7 strings

[thetroy]

Hey there guys, not sure if this is the correct forum but here goes. I'm looking at buying a 7-string and here are my options so far:

COW DK7 (Pro - Ebony board, EMG)
Carvin DC727 (Pro - Neck-thru, stainless frets)
Schecter C-7 Blackjack (Pro - 26.5 scale, set-neck, SD pups)
Ibanez RG1527 (This one is the wildcard, it has a trem I would block and a basswood body but the necks are supposed to be really nice)

They're all fairly similar in price, so what do you all think is the best way to go?

[NextInLine]

Re: 7 strings

I'd go with the Schecter [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] It has great specifications, and if I'm not wrong you can buy a new one with 600$ . This seems very cheap to me, considering the jb-jazz duncans on it [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[thetroy]

Re: 7 strings

I'm actually leaning toward the COW at this point simply because it looks the coolest. I am concerned about tuning stability though. How well do pointy headstocks hold tune with the major angle the strings make after the nut?

[Inazone]

Re: 7 strings

All my guitars have pointy headstocks, so I can't really make a comparison there, but I prefer reversed headstocks. The bass-side strings seem to me to have a more percussive quality, which I really like.

[noodlesatf]

Re: 7 strings

Out of that list, Carvin is the obvious choice. Materials and workmanship blows away all the imports on that list.

[aldog1330]

Re: 7 strings

If you like EMG's, you should also check out the Schecter C-7 Hellraiser. Same stats as the Blackjack (extended scale, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fretboard) only with 2 EMG707's and cross inlays instead of dots. The only thing it lacks in my opinion is neck binding, that would make the guitar extremely classy as well as badass.

[Jacksonite]

Re: 7 strings

I just ordered a COW DK7 but i wont have it for a while...

[Charlz]

Re: 7 strings

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with EMG's and mahagony...

[1trussell]

Re: 7 strings

I had a 1527 for a while. It was a great guitar once I put a set of Duncans in it. I just couldn't get to the ultra thin neck. It was a really nice neck, built and finished very well. I just prefer a little more beef in my hands. (insert obligatory masturbation joke here)

[toejam]

Re: 7 strings

I'd go Schecter or Carvin... unless you prefer a thinner neck like an Ibanez.

[eaeolian]

Re: 7 strings

After hearing pro-fusion's Koa Carvin the other night, I'd say go that route - the Koa really works well with the 7 string.

The downside, of course, is that it's expensive...

[veliyasin]

Re: 7 strings

If money's not an issue go Carvin. If your budget is limited go with Schecter.

[Firebird V]

Re: 7 strings

Carvin

[Jacksonite]

Re: 7 strings

Jackson

[pro-fusion]

Re: 7 strings

Yeah, I just got an all-Koa Carvin DC747 off eBay a couple of weeks ago. It's a very nice seven, and has a great-feeling neck--slightly thicker than an Ibanez, but not nearly as thick as you'd find on a Schecter. The stock Carvin pickups aren't that great however, and are a bitch to swap.

I believe that it's very difficult to get a koa Carvin right now, due to the current difficulty in obtaining a supply of that wood. Also, that would be a significant upcharge that would probably put a new 727 out of your price range. However, I think a 727 would also sound good in all-mahogany--a bit darker than mine, perhaps, but not too much so, given that Carvins tend toward brightness. I would stay away from getting a Carvin with a lot of maple in it--they are bright and tinny sounding that way.

I haven't yet seen a 7-string Schecter C7 Blackjack, but I've played the 6-string version in the store and really like it. I'm thinking about getting one myself. Jeff Loomis seems to dig both the C7 and 007 Blackjacks, so there's a pretty good endorsement.

I haven't owned an Ibanez 1527, but I did own its predecessor, the 7620. It played very nice, and had a great trem, but they are made of basswood, and the tone just sucks ass, in my opinion. Basswood ain't bad for six-stringer, but it doesn't have enough 'snap' for the low B, especially with a trem involved.

I'm curious to try out a COW. If it was neckthru, I'd already have ordered one.