Looking at a 7 or 8, in need of a little help though...

[pmichteinz]

I'm looking to take the leap into the extended range guitars and I'm kind of caught between a few problems. One, which should I get? I have the hand size and love the sound of the lower strings to play either of them and I know theory and whatnot so I don't really need training in that respect but what seems more practical? Also, what should i get? I'm looking for anything in the $1000-1500 price range and I've been looking at the RG2228's for a little while... I would appreciate any and all input, thanks!!!

 

[pmichteinz]

also Looking at Carvin Custom 7 with a fixed bridge but I hear there is something weird about their pickup sizes???

 

[Matti_Ice]

I'm looking to take the leap into the extended range guitars and I'm kind of caught between a few problems. One, which should I get? I have the hand size and love the sound of the lower strings to play either of them and I know theory and whatnot so I don't really need training in that respect but what seems more practical? Also, what should i get? I'm looking for anything in the $1000-1500 price range and I've been looking at the RG2228's for a little while... I would appreciate any and all input, thanks!!!

Never personally owned a Carvin but I know plenty of people that do and love them. Can't answer your question about pickup sizing, don't know. When it comes to 7s its all about Ibanez to me. My fiance' bought me the RGA7 7 string for my birthday. I slapped an Axis 7 pickup in the neck, an Evo in the bridge, put a new 250k volume pot in, took out all the active pickup electronics and it sounds great. For about $550 you get a beautiful mahogany body guitar. Awesome, inexpensive 7 after tweaking if you ask me (not a fan of the 25.5 scale but owell)
If you feel you really want an 8 and you can grab up a RG2228 in your price range, go for it. If you like it, you will have a great solid guitar, if you don't it will be no trouble to sell. Personally, I always suggest going the Agile route (even though I love Ibanez). You get a few more styles and features as far as 8 strings go plus you spend less money while still getting a quality product. I always played 7 string Ibanezs and intended on buying the RG2228 myself, but first I picked up an Agile Intrepid Pro to see if I would like the 8 stringer, and if I did I could resell the Agile and go the RG route. Turns out I didn't like the 8 string enough to invest in the RG. I still use the Agile for recording and I keep it because it is a very nice guitar, but the point is it kept me from investing in something I wouldn't really use enough. I know I suggest this across a bunch of threads, but it just seems logical to me.

 

[pmichteinz]

Thanks a bunch Matti! As for the 8 string/7 string situation, I think i'll just have to play them before I buy haha!

 

[Steve-Om]

Ill tell you what the guys here told me:

if you are torn between getting a 7 or 8 string, get the 8, simply because if you get the 7 I promise you will want one more string!

besides, with your budget you could a custom built 8

 

[Matti_Ice]

Thanks a bunch Matti! As for the 8 string/7 string situation, I think i'll just have to play them before I buy haha!

No prob at all, if you're lucky enough to have a dealer (A guitar center maybe?) around you that stocks 7/8 stringers you're a fortunate man. Sadly here in Shreveport there is little to no interest in them, so most of my guitars have been impulse buys. The only one I have been unhappy with to date was a Schecter 7 string Avenger.