7 String Player's Survey

Strictly 7 · 07-17-2008, 12:57 AM

Hi, this is Jim (Strictly 7 screen name). I am putting up this survey to gather information from 7-string players. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am the owner/president of a new 7-string guitar company I started in February 2008. I build the guitars myself with the assist of a CNC to insure accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility. I have 3 part-time employees and I have 6 designs planned, 4 "production" models finished and putting the final touches on them (painting and then assembly). I do not have pictures yet, but hope to in the next 3 weeks. So I am asking for your input as to what you look for when deciding on a 7-string (or even 6-string) purchase.

Please rate the level of importance you place on the following list as a 1= not important and 5 = extremely important (so a 3 = important). I thank you in advance for your assistance.

Price

Scale length

Shape

Color

Original Floyd Rose

EMG Active Pick-ups

Ability to Customize

Type of Body Wood

Neck Radius

Inlay Design

Neck Through

Bolt On Neck

Set Neck

Type of Hardware

Built in the U.S.A.

Thank you so much for your time with this request! I know what my guitarists desire, which is why I started this company, but I need to know what other players find important if my business is going to flourish.

Peace,

Jim
Strictly 7 Guitars, LLC

Naren · 07-17-2008, 01:11 AM

For me:

Price - 5 (I do tend to prioritize by price)

Scale length - 4 (I generally prefer 27" sevens, but 25.5" is fine too. I would not consider 24.75" or anything longer than 27")

Shape - 4 (if it's not cool-looking, I won't even consider buying it)

Color - 4 (there are some colors I would not consider at all such as pink or neon yellow or that radioactive green, but then there are colors I love like forest green, black, deep blue, etc.)

Original Floyd Rose - 2 (I prefer hard-tails, so this isn't as important. OFRs are really nice, but if it has a trem, as long as it's a nice trem, I don't care if it's OFR or not)

EMG Active Pick-ups - 3 (I like EMGs and Blackouts, but it doesn't necessarily have to be active. It could be passive. I like passives as well)

Ability to Customize - 3 (this is nice, but not necessary)

Type of Body Wood - 2 (I'm not very picky on bodywood. As long as it isn't low quality, it could be mahogany, swamp ash, basswood, or whatever. I like most bodywoods)

Neck Radius - 2 (Don't care as much)

Inlay Design - 2 (I like most inlays unless they are really gaudy)

Neck Through - 1 (don't care)

Bolt On Neck - 1 (don't care)

Set Neck - 1 (don't care)

Type of Hardware - 3 (I do care about this to a degree)

Built in the U.S.A. - 1 (I don't care where it's made, as long as it's high quality)

Just my opinion I guess. You'll probably get varying responses depending on the person.

Edit: Added comments

Stealthtastic · 07-17-2008, 01:13 AM

Price --- This really depends on whether or not im getting bang for my buck, the loomis's pricing is perfect. So 4 or 5 idk

Scale length ---- 4 it depends on what im going to be using it for but i prefer a slightly larger scale length so i can tune down if i must.

Shape --- 5, if it looks lame im not buying it.

Color --- 5, it should look like sex.

Original Floyd Rose --- 5, a GOOD trem or no trem at all.

EMG Active Pick-ups --- 1, it doesnt matter what kind of pups it comes with, so long as their good, EMG's sound a little stale IMHO, so i would say go with blackouts instead, seems to be what most SS'ers here say to do.

Ability to Customize --- 5, its probably better to build a guitar that doesnt need customization but if it does, it should be able to get done.

Type of Body Wood ---5, no plywood

Neck Radius --- 5, i prefer thicker necks.

Inlay Design --- 4, a hella badass inlay is always tight, but something that sorta sucks is ok and it wont affect me buying it too much.

Neck Through --- 5, for your higher end guitars i would definatly include this feature

Bolt On Neck --- 4 doesnt matter to much

Set Neck 4- cool

Type of Hardware --- 5, its why i dont buy alot of ibanez's

Built in the U.S.A. --- dependable upon the quality of stuff im getting but i would say a 4, if it was built in canada probably a 5, seeing as the us of a is getting kind of sucky

MetalJordan · 07-17-2008, 01:13 AM

Price 5 depends on what im paying for

Scale length 5 i like 24 frets

Shape 5 i like traditional body types like the guitar i have

Color 5 i like the hellraisers paint

Original Floyd Rose 5 i want a good trem but i can do without it

EMG Active Pick-ups 1 doesnt matter to me but it would be nice

Ability to Customize 1 i dont rly do much to my guitars so

Type of Body Wood 3 i like mahogony

Neck Radius 3

Inlay Design 1 dont really care bout inlays

Neck Through 1 doesnt matter

Bolt On Neck 3 i dont like bolt-ons

Set Neck 3

Type of Hardware 3

Built in the U.S.A. 3

07-17-2008, 01:16 AM

Price 5

Scale length 5

Shape 1

Color 1

Original Floyd Rose 0

EMG Active Pick-ups 0

Ability to Customize 3

Type of Body Wood 1

Type of Neck Wood 5

Neck Radius 3

Inlay Design 0

Neck Through 0

Bolt On Neck 4

Set Neck 4

Type of Hardware 4

Built in the U.S.A. 0

Peace 5

Metal Ken · 07-17-2008, 01:19 AM

Here you go.

Quote:

Price = 5 (I dont care particularly what the price point is, as long as the guitar is a great value for what you pay).

Scale length = 5 (I strongly prefer 26.5"-27" or scale.)

Shape = 3 (Strat shapes work best, but i dont care either way)

Color = 1

Original Floyd Rose = 5 (if you're tremming it, use the real thing. Otherwise, hardtail.)

EMG Active Pick-ups = 2 (I like them, i'd prefer blackouts, But i do prefer active pickups).

Ability to Customize = 1 (assuming the specs are good to begin with)

Type of Body Wood = 5 (NO basswood, EVER. Please).

Neck Radius = 3 (Flatter the better)

Inlay Design = 2

Neck Through = 1

Bolt On Neck = 1

Set Neck = 1 (It doesnt matter to me the way the neck is attached, as long as it is done well).

Type of Hardware = 4 (locking tuners and jacks are a great bonus).

Built in the U.S.A. = 2

Metal Ken · 07-17-2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalJordan

Scale length 5 i like 24 frets

Just so you know, scale length and fret number isnt related. You can have a 27" guitar with 20 frets or a 23" scale with 24 frets, or whatever.

nocturnous · 07-17-2008, 01:26 AM

Price 5

Scale length 5

Shape 3 I'm a minimalist but I don't want something that is going to take a testicle out when I sit down with it.

Color 3

Original Floyd Rose 1

EMG Active Pick-ups 1

Ability to Customize 1

Type of Body Wood 5

Neck Radius 5

Inlay Design 1 I would rather have no inlays

Neck Through 3

Bolt On Neck 3

Set Neck 3

Type of Hardware 5

Built in the U.S.A. 3

Stealthtastic · 07-17-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Ken

Just so you know, scale length and fret number isnt related. You can have a 27" guitar with 20 frets or a 23" scale with 24 frets, or whatever.

I always thought it affects string tension what else does it do?

Wiggywiggler · 07-17-2008, 01:31 AM

Price 5 (this doesn't mean they need to cost a lot, but have "bang for the buck")

Scale length 4

Shape 4

Color 4 (there needs to be other than black)

Original Floyd Rose 3 (Who? If it had a floater, it needs to be of good quality, though)

EMG Active Pick-ups 1 ( rather routing that allows changing pups, if I feel like it)

Ability to Customize 5 (prolly means choices when ordering one?)

Type of Body Wood 4

Neck Radius 4

Inlay Design 4 (some stuff looks really tacky)

Neck Through 4(tend to have better neck access)

Bolt On Neck 3

Set Neck 3

Type of Hardware 4 (cheap pseudo-metals are a no no)

Built in the U.S.A. 0

Peace (sells, but who's buying?)

I'd like to add a thing I value a lot:
- build quality consistency 5

DDDorian · 07-17-2008, 01:39 AM

Price - 4 - There are some ridiculous prices around, so something more reasonable would definitely be enticing. Really it just comes down to value for money though.

Scale length - 3 - The option to choose between standard and baritone scales would be good, but not a deal-breaker. 26.5 would be a good compromise, I feel.

Shape - 3 - Avoid the brutal can opener style and I could live with pretty much anything you come up with.

Color - 3 - NO BLACK. Otherwise, offer a couple of options and I'd be happy.

Original Floyd Rose - 2 - If there's a choice between fixed bridge and trem-equipped then I honestly couldn't care less which trem is on there as I probably wouldn't choose it

If I had no choice, the OFR would be fine, Kahlers would be nice though.

EMG Active Pick-ups - 1 - SD Blackouts come in a passive-sized casing so there's no reason to force EMG routs upon anyone anymore, in my opinion.

Ability to Customize - 5 - Direct, blatant customization isn't necessary, I guess, but being given a wide number of options and being able to converse with the builder are extremely important.

Type of Body Wood - 4 - If a certain model only comes in a certain type of body wood it could be a potential deal-breaker. Offering any body wood for any model would be a bit much, but having a few different models with distinct wood choices would be appreciated.

Neck Radius - 2 - My tastes run contrary to most here, so I don't expect to get one close to optimal, heh. Generally speaking, a C-shaped profile would be preferable to a D-shape, with the more curve, the better.

Inlay Design - 3 - I'm not averse to inlays, especially well designed/installed ones, but make sure to present the option for a bare fretboard.

Neck Through/Bolt On/Set Neck - 2 - I don't have a preference as I've had both good and bad experiences with all three; as long as you provide pics on your website or something so as to allow us to gauge the qulity of your work then I can roll with whatever's on offer.

Type of Hardware - 4 - Good tuners are a must. Different electronics/wiring options would be appreciated, as would a good selection of pickups. Stuff like piezos would be welcome options also.

Built in the U.S.A. - 3 - Important only because the Aussie dollar is doing so well right now, heh.

Toshiro · 07-17-2008, 01:40 AM

Price = 5 (I'm a cheap bastard)

Scale length = 5 (26.5"+ only)

Shape = 3

Color = 4 (more than 2 options)

Original Floyd Rose = 5 (no junk trems, please)

EMG Active Pick-ups = 1 (would prefer not to have huge routs in the guitar stock)

Ability to Customize = 3 (options are good)

Type of Body Wood = 1 (as long as it's not balsa... lol)

Neck Radius = 4 (no baseball bats, 14-16" at least for the fretboard)

Inlay Design = 3 (nothing gaudy, or huge ie; spanning more than one fret)

Neck Through = 2

Bolt On Neck = 3 (not real picky, but prefer the "snap" of bolt-ons.)

Set Neck= 2

Type of Hardware = 4

Built in the U.S.A. = 2

Metal Ken · 07-17-2008, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealthtastic

I always thought it affects string tension what else does it do?

It affects how long the fretboard is

The actual length from fret to fret is gonna wider also. This is especially noticeable on the Lowest frets. Another thing is, on shorter scale lengths, the higher frets will be noticeably closer together.

Lankles · 07-17-2008, 01:46 AM

Price - 5

Scale length - 5

Shape - 4

Color - 2

Original Floyd Rose - 3

EMG Active Pick-ups - 2

Ability to Customize - 3

Type of Body Wood - 3

Neck Radius - 4

Inlay Design - 1

Neck Through - 4

Bolt On Neck - 1

Set Neck - 3

Type of Hardware - 5

Built in the U.S.A. - 1

OrsusMetal · 07-17-2008, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strictly 7

Price - 4 (I'd like to be able to afford it, haha)

Scale length - 5 (I prefer 25.5. Longer scale lengths bother my hands)

Shape - 2 (as long as it's comfortable to play sitting down and standing up, I'm fine)

Color - 1 (never really had an issue with colors. I suppose as long as there are choices)

Original Floyd Rose - 1 (I'm a fixed bridge guy, so I don't really care about the trems. As long as there is a fixed bridge option I'm good.)

EMG Active Pick-ups - 3 (I like these pickups, but passives are fine too. Passives are easy enough to swap out, so I don't mind either way.)

Ability to Customize - 5 (Being able to customize the guitar from the factory is a nice thing for me. Because then I don't have to butcher the guitar when I finally get it

Like the option of no tone knob and knob placement would be awesome.)

Type of Body Wood - 3 (as long as it's a good tone wood and provides a clear low B, I'm good.)

Neck Radius - 5 (this is something I think would be nice to be able to customize when purchasing. I'd really like a no radius fretboard and no one offers that. Not for a 7 at least.)

Inlay Design - 1 (don't really care, as long as it's not terrible looking.)

Neck Through - 1 (the thinner the taper the better.

)

Bolt On Neck - 2 (I like being able to adjust the neck angle. But I'd prefer if the neck joint isn't a huge block or anything. Carved for better fret access is a great selling point to me.)

Set Neck - 1 (same idea with the neck through)

Type of Hardware - 4 (fixed bridges, fixed bridges, fixed bridges!)

Built in the U.S.A. - 1 (as long as it's quality, I don't really care where it's built.)

B Lopez · 07-17-2008, 02:04 AM

Price - 5

Scale length - 5

Shape - 3

Color - 2

Original Floyd Rose - 5!!!!!

EMG Active Pick-ups - 1

Ability to Customize - 3

Type of Body Wood - 5

Neck Radius - 4

Inlay Design - 0

Neck Through - 1

Bolt On Neck - 1

Set Neck - 1

Type of Hardware - 4

Built in the U.S.A. - 4 I'd prefer USA, but if it's good enough, it doesn't matter where it came from.

thesimo · 07-17-2008, 04:50 AM

Price - 4

Scale length - 4

Shape - 5

Color - 5

Original Floyd Rose - 5

EMG Active Pick-ups - 3

Ability to Customize - 3

Type of Body Wood - 4

Neck Radius - 3

Inlay Design - 3

Neck Through - 5

Bolt On Neck - 2

Set Neck - 2

Type of Hardware - 5

Built in the U.S.A. - 0

Trespass · 07-17-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDDorian

Price - 4 - There are some ridiculous prices around, so something more reasonable would definitely be enticing. Really it just comes down to value for money though.

Scale length - 3 - The option to choose between standard and baritone scales would be good, but not a deal-breaker. 26.5 would be a good compromise, I feel.

Shape - 3 - Avoid the brutal can opener style and I could live with pretty much anything you come up with.

Color - 3 - NO BLACK. Otherwise, offer a couple of options and I'd be happy.

Original Floyd Rose - 2 - If there's a choice between fixed bridge and trem-equipped then I honestly couldn't care less which trem is on there as I probably wouldn't choose it

If I had no choice, the OFR would be fine, Kahlers would be nice though.

EMG Active Pick-ups - 1 - SD Blackouts come in a passive-sized casing so there's no reason to force EMG routs upon anyone anymore, in my opinion.

Ability to Customize - 5 - Direct, blatant customization isn't necessary, I guess, but being given a wide number of options and being able to converse with the builder are extremely important.

Type of Body Wood - 4 - If a certain model only comes in a certain type of body wood it could be a potential deal-breaker. Offering any body wood for any model would be a bit much, but having a few different models with distinct wood choices would be appreciated.

Neck Radius - 2 - My tastes run contrary to most here, so I don't expect to get one close to optimal, heh. Generally speaking, a C-shaped profile would be preferable to a D-shape, with the more curve, the better.

Inlay Design - 3 - I'm not averse to inlays, especially well designed/installed ones, but make sure to present the option for a bare fretboard.

Neck Through/Bolt On/Set Neck - 2 - I don't have a preference as I've had both good and bad experiences with all three; as long as you provide pics on your website or something so as to allow us to gauge the qulity of your work then I can roll with whatever's on offer.

Type of Hardware - 4 - Good tuners are a must. Different electronics/wiring options would be appreciated, as would a good selection of pickups. Stuff like piezos would be welcome options also.

Built in the U.S.A. - 3 - Important only because the Aussie dollar is doing so well right now, heh.

+1 Except for neck radius

adamgiroux · 07-17-2008, 05:08 AM

Price: 5 (like everyone else says, its a bang for the buck kind of deal)

Scale length: 4 (i prefer something a little longer than normal 2 27" )

Shape: 5 (it has to look good)

Color: 2 (i'm not really picky at all)

Original Floyd Rose: 2 (if it's a trem it should be a good one, but a trem isn't totally necessary)

EMG Active Pick-ups: 2 (while i do like them, i would prefer to actually be able to swap them out for other pickups)

Ability to Customize: 3

Type of Body Wood: 3

Neck Radius: 2 (relatively comfortable at least)

Inlay Design: 2 (as long as it isn't dot inlays - though offset dots are nice)

Neck Through: 5 (my personal preference)

Bolt On Neck: 1 (they just don't seem as comfortable to me)

Set Neck: 4 (second choice)

Type of Hardware: 4

Built in the U.S.A.: 1 (doesn't matter as long as it is built well)

Durero · 07-17-2008, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strictly 7

Price 1

Scale length 5

Shape 4

Color 1

Original Floyd Rose 0

EMG Active Pick-ups 0

Ability to Customize 5

Type of Body Wood 4

Neck Radius 5

Inlay Design 0

Neck Through 1

Bolt On Neck 1

Set Neck 1

Type of Hardware 5

Built in the U.S.A. 0

Scali · 07-17-2008, 05:15 AM

Price
5 - I generally shop at the 'sweet spot' where you get good hardware, electronics, wood etc, at the lowest possible price. For example, the Ibanez RG5xx series back in the day, they were the cheapest to have the real Edge tremolo's, not cheesy wobbly stuff. Such guitars are almost as good as Jem, but cost so much less. That's the 'sweet spot' I like.

Scale length
1 - As long as it is a sensible scale (somewhere between 24" and 30" I suppose), it's fine by me. Having multiple options for the same model would be nice ofcourse.

Shape
4 - It's gotta look cool and be comfortable to play.

Color
3 - I think a nice natural/stained finish can give the guitar that bit of extra class.

Original Floyd Rose
3 - A good bridge is important, but I don't care who makes it. Original Floyds are okay, but eg a Schaller or Gotoh would be good aswell I suppose (never tried 7-string versions), but if I had the choice, I'd want an Ibanez trem on anything.

EMG Active Pick-ups
1 - Good pickups are important, but I don't really have a preference for EMGs. There are great passive options available aswell. Again, choice would be nice.

Ability to Customize
2 - That depends on how much you can customize, and how much extra it would cost. Being able to select some basic things like pickups and finish would be nice.

Type of Body Wood
5 - The body wood makes or breaks the guitar. In general I'm a big fan of pretty much anything with a maple top. Alder+maple, mahogany+maple, basswood+maple, it all seems to sound good in its own way. Alder+maple is my favourite, sadly it's not that common.

Neck Radius
2 - As long as it's playable and comfortable, it works for me. I'm not that picky.

Inlay Design
4 - Again, nice inlays can add class to the guitar.

Neck Through
3 - I've never owned a neck-through, but they tend to have a nice full tone with lots of sustain, and they generally have a really nice transition from neck to body, which is very comfortable to play.

Bolt On Neck
1 - Too many bolt-ons available already.

Set Neck
5 - This has been my weapon of choice ever since I picked up my first Les Paul. It's not that common outside of Les Paul-inspired designs, and I think that should change.
A set-neck done right is an amazing thing. Comfortable to play, and really nice tone and sustain.

Type of Hardware
3 - Decent quality hardware is important, but I don't really have a specific preference for anything. It just has to work.

Built in the U.S.A.
1 - I don't care where it's built, as long as it's built well. I own guitars made in the USA, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and I like how they all play and sound (which is why I bought them).
Obviously there are advantages to building it somewhere other than the USA, it's cheaper. But I suppose in your case that doesn't apply (although if your company takes off, you might want to have some of your designs built in one of those Korean or Indonesian factories as low-budget variations, sorta like Epiphone, Squier, OLP, LTD etc).

So basically, if you build me a 7-string Les Paul-ish model with a double-locking trem (and do I hear 24 frets?), I'd buy it!

shredfreak · 07-17-2008, 05:34 AM

Price 5 (nice to be in the affordable range, or have some price range in the models)

Scale length 5 (standard)

Shape 5 (standard)

Color 0 (any color is fine with me)

Original Floyd Rose 5 (i prefer trems myself)

EMG Active Pick-ups 5 (EMG's go where they belong, in the trash)

Ability to Customize 0 (anything can be customized really, preferrably as few customizations after purchase)

Type of Body Wood 3 (any but basswood would be ace)

Neck Radius 3 ( not picky)

Inlay Design 1 (i really don't care what inlays are on it, but nothing too flashy for my tastes)

Neck Through 3 (one can only dream)

Bolt On Neck 3

Set Neck 3 (same as nt)

Type of Hardware 1 (preferrably decent quality)

Built in the U.S.A. 1 (Doesn't have to be built in usa to be a great guitar imo)

Leec · 07-17-2008, 06:12 AM

Price: 5 (especially important in a company I've no experience of and can't find much info on)

Scale length: 2 (usual scales is fine with me, although I'd like a bari 7)

Shape: 5 (I'm very conservative about shapes)

Color: 2 (something other than black would be nice, but I can live with a boring colour)

Original Floyd Rose: 5 (good quality trem is a must)

EMG Active Pick-ups: 1 (I'd probably want to swap 'em, starting out with EMG's makes this potentially ugly)

Ability to Customize: 2 (I don't buy to customize much)

Type of Body Wood: 5 (would love an alder or anything other than basswood or mahogany)

Neck Radius: 5 (it's got to be comfortable)

Inlay Design: 2 (I love offset inlays, but can live with basics)

Neck Through: 1 (I don't really mind)

Bolt On Neck: 1 (I don't really mind)

Set Neck: 1 (I don't really mind)

Type of Hardware: 1 (easily changed)

Built in the U.S.A: 3 (USA build would be nice if it doesn't cost too much)

MerlinTKD · 07-17-2008, 10:09 AM

Price = 5 (I'm poor

)

Scale length = 5 (options are important)

Shape = 5 (variety is important

)

Color = 3

Original Floyd Rose = ? As opposed to what? LFR? Kahler?

EMG Active Pick-ups = 1 (don't like em)

Ability to Customize = 5 (goes along with price IMO - higher the price, the more customizability is required)

Type of Body Wood = 5 (again, options are important, though wood affecting price is a no-brainer)

Neck Radius = 1 (I'm not a shredder, so...)

Inlay Design = 3 (Depends on what it is... options FTW!)

Neck Through = 1

Bolt On Neck = 1

Set Neck = 1 (as others, I don't have a preference, as long as it's done well)

Type of Hardware = 4 (hardware quality is important; also, that it would affect price is a no-brainer)

Built in the U.S.A. =

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!

M4rksman · 07-17-2008, 10:36 AM

Price - 5 - Obvious reasons =)

Scale length - 3 - Generally I use 25.5

Shape - 3 - If it's a RG style/Saber body or similar, it works for me.

Color - 3 - A good choice of color other than black

Original Floyd Rose - 2 - As long as it's a reputable Floyd Rose I'll be happy. Even better if GHOST Floyd Rose saddles are installed. Also, I'll be pretty interested in seeing a Hipshot Contoured 7 Trem being a standard equipment for some of the 7s, for those who wants some trem action with some simplicity.

EMG Active Pick-ups - 5 - I'm a passive pickup guy

Ability to Customize - 4 - Ability to customise pickup, swap in different locking trem, and hardware is good.

Type of Body Wood - 4 - I believe a good number of us want some other wood for body other than just basswood.

Neck Radius - 4 - A comfortable feel is important

Inlay Design - 2 - Normal dot inlay or no inlay will do.

Neck Through - 3 - Neck-Thru is fine

Bolt On Neck - 3 - Bolt On is fine

Set Neck - 3 - I don't dig Set neck, but other players may differ in opinion

Type of Hardware - 3

Built in the U.S.A. - 0

Most importantly, just keep the quality good and consistant. Thats all. =)

07-17-2008, 12:57 AM	#1
Strictly 7 ss.org Regular Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Medina Ohio Posts: 49 Thanked: 5	7 String Player's Survey Hi, this is Jim (Strictly 7 screen name). I am putting up this survey to gather information from 7-string players. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am the owner/president of a new 7-string guitar company I started in February 2008. I build the guitars myself with the assist of a CNC to insure accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility. I have 3 part-time employees and I have 6 designs planned, 4 "production" models finished and putting the final touches on them (painting and then assembly). I do not have pictures yet, but hope to in the next 3 weeks. So I am asking for your input as to what you look for when deciding on a 7-string (or even 6-string) purchase. Please rate the level of importance you place on the following list as a 1= not important and 5 = extremely important (so a 3 = important). I thank you in advance for your assistance. Price Scale length Shape Color Original Floyd Rose EMG Active Pick-ups Ability to Customize Type of Body Wood Neck Radius Inlay Design Neck Through Bolt On Neck Set Neck Type of Hardware Built in the U.S.A. Thank you so much for your time with this request! I know what my guitarists desire, which is why I started this company, but I need to know what other players find important if my business is going to flourish. Peace, Jim Strictly 7 Guitars, LLC

07-17-2008, 01:13 AM	#4
MetalJordan feed me fear Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 253 Thanked: 5	Price 5 depends on what im paying for Scale length 5 i like 24 frets Shape 5 i like traditional body types like the guitar i have Color 5 i like the hellraisers paint Original Floyd Rose 5 i want a good trem but i can do without it EMG Active Pick-ups 1 doesnt matter to me but it would be nice Ability to Customize 1 i dont rly do much to my guitars so Type of Body Wood 3 i like mahogony Neck Radius 3 Inlay Design 1 dont really care bout inlays Neck Through 1 doesnt matter Bolt On Neck 3 i dont like bolt-ons Set Neck 3 Type of Hardware 3 Built in the U.S.A. 3 __________________ Seconds from the end, whats it gonna be, pull the trigger bitch

07-17-2008, 01:31 AM	#10
Wiggywiggler ss.org erroneous Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Frozen North a.k.a. Finland Posts: 357 Thanked: 2 $Wiggywiggler is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Wiggywiggler is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Wiggywiggler is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Wiggywiggler is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Wiggywiggler is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Wiggywiggler is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Wiggywiggler is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	Price 5 (this doesn't mean they need to cost a lot, but have "bang for the buck") Scale length 4 Shape 4 Color 4 (there needs to be other than black) Original Floyd Rose 3 (Who? If it had a floater, it needs to be of good quality, though) EMG Active Pick-ups 1 ( rather routing that allows changing pups, if I feel like it) Ability to Customize 5 (prolly means choices when ordering one?) Type of Body Wood 4 Neck Radius 4 Inlay Design 4 (some stuff looks really tacky) Neck Through 4(tend to have better neck access) Bolt On Neck 3 Set Neck 3 Type of Hardware 4 (cheap pseudo-metals are a no no) Built in the U.S.A. 0 Peace (sells, but who's buying?) I'd like to add a thing I value a lot: - build quality consistency 5 __________________ Born to lose - live to win

07-17-2008, 01:40 AM	#12
Toshiro Does not djent, ever Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 5,371 Thanked: 17	Price = 5 (I'm a cheap bastard) Scale length = 5 (26.5"+ only) Shape = 3 Color = 4 (more than 2 options) Original Floyd Rose = 5 (no junk trems, please) EMG Active Pick-ups = 1 (would prefer not to have huge routs in the guitar stock) Ability to Customize = 3 (options are good) Type of Body Wood = 1 (as long as it's not balsa... lol) Neck Radius = 4 (no baseball bats, 14-16" at least for the fretboard) Inlay Design = 3 (nothing gaudy, or huge ie; spanning more than one fret) Neck Through = 2 Bolt On Neck = 3 (not real picky, but prefer the "snap" of bolt-ons.) Set Neck= 2 Type of Hardware = 4 Built in the U.S.A. = 2 __________________ Um, Like Sound Files and Stuff ^_^ oh yeah, and some crappy videos too!

07-17-2008, 01:46 AM	#14
Lankles Fuelled by Chicken alone. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 480 Thanked: 3	Price - 5 Scale length - 5 Shape - 4 Color - 2 Original Floyd Rose - 3 EMG Active Pick-ups - 2 Ability to Customize - 3 Type of Body Wood - 3 Neck Radius - 4 Inlay Design - 1 Neck Through - 4 Bolt On Neck - 1 Set Neck - 3 Type of Hardware - 5 Built in the U.S.A. - 1 __________________ Defamer - Brisbane Death Metal Tower Of Fire - Brain Haemorrhage Simulation Euro Flower Metal <- Free album download!

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07-17-2008, 01:11 AM	#2
Naren OldschoolGhettostyle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tokyo Posts: 12,797 Thanked: 47	For me: Price - 5 (I do tend to prioritize by price) Scale length - 4 (I generally prefer 27" sevens, but 25.5" is fine too. I would not consider 24.75" or anything longer than 27") Shape - 4 (if it's not cool-looking, I won't even consider buying it) Color - 4 (there are some colors I would not consider at all such as pink or neon yellow or that radioactive green, but then there are colors I love like forest green, black, deep blue, etc.) Original Floyd Rose - 2 (I prefer hard-tails, so this isn't as important. OFRs are really nice, but if it has a trem, as long as it's a nice trem, I don't care if it's OFR or not) EMG Active Pick-ups - 3 (I like EMGs and Blackouts, but it doesn't necessarily have to be active. It could be passive. I like passives as well) Ability to Customize - 3 (this is nice, but not necessary) Type of Body Wood - 2 (I'm not very picky on bodywood. As long as it isn't low quality, it could be mahogany, swamp ash, basswood, or whatever. I like most bodywoods) Neck Radius - 2 (Don't care as much) Inlay Design - 2 (I like most inlays unless they are really gaudy) Neck Through - 1 (don't care) Bolt On Neck - 1 (don't care) Set Neck - 1 (don't care) Type of Hardware - 3 (I do care about this to a degree) Built in the U.S.A. - 1 (I don't care where it's made, as long as it's high quality) Just my opinion I guess. You'll probably get varying responses depending on the person. Edit: Added comments

07-17-2008, 01:13 AM	#3
Stealthtastic ss.org Regular Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bc Canada Posts: 6,752 Thanked: 46	Price --- This really depends on whether or not im getting bang for my buck, the loomis's pricing is perfect. So 4 or 5 idk Scale length ---- 4 it depends on what im going to be using it for but i prefer a slightly larger scale length so i can tune down if i must. Shape --- 5, if it looks lame im not buying it. Color --- 5, it should look like sex. Original Floyd Rose --- 5, a GOOD trem or no trem at all. EMG Active Pick-ups --- 1, it doesnt matter what kind of pups it comes with, so long as their good, EMG's sound a little stale IMHO, so i would say go with blackouts instead, seems to be what most SS'ers here say to do. Ability to Customize --- 5, its probably better to build a guitar that doesnt need customization but if it does, it should be able to get done. Type of Body Wood ---5, no plywood Neck Radius --- 5, i prefer thicker necks. Inlay Design --- 4, a hella badass inlay is always tight, but something that sorta sucks is ok and it wont affect me buying it too much. Neck Through --- 5, for your higher end guitars i would definatly include this feature Bolt On Neck --- 4 doesnt matter to much Set Neck 4- cool Type of Hardware --- 5, its why i dont buy alot of ibanez's Built in the U.S.A. --- dependable upon the quality of stuff im getting but i would say a 4, if it was built in canada probably a 5, seeing as the us of a is getting kind of sucky

07-17-2008, 01:16 AM	#5
Desecrated Dirty Lurker Posts: n/a	Price 5 Scale length 5 Shape 1 Color 1 Original Floyd Rose 0 EMG Active Pick-ups 0 Ability to Customize 3 Type of Body Wood 1 Type of Neck Wood 5 Neck Radius 3 Inlay Design 0 Neck Through 0 Bolt On Neck 4 Set Neck 4 Type of Hardware 4 Built in the U.S.A. 0 Peace 5

07-17-2008, 01:26 AM	#8
nocturnous Maximum Volumizer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 53 Thanked: 6 / 1	Price 5 Scale length 5 Shape 3 I'm a minimalist but I don't want something that is going to take a testicle out when I sit down with it. Color 3 Original Floyd Rose 1 EMG Active Pick-ups 1 Ability to Customize 1 Type of Body Wood 5 Neck Radius 5 Inlay Design 1 I would rather have no inlays Neck Through 3 Bolt On Neck 3 Set Neck 3 Type of Hardware 5 Built in the U.S.A. 3

07-17-2008, 01:39 AM	#11
DDDorian Punk's not dead. • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Middle of nowhere, Australia Posts: 3,963 Thanked: 209	Price - 4 - There are some ridiculous prices around, so something more reasonable would definitely be enticing. Really it just comes down to value for money though. Scale length - 3 - The option to choose between standard and baritone scales would be good, but not a deal-breaker. 26.5 would be a good compromise, I feel. Shape - 3 - Avoid the brutal can opener style and I could live with pretty much anything you come up with. Color - 3 - NO BLACK. Otherwise, offer a couple of options and I'd be happy. Original Floyd Rose - 2 - If there's a choice between fixed bridge and trem-equipped then I honestly couldn't care less which trem is on there as I probably wouldn't choose it If I had no choice, the OFR would be fine, Kahlers would be nice though. EMG Active Pick-ups - 1 - SD Blackouts come in a passive-sized casing so there's no reason to force EMG routs upon anyone anymore, in my opinion. Ability to Customize - 5 - Direct, blatant customization isn't necessary, I guess, but being given a wide number of options and being able to converse with the builder are extremely important. Type of Body Wood - 4 - If a certain model only comes in a certain type of body wood it could be a potential deal-breaker. Offering any body wood for any model would be a bit much, but having a few different models with distinct wood choices would be appreciated. Neck Radius - 2 - My tastes run contrary to most here, so I don't expect to get one close to optimal, heh. Generally speaking, a C-shaped profile would be preferable to a D-shape, with the more curve, the better. Inlay Design - 3 - I'm not averse to inlays, especially well designed/installed ones, but make sure to present the option for a bare fretboard. Neck Through/Bolt On/Set Neck - 2 - I don't have a preference as I've had both good and bad experiences with all three; as long as you provide pics on your website or something so as to allow us to gauge the qulity of your work then I can roll with whatever's on offer. Type of Hardware - 4 - Good tuners are a must. Different electronics/wiring options would be appreciated, as would a good selection of pickups. Stuff like piezos would be welcome options also. Built in the U.S.A. - 3 - Important only because the Aussie dollar is doing so well right now, heh.

07-17-2008, 02:04 AM	#16
B Lopez Vescere bracis meis. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Killafornia Posts: 3,469 Thanked: 74	Price - 5 Scale length - 5 Shape - 3 Color - 2 Original Floyd Rose - 5!!!!! EMG Active Pick-ups - 1 Ability to Customize - 3 Type of Body Wood - 5 Neck Radius - 4 Inlay Design - 0 Neck Through - 1 Bolt On Neck - 1 Set Neck - 1 Type of Hardware - 4 Built in the U.S.A. - 4 I'd prefer USA, but if it's good enough, it doesn't matter where it came from. __________________ UNSCARED "...The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." -J.S. Mill "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will." -Vince Lombardi

07-17-2008, 04:50 AM	#17
thesimo ss.org Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,012 Thanked: 2	Price - 4 Scale length - 4 Shape - 5 Color - 5 Original Floyd Rose - 5 EMG Active Pick-ups - 3 Ability to Customize - 3 Type of Body Wood - 4 Neck Radius - 3 Inlay Design - 3 Neck Through - 5 Bolt On Neck - 2 Set Neck - 2 Type of Hardware - 5 Built in the U.S.A. - 0

07-17-2008, 05:08 AM	#19
adamgiroux ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, ON Posts: 84 Thanked: 6	Price: 5 (like everyone else says, its a bang for the buck kind of deal) Scale length: 4 (i prefer something a little longer than normal 2 27" ) Shape: 5 (it has to look good) Color: 2 (i'm not really picky at all) Original Floyd Rose: 2 (if it's a trem it should be a good one, but a trem isn't totally necessary) EMG Active Pick-ups: 2 (while i do like them, i would prefer to actually be able to swap them out for other pickups) Ability to Customize: 3 Type of Body Wood: 3 Neck Radius: 2 (relatively comfortable at least) Inlay Design: 2 (as long as it isn't dot inlays - though offset dots are nice) Neck Through: 5 (my personal preference) Bolt On Neck: 1 (they just don't seem as comfortable to me) Set Neck: 4 (second choice) Type of Hardware: 4 Built in the U.S.A.: 1 (doesn't matter as long as it is built well)

07-17-2008, 05:15 AM	#21
Scali Banned Join Date: May 2008 Location: The Hague, NL Posts: 2,623 Thanked: 23	Price 5 - I generally shop at the 'sweet spot' where you get good hardware, electronics, wood etc, at the lowest possible price. For example, the Ibanez RG5xx series back in the day, they were the cheapest to have the real Edge tremolo's, not cheesy wobbly stuff. Such guitars are almost as good as Jem, but cost so much less. That's the 'sweet spot' I like. Scale length 1 - As long as it is a sensible scale (somewhere between 24" and 30" I suppose), it's fine by me. Having multiple options for the same model would be nice ofcourse. Shape 4 - It's gotta look cool and be comfortable to play. Color 3 - I think a nice natural/stained finish can give the guitar that bit of extra class. Original Floyd Rose 3 - A good bridge is important, but I don't care who makes it. Original Floyds are okay, but eg a Schaller or Gotoh would be good aswell I suppose (never tried 7-string versions), but if I had the choice, I'd want an Ibanez trem on anything. EMG Active Pick-ups 1 - Good pickups are important, but I don't really have a preference for EMGs. There are great passive options available aswell. Again, choice would be nice. Ability to Customize 2 - That depends on how much you can customize, and how much extra it would cost. Being able to select some basic things like pickups and finish would be nice. Type of Body Wood 5 - The body wood makes or breaks the guitar. In general I'm a big fan of pretty much anything with a maple top. Alder+maple, mahogany+maple, basswood+maple, it all seems to sound good in its own way. Alder+maple is my favourite, sadly it's not that common. Neck Radius 2 - As long as it's playable and comfortable, it works for me. I'm not that picky. Inlay Design 4 - Again, nice inlays can add class to the guitar. Neck Through 3 - I've never owned a neck-through, but they tend to have a nice full tone with lots of sustain, and they generally have a really nice transition from neck to body, which is very comfortable to play. Bolt On Neck 1 - Too many bolt-ons available already. Set Neck 5 - This has been my weapon of choice ever since I picked up my first Les Paul. It's not that common outside of Les Paul-inspired designs, and I think that should change. A set-neck done right is an amazing thing. Comfortable to play, and really nice tone and sustain. Type of Hardware 3 - Decent quality hardware is important, but I don't really have a specific preference for anything. It just has to work. Built in the U.S.A. 1 - I don't care where it's built, as long as it's built well. I own guitars made in the USA, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and I like how they all play and sound (which is why I bought them). Obviously there are advantages to building it somewhere other than the USA, it's cheaper. But I suppose in your case that doesn't apply (although if your company takes off, you might want to have some of your designs built in one of those Korean or Indonesian factories as low-budget variations, sorta like Epiphone, Squier, OLP, LTD etc). So basically, if you build me a 7-string Les Paul-ish model with a double-locking trem (and do I hear 24 frets?), I'd buy it!

07-17-2008, 05:34 AM	#22
shredfreak ss.org Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ghent, Belgium Posts: 404 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Price 5 (nice to be in the affordable range, or have some price range in the models) Scale length 5 (standard) Shape 5 (standard) Color 0 (any color is fine with me) Original Floyd Rose 5 (i prefer trems myself) EMG Active Pick-ups 5 (EMG's go where they belong, in the trash) Ability to Customize 0 (anything can be customized really, preferrably as few customizations after purchase) Type of Body Wood 3 (any but basswood would be ace) Neck Radius 3 ( not picky) Inlay Design 1 (i really don't care what inlays are on it, but nothing too flashy for my tastes) Neck Through 3 (one can only dream) Bolt On Neck 3 Set Neck 3 (same as nt) Type of Hardware 1 (preferrably decent quality) Built in the U.S.A. 1 (Doesn't have to be built in usa to be a great guitar imo)

07-17-2008, 06:12 AM	#23
Leec Woopah! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 1,418 Thanked: 59 $Leec is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Leec is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Leec is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Leec is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Leec is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Leec is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Leec is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$	Price: 5 (especially important in a company I've no experience of and can't find much info on) Scale length: 2 (usual scales is fine with me, although I'd like a bari 7) Shape: 5 (I'm very conservative about shapes) Color: 2 (something other than black would be nice, but I can live with a boring colour) Original Floyd Rose: 5 (good quality trem is a must) EMG Active Pick-ups: 1 (I'd probably want to swap 'em, starting out with EMG's makes this potentially ugly) Ability to Customize: 2 (I don't buy to customize much) Type of Body Wood: 5 (would love an alder or anything other than basswood or mahogany) Neck Radius: 5 (it's got to be comfortable) Inlay Design: 2 (I love offset inlays, but can live with basics) Neck Through: 1 (I don't really mind) Bolt On Neck: 1 (I don't really mind) Set Neck: 1 (I don't really mind) Type of Hardware: 1 (easily changed) Built in the U.S.A: 3 (USA build would be nice if it doesn't cost too much) __________________ "You might as well be suckin' Wes Borland's no-talent dick if you play with any more than six strings on your fucking guitar." - A Blabbermouth genius

07-17-2008, 10:09 AM	#24
MerlinTKD 7-String Drummer! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 2,550 Thanked: 20	Price = 5 (I'm poor ) Scale length = 5 (options are important) Shape = 5 (variety is important ) Color = 3 Original Floyd Rose = ? As opposed to what? LFR? Kahler? EMG Active Pick-ups = 1 (don't like em) Ability to Customize = 5 (goes along with price IMO - higher the price, the more customizability is required) Type of Body Wood = 5 (again, options are important, though wood affecting price is a no-brainer) Neck Radius = 1 (I'm not a shredder, so...) Inlay Design = 3 (Depends on what it is... options FTW!) Neck Through = 1 Bolt On Neck = 1 Set Neck = 1 (as others, I don't have a preference, as long as it's done well) Type of Hardware = 4 (hardware quality is important; also, that it would affect price is a no-brainer) Built in the U.S.A. = Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!! __________________ Mer7in / Anonimosity Music @ Myspace Facebook SoundClick Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage. ~ Maya Angelou I like a little rebellion now and then. It's like a storm in the atmosphere. ~ Thomas Jefferson

07-17-2008, 10:36 AM	#25
M4rksman ss.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: A little red dot Posts: 36 Thanked: 0	Price - 5 - Obvious reasons =) Scale length - 3 - Generally I use 25.5 Shape - 3 - If it's a RG style/Saber body or similar, it works for me. Color - 3 - A good choice of color other than black Original Floyd Rose - 2 - As long as it's a reputable Floyd Rose I'll be happy. Even better if GHOST Floyd Rose saddles are installed. Also, I'll be pretty interested in seeing a Hipshot Contoured 7 Trem being a standard equipment for some of the 7s, for those who wants some trem action with some simplicity. EMG Active Pick-ups - 5 - I'm a passive pickup guy Ability to Customize - 4 - Ability to customise pickup, swap in different locking trem, and hardware is good. Type of Body Wood - 4 - I believe a good number of us want some other wood for body other than just basswood. Neck Radius - 4 - A comfortable feel is important Inlay Design - 2 - Normal dot inlay or no inlay will do. Neck Through - 3 - Neck-Thru is fine Bolt On Neck - 3 - Bolt On is fine Set Neck - 3 - I don't dig Set neck, but other players may differ in opinion Type of Hardware - 3 Built in the U.S.A. - 0 Most importantly, just keep the quality good and consistant. Thats all. =)

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