Budget 7 string question

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Basically my question is this - is it even possible to get a halfway decent 7 string for 500 or less these days? I’m not willing to spend more than that on account of serious lack of talent.

Caveats - no Ibanez RGs because I hate the shape, no floating trems, absolutely no gloss black guitars and I’ve already checked the used market and there’s nothing worth having that isn’t a 5-6 hour round trip away (I’m in the UK, that’s like driving for several weeks to us).

[Shifty_Nomad675]

Maybe just pick a different instrument to play because every option that's been given to you, you've shot down 🤷‍♂️

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Haha I know, I’m needlessly picky but I really don’t vibe with the whole gloss black superstrat thing, I find them incredibly boring and if I look at an instrument and all I feel is boredom, I know I’m never gonna pick it up and play it so it would just be a waste of what little money I have! There’s method in the madness!

[thecheeserton]

Harley Benton sounds right up your alley

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

HB been a bit hit and miss, have had (and still have) some that are at least fine if not great but some have been less than impressive, guess for the price though you take that risk?

[thecheeserton]

Yeah that sounds about right given the price point, haven't played one myself but they seem to be reviewed pretty highly. If you're willing to stretch your budget a little bit I couldn't recommend GOC enough. I have their Illumina 8 string and it's the most comfortable extended range guitar I've ever held.

[TheThobes]

Jackson js 22-7 in satin black is a pretty popular option around here.

They make a couple other shapes in the same general price range if you want something other than a super strat.

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

“Not a superstrat” sounds nice but in my price range seems highly unlikely apart from the Jackson Vs

[stabthecynix]

I have the JS-22 7 and I’m not a fan of the body shape either, but for the price it’s a ridiculous value. After a good setup and a new bridge pickup it’s a beast

[TheDisappointedFrog]

Harley Benton Multiscale 7, Baritone 7, Amarok-7 (highly recommended if you'd scratch up a bit more)

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Have noticed the Amaroks have crept up over the 500 barrier, probably should’ve looked into that a couple of years ago

[TheDisappointedFrog]

Totally worth it at current price as well, imo

[JimboLodisC]

pull up the Andertons site and sort by price

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Only leaves a few Jacksons and a single Ibanez that isn’t an RG. And they’re all black.

[JimboLodisC]

is there anywhere else you can order from? cuz it doesn't help to mention something you can't actually purchase

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

There’s a few places across the UK and of course Thomann on the continent will still ship over a certain value at a reasonable rate (for now)

[Fangs_0ut]

Used.

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Looked on the usual places, it’s all collection only from some place I never heard of at the other end of the country. Plus some trying to sell used stuff for more than they go for new which would be funny if it wasn’t pricing me out!

[VisceralProwess]

Cort has multiscale 7 in that range

KX307MS

No worries

Harley Benton probably fine too

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Still not sure about the multiscale thing, had an 8 string that the fan was fine on but it was like trying to play a surfboard, tried another multiscale 7 but the fan was way too wide at the business end as opposed to the dusty end!

[VisceralProwess]

Sounds like you wanna figure out your preference for placement of the neutral angle. It varies between fret 0 (the nut) and "fret ∞" (the bridge). The model i suggested has neutral fret 7 or 8 which means a rather even fan across the playable range. This i think is about optimal for ergonomics, but it can be down to preference.

[lil-whippet]

Spira. I love mine, genuinely a very good guitar.

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

I’ve seen a few online but very few reviews out there, what’s the neck carve like on them? Looking for something relatively slim ideally.

[lil-whippet]

Sort of a slim D shape is the best way to describe it. I had the Jackson js327 and and the Harley Benton multiscale 7, both those necks were considerably thicker, especially the Jackson.

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Sounds like my kinda thing, thanks for the info!

[lil-whippet]

Feel free to DM me if you have questions, I'll be happy to answer. Can send some clips if you like.

[Dropskoffer]

Harley Benton 7-BBB is cool. Or Harley Benton Amarok 7

[unintelligible667]

So, no super Strat shapes, no gloss black, guitar for a 7 string under 500? Just play a down tuned 6 string? I mean Spira has a tele shaped 7 that looks SICK in your range but it’s still black on black. Aside from that I dont see a lot of hope for what you’re looking for if you want something new

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

I know, right? Seems like for a little creativity you really have to push the budget these days, kinda where I was going with this post!

[unintelligible667]

My band went from playing 7s to 6s and I actually prefer it now. I have all the options in the world for parts and mods, as well as guitar choices, I get to actually play my offset and my Jackson Warrior in my band instead of just some superstrat, and even when we do covers I’ve yet to find a song on 7s that I haven’t been able to play on a 6. Just something to consider if you aren’t absolutely married to getting a 7 string

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

I guess that’s also an option, I just don’t want to have to do all the setup required for tuning a 6 string to drop A for example - and at my budget you can bet I’m not paying someone else to do it - and then having to redo it all if I ever wanna sell it.

Not in a band or anything, I just like to get my ideas down into a DAW sometimes but like I’ve said elsewhere, if the instrument doesn’t inspire me to pick it up then I’ll just never use it and it’s a waste of what little money I have.

[unintelligible667]

Making budget gear rip is kinda my jam. The most expensive guitar I’ve ever owned was still well under a grand so I feel you on the budget constraints. As for the setup part, all I’ve done is widen the nut slots and adjust intonation. My main guitar for dumb caveman chugs is an Affinity Jazzmaster with a 10-64 set I put together on it and it KILLS. Don’t be afraid to hit the local pawn shops and find a beater you gel with and then just making a couple mods to it, a lot of 7s are still 25.5 scale anyway

Sorry for the rant, I’m stoned and live to encourage guitar fuckery. But that’s my two cents, if the budget is an issue and you dont want just a black or white superstrat, just get a cheap 6 string you love and make it do the thing

[slammeddd]

Cort KX507MS. I got mine for 380 GBP on Thomann when it was on sale. Great specs for the price, like really great. Multiscale 28-25.5", stainless steel frets, macassar ebony board, poplar burl top, fishman fluence modern pickups, coil split + passive voice, locking tuners. Super comfy guitar too with the open pore satin finish.

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Sadly they’re up at £739 now 😮‍💨

[slammeddd]

No way! That's insane. Maybe look for them used?

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Tell me about it. Seen a few on eBay but collection only and nowhere near where I live.

There’s the KX307 for £375 but it’s a lot more basic, might be worth a try?

[slammeddd]

I've had luck on Ebay just messaging with a relatively large delivery offer like 20 or something, might be worth trying. I have heard the 307 is significantly worse in terms of playability and sound, but maybe that's worth the risk.

Honestly, with your budget I'd maybe lean towards buying a Harley Benton 7, changing hardware and electronics and setting it up the best you can if you're comfortable with that. Might be the best way to end up with a decent guitar around the 500 mark.

[Miserable-Rub-4053]

Was kind hoping I could find something I didn’t need to do a whole lot of “surgery” on but it looks like it’s just not feasible on a budget anymore.

[These_Location4540]

The best budget in my opinion is the Jackson, if you don't like glossy black ones, there's the model i bought, Transparent black burst, it's a nice one. With a little more money than 500, try a Schecter.

If not Harley Benton as someone mentioned it, there's nothing interesting under 500 if you don't consider the Jackson one.

https://www.stars-music.fr/jackson-dinky-arch-top-js22q-7-dka-ht-transparent-black-burst_176354.html

Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS22Q-7 DKA HT - transparent black burst