Dushan S
Active Member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2008
- Messages
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I was preferring 6 guitars for my downtuned needs, mostly tuned to C# with lowest string into B, but recently got this interesting guitar, my first 7 string actually. So I thought about sharing my impressions, as it may be useful for someone interested in different, innovative stuff because Gary Kramer guitars are not well known and easy to see and try, at least for now.
So here it is:
There are some pictures on their website, but if someone is interested, I will make a picture of a detail or whatever.
Anyway, guitar is kind of "extended range" but not by adding lower, 8th string but by adding 12 frets more, obviously
It is modified "Turbulence" model, it was called f-01 when I got it but they changed that recently. Stock pickup is replaced with D-Sonic that works beautifully, it is aggressive enough for metal chugga chugga stuff, but still has warm, defined sound for leads and has good clean in single coil mode especially. Mini switch is added for serial/parallel/single coil, and there is also push pull for turning "Black ice" on. Extended neck is good thing in this case, not only just because of those extra high notes, but because it is possible to play easily all your usual licks on all 7 strings high up the neck, and use like, XXII or XXIV position effortlessly, not just for bending E string
I assume that body shape can be strange for some people, but it is not just for looks, and guitar is very comfortable and balanced. They have some explanation about whole Delta Wing guitar concept at GK site, if someone wants to learn more, but in short, guitar is built around idea of making guitar without being attached to expectation what guitar should look like (because usual body shape is derived from classic stringed instruments like cello or violin, and from acoustic guitar that needed body to be resonant box) but was made to be ergonomic and practical. Lower horn is missing and guitar is made to be placed between legs like classical guitar and in that position it is really stable (although I have found myself preferring to play it in usual way), and upper horn is longer because of balance. Body is also made to support picking hand, bit more room there also. Neck is flat and easily playable, at least for me (I got small hands), although as it is my first 7 string guitar, and because frets are medium sized it took some time for me to adjust.
Well if there are any questions, feel free to ask! My girlfriends video camera I was using is broken, and I have only old POD here at home to record with but I will make some video/audio clips later if someone wants to hear and see this guitar in action.
So here it is:
There are some pictures on their website, but if someone is interested, I will make a picture of a detail or whatever.
Anyway, guitar is kind of "extended range" but not by adding lower, 8th string but by adding 12 frets more, obviously
It is modified "Turbulence" model, it was called f-01 when I got it but they changed that recently. Stock pickup is replaced with D-Sonic that works beautifully, it is aggressive enough for metal chugga chugga stuff, but still has warm, defined sound for leads and has good clean in single coil mode especially. Mini switch is added for serial/parallel/single coil, and there is also push pull for turning "Black ice" on. Extended neck is good thing in this case, not only just because of those extra high notes, but because it is possible to play easily all your usual licks on all 7 strings high up the neck, and use like, XXII or XXIV position effortlessly, not just for bending E string
I assume that body shape can be strange for some people, but it is not just for looks, and guitar is very comfortable and balanced. They have some explanation about whole Delta Wing guitar concept at GK site, if someone wants to learn more, but in short, guitar is built around idea of making guitar without being attached to expectation what guitar should look like (because usual body shape is derived from classic stringed instruments like cello or violin, and from acoustic guitar that needed body to be resonant box) but was made to be ergonomic and practical. Lower horn is missing and guitar is made to be placed between legs like classical guitar and in that position it is really stable (although I have found myself preferring to play it in usual way), and upper horn is longer because of balance. Body is also made to support picking hand, bit more room there also. Neck is flat and easily playable, at least for me (I got small hands), although as it is my first 7 string guitar, and because frets are medium sized it took some time for me to adjust.
Well if there are any questions, feel free to ask! My girlfriends video camera I was using is broken, and I have only old POD here at home to record with but I will make some video/audio clips later if someone wants to hear and see this guitar in action.
Looks pretty cool, I was digging the bright yellow 7 string they had at NAMM this year. 
