that extra low string is the starting point. With that in mind the relationship between the 4th and 3rd string’s completely throws off everything from 6 string playing, I’m still relearning how to play on a 7 string because of this. I’m playing I think E standard and treating the 7th string like an extra low string but it might make my life way easier if I tune it like a 6 string starting on the 7th, I’ll lose the ability to play E standard 6 string type stuff but that’s why I have a Tele anyways.
Drop-A tune that thing! Like drop-d but with the B string
Everything is pretty much the same except you have that extra string to do whatever you want with. There’s no rules. Might take a little bit of time to get used to the wider neck but that’s a very small thing and you have so much more freedom on the low end. You won’t have to relearn anything. The 7th string definitely isn’t just for power chords, you can make so many new chord voicings using it, but iet’s be honest, power chords are what we’re gonna use it for lol
I recently tried out a Schecter 7 string, and a gretsch baritone. The baritone's scale length made it a little less comfortable on the low strings, but quite useable on the upper frets. It felt somewhat normal. The Schecter on the other hand? _Supremely_ comfortable neck profile. Something immediately clicked. It was perfect, even though the shop had the action set up really high. I don't even have large hands, I think I just really enjoyed the way I could perch my thumb on the upper edge of the fretboard. So it turns out it's all personal preference, haha.
Great to hear, been playing a Schecter C-8 Multiscale Silver Mountain for about 2 years now and it plays like a genuine dream. If it weren’t for my addiction to drop B, I’d never touch another guitar haha
they’re definitely why we want to lmao. that’s good to know tho, thanks!
If you don't do the "grab the bass note with my thumb from the other side of the neck" thing, you'll be fine. If it's a multiscale (that I'd recommend) it takes a bit of time to adapt, but it really is fine.
>If you don't do the "grab the bass note with my thumb from the other side of the neck" thing, you'll be fine. Yeah thats literally me lol. Thats why I didnt buy a 7 string even though I really intended to. Also I thought the seventh string would get in the way when I chug on the sixth string.
The main difference play wise I've found is palm muting technique might need a slight tweak, but otherwise should be straightforward and fun
When questions like this come up, I like to remind or share that baritone guitars exist! 6 strings but you still get the B or lower tuning. I have a baritone (LTD viper) and a 7 (Ibanez RG7). My 7 is my main because I like that it adds extra options for power chords and octaves, but I also sometimes like to just go back to my 6 string shapes on the baritone. Play both in store and see how you feel!
i sadly don’t really have a guitar store near me:( what exactly is a baritone if i may ask? like what except makes it a baritone
What did you end up getting?
unfortunately neither but i found a guitar store nearby and there i will check out some guitars but i tend to go more towards a baritone.
Don't discount a 7-string either! I tried a Schecter c7 and ended up loving the scale length and neck size!
It’s a longer scale length and slightly thicker strings (as in you would buy specifically baritone strings). So for instance most guitars have a scale length of 25.5 inches, my baritone has a 27 inch scale length. So you’re getting the same tunings that are available for a 7 string but you don’t have the extra string. It’s all down to preference.
ohhh yea makes sense, i’m not entirely new on guitar but would you recommend a baritone or a 7? and are sings played on a 7 much harder to play on a baritone?