[daniboy]

hi guys,

firstly, i am new here and a 7 string noob. decided to get my first 7 string for more low grinding option. after much research (i've more or less read most threads on both), i am caught between the cow and blackjack with a slight lean towards the cow.

i am more a rhythm player with the occasional leads thrown in, so single pickup and t-o-m bridge is fine. i also like my low strings taut for tighter rhythm work. btw, i play gothic/thrash/technical metal.

i am more concerned on the built quality and tone. which is a better built and more bang for the buck and which has more of an ideal tone for the stuff i do?

fwiw, i love the feel of ebony and i am wondering if the rosewood board on the blackjack feels similar to ebony?

thanks for your time.
dani

[Sebastian]

Get a Blackjack.. i see a COW isnt good for you...

[angryman]

Hi dude, fistly welcome to the forum, I play in a similar style to you & I've not been able to try out the COW yet & I have seriouse GAS for one but I did try a couple of the schecter 7's & wasn't very impressed to be honest. They sound pretty good but IMO the necks are way to fat & I've been told that the COW necks are alot more comfortable too, plus they look really sleak with the minimalistic look.
By the way I ended up buying an Ibanez 1527 & 7321 that way I have both fixed & Trem options.

[Rick]

Welcome!

I'm hoping to try a COW 7 tomorrow at band practice as one of the guys here, Benzesp, will be trying out for us.

IMO, the Hellraiser ain't bad, I'm just not used to that fat neck as I'm an Ibanez user. Once I try the COW, I'll let you know which one I pick.

[Sebastian]

So... your next guitar will be a RWO7?

[Drew]

I'd suggest the Blackjack. It's a more versatile guitar, is stupidly well built for the $599 asking price, and in particular I've been impressed by the fretwork on Schecter's Korean guitars - I gather they do some hand-finishing when they're set up in the states.

I'll admit to being biased - I'm not big on EMG's, I love neck pickups for even occasional leads, and I own one. However, I can assure you that it's an absolutely brutal sounding guitar that will also give you singing lead tones and great cleans.

As for complaints about the neck, FWIW, I think it's more comfortable than the neck on my UV7PWH. Anyone who insists you can't shred on a thicker neck has evidently never heard of neoclassical metal.

[D-EJ915]

I'd get the Blackjack, I abhor 707s so maybe that might be the reason why, but it's a better deal.

[daniboy]

thanks for the response guys and keep them coming!

actually, i may swap out the emg for a duncan blackout if i am getting the cow. heck, i may do the same for the blackjack too.

[eaeolian]

They both have their good points. They COW has the ebony board, and 25.5" scale. The Blackjack has the longer scale, and more flexible pickup options. Build quality on the two is very similar.

Given your parameters, I'd point you towards the COW for two reasons: Scale length and shape comfort. Tonally, they're actually not that far apart, but I think the COW is a better fit for you.

[jacksonplayer]

I've owned both and vote for the Blackjack. They play and sound ridiculously good for the money. Probably the best bang for the buck of any 7-string. Since you like taut strings, you should like the extended scale on the Blackjack, too.