[Hoff]

Hello all.
I'm in the starting phase (the dreaming part I guess) of putting together a custom 7-string and I need some help.
I'd like to be able to drop both the low E string and the low B string and I'm wondering what the best solution will be. I've been considering an option with two Sperzel D-thing tuners but I'm unsure if they will fit next to each other without blocking one of them. So any thought on the d-thing solution as well as other suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hoff

[Metal Ken]

If you got a Floyd, you could always use the D-Tuna thing on both the low Saddles. course, you'd probably want the trem to be in some sort of Dive-Only mode.

[starsnuffer]

I have an ibanez backstop installed on my RG7620. I have it setup so I can use the fine tuners to go to a drop A/D tuning. I suppose that I could use D-tunas on both strings as well, but I've never had a problem with just using the fine tuners (takes about 5 seconds per string).

The backstop keeps the bridge from going out of tune when I drop tune, break a string, or do crazy bends. The only trem trick you can't do with it is the vai warble.

Backstops are hard to find. I got mine from ibanezrulz.com. An ESP arming adjuster is the same thing though.

Alternativly, you can get a tremolo-no, but I don't like them very much.

-W

[noodles]

Adjustable Banjo tuners, like this Scruggs model, have stops that you can set. You tune it to pitch, and set the stop where you want for detuning. You simply detune the string until it hits the stop.

[Hoff]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't plan on getting a floyd/d-tuna but I'm gonna look into that backstop thing and reconsider it. Sounds like a good solution.
Banjo tuners also looks like a good option. Ideas are still welcome

[metalfiend666]

If you go for a tune-o-matic style bridge there's an Ibanez D-tuner they fitted to some of the AX models. It fits behind the bridge and drops the string at the flick of a switch. You could try a pair of those, or have one on the E and a Hipshot tuner on the B.

[starsnuffer]

If you're using a hardtail, why not just turn the tuning peg with your fingers?

I frequently retune my strat during a gig to different open tunings. With a bit of practice you can do it very quickly, especially if it's just 2 strings.

-W

[Hoff]

#6 I like the AX tuner but I'm not a big fan of tune-o-matics so I'll probably not go for that. I'm leaning towards a fixed strat like bridge as the one on the Ibanez 7321. I've got a hipshot tuner on one of my 6-strings and I'm pretty satisfied with it. Too bad it's too big to fit two of them though.

#7 Hehe, interesting suggestion, and you can guarantee that this works? :P
As mentioned above I'm most probably going for a fixed bridge and if I can't find another satisfying solution I'll just detune the old fashion way. It's not a problem really. Guess I'm just considering these luxury options since it's going to be a custom guitar.

Hoff

[Stitch]

Personally, i'd go with MF666's idea. The Ibanez AX D-Tuners work so well when set up properly! You may have a problem with the hipshots colliding though - the arms struck me as quite long, but the one i saw was a (relatively)old model...they may be smaller now?