[unconventional]

Hey guys. As you know I'm 7 string ignorant. Still trying to figure it all out as far as strings and scale length and whatnot.

So I'm curious. My Xiphos is a 7 string and I have 6 string guitars as well. Is the 7 string a longer scale?

Also with the longer scale length, I would figure you need a heavier string so it does not wobble as much or is my thinking backwards.

When I use thick strings, I don't seem to get as much a percussive snappy tone, but rather a muddy tone which I don't much like. I've got my Xiphos with a set of reg slinkys and a 50 for the 7th string. Most have told me this is too low of a gauge.

What do you think?

[Kotex]

I believe the Xiphos is a standard scale (25.5). But with a longer scale you generally use lighter strings, unless you plan to massively down tune.

I use a .62 for my B on a 25.5, but it honestly just depends on how it feels too you. If it feels too flabby use a bigger string.

Hope that helped some.

[sepherus]

I say go with what sounds best to you. some people like really tight thick strings. personally i would be content with a .52 for a low B. hell i have my SLSMG tuned to A standard and i have a set of flatwound 50-11 D'Addario Chromes on there, and i like it a lot that way. So do what you like the wound of. some awesome players have played some really thin strings. Tony Iommi, B. B. King, Billy Gibbons, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman, and a ton more. its all what makes you want to play.

[Kotex]

Originally Posted by sepherus

So do what you like the wound of.

Too much "wound" on the mind.

[Naren]

Originally Posted by unconventional

So I'm curious. My Xiphos is a 7 string and I have 6 string guitars as well. Is the 7 string a longer scale?

I don't know. What scale lengths are your sixes?

My 7-strings are both longer scale lengths than my six, but that's because my six-string is a 24.75" scale and my seven-strings are a 25.5" scale and a 27" scale.

Normal seven-strings are NOT baritone, but are the same scale length as a Fender stratocaster (but longer than a Gibson Les Paul). My 27" scale seven-string IS a baritone.

String gauge is completely up to your taste. I use a 59 gauge for my low B, but there are people on here who use a 52 gauge and others who use a 68 (which is TOTALLY OVERKILL in my opinion, but this is a taste-based thing, anyway). If you feel like you want a thicker gauge, then get a thicken gauge.

I think the Xiphos is a 25.5" scale, which is PROBABLY the same length as your six strings.

Normally, with a longer scale length, you would want a lighter scale length since longer scales give you much more tension.

[ohio_eric]

If you're going to use regular slinkies (.010 - .046) I'd warn you that the .50 might feel pretty sloppy compared to the rest of the set. I'd suggest at least a .056 if not heavier.

[Naren]

Originally Posted by unconventional

50 for the 7th string. Most have told me this is too low of a gauge.

What do you think?

WHOOOOOOAH. I did not notice this when I made my post.

Since I use either a 48 or a 49 for my 6th string in E, I would DEFINITELY not use a 50 for a B. That would be only a 1 or 2 gauge difference from E to B. If I remember correctly, regular slinkies use a 46 for E. So you'd probably want a 56 or 58 for B.

50 is too close to the gauge you'd use for an E. I used to use a 52 gauge when I tuned my six-string down to Db.

52 is basically the lowest gauge string I had ever seen for a B, but 50? :S I would recommend 56 gauge and up. I use a 59 gauge for a low B and the other guitarist in my band uses a 56 for his low B. I use a 59 on my 27" guitar as well, which would be like a 66 gauge or so on a regular 25.5" scale.