[ohio_eric]

OK so I e-mailed USA Custom Guitars asking for 7 string Strat or Tele bodies and necks. This is my e-mail.

I am writing you to inquire about the possibility of either you adding or having them as customer order, seven string guitar options. As a member of a community of seven string guitar players (www.sevenstring.org) we are consistently looking for options. While there are many seven string guitars being made by manufacturers like Ibanez, Schecter and Music Man many of us feel that these guitars are geared at metal heads and shredders or in a few cases jazz cats. We would like to have the option of assembling a Strat-style or Tele-style guitar with the added seventh string. We are not looking for you to invent a whole new line for us. Just the option to add a seventh string to one of your necks and have bodies that would accommodate these necks. Seeing how you already offer most of the features for you six string necks that would interest the members of our community. These would be things like stainless steel fret wire, Hipshot bridges, lots of radius options and neck contour options. Also since you already offer a 1 7/8” wide neck and most seven string necks only really require about a 1 15/16” wide neck. I would think that you could make a very slightly wider neck to accommodate the seventh string. We’re not asking for odd scale lengths either as 25.5” suits most seven string players just fine. We wouldn’t ask that you stock parts because we already know where all the parts are.
Thank you for reading this and giving it consideration. We are a relatively small but active and rather passionate community. We would be very enthusiastic to any help you could offer us as to getting more options for those of us who love the feel and the range of a seven string neck but prefer something more vintage sounding.

Again thank you for your consideration.

Eric Daugherty

I got this back from them.

Eric,

Thanks for the email. I found it a joy to read as is the most articulate and genuine presentation of the 7string platform we have ever received! I personally, albeit a commited Strat and Tele player, love the 7string arena but agree with the lack of options afforded to the standard 6 string market. The reasons for this are obvious but you strike a new chord of 'Why not this..." that rings very true. I would be all over a 7 string version of more traditional designs from the standpoint of familiarity and consistancy. Experimentation is the fuel for progress and advancement but the risks are high and these arent cheap projects. I play progressive heavy music (i wont call it metal...) and often get riduculed for my comittment to single coils and lighter woods like swamp ash. I have just grown weary of the pointy, humbucker driven 7 string choices. I long for the day I can pick up a 7 string strat or tele that for all intensive purposes represents all that I love about them sonically and asthetically but with the added dimension of the low B. Nevertheless I have discussed and will continue to address this gaping hole in the custom market with my colleagues and I can only ask that you maintain contact and I will hopefully have good news one these days.

Stay tuned...

Regards,

Rob Stone

It sounds fairly hopeful. So if you would like to see these things, please e-mail or call USA Custom Guitars and let them know there is a demand out there. Rob Stone sounds like he could be our highly valued ally in this quest for 7 string variety.

Here's the e-mail address for sales at USA Custom Guitars and their phone number. IF you do call and I haven't, I'd ask to speak to Rob Stone.

sales@usacustomguitars.com
253.446.4048

If you're not familiar with them here's their website. http://www.usacustomguitars.com

[technomancer]

If I hadn't already ordered a seven string strat from Halo I'd look into this, however I don't want to pester the guy when I have no intention of buying one

[The Dark Wolf]

Well, I read it.


So what do I get?

[ohio_eric]

I hate you Bob.

[The Dark Wolf]

I knew that would draw you out of lurk mode, Eric.

In reality, good for you! A 7-string Strat, being the Strat loving fool that I am, would probably be about #6 on my list, so

[ohio_eric]

So write the guy and give him some motivation.

As much as I like Ibanez I keep coming back to Strat and Tele type guitars that make me the happiest. There's just some magic that Leo had.

Plus I find myself playing less metal per se and more stuff like Vernon Reid and other players who are more outside the box.

[skinhead]

I don't like singles, and - for a 7 string.

+1 on what Bob said, what do i get?

[budda]

you can get 7 string strats, i dont think fender has any in production but know that squier at least Made a 7-string showmaster.

i'd play a 7 string strat/tele, and probably buy one. i'd just have to find one i liked. that said, i dont live in the USA and the word "custom" in the titles makes it sound like its already way out of any foreseeable pricerange. hopefully something will come up.

OR

someone who's got some luthier skills can start up the business of strat/tele/SG/LP 7's.

[ohio_eric]

Frank you're always the dissenting voice.

But sorry to say, NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!

Or Bob!

[WarriorOfMetal]

Suggest that they get in touch with Joe Barden Pickups (www.joebarden.com) and work with them on creating some single-coil sized Joe Barden pickups. I'm working with them some on ideas for full-size 7-string humbuckers, and I think if this suggestion came in, they might consider the single-sized pickups as a possibility as well.