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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After using 7 strings so much, im starting to prefer 6 strings, it really feels like you can shred on them as opposed to bonking on the 7th string for the whole song.
As someone who had a 7 string for a while the first time they were popular, it depends what you’re trying to do but unless you’re all hardcore/metal all the time, I’d equate it to driving around with a utility trailer – great for the odd time you need it, but generally just in the way
The other catch is that if you’re trying to play with others, they need to be onboard – you’ll need a 5+ string bassist and ideally other guitarists will also be rocking 7 strings
As a note, I was more than comfortable playing a 7 string, but just wasn’t making use of it
There’s not a lot of incentive to play a seven-string since 99% of music works just as well on a six-string, and they’re also expensive. It makes sense that seven-strings will continue to be its own niche.
As someone who’s more focused on funk/jazz, a few thoughts:
– so much of these styles is rooted in the conversation you’re having with the traditions and previous works in the space. This means you tend to *start* from a place of understanding the space guitar generally fills in this genre, and go from there. Doesn’t mean you have to fill that same space. But that’s your home base.
– to add to this. You’re not the only person in the band. Your bass/piano players are also coming from the same traditions and styles. And if you’re expanding the sonic territory of the guitar, they have to give it to you.
– in up tempo funk (Cory Wong style) strumming, that extra string would just get in the way.
– lastly, and this is more unique to the styles I’m interested in, people are more likely to want you to take up *less* space sonically, rather than more space. Just not the role of the guitar.
It is technically a superset of a 6 string but it feels very different to play, and ignoring the bottom string 90% of the time is a hassle
One thing which nobody seems to have mentioned is that on 7 and 8 string guitars, the lowest string loves to vibrate of its own accord. You need to make sure you are palm muting them all the time they aren’t being used.
The other thing is small practice amps can’t really be used. They just don’t have the oomph for the lower strings.
Source: I have an 8 string.
Parts availability would be my only consideration. 6-strings have been standard for so long that there are a ton of pickup options if you want to customize your guitar. The options for 7-string guitars is more limited.
>A quick google seems to … [show] the answer to “whether someone should buy a 7 string” is majority “yes”
Just to point out the [sampling bias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampling_bias) here – the responses being represented in a google search like come from individuals who have an opinion on 7-string guitars, which are very likely (a) a limited sample with more experienced guitarists, and (b) individuals who have a clear preference for 7-string guitars over 6-string guitars because they were able to get their hands on one and play long enough to have an opinion.
I regularly play acoustic, and I’ve found that I use my thumb a lot for F chords and some other barre chord shapes. A 7th string would get in the way
having played both i’ve found more merit to a 5 string bass than a 7 string guitar for non metal music
when i borrowed a friends 7 string guitar i often found that in anything other than chugging metal the low B simply got in the way. that’s less of an issue with a bass as you’re not very likely to play chords on it
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