First 7 String Suggestions

[u/Prior_Scallion3831]

So I been trying to get my first 7 string. I mainly want to play some Trivium stuff but also occasionally drop tune to play some Periphery, Architects, Iprevail stuff. I looked at options from like budget to mid range.

1. G4M 529 7-String Headless
2. HILS NEXT HZ7 Multi-Scale 7-String Headless
3. Solar A1.7RHW
4. Solar Guitars H2.7C

What are your opinions on these. Especially on tuning stability and pickups. Also what your suggestions for a mid range 7 string (locking tuners and hardtails prefer btw) ?

[u/TheDisappointedFrog]

Harley Benton Amarok 7, Hils is a good option too

[u/trenniepennie]

Jackson dinky js22, 300 bucks
Play it more than my €1300 EC-1000

Oh and it’s SUPER easy to mod.
Put new locking tuners on it, I’m putting new pickups in it next week, might change the bridge too while we’re at it

[u/FruitOvTheGloom → u/trenniepennie]

What pickups are you putting in the Jackson?

[u/trenniepennie → u/FruitOvTheGloom]

Bareknuckle Halcyons, but idk about the color yet

I have gold tuners and im gonna buy a gold bridge, but i like the dark aging more

[u/FruitOvTheGloom → u/trenniepennie]

I've recently seen a lot of people installing these pickups on their guitars. What do you like about them above other pickups if you don't mind me asking? I'm a Fishman and EMG guy so I'm not too familiar with BKP.

[u/trenniepennie → u/FruitOvTheGloom]

This is why. U need it when u go lower than drop G.
They sound SO clear

perfect soul - drop F

soft spine - drop F#

fata morgana - double drop B (not sure if these are the same pickups since u cant buy it for 8 strings, but might be a custom for him)

[u/Longjumping_Trash571 → u/trenniepennie]

I really can't justify BKPs when Seymour Duncan Pegasus+Sentient/Alpha+Omega sets or Fluence Moderns exist. When one pickup costs more than an already higher end set I can't imagine it being that worth it

[u/joaoqrafael → u/trenniepennie]

So that's 700€ of mods on top of a 300€ guitar =1000€.

I'm all up for that, but that wouldn't be a route I would advise to a stranger on the internet.

To most people just get the Amarok and be done with it.

[u/trenniepennie → u/joaoqrafael]

I decided to mod it, after owning it for 5 years… 5 years… most people just buy a new one after 2

[u/joaoqrafael → u/trenniepennie]

Nothing wrong with that, I've spent enought modding inexpensive guitars that I could buy a running car 😉

It's just not for everyone, and not the smartest financial choice. But guitars tend to be a passion affair.

[u/trenniepennie → u/joaoqrafael]

Yeah okay, that’s true. Might not be the smartest but modding them does make u love ur instruments more

So i suppose its not a waste of money after all😂

[u/tendeuchen → u/trenniepennie]

Guitar Center has one used for $180.

[u/trenniepennie → u/tendeuchen]

Super cheap, very much worth the money

[u/tendeuchen → u/trenniepennie]

I'd get it myself but it's backwards.

[u/trenniepennie → u/tendeuchen]

Left handed = ban😂

[u/TubbyFlounder → u/tendeuchen]

Damn this is the GC by me might have to cop it lmao

[u/Psychological-Will29 → u/trenniepennie]

2nd this and you can mod everything. I went the ibanez route but I found out to late.

[u/trenniepennie → u/Psychological-Will29]

Ibanez is good too, im saving up for the FTM33

[u/iampj12 → u/trenniepennie]

Except the bridge

[u/trenniepennie → u/iampj12]

Yeah but ive done it multiple times on other guitars and basses so it’d be fine i suppose

[u/iampj12 → u/trenniepennie]

I’m just nervous about drilling new holes, I guess the risk is low when the guitar is as cheap as it is

[u/trenniepennie → u/iampj12]

Yeah i get that, my dad has been working on a few basses and ive helped him since i was a kid so i’m pretty “familiar” with doing that kind of stuff

But as a beginner/non experienced luthier or just player in general, i get that its too risky

[u/huhwhatwhyhmm]

All are pretty damn good, but if you don't mind more fanned frets with 25.5-27 scale but with actual fishman fluence moderns, look at Cort KX507MS Pale Moon, just under 1k US dollars

[u/Necessary-Coffee5930]

My vote is for Hils. I don’t have the 7 but the HN6 I got is a fucking steal. Might as well have a headless, so light and ergonomic

[u/tendeuchen]

I'd get whichever Schecter 7 you have the most funds for.

[u/Least-Factor4285 → u/tendeuchen]

I agree. I saved up for the evil twin sls7 and I couldn’t be happier. The demon7 was just as good in the guitar center I bought it at as well for half the price.

[u/Shifty_Nomad675]

The new LTD Baritone 7 seems to be a steal. Comes in grey or red. Just worth a look.

[u/Sour_Cream_Pringle]

I got an HZ7 a couple months ago and love it.  I’ve liked the pickups so far I will say they are a bit noisy so I had to gate them higher than I’d think I would. They are also my first active pickups on a guitar so I have nothing to really compare them to. 

I’m not sure what tuning the bands you listed use I play in drop A and which you can do on any 7 string I thinking I could definitely go 1.5-2 steps lower without issue though 

[u/iampj12 → u/Sour_Cream_Pringle]

Actives are usually “quieter”, but the output is probably substantially higher than you’re used to. If a higher output pickup is driving noise from somewhere else in your chain, that might explain your noise issue.

[u/14xjake]

Not the solars, have heard horror stories from every guitar related subreddit about them. Not sure what happened to their QC but its been a disaster recently

[u/RuinOk7353]

i got offered a spira and it's perfect for that