Many guitarists and music enthusiasts will agree that a 7-string guitar can feel like a unique instrument. The biggest thing about 7-string guitars is how one can reach lower notes with this type of instrument. If you already know how to play the guitar, you don’t need to get started from scratch. The standard tuning is B-E-A-D-G-B-E, and yes, if you ignore the lowest string, a 7-string guitar is just like your regular 6-string guitar. The wider fretboard and that extra string allow you to play almost anything you can play on a normal guitar. In this post, we share more on finding the best 7 string guitar under $500, along with five products that you absolutely love.
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Our Top Pick
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Our Top Pick |
Ibanez GRG 7 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar |
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2
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2 |
Ibanez GRG 7 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar |
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3
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3 |
Schecter C-7 DELUXE LH Satin Black 7-String Solid-Body Electric Guitar |
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4
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4 |
ESP LTD EC-257 7-String Electric Guitar |
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5
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5 |
Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS32-7 DKA 7-String Electric Guitar |
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Reviewing top five Best 7 String Guitar Under 500
If you are buying your first 7-string guitar and want to play it safe, consider going for this model from Ibanez, which is modeled on the metal monster model from the same brand. Features of this guitar include a New Zealand pine fretboard, Infinity R7 humbucking pickups from Ibanez, and Alder top. For the budget, you cannot expect anything better.
What We Liked
- Alder top and maple neck
- Infinity R7 humbucking pickups – proprietary to the brand
- New Zealand pine fretboard
- Sleek design
- Budget-friendly
What We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t come with a gig bag
For those who aren’t sure of buying a 7-string guitar and want to play efficiently with the same sound level without worrying about the 7th string, this guitar is designed for them. The design follows the design of the Ibanez metal monster called RG. The design is sleek, and other highlights include Ibanez Fixed 7 bridge, Treated New Zealand Pine fretboard, and maple top.
What We Liked
- Maple top
- Treated New Zealand Pine fretboard
- Ibanez Fixed 7 bridge
- Easy to play while ignoring the 7th string
- Stylish design
What We Didn’t Like
- Doesn’t come with a gig bag
- Accessories must be purchased separately
This 7-string guitar from Schecter is ideal for beginners and those looking for budget options. The top and fretboard of the guitar is made of ebony, while the body is made of mahogany with a maple neck. It comes with an adjustable guitar bridge system. Other highlights include the Schecter Diamond Plus Pickup set and high-quality nickel hardware.
What We Liked
- TonePros TOM Bridge & Tailpiece set
- Maple neck
- Mahogany body
- Nickel Hardware
- Schecter Diamond Plus Pickup set included
What We Didn’t Like
- Bag not included
This 7-string electric guitar ensures that players and guitarists have an extended range but without paying a fortune. The guitar features ESP Designed pickups, and the body and neck are made of mahogany. The Jatoba fingerboard comes with jumbo frets, and you get TOM bridge and tailpiece, among other features.
What We Liked
- Budget-friendly price
- TOM bridge and tailpiece
- Mahogany construction
- ESP Designed pickups
What We Didn’t Like
- Comes only in a matte finish
- Needs initial adjustment
- Bag not included
The poplar dinky archtop body of this 7-string guitar is one of its many highlights. It features a maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard along with 24 jumbo frets. The guitar gets powered by dual high-output humbucking pickups along with 3-way blade switching. Other features include the HT-7 Jackson bridge.
What We Liked
- Dual high-output humbucking pickups
- 3-way blade switching
- Maple neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
- Poplar body
What We Didn’t Like
- Not much, except that case is not included
How to buy a 7-string guitar?
If you are looking for a new 7-string guitar or buying your first one, there are a few things to know-
1. Neck. For obvious reasons, a 7-string guitar has a wider neck than the standard 6-string guitar, so it can make a big difference to the playing experience. For those smaller hands, this could be an important factor because getting used to a 7-string guitar will take time.
2. Material. For any guitar, the body construction and material can be instrumental in overall resonance and sound. Make sure that you go for a solid-body guitar with premium wood, especially options like mahogany. Engineered wood-made 7-string guitars may cost less but don’t offer the same experience.
3. Scale Length. The third important factor is the scale length. For standard options, the scale length can be 24.5-inch to about 25.5-inch. Some guitars do come with an extended range, especially for those who want their guitar down. Do check the specifications before placing an order.
4. The choice of fanned fret guitars. Also called multi-scale guitars, fanned fret guitars are called so because of how the frets looked. These guitars have the bridge, nut, frets installed at varying angles instead of the standard perpendicular angle to the strings.
5. Brand. While not many new buyers are worried about the brand, but this can make a difference to your guitar’s construction and quality. Try and go for a brand you can trust, especially if you are not on a short budget.
How to Play 7-String Guitar?
Playing a 7-string guitar is like playing a standard 6-string guitar, yet the extra low B string gives you admittance to expanded lower notes, permitting you to play a more extensive scope of harmonies and songs. Here are a moves toward get everything rolling with playing a 7-string guitar:
1. Tune Your Guitar:
– The most widely recognized tuning for a 7-string guitar is B, E, A, D, G, B, and E from the least (7th) string to the most elevated (first) string. Utilize an electronic tuner to guarantee exact tuning.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Extra String:
– The additional 7th string is ordinarily tuned to a low B. This additional string permits you to play lower-pitched notes and harmonies. Invest some energy becoming accustomed to this extra string.
3. Basic Harmonies and Scales:
– A large number of the harmony shapes and scale designs you knew about on a 6-string guitar can be adjusted for a 7-string. Begin with essential harmonies and scales to fabricate your establishment.
4. Experiment with Barre Chords:
– Barre harmonies can be adjusted for a 7-string guitar too. Learn essential barre harmony shapes and analysis with extending them to incorporate the low B string.
5. Explore Broadened Chords:
– Exploit the low B string to play expanded harmonies like 7th harmonies, ninth harmonies, and then some. These harmonies can add profundity and wealth to your playing.
6. Use the Low B for Bass Lines:
– The low B string can likewise be utilized to make bass lines, giving your playing a more full sound. Explore different avenues regarding fingerpicking or culling the low string while at the same time playing songs or harmonies on the higher strings.
7. Adjust Your Playing Style:
– Playing a 7-string guitar might require a few changes in your playing style. The additional string can make fingerpicking and playing more complicated. Practice to develop the important finger fortitude and accuracy.
8. Experiment with Tunings:
– While the standard B, E, A, D, G, B, E tuning is the most widely recognized for 7-string guitars, you can explore different avenues regarding various tunings to accomplish explicit sounds or to oblige various styles of music.
9. Explore Different Genres:
– 7-string guitars are well known in various classes, including metal, jazz, and moderate stone. Investigate different melodic styles and perceive how the 7-string guitar squeezes into your favored kind.
10. Practice Regularly:
– Like any instrument, practice is fundamental. Standard practice will assist you with turning out to be more alright with the 7-string guitar and foster your abilities.
11. Learn Melodies and Solos:
– Search for tunes and performances that are explicitly composed for 7-string guitars. Learning these can assist you with understanding how to use the extra string really.
12. Record and Listen:
– Recording yourself playing the 7-string guitar and standing by listening to the playback can assist you with distinguishing regions for development and refine your strategy.
Recall that playing a 7-string guitar is an excursion that includes practice and trial and error. With time and commitment, you can take full advantage of this lengthy reach instrument and integrate its one of a kind capacities into your playing style.
How to Maintain 7-String Guitar?
Maintaining a 7-string guitar is critical to guarantee it stays in great playing condition and holds its tone and playability. Here are some upkeep tips for your 7-string guitar:
1. Keep it Clean:
– Wipe down your 7-string guitar with a perfect, dry, and build up free material after each playing meeting. This assists eliminate with perspiring, oil, and soil that can gather on the guitar’s surface. Really focus on the strings, fretboard, and body.
2. Change Strings as Needed:
– Supplant your strings when they become eroded, lose their tone, or begin to break. The recurrence of string changes relies heavily on how frequently you play, your playing style, and the kind of strings you use. Follow the producer’s proposals for string measure.
3. Setup and Adjustments:
– Intermittently check the guitar’s arrangement, which incorporates changing the activity (string level), intonation, and neck help. These changes can influence playability and sound. In the event that you’re not happy making these changes yourself, take your guitar to an expert luthier or guitar specialist.
4. Keep the Fretboard Clean:
– Clean the fretboard when it gets filthy, utilizing a delicate material or a particular fretboard more clean. On the off chance that your fretboard is made of rosewood or black, you can sporadically utilize lemon oil or a particular fretboard conditioner to saturate the wood, yet try not to utilize exorbitant sums.
5. Protect the Finish:
– Be mindful so as to try not to knock or scratching the guitar’s completion. Utilize a clean intended for guitars if you have any desire to maintain its sparkle, and consistently apply it sparingly.
6. Regularly Assess Hardware:
– Check the tuning machines, lash buttons, and other equipment for any free parts. Fix screws or nuts on a case by case basis to guarantee the solidness of your guitar.
7. Monitor the Electronics:
– Assuming your 7-string guitar has dynamic pickups or installed gadgets, occasionally look at the battery and associations. Supplant the battery on a case by case basis to keep away from surprising sound issues during playing.
8. Protect Your Guitar During Storage:
– At the point when not being used, store your 7-string guitar in a defensive case or a very much cushioned gig sack. This helps safeguard it from dust, mugginess, temperature vacillations, and actual harm.
9. Protect from Outrageous Temperatures:
– Try not to open your guitar to outrageous intensity or chilly, as fast temperature changes can harm the instrument. Store it in a temperature-controlled climate.
10. Play Gently:
– While 7-string guitars are worked to deal with the additional pressure and low tunings, be aware of your playing style to keep away from superfluous mileage. Exorbitant bowing or forceful playing can influence the strings and the neck.
11. **Regularly Assess for Damage:**
– Intermittently look at your guitar for any apparent harm, breaks, free supports, or other primary issues. In the event that you notice any issues, have them tended to by a certified guitar specialist or luthier.
By following these upkeep tips, you can keep your 7-string guitar in amazing condition and guarantee it keeps on giving the tone and playability you want. Ordinary consideration and consideration will assist with dragging out the existence of your instrument.
