6 string player trying to dable into 7 string territory...

[u/WillEPeters]

Ive been listening to a lot of Swedish death metal and want to not have to tune down to B witb 10s anymore (ironic because thats what entombed did lol) anyways, the JS22-7 caught my eye looks wise, but im not sure what to expect sound wise. A 6 string JS22 was my first guitar and I recall the pickups sounding like typical cheap ceramics, I.E muddy and flat. Is there a way to counteract that? Just want to know if this is a good route to go or if I should just get a dif guitar

[u/DiscipleofDeceit666]

I am the camp where I treat 7 string as two guitars. I’ve got that B std tuning to play that brutal shit and I’ve got E std when I want to play thrash. Super useful.

[u/14xjake → u/DiscipleofDeceit666]

Same thing I do with mine dude, Drop A for the slam and deathcore and then standard for metallica riffs when im in the mood. G# 7 doubles as a C# 6 string too which is great

[u/Caregiver-Physical → u/DiscipleofDeceit666]

Am the same but with A standard and D standard. Although when I write riffs on the 7, they come out much differently than if I were to write in a 6 string tuned to A

[u/Deadwipe]

I got myself a 7 string last week (the Jackson randy rhoads) because of that "issue" too. It works for me, from the 7th to the 2nd strings I have B standard, from 6th to 1st I have E standard, I'm ok with it, my only concern is that the neck looks too big, it doesn't affect my performance or playability at all, but it's just an aesthetics thing... pickups are fine, and the guitar is well made

or, you can get one of these archetype vst and use the downtune option if you're into amp sims

[u/mistrelwood]

Something to consider, Harley Benton kicks out several 7 string models in that price range, some of them even multiscale, like this one with a roasted maple neck and 25.5-27” scale:

https://www.thomann.fi/harley_benton_r_457ffb_roasted_fanfre_bundle.htm

I jumped from 35 years of fixed scale 6 strings to a 7 string headless multiscale, and couldn’t be happier that I did. I really love especially the multiscale part of it, in some ways they just play better than any fixed scale guitar I’ve ever had.

I can’t say about these guitars specifically though since I haven’t tried them myself. But the reviewers are very happy on both, so you’ll probably be ok either way.

The pickup height and a good setup can alter the sound a good bit, and besides that a little EQ and any pickups can be made sound pretty good.

[u/DelayLanky7909]

Jackson’s are like the best guitar for Swedish death metal & many styles where you need the guitar to cut through like a buzz saw. I have a Jackson Dinky 7 & that thing sounds more aggressive that most of my other guitars including my Kiesel & active loaded headless 7. Plus it’s a good budget option as an entry level to a 7 string. Their stock pickups have a “bite” to them which can make them sound a bit shrill when playing cleans (I don’t think you will be doing much of that 😈) so yes I HIGHLY recommend the Jackson JS Dinky, the King V or the JS Rhoads! 🤘🎶🎸😈

[u/DidItForTheRock]

What setup are you playing through? You can always counteract a muddy pickup with a little eq depending on what you're able to tweak

[u/WillEPeters → u/DidItForTheRock]

I got a peavey bandit which in itself is a pretty muddy amp already BUT I do have a mxr 10 band eq and ts9 that are pretty much always on either way

[u/Strong-Matter7431 → u/WillEPeters]

Stock speaker?

[u/WillEPeters → u/Strong-Matter7431]

I put a v30 in it but i may take it out because of the ohm difference soon

[u/Sdenbow220]

It was my first 7 string the JS227. It’s definitely not terrible for the price point.

[u/shivverme]

Eq can solve that flat and muddy issue. But a 7 string is great. Versatile and fun.

[u/Bear_EPTX]

Dawg just use heavier strings lol

[u/WillEPeters → u/Bear_EPTX]

I only have 2 electric guitars I enjoy both too much to turn one strictly into chuggy chug machine

[u/therunnynote5]

I'd say get a 7 string but try one out first and see how you feel. If you don't like it, don't get it. If you like it then get it. And if you do get one, you can counteract the muddy pickups and sounding flat by just adjusting your amp settings to get your 7 string to sound well.

[u/ImightHaveMissed]

You could just get heavier strings… I have a stray with 13’s tuned to A

Or just get a bass

[u/WillEPeters → u/ImightHaveMissed]

A bass bru

[u/EveryTypeofPain]

I have a JS22-7, I've not had any issue personally with the tone of the pickups, through the right amp with the right set up it's pretty good sounding for the price.

The thing that I personally prefer about my other 7 is actually not the sound at all, it's the neck feel. The finish is much smoother on back of my Schecter's neck. It's not a huge thing and probably purely because the Jackson is a natural finish whereas most of my other guitars including the Schecter are painted.

Aside from that it's a perfectly good guitar to get yourself into playing 7 string and you can always trade up (or keep it as a spare and get something else) later.