So for the sake of not getting bored, along with a few other reasons, I rounded up a couple new toys: an Ibanez RGD320 6-string, and an RGD7321 7-string.
Both guitars have a 26.5" scale. Surprisingly, for a non-shredder, mostly poor rhythm player, I don't really notice the extended scale, and with the necks being of the typical Wizard variety, they are thin enough that they don't really bother my less-than-manly hands either. Thin 'n' flat - almost to a fault.
The 6-stringer is tuned D-G-C-F-A-D, and strung with 10's. It doesn't feel "floppy", and I don't have to play with tow cables. The 7-stringer is tuned a full step down as well: A-D-G-C-F-A-D. Basically KoRn tuning...I know...
Anyway, the both play quite nicely, and after spending about 3 hours undoing the mess of a setup that was made of the trem on the 320, it holds tuning very well. The 7-string sounds MASSIVE though any of my amps and taught me something - you can't use the same settings on the amps for low-tuners. Back the gain WAYYYY off with 7-stringers. The pickups aren't super hot, and when tuned down to A, there's no need. Anything that low will sound MEAN regardless. I back off the gain about 1/2 in most cases.
The 6-string will be getting new pickups - the stock ones a AWFUL. Probably a JB in the bridge. Something like a 59 in the neck.
Anyway, one reason of the "few other reasons" - I met Brian Welch - "Head" formerly of KoRn - at the Midway Airport in Chicago on Father's Day hen I was flying out to Detroit. I walked by this scary-looking long hair tattoo'd dude. I knew I had seen him somewhere, but being a "sorta fan", and not having listened to much of their stuff in a while, I didn't recognize him right away. I finally figured out it was indeed Head, and was a little star-struck, but didn't do anything other than snap a quick pic (for proof):
I was bored so I went for a walk. When I came back, he was gone. I was a little bummed - I should have said "hi" or something...oh well... So I sat down. About 10 minutes later, he comes back and sits down right next to me! Oh man! So I decided to man up, and asked him if he was Brian, he said, "Yeah man - do I know you?" I said no, we've never met, but he was sure we had met...anyway... We spent the next 30-45 minutes just talking...about life, hope, faith, and my Dad who is fighting with cancer. I have to say that he was one of the nicest, most personable "rock stars" I've ever met. Very gracious, attentive, and insightful. Of course, he did ask me if I was a Christian (I am - as much as I am able), and we talked about that a little bit, but it was cool, because he wasn't pushy, or a "Jesus Krispie", or any of that holier-than-thou Bible thumping weirdo that really turns me off. Anyway, he was on my flight. We got to Detroit, shook hands, and he asked my Dad's name and told me he would pray for him. And I believe he did. Just a cool thing that doesn't happen to me every day. Meeting him had me pulling my old Korn cd's out, and I decided to learn to play some of that stuff again... I downloaded his books to my Kindle while I was in Detroit (unbelievably boring hotel stay), and have to say that they are quite interesting, and if you're a person who struggles with faith & Christianity from time to time as I do, somewhat introspective and thought provoking. If not, a cool meeting none the less.
Sorry to bore you - here's a couple pics:
Both guitars have a 26.5" scale. Surprisingly, for a non-shredder, mostly poor rhythm player, I don't really notice the extended scale, and with the necks being of the typical Wizard variety, they are thin enough that they don't really bother my less-than-manly hands either. Thin 'n' flat - almost to a fault.
The 6-stringer is tuned D-G-C-F-A-D, and strung with 10's. It doesn't feel "floppy", and I don't have to play with tow cables. The 7-stringer is tuned a full step down as well: A-D-G-C-F-A-D. Basically KoRn tuning...I know...
Anyway, the both play quite nicely, and after spending about 3 hours undoing the mess of a setup that was made of the trem on the 320, it holds tuning very well. The 7-string sounds MASSIVE though any of my amps and taught me something - you can't use the same settings on the amps for low-tuners. Back the gain WAYYYY off with 7-stringers. The pickups aren't super hot, and when tuned down to A, there's no need. Anything that low will sound MEAN regardless. I back off the gain about 1/2 in most cases.
The 6-string will be getting new pickups - the stock ones a AWFUL. Probably a JB in the bridge. Something like a 59 in the neck.
Anyway, one reason of the "few other reasons" - I met Brian Welch - "Head" formerly of KoRn - at the Midway Airport in Chicago on Father's Day hen I was flying out to Detroit. I walked by this scary-looking long hair tattoo'd dude. I knew I had seen him somewhere, but being a "sorta fan", and not having listened to much of their stuff in a while, I didn't recognize him right away. I finally figured out it was indeed Head, and was a little star-struck, but didn't do anything other than snap a quick pic (for proof):
I was bored so I went for a walk. When I came back, he was gone. I was a little bummed - I should have said "hi" or something...oh well... So I sat down. About 10 minutes later, he comes back and sits down right next to me! Oh man! So I decided to man up, and asked him if he was Brian, he said, "Yeah man - do I know you?" I said no, we've never met, but he was sure we had met...anyway... We spent the next 30-45 minutes just talking...about life, hope, faith, and my Dad who is fighting with cancer. I have to say that he was one of the nicest, most personable "rock stars" I've ever met. Very gracious, attentive, and insightful. Of course, he did ask me if I was a Christian (I am - as much as I am able), and we talked about that a little bit, but it was cool, because he wasn't pushy, or a "Jesus Krispie", or any of that holier-than-thou Bible thumping weirdo that really turns me off. Anyway, he was on my flight. We got to Detroit, shook hands, and he asked my Dad's name and told me he would pray for him. And I believe he did. Just a cool thing that doesn't happen to me every day. Meeting him had me pulling my old Korn cd's out, and I decided to learn to play some of that stuff again... I downloaded his books to my Kindle while I was in Detroit (unbelievably boring hotel stay), and have to say that they are quite interesting, and if you're a person who struggles with faith & Christianity from time to time as I do, somewhat introspective and thought provoking. If not, a cool meeting none the less.
Sorry to bore you - here's a couple pics:
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