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?
In: Other
The 7th string has some downsides:
* the fretboard is simply wider, making some grips more difficult and the guitar in total heavier.
* adding a string can mess up your frame of reference.
* you have to be more careful when strumming the low E. You suddenly have to avoid a string which you never had to think about before.
The downsides aren’t that big, but most guitar players don’t use the low string anyway so there is no reason to deal with the downsides.
I know several metalcore bands who even play on drop A tuning on 6 strings because they realize that the opposite is also true, they don’t need the high string.
PS: If you look at metalcore/deathcore 7 or 8 strings are a lot more prevalent compared to mainstream music.
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