7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it happen

[eaeolian]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

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There were production import 7-string Rhoads and Kelly models in the 2000 catalog (RR7R and KE7R). Both had reverse headstocks and reverse sharkfins.
For a Select series now, I think either a Rhoads, Xtreme Rhoads or King V would be awesome with the 4+3 headstock. I think it would probably sell better with a neck pickup, too, instead of just one hum. I think it would be better with a TOM bridge, but I don't mind Floyds either.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're on target here, I think, TJ - Floyd isn't a problem now that there's a real one. (There were some issues with the Takaguchi (sp?) 7 string trem - I think Kragen had some big problems with screws stripping out under normal playing conditions.) I ended up going TOM on mine, but I use multiple tunings, and I hate lo-pro Floyds.

If you're going to try to draw in more people - to make this run worthwhile - you need two pickups, IMO.

Mike

[eaeolian]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

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That's an awesome guitar.
Not sure if the guitar is well balanced when using a strap.
I would prefer to have bigger body end like Kelly or King V if with 7string.

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Actually, you'd be surprised - I think that Rhoads balances as well as a six string one. I know my Soloist 7 doesn't have balance issues, and in fact is actually lighter than most six string Soloists I've played - and ALL of my bolt-ons, both sixes and sevens. Especially with the SLS headstock, balance isn't really an issue.

[eaeolian]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

[ QUOTE ]
I would be interested to see King V or Kelly.
Prefer Kelly because I haven't seen one before.
1 thing.
Will Speed neck and mahogany neck hold these 7strings with no problem?
It's a thin neck if you want to make it harder, the neck has to be little more thicker and stronger neck wood.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think strength is much of a problem - especially if it's quartersawn, or it could always be made multi-piece - but I will bring up an issue that I have some experience with on 7 string guitars: Hand fatigue. I've personally found it to be less of a problem with a little more "meat" on the neck. (To put this in perspective, I have small hands, and my main guitar before the 7 string was a '88 USA Dinky, with a REALLY thin neck.)

Matt Crooks Rhoads 7 has a mahogany neck, and hasn't had any issues - but it's not really super-thin, either. Let me look around and see if I still have my CS order form...

Mike

[yabba]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

ooh I'd love either a rhoads or a KV in 7.

I think I agree with Mike about neck 'meat' too; making it just a tad thicker than the correspondind 6-string really helps with the feel of the neck and keeping the thickness 'proportional' to the width.

[toejam]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

I also agree with Mike about a thicker neck being better than a thinner one. In an old Hamer news bulletin I got in the mid '90s, there was an article about how thicker necks help give a more "proper" grip for your hand, that it's a little more natural than on a thin neck. I've also noticed that on my guitars with rounder/thicker neck profiles, especially my LP with the '59 rounded neck profile... which I feel really isn't all that thick anyway, and my hands are also on the smaller side.

[hippietim]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

thick neck is better. i used to have a universe - i got one of the first ones when they first came out - it was very uncomfortable to play for any length of time.

[Matt Crooks]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

The Rootbeer RR is mine. It balances the same as my 6 strings. I do have the spec sheet if anyone wants it.

Basic specs:
RR Body
Mahog. Neck and body
3/4" Maple top
24 Frets
EMG 707s
String through body
SLS 4+3 headstock

It's a great guitar.

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

Huge Thanks to Mike and Matt for thier inputs!
Now I really want one and hope we can come to an agreement on specs.
If not, I would probably order mine with my own specs.

[img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[eaeolian]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

I found my Soloist 7 spec sheet. The neck is identical to Matt's Rootbeer Rhoads, except I got mine oiled and with different inlays. All the dimensions are the same, since they were copied off his spec sheet by Kev Easton.

Nut width: 1 7/8
Butt width: 2 9/16
Scale: 25 1/2
Neck Backshape: 820-870

Mike

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

Oiled finish neck back... that should play great.
That would be a great choice for mine.
The difficult part is what pickups to go with.
I have tried 7 string version of Duncan JB and Dimarzio Blaze,I like them for soloing but didn't sound right with Low B string..
EMGs would be nice but what about if I want to go back with Duncan or Dimarzio, the big pickup rout would look funny..
This bothers me on deciding specs on 7string guitar.
Or I should just go with EMGs??
[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[eaeolian]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

[ QUOTE ]
Oiled finish neck back... that should play great.
That would be a great choice for mine.
The difficult part is what pickups to go with.
I have tried 7 string version of Duncan JB and Dimarzio Blaze,I like them for soloing but didn't sound right with Low B string..
EMGs would be nice but what about if I want to go back with Duncan or Dimarzio, the big pickup rout would look funny..
This bothers me on deciding specs on 7string guitar.
Or I should just go with EMGs??
[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

The JB and Jazz 7s sound great in my Soloist, which is maple with alder wings. The 707s sound pretty damn close - tonally, they're a bit more like the Duncan Custom, IMO, but with more output. I haven't heard a good tone on a 707-81 to make a comparision yet...

The low B resonates fine in both my maple/alder Jackson and my maple/mahogany Washburn 7 strings. I think the low B tone has a lot more to do with the wood than the pickups. The Jackson is really resonant, and the Washburn is even moreso - I'd guess a maple thru-neck and mahogany wings would give a really nice tone, especially with an ebony board.

Mike

[Wayniac]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

Mine - reg headstock - has no balance problems at all, though it is a bit "long" for tight stage situations.
Neck size is a bit meatier than my Ibanez, but about the same as my Moore or Anderson. Very comfortable...

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

I guess the key here is the Maple top body and Neck Thru Construction.
I have tried Basswood,Alder and Swamp Ash all Bolt on 7 string guitars and didn't sound tight enough at low.

How thick is your Maple top?
I read Matt's RRV has 3/4" Maple top.

[yabba]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

I have a swamp ash bolt-on 7-stringer and the low B is beautifully tight sounding; it has dual 707s and I think they really help to keep things sounding tight and not too boomy. (this is not at all to say I wouldn't love a neckthrough jackson 7, more an endorsement of the 707 [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: 7 string Select Series Option--Lets make it ha

My Swamp Ash 7string guitar had Dmarzio Blazes directly mounted and it didn't hold the bottom end.
Great for soloing though.