A seven string guitar can be a great way to expand your low end. Playing one is a little like playing a six string, but there's a low B added above the low E. And while these guitars are often used for metal, there's no reason you can't use one in virtually any other genre as well.
That said, selecting the best 7 string guitar for you can be a challenge, especially if you've never purchased one before. In this article, we'll help you decide what to look for before choosing the best guitar for you.
Top 10 Best 7 String Guitars
Best High End
ESP E-II M-II-7 NT
Best Tone
Schecter C-7 FR-S
Best Baritone
ESP LTD SCT-607B
Review of our Top Picks
Best Tone -- Schecter C-7 FR-S
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Schecter is known for its great metal axes, and this one is no exception. It stands out tonally thanks to the Sustainiac pickup at the neck -- this pickup lets the notes you play ring indefinitely, which opens up a world of opportunities on stage or in the studio. The bridge pickup is an Apocalypse humbucker with Alnico V magnets. This pickup gives you an incredibly detailed tone (which is hard to get from cheaper humbuckers).
In terms of tonewoods, this 7 string is also a standout. The body is made of swamp ash, which is a high-quality tonewood often seen on Fender guitars. However, swamp ash's balanced, warm tone also works well for metal. The maple neck is capped with a highly-playable ebony fingerboard. The scale is 26.5", and this 7 string has 24 frets.
Our Star Rating
We think this 7 string has the best tone (and tonal versatility) on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Best Mid Range Option -- ESP LTD EC-257
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If you love the dark, warm tone of mahogany, then this 7 string is a great option. It's also a wise choice if you're looking for a more affordable 7 string guitar. The body and the set neck are both mahogany, which offers a classic metal tone with great sustain. You get two ESP humbuckers and a Tune-o-Matic bridge, which offers excellent tuning stability.
Looks-wise, this is also a great axe. The body style is essentially ESP's take on the Les Paul, and its single-cutaway makes fret access easier. You also get all-black hardware, which complements the striking black satin finish well. This 7 string has a shorter scale length than most -- it's 25.5", and there are 22 extra jumbo frets.
Our Star Rating
We think that this is the best midrange 7 string on the list. We give it three and a half out of five stars.
Best Finish -- Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale
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One of the first things you'll notice about this one is the finish -- it's crowned with a veneer of stunning poplar burl. The poplar gives the tone some additional bite, and the swamp ash body delivers a balance between clear highs, snarling lows, and a full midrange. But one of the most impressive things about this 7 string guitar is its coil-tapping capability. Though it has two Diamond Decimator humbuckers, you get a five-way pickup selector for maximal tonal opportunities.
Our Star Rating
We think this 7 string has the best finish on the list, and we give it four out of five stars.
Best Budget Option -- Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA
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If you love the 7 string electric guitar and just need a really affordable version, this model is a great option. And thanks to its quilted maple top, this guitar looks much more high-dollar than it is. The body is made of poplar, which is typical for more affordable metal guitars. You get two of Ibanez's Infinity R humbuckers. The neck and bridge pickups and all hardware are finished in black, giving this 7 string a look that's just mean enough.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best budget option on the list. We give it three and a half out of five stars.
Best for Working Musicians -- ESP LTD M-1007 HT
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If you love ESP guitars but are looking for a higher-end model, this stunning 7 string might be for you. While it's finished in eye-catching Black Fade, it has the tonal wow factor to back up the aesthetic. It's equipped with two Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers -- the neck pickup is alnico, and the bridge pickup is ceramic. This gives you unparalleled tonal versatility.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best 7 string for working musicians on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Best High-End Option -- ESP E-II M-II-7 NT
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If you're looking for a 7 string guitar that can handle rock, metal, and everything in between, this is the option for you. This one has a mahogany body with an eye-catching spalted maple top for great sustain -- and that sustain is enhanced by the Hipshot string-through bridge. A set-through neck design gives you unparalleled tone and sustain.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best high-end 7 string guitar on the list. We give it 4.5 out of five stars.
Best Playability -- Ibanez Axion Label RGD71ALMS
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You probably already know that Ibanez makes plenty of affordable metal guitars, but they also make high-end options that are played by Steve Vai and other world-famous guitarists. While this one isn't Ibanez's most expensive 7 string guitar, it's certainly a high-end option -- it comes equipped with Fishman Fluence Modern multi-voice humbuckers. And the slim-profile, multiscale neck makes it one of the most playable guitars out there.
Our Star Rating
We think this one has the best playability on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Best Baritone Guitar -- ESP LTD SCT-607B
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Brief Review & Star Rating
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This is the first signature 7 string on the list -- it was developed with Stephen Carpenter of Deftones. It's also one of the most unique options here. While the body looks like a Telecaster, the tone is unmistakably punishing. As a baritone guitar, this one can be tuned down easily for growling lows.
This 7 string guitar also features active pickups, which are a great advantage for some players. Active pickups increase your output, and they can be great when you need a louder, more powerful tone.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best baritone guitar on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Best Appointments -- Schecter Hellraiser C-7
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If you've been looking for a metal 7 string guitar equipped with coil-tap, this well-known model from Schecter is worth a look. Its unique longer 26.5" scale length is great for drop tuning without reaching baritone guitar status. You get two EMG Active 707tw humbuckers with three-way pickup switching, and this guitar's stunning good looks are highlighted by abalone Gothic cross inlays on the rosewood fretboard.
Our Star Rating
We think this 7 string guitar has the best appointments on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Best Signature Model -- Jackson Pro Series Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut HT7
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Brief Review & Star Rating
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This guitar is the signature model of Misha Mansoor, the lead guitarist of the metal band Periphery. The basswood body is joined to a beautiful bolt-on caramelized maple neck. You get two Jackson MM1 humbuckers, which are custom-voiced for this guitar. And with a five-way pickup selection, you have plenty of tonal opportunities. While this isn't the fanciest 7 string on the list, it's a highly-playable metal machine for new players and experienced guitarists alike.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best signature model on the list. We give it three and a half out of five stars.
Buying Guide: Choose the Best 7 String for You
Whether you're mostly looking for cheap 7 string guitars or aren't looking for any particular price point, it's important to keep a few things in mind as you shop.
Consider Scale And Neck Profile
One of the most important playability features on any guitar is the neck profile. Since most of the best 7 string guitars are made for shredders, most will have a neck profile that's designed to be fast and comfortable. Most of the guitars on this list have either a C-shaped neck (like the one found on many six-string electric guitars) or a thin U-shaped neck.
You'll also want to consider whether you want a standard or multi-scale neck. Multi-scale necks have frets that appear "fanned," and they let you hold your wrist more naturally when playing. On extended range guitars like 7 string models, a multi-scale neck also may help ensure optimal intonation, and the sound of the low B string will be tighter than on a standard scale.
Active Or Passive Pickups?
When choosing a 7 string, you'll also want to ask yourself whether you want active or passive pickups. Active pickups are commonly used by metal players, and they have the advantage of being very high-output without causing a lot of noise. However, passive pickups tend to be very sensitive to playing dynamics, which some players like.
In addition, you may want to think about whether you want a 7 string with coil-tapping. Coil tapping lets you effectively split a humbucker into two single-coil pickups, which gives you more tonal options. Often, this is done with a push-pull pot, which is why you see some 7 string guitars advertised as having push-pull coil tap capabilities.
Tonewoods And Build
The wood that a 7 string is made of has a major impact on its tone. Of course, what tonewood is best depends on your own preferences. Mahogany is a very popular wood for metal musicians, as it has a great combination of warmth, sustain, and just enough bite. If you prefer a slightly brighter sound, ash and alder are also commonly found on quality 7 string guitars.
Lastly, the way the neck connects to the guitar impacts tone in a major way. A 7 string with a set neck or neck through design will almost always have improved sustain over 7 string electric guitars with bolt-on necks. However, players routinely debate over whether the sound of a neck-through or a set neck design sounds better, so this is largely a matter of personal preference.
In Conclusion
If you're looking for the best 7 string guitar for you, we think you can't really go wrong with anything on this list. However, our top choice is the Schecter C-7 FR-S. This is an axe that will give you incredible tonal versatility -- a special sustain circuit in the neck pickup lets a note or chord ring indefinitely, which is an incredible feature to have when playing live or in the studio. Plus, the tremolo system gives you even more options when it comes to expression.
We think the best runner up is the ESP LTD SCT-607B. This seven string is ideal for players who both prefer the sound of active electronics and who like drop tunings. This baritone guitar is certainly different, and it has uniquely stunning looks to match.
Whichever 7 string you choose, be sure to do your research, consider what you think is important, and weigh your options before buying. Happy playing!
