[Kiowa Driver]

I just opened my C-7 Blackjack and while it is great to look at, I would like to know the ins and outs of it. It of course didn't come with a manual. I'm completely new to guitars so prior experience is nonexistant. I would like to know which is the volume and which is the gain knob and what each position of the 5-way switch is giving me. I understand that it is controlling the pups, but what mode is what active. I usually try and work things out myself, but I have all of you here to laugh and point while you help me out.

[The Dark Wolf]

You're an interesting guy, Kiowa, to just take up with guitar like that. And a 7-string, to boot! I wish you well. Stick with it... it takes much time, but it is SO worth it. Guitar is one of the most rewarding things in my life

I'm no specialist with the Blackjack, but I'll point out a few things...

The guitar you have has an extended scale. (26.5"... a normal guitar is usually between 24.75"-25.5". In other words, from the nut to the 12th fret, is exactly half the scale length. In this case, half of 26.5", or, 13.25". ) What that means is, it is better equipped for lower tunings... pitch is a function of string length, and tension. A longer scale = better tension, which is good! Because more tension = better clarity, something you want when tuning down (like on a 7-string, which is like a 6-string, but it has 1 lower string, leading it slightly into bass territory). It's why a bass guitar is longer than a regular guitar (usuly around 34"). A lower pitch requires more tension and a longer scale to accurately reflect the fundamental tones of the instrument (as notes descend in pitch, the frequency wavelength INCREASES, producing longer waves. Neat how that coincides exactly with a longer scale, right? )

The tuning of a 7-string is typically (from low to high)
B
E
A
D
g
b
e
but there are plenty of exotic tunings out there. Many 7-stringers like the lowest to be tuned to A instead of B, something an extended scale guitar like the C-7 Blackjack would excel at. This is also a bit easier to play, as you can have one finger power chords (those evil, metal sounding chords, like used so much by Metallica). I myself tune very strange, but we won't confuse you with that at this point!

The guitar has 2 pickups... a Seymour Duncan JB-7 at the bridge position, and a Seymour Duncan '59-7 at the neck position. These are excellent pickups, very versatile, and while I'm not sure of the 5-way positions on the C-7, I can tell you 3 of them.
-Position 1 is typically the switch all the way back (towards the bridge). This selects the bridge pickup, and is the preferred pickup for distorted rhythm playing. It's also used alot for leads.
-Position 3 is the middle position on the 5-way, and is (probably on the C-7) both pickups together. This is a very pleasing position for playing clean... like delicate, pretty-sounding passages.
-Position 5 (all the forward, towards the neck/headstock) is the neck pickup position, and this is nice for jazzy cleans, strumming chords, and many people use oit for playing leads because of it warm, buttery sound. I'm not sure what positions 2 and 4 do on the C-7, but I'm sure someone will chime in. They are most likely some sort of in-between setting, or a coil tap (which means the humbucking pickups, which is what the JB-7 and '59-7 are... humbucking means it uses 2 magnetic coils wrapped with wire, generating a current, but put side-by-side, to cancel the 60 -cycle hum found in AC circuits, hence HUM-bucking ... any rate, the coil tap TAPS, or uses, just one coil of the humbucker, meaning, you will get hum in that position, but it is a sweet, pretty-sounding tone for cleans regardless. Not sure which the C-7 uses, as I said, but it will probably be one of those).

Generally, the knob CLOSEST to the pickups is the volume control, and the other knob, closest to the output jack, is the tone control. Full on will yield a bright, natural sound, and full down will roll off all the treble, for a fat, muffled sound. Play with it, and see what sounds you like. Jazz players generally roll the tone down a bit, for a warmer, fatter sound.

[dpm]

I can't find any info on Schecter's site regarding the wiring, you may want to email them about it.

[Kiowa Driver]

I went with a 7 string to get that broad range from high to low. I wanted the extended scale for two reasons: I've read that it works well with the B string to keep it clean and in tune, and I'm 6'3" with big hands so I need all the room I can get. I'm more into strong midrange over the lead style highs, but I still want to have the highs there if I need them.

I appreciate the help since all my web searching so far has given me limited info. All I knew was that the 5-way effected which pup was used, but not how and what it would give me for sound. I am a "jump blindly into the fire" kind of individual. I decided to start flying for a living and I've only flown in a helicopter once before flight school. I do however try to do some homework before I get involved in something. That's why I bought the C-7. It fit the bill for what I like and want to do.

Thanks again for the replys.