Surrounded by 7-string guitars!!!

*ToNeS* · #1 11-19-2001, 06:41 AM

'kay, recently i've been inducted into the ranks of a 5-piece alterna outfit full of raging hardcore guys 3-7 years my senior - the big problem is, however, that the guitarists play 7-string guitars! (tuned B-E-A-D-G-B-E) i have a 4-string Spector, and have had to tune it down 3 steps to B-E-A-D, and man does it sound terrible! it clicks, it clacks, it reminds me of FieLDy, so help me rectify this regrettable situation - and quick!!!

any suggestions short of buying a 5-string would be greatly appreciated by myself and the rest of the music world (i'd buy a 5'er at the drop of a beanie, but i don't have the cash

). is there some way i can set it up proper? would i need to go out and buy some heavier strings (i play very light ones), could an effect or amp settings affect this?

HELP ME O GOD I'M DROWNING IN A SEA OF *cLaCk*

AllodoX · #2 11-19-2001, 06:56 AM

- Buy BEADG strings ( B-string = .120 )
- dump the G-string
- use a small nail-file to make the nut-dents a little wider
- raise the relief a little.

no problem

b.t.w. what kind of 7-stringer does he have ?
So far i've only seen 7-string ibanez'es and Jackson's.. myself i have an Ibanez RG7321

Gallient Knight · #3 11-19-2001, 02:30 PM

I second AllodoX. String height may need to go up a little as well. If your still not happy with it try to kill the clack by turning down any horns you have in your cabs. And lean on your neck pickup more then the bridge one.

BTW I'd change my hand positions as well and mess around with different ways to touch the strings if you play fingerstyle.

**john turner** · #4 11-19-2001, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AllodoX

b.t.w. what kind of 7-stringer does he have ?
So far i've only seen 7-string ibanez'es and Jackson's.. myself i have an Ibanez RG7321

conklin groove tools makes a 7 string guitar with a tremolo and without. one of the guitarists in my band has a 7 string danelectro, believe it or not. schecter and esp also make 7 string guitars, as well as bc rich.

AllodoX · #5 11-19-2001, 03:28 PM

hmm

cool

i want a 7-string guitar with fixed-bridge ( like bass ) and with active electronics.. but custom 7-stringers are very $$++; and i'm not very rich..(yet

)

Gallient Knight · #6 11-19-2001, 03:34 PM

Carvin to the rescue again.

7 string

Its not Active. But thats got to be pretty easy to add. Might even be cool to try an active bass circuit in it.

*ToNeS* · #7 11-19-2001, 10:26 PM

thank you, big johnny, for going off on a tangent about multiple stringed instruments and detracting from my questions

AllodoX, would it be possible to do what you suggest bar the nail-filing of the nut slots? because i don't want to be stuck in B-E-A-D forever

FeTiS · #8 11-19-2001, 10:45 PM

if you go with the new bass idea, go for a 6 instead of 5. i went 4-6, and i love it. 6 plays like a dream. bout 7 string git-fiddles, Ibanez makes the KoRN line, munky and head, 7 strings. i havent much looked, but my new bass is ibanez and i saw those one their page.

**john turner** · #9 11-19-2001, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *ToNeS*
thank you, big johnny, for going off on a tangent about multiple stringed instruments and detracting from my questions

man, you kiwis are babies. you _are_ a kiwi, right?

that's a big-time insult, right? calling an aussie a kiwi, right? or is it the other way around?

.

**john turner** · #10 11-19-2001, 11:04 PM

oh, btw, to answer your question, go with allodox's suggestion, but ixnay on the filing-the-nut-ay. string it up that way, with the low 4 from a 5 set, and see how it works. the first fret will probably be a bit sharp, but maybe not too bad. otherwise, you'll probably be ok - it's at least worth a try.

*ToNeS* · #11 11-19-2001, 11:13 PM

(TEN) TONNE BURNER,

sorry man. other way 'round

and don't go bagging out my country - we're responsible for the blueprints for your ridiculous hairstyle, buddy!

thanks for the advice, john. this gig could rag me in a lot of cash, so i wanna get it right when i rock up on Saturday for confirmation that i'm in for sure. bit nervous about it, though. the youngest guy after me is 20

lo-end · #12 11-20-2001, 08:33 AM

I would give you the same advice as Allodo, except for the string gauge part. I recommend .130 for the B string. I like them nice and tight. Basically, all you need to do is buy a 5 string set (like Ernie Ball slinky 5 string - my favorite) and dont use the G. You'll also need to adjust your action, intonation, and relief, and probably file your nut since the strings will be of higher gauge.

**john turner** · #13 11-20-2001, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by *ToNeS*
(TEN) TONNE BURNER,

sorry man. other way 'round and don't go bagging out my country - we're responsible for the blueprints for your ridiculous hairstyle, buddy!

really? i didn't think aussies were cool enough for mohawks

oh, and another thing. replacing a standard 4 string nut is not really that big a deal - you might be able to get one pre-cut from a local music store for very cheap. if that's the case, then cut away.

*ToNeS* · #14 11-20-2001, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by john turner

really? i didn't think aussies were cool enough for mohawks

no s**t? i didn't think yanks were cool enough for mullets, either

Quote:

oh, and another thing. replacing a standard 4 string nut is not really that big a deal - you might be able to get one pre-cut from a local music store for very cheap. if that's the case, then cut away.

*sob* my beloved brass nut will never be the same

VoodooChile · #15 11-20-2001, 07:52 PM

wasn't the mohawk, or atleast the name, invented by the native AMERICANS which share the name?

**john turner** · #16 11-20-2001, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *ToNeS*
*sob* my beloved brass nut will never be the same

if you have a brass nut, then maybe you want to just get a new one, and replace it. swapping out nuts is not a very difficult procedure.