7 Best 7 String Guitars

Best 7 String Guitars

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In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best 7 string guitars for metal.
I’ve compared build quality, features, design, and cost to determine which is the best.

What is the Best 7 String Guitar?

IMAGE RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSPRODUCT FEATURES
Best
PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN 7-String
  • 26.5 Inch scale – perfect for low tunings
  • Seymour Duncan Alpha/Omega pickups
  • Push/pull coil split for Fender-like tones
Premium
ESP Brian (Head) Welch SH-7 Evertune 7-String G
  • Evertune bridge for perfect tuning
  • Fishman Fluence Modern pickups
  • LTD locking tuners
Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale Guitar
  • 25.5-27 Inch multi-scale neck
  • Sleek body contours and neck-carve
  • Push/pull coil split for tele-like tones
Budget
Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32-7 DKA HT
  • 26.5 Inch scale – perfect for low tunings
  • Jackson high output pickups
  • Neck-carve for smooth playability
Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 7 Electric Guitar
  • All-round stunning build quality
  • Dimarzio Rainmaker/Dreamcatcher pickups
  • Piezo bridge for acoustic sounds
Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA 7-String Electric Guitar
  • Hardtail for optimum tuning stability
  • Infinity R pickups with varied tonal options
  • Great value for money
Stephen Carpenter Signature 7-String
  • 27 Inch scale – perfect for low tunings
  • Fishman Fluence SRC pickups
  • Locking tuners for tuning stability

7 String Guitar Reviews

PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN 7-String

FEATURES RATING PRICE
FEATURES
  • 26.5 Inch scale – perfect for low tunings
  • Seymour Duncan Alpha/Omega pickups
  • Push/pull coil split for Fender-like tones
OUR RATING
PRICE
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PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN 7-String Review

5

For those looking to explore the world of modern tones and low tunings, the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN (of Periphery fame) is the best 7 string guitar for the job.

This guitar will handle lower tunings with ease with its 26.5-inch scale and Mark’s signature Alpha/Omega pickups. This 7 string also offers a push/pull coil split, which allows you to split the humbuckers into single-coil, perfect for twangy Fender-like tones and also extreme clarity, helpful for more intricate playing styles.

PRS are famed for their craftsmanship when it comes to their models across all price points, and the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is no exception. With its ebony fretboard, signature PRS bird inlays, and quilted maple veneer offering a side-order of class to this metal machine.

Whilst it’s mid-range price may be a little out of budget for those looking for the cheapest option, the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is excellent value for money, offering features and looks worth double its price point, which makes this one of the best 7 string guitars on this list.

ESP Brian (Head) Welch SH-7 Evertune 7-String

FEATURES RATING PRICE
FEATURES
  • Evertune bridge for perfect tuning
  • Fishman Fluence Modern pickups
  • LTD locking tuners
OUR RATING
PRICE
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ESP Brian (Head) Welch SH-7 Evertune 7-String Review

4.9

It would be unfair to discuss the best 7 string guitars without mentioning Korn, the band who practically put them on the map!

The ESP Brian Welch SH-7 Evertune 7-string features a stunning flame maple top, Fishman Fluence Modern pickups, and the magical Evertune bridge, which keeps this guitar perfectly in tune for days, weeks, or even months at a time.

Fishman Fluence has become increasingly popular amongst modern guitarists over the last few years and for good reason – these pickups deliver a very impressive range of humbucking tones.

They even allow the option to switch between active and passive mode, making this 7 string guitar a truly versatile beast, to be expected with Head’s wide range of tones.

Whilst its price range is undoubtedly at the upper end of this list, this 7 string guitar offers the absolute best in regards to features, and for a guitar with a bridge which many believe to be revolutionary, some of the best modern rock/metal guitar pickups available and a gorgeous finish to boot, you’d be crazy to pass this up if you can afford it.

Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale Guitar

FEATURES RATING PRICE
FEATURES
  • 25.5-27 Inch multi-scale neck
  • Sleek body contours and neck-carve
  • Push/pull coil split for tele-like tones
OUR RATING
PRICE
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Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale Guitar Review

4.8

Next on our list is the Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale. For some of you reading this review, multiscale guitars might be something you have little to no experience of, but I can vouch for their benefit in keeping tension in low tunings without sacrificing bending ability on higher strings.

The Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale guitar also sports a very slim and sleek body profile, making it extremely comfortable to play and a neck-carve that allows for ultra-easy access to the upper frets.

This 7 string’s Diamond Decimator pickups offer more than enough output for metal, but also enough clarity for complex chord voicings to be both clear and rich in tone. Not only this but this guitar’s push/pull coil split is a nice touch and chugging on the low strings in this mode made this guitar a real joy to play.

Whilst its multiscale might be a bit intimidating for some players, this 7 string is the best choice for those looking for a mid-range instrument that offers versatility and also optimum playability. If you have some cash to spare but would rather not break the bank, I would highly recommend this guitar.

Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32-7 DKA HT

FEATURES RATING PRICE
FEATURES
  • 26.5 Inch scale – perfect for low tunings
  • Jackson high output pickups
  • Neck-carve for smooth playability
OUR RATING
PRICE
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Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32-7 DKA HT Review

4.7

The Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32-7 DKA HT is the best 7 string guitar for those looking for an instrument with a solid build quality, smooth playing, and a monstrous tone whilst on a budget.

Like the previous entry in this list, the Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32-7 DKA HT offers a 26.5-inch scale neck, which will help with heavy tunings. Much like other Jackson models, this 7 string also offers an extremely thin neck contour, which allows for easy access to its 24 frets and means allows for highly technical and fast playability.

As expected for a guitar in this price range, the Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32-7 DKA HT sports a minimalistic look with its Snow White finish. It is simple but also effective, as to be expected from Jackson. Not only this, but the binding on the fretboard is a nice premium touch, one that is certainly more in-line with premium guitar models.

All in all, this 7 string guitar is the perfect choice for those looking for a bang for your buck option, and it most definitely offers far more than its low price-point would initially suggest.

Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 7 Electric Guitar

FEATURES RATING PRICE
FEATURES
  • All-round stunning build quality
  • Dimarzio Rainmaker/Dreamcatcher pickups
  • Piezo bridge for acoustic sounds
OUR RATING
PRICE
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Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 7 Electric Guitar Review

4.6

As arguably the most skilled and renowned guitarist in the world of Progressive Metal and beyond, John Petrucci needs no introduction. Similarly impressive is his signature Ernie Ball Music Man Majesty, which truly is the best 7 string guitar that money can buy.

Built with premium tonewoods and top-quality components, this guitar is designed to last. Not only this, but the Stealth Black finish and ebony fretboard offer a sleek and stunning aesthetic.

The Dimarzio Rainmaker/Dreamcatcher set of pickups offer the richest and creamiest of tones, and with this guitar’s additional piezo bridge you are able to switch to acoustic sounds, which offers a whole world of possibilities.

With this guitar’s maple neck-through design and maple-capped African mahogany body, the Majesty truly sings.

With such incredible features to this instrument, the only downside is its eye-watering price point, and whilst this guitar is the best on this list, it is also by far the most expensive.

For those ready to take a leap and invest in the best 7 string guitar available on the market, I would highly recommend this stunning instrument for both live performances and digital guitar tracking.

Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA 7-String Electric Guitar

FEATURES RATING PRICE
FEATURES
  • Hardtail for optimum tuning stability
  • Infinity R pickups with varied tonal options
  • Great value for money
OUR RATING
PRICE
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Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA 7-String Electric Guitar Review

4.6

The Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA is another one of the best 7 string guitars for those seeking a quality instrument at an entry-level price point.

Although this is the cheapest guitar on this list, it comes packed with many great features. With its Transparent Blue quilted maple art grain top and black chrome hardware, this 7 string looks great. Not only that, but its hardtail bridge offers maximum tuning stability.

Much like other models in Ibanez’s catalog, this guitar’s maple neck and purpleheart fingerboard allow for effortless playability. Regarding how this 7 string guitar sounds, the Infinity R bridge and neck pickups provide a range of impressive tones, allowing you to jump from sparkly cleans to monstrous metal riffs in a flash.

Whilst the Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA might not offer the premium features some of the higher range instruments on this list do, it is certainly a very capable 7 string electric guitar.

For those who are looking to dip their toes in the world of 7 strings without spending a fortune, the Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA is without a doubt one of the best 7 string guitars for the job.

ESP LTD SCT-607B Stephen Carpenter Signature 7-String Baritone

FEATURES RATING PRICE
FEATURES
  • 27 Inch scale – perfect for low tunings
  • Fishman Fluence SRC pickups
  • Locking tuners for tuning stability
OUR RATING
PRICE
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ESP LTD SCT-607B Stephen Carpenter Signature 7-String Baritone Review

4.5

Last on our list of the best 7 strings on the market is the ESP LTD SCT-607B Stephen Carpenter Signature 7-String Baritone. Stephen Carpenter of Deftones fame is known for his crushing heavy tones and low tunings, and this guitar is perfectly suited for this application.

This baritone electric guitar features a stable 27-inch scale and locking tuners adding tuning stability, even at low tunings. The Fishman Fluence SRC pickups are a solid touch, with two distinct voicings that allow for various tones and sounds.

Not only does this guitar shine in its features, but it is also stunning visually, bearing the vintage telecaster shape which Stephen Carpenter has been known for and a pearl pickguard. Rounded off with a stunning Green Sparkle finish, this guitar looks as impressive as it sounds.

Whilst this guitar does break the bank somewhat; it is a solid option for those who want the most features at the best value, with its extremely solid build quality.

The only aspect I would warn you of is its weight, but this bears well for the instrument’s tone, and therefore I would say that if you are looking for a guitar which sounds the most crushing but also works well in lower gain settings, this 7 string guitar is the best for the job.

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