If you are serious about playing progressive djent, metal, nu-metal, or death metal, then a 7-string guitar is a must-have. A seven-string guitar enables you to cover some bass range, and the best part about it is that you are not required to learn to play the entire instrument in the form of a bass guitar.
Things have changed drastically now. Seven-string guitars were not produced too often earlier, but now they are highly recommended by musicians. Today, we list some of the best 7-String Guitars 2023 for people to obtain the maximum benefits.
Top Picks Seven-String Guitars – Reviews
1. Jackson JS22-7 DKA Dinky HT
This one manufactured by Jackson is one of the best choices available on our list. It offers great value for money and has some amazing customer reviews. Besides having the 7th string, it also has a total of 24 jumbo frets that help fuel the sonic assault.
The full length of this guitar is somewhat around 26.5″. The extra frets and the extra length that this guitar contains provide extra room for the user to experiment and enjoy new and interesting sounds.
It also has a Piranha tooth, and these tooth inlays on this guitar make it a lot more attractive than other options. However, the smaller version of the classic shark fin inlay appears to be more aggressive than the other options. Everything in this guitar is made up of metal. That said, this choice is durable enough to last several years.
It has a gorgeous black satin finish. The users also swear by the performance of this particular choice as it feels great.
Features:
- One of the best 7-string guitars for entry levels.
- Has an excellent black satin finish.
- 3-4 tuners of this choice are convenient when restringing.
- Offers great value for money
2. Schecter C-7 Deluxe 7-String Guitar in Satin White
This particular 7-string is modestly priced by Schecter and is one of the best choices available in the market. This one is from the Deluxe range of 7-string guitars and comes in crisp satin white color.
The specifications of this particular choice are incredible, and after knowing them, you will wonder why it is priced moderately. It is one of the world-class shredders and is deceptively light in weight for added convenience.
It is built with a thick neck for maximum speed. It is an ideal 7-string guitar for beginners who are looking forward to playing metal guitars. The possibilities offered by this choice are endless, and it has the best performance because of its build. Schecter has provided a basswood body to this choice, and it also has two signature Schecter diamond pickups, a 24 fret rosewood neck, and also a tune-o-Matic bridge.
Features:
- Excellent performance at such a price range.
- Best entry-level 7-string guitar option.
- The pickups of this choice are versatile.
- Offers a power-packed performance
3. ESP LTD MH – 417 Best for Hard Rock and Metal
EST LTD is a reputed company that produces the best guitar options for hard rock and heavy metal style guitars. Most of the popular players play this guitar because of its smooth and engaging performance. This choice has a rosewood fingerboard, mahogany body, and a maple neck that offers the best of all worlds.
This guitar has a neck-through construction and measures around 25.5 in length. The best part about this choice is that you will get a thin and neck contour and more than 24 jumbo frets. The neck of this choice is very comfortable and is hence easy to play with. It also has Grover tuners that help stabilize the tuning.
You will find a 3-way toggle switch and a volume button along with tone control. The guitar is suitable for hard rock and heavy metal fans who want to experiment with different kinds of styles that they have always wanted to.
Features:
- Double cutaway for easy fret access.
- A great metal guitar.
- Provides high output pickups.
4. Ibanez RG752AHMNGB RG Prestige
If you are looking for a complete kit that has a 7-string guitar as well, then this one is an ideal choice for beginners and professionals as well. To get started with playing 7-string style music, this one is an ideal choice, and the best part about it is that the guitar has all your needs covered. The body of this guitar is in ash color and has a great sustainable and bright tone.
This one has a maple neck of Wizard 7 and a bird-eye maple fingerboard. It comes with 24 different frets so that you will get free for your style of music, and you can enjoy any style you want to. This choice is ideal for both lead guitar and a rhythm guitar. It has one volume, one tone, and also a pickup selector switch.
The other things available in this kit include a guitar cable, a hardshell case, a tuner, and a guitar stand. If you are looking for a budget-friendly 7-string guitar option and at the same time want to save money on its cable and stand, then this kit is an ideal choice.
Features:
- Affordable choice.
- Comes with the required accessories.
- Has a locking nut system.
5. PRS Paul Reed Smith SE SVN 7-String
Paul Reed Smith is another popular brand that has manufactured some of the best guitars available in the market. The brand has earned the status of manufacturing the best 7-string guitars, which deliver the best performance.
This choice has a perfect combination of the Stratocaster and Les Paul tones, making the guitar a favorite choice among almost all players. This one is an addition to the collection of gems by this brand.
It has a Mahogany body with a beveled maple flame veneer top. It has a string through plate style. The neck is maple with a rosewood fretboard. The body of this guitar gives a tone that is full but crystal-clear. Its wide thin neck makes this choice a fun-to-play option. It is an ideal choice for versatile guitarists as it gives different tones and styles. This guitar will handle everything you throw at it.
Features:
- Smooth and fast fretboard makes this pick fun to play.
- Provides versatile tone from pickup and body.
- Plays the music of classic style not too trendy but fits all kinds of music genres.
Buying Guide
With so many different eye-catching options, it becomes very difficult to choose the right guitar. Therefore, to help you in your choice we have formulated a buying guide which mentions all the features to consider.
Make sure to choose an option that fits all your requirements. Listed below are some tips that you are advised to keep in mind while buying a 7-string guitar:
Neck Width
The preferable neck size of the guide varies from person to person as it generally depends upon a person’s hand size. It also depends on the distance at which you want the strings to be placed.
Normally, a 7-string guitar is as it is broad due to the addition of an additional string. So if you have small hands, you should find the thinnest guitar possible since a thick-sized guitar will make it uncomfortable for your hands and will exert strains on it. However, people with big hands do not have much problem with the thickness of the guitar.
Also, if you want the strings to be placed at the same pace as they are in a six-string guitar, you must opt for a guitar with wider width. Since a 7-string guitar has the same neck width as a 6-string guitar will have its strings placed closer to each other.
Scale Length
It is the distance between the nut and the bridge. The majority of the 7-string guitars range from about 25.5 to 27 inches.
Even a minute difference in the scale length may result in a prominent change in the feel of the tone, string, and character of voices or harmony. Just a difference of a quarter in an inch may have a noticeable effect on the guitar’s sound. Therefore, before buying a guitar, one must keep in mind the tone of the guitar which you would prefer, which matches your style.
Besides, it is also helpful for you if you are a 6-string guitarist to choose a 7-string guitar with a length of 25.5 inches since there is a minute difference in their sizes. This helps in smooth transitioning from one guitar to another.
Nowadays, the majority of the companies are selling fanned fret guitars that have many scaled fingerprints. This means that the nuts, bridge, and frets are situated at different angles. The varying lengths of sides in a guitar helps in increased tonal range.
Comfort
Comfort is the most important aspect of playing any musical instrument. You should make sure that your guitar is comfortable in every way you use it before buying. Before buying, you should even wear it to feel how much weight it carries and how balanced it feels.
Generally, due to the high complexity of a 7-string guitar as compared to a 6-string guitar, a 7-string guitar carries much more weight than a 6-string guitar. It isn’t easy to find a lightweight 7-string guitar. Thus, it would help if you bought a broad strap to wear the guitar so that you can easily manage the extra weight.
An instrument is not a toy that can be bought again and again, but it is an investment. So, it would help if you bought a guitar with good hardware and quality so that it is a durable choice and works for ages.
FAQs
Are 7-string guitars worth it?
The major point behind using a 7-string guitar is extending the range of notes you want to play. Moreover, it doesn’t change the tuning of a 6-string guitar.
Also, the 7-string guitar gives the users ample choices for finger placement and the shapes of the chords. The main purpose of using a 7-string guitar is to play low-pitched notes for the music of heavier styles.
What is the point of using a 7-string guitar?
The choice of a guitar depends on the personal taste of people. However, one aspect that appeals to people more to buy a 7-string guitar is its extended range, which is possible by typically adding an extra low string.
When combined with the 24 jumbo frets, nothing can beat its performance. Also, it offers mileage greater than the other available note choices.
What bands have 7-string guitars?
A few great examples of the bands that use 7-string guitars include animals as leaders, Joe Satriani, Deftones, Korn, and Slipknot.
However, 7-string guitars are not only for heavy music; rather it is the best choice for the music of all kinds. Charlie Hunter, Muse, and Steve Vai are the different non-metal artists who have 7-string guitars as well in their toolboxes.
Conclusion
A 7-String Guitar is the best instrument that helps upgrade your low-end shred game. Earlier, the six-string guitar used to be the best choice for guitarists to make the most of their music.
However, currently, the six-string guitar is known to lack a low-end department. Whereas a seven-string guitar will help expand your sonic horizon to a great extent and become a great musician. We hope by now you are aware of the features to look for while buying a 7-String Guitar.
7-string guitars available from different brands more or less give the same performance just as its competitors. Hence, the decision to pick the best one available is a bit difficult. If you are looking for a good quality guitar with great sound and comes on a low budget, you may find one, but if you want a unique sounding guitar, the search may be difficult.
After some intense research, we have shortlisted some of the best options available in the market. Thus, the options shortlisted above will help you make the most of your performance.
Take a look at the following list:
- Ebony Fretboard
- Hipshot Hardtail Bridge
- Schecter Locking Tuners
- 24 X-Jumbo Stainless Steel Frets
- Fishman Fluence Modern active bridge and neck humbuckers
- The Mahogany set neck allows unfettered fret access throughout with perfect balance and ultimate playability
- Every graceful nuance built into the majesty is a result of the collaboration between masters: the Ernie Ball Music Man design team and John Petrucci
- 3 position pickup selection fed through an active "Push-Push" 12dB boost switch on the volume control give the player amazing tonal versatility at...
- All Sterling by music Man instruments receive final set-up and inspection in California
- Set-up with Ernie Ball Slinky's (. 010-. 046) and includes heavy-duty gig bag
- Contoured body and slim neck profile give you amazing playing comfort and speed
- Tonewood combination gives you a full yet punchy growl
- Exquisite Craftsmanship: Maple burl-topped swamp ash body gives it unique style and flavor.
- High-quality Pickups: These pickups sound great clean, or they can be used to push your amp into overdrive for the legendary fat, snarling tone you...
- High-quality Pickups: These pickups sound great clean, or they can be used to push your amp into overdrive for the legendary fat, snarling tone you...
- Country of Origin: CHINA
- Body Material: Okoume Body
- Top Veneer: Burl poplar top
- Scale: 25 1/2 Frets: 24 Nut Width: 1 7/8 Strings:7 String
- Truss Rod: 2-Way Adjustable Rod ， (4mm) Allen Nut Controls: 1 Volume & 1 Tone 3 way witch
- 20” Fingerboard Radius
- 26.5” Scale Length
- Signature Seymour Duncan “Alpha & Omega” Pickups
- Top Wood: Beveled Maple Top w/ Quilted Maple or Walnut Veneer; Back: Mahogany; Neck: Maple w/ Satin Finish; Fretboard: Bound Ebony
- Includes PRS SE Gig Bag
- 2 Humbucking Pickups - Transparent Black Burst
- 7-string Electric Guitar with Poplar Body
- Amaranth Fingerboard
- Maple Neck
- Maple Top
- A great extended range guitar that doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg
- Affordable for just about any musician, and allow you to explore the depths of lower pitches for today’s modern sounds
- Feature excellent ESP Designed pickups, a comfortable mahogany body, and a three-piece mahogany necks
- Also features a roasted jatoba fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo frets, and offers a TOM bridge and tailpiece
- A great extended range guitar that doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg
- Affordable for just about any musician, and allow you to explore the depths of lower pitches for today’s modern sounds
- Feature excellent ESP Designed pickups, a comfortable mahogany body, and a three-piece mahogany necks
- Also features a roasted jatoba fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo frets, and offers a TOM bridge and tailpiece
- Construction: Neck-Thru
- Body: Alder; Neck: 3Pc Maple
- Top: Burled Poplar; Fingerboard: Macassar Ebony
- Bridge: Hipshot w/ String Thru
- Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico; Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic
- Guitar Colors: Gloss Black
- Dexterity: Right Handed
- Pickups: Schecter Diamond Plus
- Controls: Volume/Tone/3-Way Switch
- Quilted Maple Art Grain top
- 24 frets
- High output Infinity R pickups