Ever prefer a 6-string?

[Metaguitarist]

Ever feel like, "man I really don't need my 7 for this, lets just whip out the 6'er"? I'm still adjusting to playing a 7 for long periods of time (just got my first keeper 7-string a few days ago) so I'm wondering if I'll stop feeling that way at some point? Or maybe some of you just prefer a 6-string baritone at times?

 

[rythmic_pulses]

What it comes down to is ease of playing, I use my 6 and my 7 for different stuff, my 6 is in Drop C# always and has a wound 3rd to make the chords ring out clearly as I do not play lead on my 6, on my 7 however, it's like shifting the 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd strings across and tuning them down lower and slapping another unwound string in it's place and I play lead on the 7, I tune to Drop A on the 7 just so I can switch between the two with no problems, trying to play in Drop C# on a 7 is a pain cause then you have to have the 7th string in G or take off the lower string, shift the other strings across and add a higher string, having my 6 to do that is just so much easier, plus the neck is smaller

 

[Konfyouzd]

For drop tunings, yes. I find them awkward on a 7 for some reason. But I still prefer 7s and 8s at this point. I'm mainly a lead player and I've gotten used to the larger playground.

 

[Syriel]

I'm currently wanting a 6 string for music school lol and maybe for drop tuning.

My old 6 string sucks, it's got dead frets and fret buzz all over unless you adjust the action REALLY high, it's not the neck relief its the frets that are uneven, and I don't wanna bother taking it to a tech and waste money on getting it set up.

Although to be really honest, I actually wanna stick with the 7 string and be done with it. I feel much more comfortable on it than a 6, even though I have quite small hands.

 

[GXPO]

I recently started loving the sound of metal in standard again. I forgot how punchy it sounds. The only problem I have with 7's is that sometimes if I'm not careful it can polarise my sound, everything starts and ends with B (or drop A) if I don't pay attention.

 

[Konfyouzd]

That's really funny... I seem to have a difficult time riffing on the B string. Most of my riffs start higher than that and eventually meander down that way for notes I just don't feel like jumping way down the neck for. I have trouble writing heavy riffs based around that string for some reason.

 

[JohnIce]

For live playing: no.

For writing and studio use, sure. I have sold most of my sixes but I've got some fantastic ones left and to be honest my Warmoth Carved Top 6 is still the best playing and sounding guitar I own. I do a lot of leads with it, because it sounds so good. But for live playing I don't bother bringing a six, even though all our songs could be played on one without too much hassle.

 

[Floppystrings]

I need to play my 6 string so I don't sell it.

 

[Konfyouzd]

I CAN'T seem to sell my 6er... So I keep it around because I actually do play it every now and again.

 

[Given To Fly]

I own an RG2228GK and I'm fortunate enough to be borrowing a friends Jackson SL1. It's a fantastic guitar but no matter how much I play the Jackson, I always prefer my 8 string.

 

[GXPO]

I find that a lot of people are of the opinion that a 7 has a 6er contained within. While obviously the strings are there, I couldn't be more opposed to using a 7 for pure 6 string material for myself. I like to really dig into the lowest string sometimes and just can't do that on anything but the lowest string.

 

[Jakke]

All the time. I mainly play 6 strings with my current band, so they get a fair workout.

 

[Metaguitarist]

I'm currently adjusting to using a 7-string as I've basically never owned one. I feel a different sort of creativity comes through when I'm using a 7, but when I'm practicing old riffs and such, I almost feel like a 6 would be better because of the smaller neck. Thoughts?

 

[aturaya]

yes

 

[bradthelegend]

There are multiple threads about this in both the Standard Guitars section and the Sevenstring Guitars section.

 

[tedtan]

I got my first 7-string in 2001. I still play my 6-string, too, because, like you said, the different feel sometimes inspires me to play different things.

There's definitely a place for both.

 

[Murmel]

I don't even like 7 strings anymore I'm staying with sixers.

 

[AChRush1349]

Really depends on the application and the context of the piece you're writing/playing for/in

 

[Overtone]

Not especially. There are plenty of times I miss my low B when playing on a 6 but I don't think I've ever wished I was playing a 6 instead of 7

 

[ZXIIIT]

I'm selling all my 6s, only keeping my Tele, aside from that, tried some 8-strings, not my thing, 7s are just perfect for me.