First 7 recommendations

[axis_musicman]

Hey guys
I want to become a 7 stringer finally)
always had 6 strings for 10+ years, ocasionally bought some ....ty cheap asian 7 and 8 strings and sold them couple days later.
i like Dream Theater(Awake, 6DOIT, Train of Thought), OSI, Fates Warning, Mastodon etc
could you please recommend me some affordable but decent 7 models (1000-2000 USD on used market) for this styles of music

currently i have '99 PRS McCarty(solid rosewood neck) and '97 Ibanez J Custom RG1702 which i truly love but i dont feel like detuning them to B hence losing the upper range for soloing stuff
thanks guys)

here's some guitar porn for your entertainment)

 

[Jeffbro]

Sounds like you'll want a trem, so a JP or a J custom for heavy but very versatile.

 

[axis_musicman]

i dont mind fixed bridge as well

 

[axis_musicman]

bump)

 

[SunOfNothing10]

I would try to track down a 90s Ibanez 7620 or a Universe, very affordable and awesome quality generally.

If you want a new guitar, the Prestige line up is looking pretty good and are reasonably priced. I would go woth something a bit cheaper for my first 7 though if i were you. My first and only 7 is a '91 Universe that i've had for a couple years now, and its pretty great. Especially for the price.

 

[axis_musicman]

Thanks, UV and 7620 sound like a good plan) Is there a quality difference between them other than Vai's name which pretty much doubles or triples the price over 7620?

and any year suggestions? i see that they're different - some have Edge Lo Pro, Some Edge Pro

 

[Jeffbro]

Thanks, UV and 7620 sound like a good plan) Is there a quality difference between them other than Vai's name which pretty much doubles or triples the price over 7620?

and any year suggestions? i see that they're different - some have Edge Lo Pro, Some Edge Pro

No quality difference, get the 7620 if it's <500, preferably with upgraded pickups. UV is just dressed up fancier and has slightly better pickups to begin with. No functional or quality difference between lo pro and edge pro, just preference.

Then again I've seen 1527s go for around 600 and 752s for 700, which would be much better than the 7620 since they are way newer.

 

[CrazyDean]

No quality difference, get the 7620 if it's <500, preferably with upgraded pickups. UV is just dressed up fancier and has slightly better pickups to begin with. No functional or quality difference between lo pro and edge pro, just preference.

Then again I've seen 1527s go for around 600 and 752s for 700, which would be much better than the 7620 since they are way newer.

The UV is a much nicer guitar than the RG7620. However, they are both high-quality instruments. Obviously, the Universe is a better guitar, but they are a bit more expensive. Also, they don't seem to be getting any cheaper. I will always recommend the Universe for price if you are looking for a used guitar. I've had several Universe's, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Also, if you are willing to spend a little more, the UV7PWH is much better to look at than the UV7BK. I recommend staying away from the silver dot, UV7SBK, it feels quite a bit chunkier.

You can't go wrong with an EBMM JP, either. Any model is a winner. If you don't know which you would prefer, the original JP7 is a good choice. However, this is not a locking trem. It works great for light trem work, but if you want to do pull-ups and extreme dive-bombs, you'll never be happy.

 

[Given To Fly]

Thanks, UV and 7620 sound like a good plan) Is there a quality difference between them other than Vai's name which pretty much doubles or triples the price over 7620?

and any year suggestions? i see that they're different - some have Edge Lo Pro, Some Edge Pro

The Universe was a better guitar but not by leaps and bounds. Today, you will be paying more for used Universes because they have become collectible. Ironically, the RG7620 has also become collectible. They are not the bargains they once were.

I think you are shopping in the appropriate price range. As you have already learned, a low quality 7 string guitar will not win you over if you have high quality 6 string guitars an arms reach away. If I were you, I would be looking at used UV's with Lo Pro Edge 7's and new/used Prestige 7 string models with a Lo Pro Edge 7. I am hesitant to recommend an EBMM JP 7 string of some sort because they have become really expensive and I'm not sure why.

$2000 in cash on the used market will go a long ways right now so who knows what you might find. As for the Edge Pro vs. Lo Pro Edge, the Lo Pro Edge 7 is a sure thing! It has proven itself time and time again. The Edge Pro could be a sure thing too, but you would need the "locking stud mod" done which is not a big deal but if you can get the guitar you want without additional modifications, that seems to be the wiser choice.

 

[SunOfNothing10]

The UV has slightly smaller frets, and the neck is a bit thinner I think. My Uni has one of the thinnest necks ive ever played next to the Dean Rusty Cooley model.

The 2 guitars are supposed to be essentially the same though. The 7620 is definitely cheaper so if you can find one it is a good choice

 

[Jeffbro]

The Edge Pro could be a sure thing too, but you would need the "locking stud mod" done which is not a big deal but if you can get the guitar you want without additional modifications, that seems to be the wiser choice.

100% gimmick to line rich's pockets with $$$. All the edge pros I've played stay in tune perfectly, and if it doesn't it's probably not from the studs moving. Regardless, a little sticky tape wrapped around the studs makes them rock solid and accomplishes the same thing for free.

 

[Given To Fly]

100% gimmick to line rich's pockets with $$$. All the edge pros I've played stay in tune perfectly, and if it doesn't it's probably not from the studs moving. Regardless, a little sticky tape wrapped around the studs makes them rock solid and accomplishes the same thing for free.

Who the heck is Rich?!

 

[M3CHK1LLA]

at that price range, you can find quite a few decent 7's on the sale/trade section here...i'd go check that out.

 

[Jeffbro]

Who the heck is Rich?!

the guy who made up the mod and sells it for $45...

 

[axis_musicman]

bump)

alright, so i need any Japanese Universe which will have a nice price even if it will have an Edge Pro and just install the locking studs?

 

[axis_musicman]

bump)

 

[axis_musicman]

double bump)

 

[max2002]

Go k7. Can't be wrong

 

[laxu]

Your experience is a lot like mine. Bought a few 7s, sold them because I didn't like how they played. This year I got myself a Kiesel AM7 multiscale and it just works for me, the added scale length really helps that 7th string feel and sound right without making the rest of the strings harder to play.

So if you don't need a trem then definitely go multiscale.

 

[Aymara]

Don't miss to check out the Schecter Hybrid series.