7 String Recommendation

[mping]

I'm looking for a recommendation for a 7 string (my first one) under 1K. I have had a RG170 for about 20 years and I think it's time to get some new gear.
I play all by myself with my Yamaha THR these days, and I play alot of Satriani, Dream Theather, some prog metal; I enjoy a versatile guitar and a nice, ergonomic neck; the sound is not as important, as I'm not doing gigs, bands, live show, etc. I also would like to have a tremolo.

I tried a Sterling MAJ170, was cool as hell but this was in the US and I couldn't bring the guitar back. I'm currently leaning towards either a Charvel Nova (Angel Vivaldi model), or a RG1507. I can't find the mythical RG7620 at a good price

TLDR; Looking for a seven string, in order of preference
- Comfortable neck (I enjoy RG slim necks)
- 24 frets, Ideally SS
- Tremolo (doesn't need to be double locking)
- Can be used, I dont care about some paint chips and so on as long as it plays well and sounds reasonably well

I saw an Ibanez S7320 but it was 22 frets only, it was a bit worned down and I read that the ZR tremolo can be a bit stiff.
Please share your thoughts; bear in mind I tried the 7 strings I could find locally (Jackson JS22-7, Ibanez 7320) and they were OK but I wasn't impressed.

 

[odibrom]

Let's get this out of the way, BUY A USED PRESTIGE (this is the forum's moto whenever someone asks for a guitar suggestion).

Having this said, it all depends on your budget. I'll suggest an Ibanez RG1527. They're still relatively cheap (can be found between 700 and 900 euros), have a great neck (imo) and a good double locking trem.

Here are some I've been seeing in southern Europe:
1 - Madrid, Spain: https://www.guitarristas.info/.../ibanez-rg1527.../1113075
2 - Biskaia, Spain: https://www.guitarristas.info/.../ibanez-rg1527.../1107710
3 - Bratislava, Slovakia https://reverb.com/.../item/77323165-ibanez-prestige-rg-1527
4 - Carpi, Itally: https://reverb.com/.../76360249-ibanez-rg-1527-prestige...
5 - Albavilla, Italy: https://reverb.com/.../item/74038211-ibanez-rg1527-prestige
6 - Sassari, Italy: https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/.../a_ibanez-rg-1527-7...
7 - Ferrara, Italy: https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/.../a_ibanez-rg1527-7...

PS - Welcome to the forum

 

[ToRNOuTLaW]

Haven't personally played any, but there are also 7 string Solars with trems for under 1k, new and used (search on reverb). They may not all have SS frets though, but some do:

Outlet Details

www.solar-guitars.com

This one is 100€ less https://www.solar-guitars.com/outlet-details/?code=8436573772204&sku=A2.7FRC

 

[mping]

Let's get this out of the way, BUY A USED PRESTIGE (this is the forum's moto whenever someone asks for a guitar suggestion).

Having this said, it all depends on your budget. I'll suggest an Ibanez RG1527. They're still relatively cheap (can be found between 700 and 900 euros), have a great neck (imo) and a good double locking trem.

Here are some I've been seeing in southern Europe:
1 - Madrid, Spain: https://www.guitarristas.info/.../ibanez-rg1527.../1113075
2 - Biskaia, Spain: https://www.guitarristas.info/.../ibanez-rg1527.../1107710
3 - Bratislava, Slovakia https://reverb.com/.../item/77323165-ibanez-prestige-rg-1527
4 - Carpi, Itally: https://reverb.com/.../76360249-ibanez-rg-1527-prestige...
5 - Albavilla, Italy: https://reverb.com/.../item/74038211-ibanez-rg1527-prestige
6 - Sassari, Italy: https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/.../a_ibanez-rg-1527-7...
7 - Ferrara, Italy: https://www.mercatinomusicale.com/.../a_ibanez-rg1527-7...

PS - Welcome to the forum

Thanks for the list! I didn't know about those sites, I wonder if they have buyer's protection. Anyway, shall I stay away from the 'Z' variants? Eg RG1527Z?

 

[7stringDemon]

Let's get this out of the way, BUY A USED PRESTIGE (this is the forum's moto whenever someone asks for a guitar suggestion).

Thanks for the list! I didn't know about those sites, I wonder if they have buyer's protection. Anyway, shall I stay away from the 'Z' variants? Eg RG1527Z?

The Z referrs to the Edge Zero bridge. Nothing wrong with it at all, its a great trem. They can be a little stiff because of the ZPS (Zero Point System) installed. But if you dont want it to be as stiff, you can remove it very easily.

RG1527 models without the Z will have the Edge Pro trem. Its also just fine and dandy. Nothing really special about it aside from being able to put the ball end of the string into the bridge. But thats not required.

 

[Ltdmh1001]

Schecter Hellraiser C7 Fr.

 

[Xaios]

JUST BUY A USED PRESTI...Oh, dammit, someone already said it.

The RG752 is extremely close to the RG7620. The neck is a little thinner and a little wider, but it even has the same bridge. It's also a Japanese model, like the RG7620 and RG1527.

There were two versions of the S7420. The first is the predecessor to the S7320, it's the same as it (including the 22 frets) except it has a Lo-TRS bridge. The second iteration was the successor of the S7320 but upgraded to 24 frets.

 

[odibrom]

Thanks for the list! I didn't know about those sites, I wonder if they have buyer's protection. Anyway, shall I stay away from the 'Z' variants? Eg RG1527Z?

Consider those sites without buyer protection, so go with caution. Personally, I'd use normal Paypal with a previous and complete invoice from the seller describing the guitar and with photos. On some cases, I think I could go pick the guitar in person as an excuse for a little trip.

 

[7stringDemon]

Also, im of the opinion that 22 fret S series are better than 24 fret S series. Y'all can fight me on that one. Dont be scared of the S7320. Embrace that warmer neck pickup tone. S series are the best series. Especially if you find an earlier Japanese S7420. Those things are fantastic. Especially if you get it for less than $600 USD.

But the 7320 wont be quite as nice of a guitar as a 1527 or 752. And yeah, as others have said, a 752 and a 7620 are basically the same. Its really just a (slightly) different neck and pickups.

 

[mping]

Thanks all, I ordered an RG1527Z. Lets see how it sings when it arrives

 

[Xaios]

Thanks all, I ordered an RG1527Z. Lets see how it sings when it arrives

Solid choice.

 

[odibrom]

Thanks all, I ordered an RG1527Z. Lets see how it sings when it arrives

You did good. Personally, I'd go with the EdgePro loaded version, but your choice is just as good...

 

[mping]

I'd prefer the EdgePro too, but this one had a good price, and like you said, its just as good (I never used either so I went with you guys' opinions).
Anyway, I just play at home by myself, no gigging or recording so this should be good enough for many years to come. If someone's interested I can get a mini review when I get the gear

 

[Emperoff]

I'd prefer the EdgePro too, but this one had a good price, and like you said, its just as good (I never used either so I went with you guys' opinions).
Anyway, I just play at home by myself, no gigging or recording so this should be good enough for many years to come. If someone's interested I can get a mini review when I get the gear

The bridge is fine. If you have any concerns with it and the softness of basswood, just do what plenty of people do and get locking studs. It's a pretty common mod for RGs.

IBANEZ RULES!! tech - setup

Rick from IbanezRules is also a member here, in case you need more info about it.

 

[odibrom]

I'd prefer the EdgePro too, but this one had a good price, and like you said, its just as good (I never used either so I went with you guys' opinions).
Anyway, I just play at home by myself, no gigging or recording so this should be good enough for many years to come. If someone's interested I can get a mini review when I get the gear

My preference on the EdgePro model is because of its piezo modding possibilities, which I embrace dearly. If that's not your thing, you're good with any of the models...

 

[kmanick]

Don't the Z trems already come with the locking studs?
good choice , especially for your first 7, enjoy

 

[Ross82]

I have to say, the Agile Interceptor Pro 727 is well worth checking out. I picked one up this year for $500CAD and it's a screamer for that money. Some of the materials are low end and finish is not the best quality, you can feel the multi-pieces of the neck construction through the finish for example but where it counts, it's got it. Playability is awesome, EMG 707's are great, it has no tunning stability issues and sets up easily. I really wasn't expecting much from it for the price but i was really, really surprised. The only thing i did to it was put in a trem block because i like to wander in tunings but a 27" neck-thru with Grover tuners, decent licensed Floyd Rose and EMG's for 500 squirts is hard to pass.

The one thing i can see might be an issue is the EMG's are soapbar routed, so if you're not into EMG's or just want to change them, you'll have an oversized rout.