There exist people in this world who are not afraid of challenges. People who believe that the extra mile is worth it for the results. The people that are willing to do a little extra work, a little extra adaptation to have the extraordinary results that come after – the best 7-string guitars and the 8-string guitars are for these people. The extra strings tend to take a little more practice to master, but as a reward, you get the extra tone, the extra musicality that you knew you always wanted. My guess is, you are one of the seekers of this unique sound.
The thing with looking for the best 7-string guitars is that you need to curb your expectations of price. It is rare to see 7 stringer that is both good and cheap. Thankfully, you have me. This list features guitars spanning a price range from slightly below 200 to just below 1000. While all of them possess merit, the price directly corresponds to their quality. Even the finest guitar below 200 will struggle to match the performance of any guitar below 1000.
Another thing to remember is that a lot of the 7-string guitars will be alternative versions or at least sister guitars of already well known 6 stringers. Because of this, you might see some style similarities and similarities in sound. This should not bother you much unless you have a problem with having a bunch of guitars that look similar.
What’s The Best 7 String Electric Guitar
| Image | Guitar Model | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Schecter Hellraiser C-7 FR |  (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Epiphone Matt Heafy signature Les Paul Custom 7 String | (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Sterling by Music Man JP157 John Petrucci Signature | (4.9 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Schecter 248 7-String |  (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Dean TRIDENT 7 WF Trident 7-String Wayne Findlay | (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Ibanez GRG7221 7-string | (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Dean C750X MRD Custom Series 7-String | (4.8 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Schecter OMEN-7 |  (4.7 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | ESP LTD EC-407 |  (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
 | Jackson JS22-7 Dinky | (4.6 / 5) | Check on Amazon |
Schecter Hellraiser C-7 FR
In one of the many reviews and lists I have written, I may have mentioned the Schecter Hellraiser a few dozen times. That is because this guitar is an incredibly high-quality guitar. I might have called it a decadent piece of musical instrument simply because it feels so good to play it. So you must not be surprised that the Schecter Hellraiser C-7FR, aka the Hellraiser’s more brooding, complicated sister, is on this list. They might look the same, but don’t you dare think they are the same. This axe has pickups more suited to the needs of a 7-string guitar destined for glory on the metal scene. Constructed primarily from identical materials, the 7th string effortlessly integrates with a marginally broader fretboard. Although the materials remain unchanged, the inclusion of the 7th string results in a heightened sonic experience, imbuing the sound with increased intensity. C-7FR is one of the best 7 string guitars you can buy today.
Pros:
- Great Value
- Awesome Pickups
- Locking Nut
Cons:
- Lots of broken strings
- Heavy
Epiphone Matt Heafy Signature Les Paul Custom 7 String
This remix of the original Epiphone Les Paul Custom adds not only a seventh string but a new level of fun to the guitar as well. EMG 707/87-1 humbucker pickups are better suited for the added string, retaining the sound of the original and adding onto it with constructive reasoning. The design, as expected of a sister guitar, remains the same. This electric guitar offers everything the original does and more. It looks, feels, and sounds just as classy as you do going through each and every string for your solo, blowing the minds of those expecting the music to be limited by the six strings of the average Les Paul Custom. Let the normies tremble in awe at your range and skill with one of the best 7-string guitars on the market.
Pros:
- Great Bass Response
- Active Pickups
- Lovely Les Paul shape
Cons:
- Plastic Nut
- On the Heavy Side
Sterling by Music Man JP157 John Petrucci Signature
Drawing inspiration from the renowned music man JP 15 series, this rendition of the guitar is guaranteed to catch the eye at any gathering. Crafted using exquisite African mahogany complemented by a sumptuous roasted maple neck, its sleek thin C double-cutaway body promises an enchanting aesthetic, available in a myriad of captivating hues. The two specially designed humbuckers by music man sound just like your dream guitar, until the very moment you push the 12 dB boost, when it becomes something you never imagined possible. The modern tremolo bridge exclusive to the 7-string guitars will guarantee both stability and tone bending that you can love. All of this, topped with the John Petrucci signature make a promise that no matter where you play, Sterling by music man JP157 will keep the ears turned towards you.
Pros:
- Good Pickups
- Detailed Sound
- Relatively Affordable
Cons:
- Possible Neck Stability Issues
- Bolt on neck
- Need a better nut
Schecter KM-7 7-String
Schecter makes good guitars. That is a fact and that is why Schecter is featured in this list not twice, but three times (yes more to come). Schecter KM-7 is both overt in its sonic superiority and covert in its beauty pageant looks, in simple words – one of the best 7 string guitars. A solid, swamp ash body, with a solid color of choice, an ultra-thin C neck, and an ebony fretboard are what your eyes will not be able to get away from. So much so, you might find yourself standing in front of the mirror while playing this guitar more often than you think. The good stuff doesn’t end there though, because the sound on this is picked up by Seymour Duncan Nazgul and Seymour Duncan Sentient, fitting names for some of the best humbucking, metal-oriented pickups to exist.
Pros:
- Beautiful Orange Model
- Swamp Ash Body
- Powerful Output, Detailed Sound
Cons:
- Tuning Stability Issues
- Limited Controls
- Limited Tone Flexibility
Dean TRIDENT 7 WF Trident 7-String Wayne Findlay
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By paying attention to the guitar’s name, it becomes evident what we’re about to delve into. Wayne Findlay, a guitarist, and keyboardist for MSG, renowned for their hard rock and metal music, has left his mark on this particular instrument. Notably, Wayne isn’t the sole musician to embrace Dean’s guitars, but we’ll explore that topic separately. For the present moment, allow me to introduce the Trident 7 String Wayne Findlay signature model, the focal point of our discussion. You understand just how suited this one is for heavier genres just by glancing at the appearance – man, this fella is a real badass! Mahogany is a keyword here since it’s the material used for the body, top, and neck. The Ebony fingerboard is topped with a white MOP razor and WF inlays. The pickups are fantastic, as well: we have EMG 707s on the bridge and neck positions. Additionally, Trident 7 String has a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge and a kill-switch button – making this guitar even cooler! The only downside here is that this puppy isn’t for everyone – well, not every guitarist can handle such a beast!
Pros:
- Impressive, unique and cool design
- Excellent build quality
- Suited for rock and metal
Cons:
- Not for everyone
Ibanez GRG7221 7-string
Remember how I mention I’d give you a good range of prices? Well this Ibanez GRG7221 7-String electric guitar is the incredible performance wolf in the skin of affordable sheep (really stretching the metaphor there but bear with me). The solid poplar body has a double cutaway, maple neck that transitions into a wide, easily accessible rosewood fretboard. The two humbucking pickups muscle their way into making this guitar a stand-out instrument. The guitar sounds like a hungry tiger communicating to the hunted that yes, they are in fact, going to be eaten. So grab yourself this incredibly affordable axe and slash through the now sheepish audience as you perform like the true hunter you are.
Pros:
- Very cheap
- Adequate Sound
- Simple Design
Cons:
- Bad Nut
- Tuning Stability Issues
- Short lifespan humbuckers
- Possible neck issues
Dean C750X MRD Custom Series 7-String
Imagine what can happen to a 7 string guitar if it was wholeheartedly devoted to being a hard rock weapon for a rock-n-roll shredding machine. You are right, it would be the Dean C750X MRD Custom Series 7-string electric guitar. Affordable, but efficient, well designed, and sonically incredible, this guitar is a good pick for anyone looking for a 7-string guitar under 300 dollars. A basswood body with a C neck and a wide but easily accessible rosewood fretboard the guitar delivers all the comfort and ease of access you need. All the while its DMT Design humbuckers give you all sustain, hardness, and heat of a rock being crushed into gravel. It is the perfect 7 stringer to add to your collection if you are not looking to spend too much. One of the best affordable seven-string guitars available on the market.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great Output
- Flexible Sound
Cons:
- Soft Body
- Bolt on neck joint
- Cheap Nut
Schecter OMEN-7
Picture yourself in the midst of a captivating concert, enveloped in a sonic landscape where powerful guitar riffs reverberate through the air. Yet, despite your intense fascination, the origin of these resounding notes eludes your senses. A sense of foreboding permeates the atmosphere, as the guitar’s raw and robust sound gradually descends to depths far surpassing your initial expectations. The lights flash on and you see the guitar, played by someone who is not worthy of it. A black, gold bound piece of menacing beauty, a solid, basswood body with a C shaped, maple neck and a rosewood fretboard, that sounds like a melodically snoring, sleeping tyrannosaurus rex, thanks to its Schecter diamond plus humbuckers. After all this, it might be surprising to find out that Schecter Omen-7 is under 400 dollars. This is why I keep coming back to Schecter on this list. This company knows what you want and it also knows how cheap you want it for.
Pros:
- Great Value
- Awe-inspiring low tone
- Amazing Action
Cons:
- Body dents, scratches easily
- Bolt On Neck
ESP LTD EC-407
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Probably the most incredible feeling that guitarists experience is when they encounter something fantastic and don’t even have to look at the price tag – they’ve come to a point when they can afford anything! But that seems far away for many of us and we still have to search the market for affordable (in the best-case scenario, relatively affordable) guitars. Luckily, that doesn’t mean that we won’t have the chance to get our hands on a wonderful thing – nowadays anything is possible. ESP once again managed to provide its customers with a reasonably priced guitar, which has awe-inspiring features. LTD EC-407 comes in a mahogany body (with maple cap) and features a 3pc maple neck with Pau Ferro fingerboard. Its body is really durable, as an extra string always means more tension and the guitar should be able to withstand that burden. EC-407 does that perfectly. It has accentuated low-end, which is suitable for many different genres and isn’t limited to metal by any means. Neck EMG 60-7H and bridge EMG 81-7H pickups top up the whole package. If you decide to go 7, then this fella is a wonderful option.
Pros:
- Amazing playability
- Powerful sound
- Excellent build quality
Cons:
- Needs initial setup to sound good
Jackson JS22-7 Dinky
A funny name does not mean a funny sound. It actually means quite the opposite. This Jackson JS22-7 Dinky demonstrates this with great skill. Or show? Or sound? Either way, the poplar body of this guitar is lightweight as can be, perfectly balancing the slight increase of weight that comes as a result of the seventh string. The double cutaway neck and the wide, amaranth fretboard provide extra comfortable access to the sounds you want to make. Two humbuckers give it a perfectly heavy, hot sound to warm your heart. This serves as evidence that occasionally, the price of a guitar is the only amusing aspect about it, and in the case of this particular guitar, the price is pleasantly affordable.
Pros:
- High Value
- Sound better than it should
Cons:
- Soft Body
- Tuning Stability Issues
- Plastic Nut
Selecting the best 7-string guitar for yourself is not much different a process from selecting a 6-string guitar. You need to take into account the price, design, sound, and all the little details we’ve discussed in the other guitar-buying guides.
Beyond that you also need to understand what comes with the seventh string. There are some design accommodations, technique implications and an expanded tonal range to be aware of. It is important to understand and to make use of these changes, otherwise, what is the point of buying the best 7-string guitar?
One more string means change
Some of the changes that come with the guitar might be more subtle than others, but all in all, the 7th string gives you the chance to not only test your skill but to push it to a level beyond where you were before. The best guitars allow the transition to be smooth. Playing the 7th string should not feel like trying to bend an extra toe, but more like using a superpower like telekinesis. Here are some of the changes you’ll have to accommodate to thoroughly enjoy your 7 stringer.
Design
Seven string guitars feature thicker Fretboards. This means several things:
- Heavy – The weight will increase thanks to the need for a bigger fretboard, as well as potentially more electronics. Getting used to weight might take time, so don’t be afraid to start practicing your guitar sitting down until you are more comfortable carrying it.
- Hard to reach – because the fretboard is wider, some of the notes, especially on the new string, will be hard to reach. For those of you with long fingers this might not seem like a problem, but for people like me, whose fingers are on the shorter side, this might mean a longer adjustment period.
- Different Pickups – the 7th string on the guitar offers a number of new tones and sounds that might not be optimal for some pickups. If buying a “sister guitar” based on another model, do not panic if the 7 string version is using different pickups. This will not result in the guitar sounding any worse than the 6 string version. If anything, the guitar is more optimized to be payed as a 7 stringer.
Technique
- Chords – The added string gives you a chance to explore a whole world of new chords. So why not dive in and explore? You might have a hard time getting used to new chords in the beginning, but remember your 6-string beginner days. Those chords were hard as all hell to learn. This should not pose much of a problem. Remember this though: you might be tempted to remain in the low pitch sounds forever but don’t. Exploration means going beyond what is tempting and discovering the true beauty of the 7-string electric guitar.
- Finger Practice – Some of the notes and tones you will try to reach on the 7 string will be much harder than on a 6 string. This is a result of a new fretboard. The best thing to do here is to keep practicing and get accustomed to the new fret. If you are having a hard time playing standing up, sitting down and providing yourself the extra space is a good idea.
- Unneeded Noise – an extra string means extra string noise. Try to learn to get better at eliminating this so your music sounds cleaner.
Sound
- Tuning – The 7 string guitar has several tuning options, but most often it is tuned in the lower Bs. Here are some of the options that you will find on the internet:
- B1–E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4
- A1–E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4
- E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4–A4
- There are other ways to tune your guitar, so go ahead and look them up, experiment a little
- Range – Increased range of sounds the 7 string allows you to produce, might be a little scary at first, but the more you delve into it and the more you experiment, the more likely you are to fall in love the guitar
- Genre – A lot of people think that 7 string guitars are exclusively for metal. This is not true. A 7 string guitar can be used in many different genres and is only limited by your expectations of what the guitar can and will do for you.
Conclusion
The seven-string guitar has a long and beautiful history of being a part of the rock and roll world. Used by remarkable musicians such as Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Matt Bellamy, and Munky and Head of Korn. All of these people found new ways to use the guitar, be it alternative tuning, riffing alternative Chords…
By joining this team of musicians you are also joining an army of men looking to find the best way to use a 7 string electric guitar. Currently, the guitar holds a dear place in the hearts of many metal bands. The thing is, there are many uses for it beyond metal, as the potential for an expanded range of sounds could benefit many different genres of music.
The list above was created for the purpose of assisting you in finding the best 7-string guitar. Because no musician or explorer should start their mission with an inferior weapon at their side. Good luck!
Go try a Solar 7 string, i don’t care which model, I’d bet the cheapest seven string Solar puts out, would be like comparing like a 58 59 gibby les paul to a plastic. Ukulele…okay maybe not that bad, but you get the point..how can you have a best guitar list and not even mention Solar!? I’m sorry Ola, maybe these guys never heard of your creations, or Is it because the company is based in Spain? What do you have against Europeans? Sounds racist to me…Im only kidding, but Solar Guitars are no joke. If you haven’t already looked into Solar Guitars, maybe get on that. You will be pleased, unless, of course, you don’t get one.