A quick google seems to have many good things to say about 7 string, and the answer to “whether someone should buy a 7 string” is majority “yes”, without stating possible issues. And objectively it make sense: 7 string is just 6 string with addition of low B, so on songs that don’t use that string, just don’t pick/strum it. Yet, to my knowledge, artist that use majority of 7 string are few. Aside from a few metal bands, the only other new groups I can think of that utilize 7 string is Babymetal; much less so in Blues or Rock or Pop. Even Steve Vai seems to play less on 7-string nowadays. So why isn’t 7-string guitar used more in practice? Specifically, are there some issues on 7 string (especially those on 25.5 inch scale) that a 6 string is more benefical?
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The vast majority of guitar repertoire and learning materials evolved for 6 strings. This is what people are used to and learned, so they keep it going. No blues great ever played 7string (as far as I know), no folk players, no rock (pre-2000s) when rock was in its hayday, so players of that style see no need to get one. Guitar is in a 6string world and 7/8 strings are an outlier that was never used throughout the majority of guitar history so there’s not much repertoire that would entice a casual player to get one outside of metal and sometimes jazz. The guitar “system” evolved around 6 strings. And with all that, there’s a much smaller market for them so they’re a bit pricier.
With that said, I do love having a larger range on a 7string, more musical opportunities. I myself want to get another one (I have an old one) that I can start using as my main and figure out ways to adapt it to every style I play.
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