[Randomist]

Hi, as you might guess, I'm new here, but I've been doing some reading for a while on 7-strings, I've already decided to buy one, my problem being which one.
The most likely choice so far is the Ibanez RG7321, but I've read here that it isn't so great. What exactly are the bad points of the 7321? Is it worth modding it over time and which mods are needed, and which might help? or are there other "better" 7's out there?

I have a limited budget, and can't go for anything much more expensive, also I'm in the UK. I'd like some advice on similarly priced or cheaper 7's, using the 7321 as a comparison.

I will be playing most genres of rock, but metal will feature highly on the 7, and i own an RG 6 which has a neck that suits me quite well, though I feel my hands could take a beefy neck as well, and being a bassist as well as guitarist, longer scales don't frighten me.

I will try to play as many of the suggestions as I can to make up my own mind

Thanks a lot in advance.

[arnoroth661]

I would recommend the RG7321 just on the sole basis that it's my first and only seven, and it's served me well. The only thing I could ask for when I first got it from a pawnshop was better pickups and a setup. I think mine is a great player, and not only a good example of Ibanez craftsmanship but also a good introduction to seven strings.

Gauges, though, slayed me. .056 for low B? How about .062 or .068

Don't know much else about entry level sevens. Just that I like my Rg7321

[arnoroth661]

Hmm. Never tried this model but I imagine it would be a good place to start...

Possibly FS: Ibanez RG7420

[Naren]

56 is fine for a low B, arnoroth. 68 is quite a bit of overkill. I use 59 gauge for my low B and I have no issues with it. I could see maybe going up to 64 at the most... String gauge is a completely personal thing. I know people who use 52 gauge for their low Bs. The other guitarist in my band always uses a 54 or a 56 for his low B and he refuses to go any higher than 56 because he hates the tight feeling of the strings. I like the way tight strings sound, but I don't like the way they feel.

I don't see any problems with getting a 7321. They're pretty cheap and I hear they're decent for a first seven. My first seven was/is an RG1527, but there's the question of whether you want a trem or not. The S7320 is pretty cool. A used RG7420 would be a good choice, methinks.

And, yes, there are much better sevens out there, but I'm not sure how much you're willing to spend? $500? $600? $700? $800? $900? With most Ibanezes, you are pretty much required to change the pickups because the pickups in the guitar are kind of crappy...

[arnoroth661]

Originally Posted by Naren

String gauge is a completely personal thing.

Ah, the truth. Celebrate it's brilliance!

[Apophis]

7321 is nice, but check Schecter also

[Randomist]

thanks guys, I have looked at schecter, i can only afford their cheapest 7 over here, how does that compare to the ibanez on value for money and quality of hardware, pickups etc?

and as for the gauges... .58?? my six string ibanez has a .56!!

[Metal Ken]

Originally Posted by Naren

56 is fine for a low B, arnoroth. 68 is quite a bit of overkill. I use 59 gauge for my low B and I have no issues with it. I could see maybe going up to 64 at the most... String gauge is a completely personal thing.

I agree with the preference thing, but i also think 68 is good guage. i used it tuned to A on a 27" scale and it felt great. Thats my preference though

Some crazy fuckers like Jeff loomis use a 70 in Bb on a 26.5" scale guitar.

[Metal Ken]

Originally Posted by Randomist

thanks guys, I have looked at schecter, i can only afford their cheapest 7 over here, how does that compare to the ibanez on value for money and quality of hardware, pickups etc?

and as for the gauges... .58?? my six string ibanez has a .56!!

Apparently, its got a 26.5" scale, but all other features are the same. I'd say at that level, if the scale doesnt make a difference to you, whichever one looks cooler or feels better

[Xtremevillan]

Well, speaking as a once-7 player: Get a decent 7. Spend a little money on it. Here is my reasoning.

1) I have gone through 8 guitars in 1.5 years. Yes, some were trades, but 2 were outright sells. I hated them. I thought yeah, nice and cheap, woo! Cheap they were. I'd have to spend more than the guitar cost to get a nice sound out of it. Since this is your first 7, make sure it sounds good before you judge it. I have a 7621 with Duncans in it, tuned to A, it sounds pretty nice, no complaints.

2) Resell value. Let's say you decide 7's aren't for you. You can keep it, or you can sell it. If you're going the selling route, watch out...if you have stock shit, you're not going to get much. Upgrading gives you a little more cash back than you would have originally got. Plus, the new owner might decide that your current setup is great, and not have to change it.

Not trying to be negative, just spreading some advice...

--e

That 7420 looks mighty, mighty nice. B Lopez is a great dude, unfortunately, that says CON US only...IMO, you should try to go for at least a stock 7#2# or see if something else comes up on the B/S boards you like. Most are upgraded but are willing to back to stock price, as you saw, if they were downgraded.