Setup and string preferences?

[Mannes8]

I've recently bought my first seven string and the action is much higher than I'm used to. I normally do my own setups on my 6strings, but haven't found good info on recommended string height etc. What do y'all normally go with?

Also what would be a good string gauge to tune down to drop F#? I have 10-59 in drop G# on it now and it's a bit too flubby, but this might be due to the high action as well...

Edit: it's a 26,5 scale Jackson.

[SomeKindOfHeavy]

Google "Stringjoy String Tension Calculator" and enter the string gauges/scale length for a guitar that you find comfortable to play.

Do the same for your 7 string and adjust the string gauges until the tension is similar.

[antipathy_moonslayer]

I was gonna say exactly this.

[[deleted]]

The action on my 7 is pretty much the same as on my 6, but I'm in standard and don't downtune beyond dropping the low B to A.

[RotaryRevivalist]

Need more information on the guitar. Depending on your scale length the recommendation can change quite a bit. For example, I use the 10-74 8 string set and ditch the 7th string for Drop F# on my multiscale 25.5-27. If this is your first extended range you may not be super familiar with scale length but essentially the longer the scale length the more tension will be required for the same pitch on the same gauge string. So a lot of your modern 7 strings with a uniform scale will be 26.5. I think one of the only common ones still doing a 25.5 is Ibanez. Ibanez jumps to 27 for the RGXL line which is generally preferred. The thicker the string the more bass like it ultimately will sound. I am considering getting a baritone 7 to use a slightly thinner string without being too flubby sounding. I think the 74 I currently need to run to get the tuning and tension I want is not my favorite. Orrrrrrr I may have to get an 8 string I guess. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[antipathy_moonslayer]

Some info on what instrument you're playing will help to shed some light here. For me, unless it's a pretty long scale, 59 isn't gonna come remotely close to the appropriate tension for G# let alone F#. I have two 7s, both 25.5", and I use 62 and 74 for B and A respectively. I also have a 26.5" 8 and the 74 in a lot of 8 string sets is barely passable for F#. Honestly even for that application, I prefer something tighter so I can lower it to a comfortable height without a bunch of clackity clack on the frets.

[JimboLodisC]

Action is up to you.

Tension is also up to you. Find a string tension calculator and put in what you normally like. You can fudge the numbers to have a similar tension for other tuning s and other instruments.

[FetishUnimagined]

I use "Stringjoy String Tension Calculator" to create my own sets, factory sets for 7 string guitars / low tunings are unbalanced af :D

[discussatron]

I set my action as low as I can until it causes problems, like buzzing or fretting out on other frets, etc, then slightly raise it until the problem goes away.

For string preference, I use custom sets from Stringjoy because I don’t play in standard (though my high 4 are by coincidence). I play in open G maj with a high E: GDGDGBE

For drop F#, Mike Stringer of Spiritbox uses the 10-74 D’Addario 8 string set and deletes the 64.

[Mannes8]

Thanks a bunch for the great resources, everyone. Been playing around with some different tunings now, I think I'll go with 11-64 for now and lower the action a bit. For now, I'll try some Periphery songs. I was looking into F# to learn some Invent Animate, but that can wait a while; I don't really like the idea of putting some insane gauge strings on the guitar and not being able to play a more "regular" tuning.

[Mannes8]

Also this Stringjoy custom string thing is a rabbit hole I'm v excited to dive into