I’m trying to decide if a 7 string is right for me, and if I should return my 6 string for one. Input appreciated.
Some background: I have had a 6 string acoustic guitar since I was a teenager, but never really clicked with it. It was a gift, but truth be told I never cared for acoustic much and always wanted to learn electric.
Well, I finally got serious about it. I signed up for lessons a few weeks ago and at the same time I bought a Jackson JS22 Dinky (6 string) which I understand is a very good “first” electric guitar. I got the IK Tonex Plug as my first headphone amp. I got Rocksmith set up. I’m having a blast. I’ve been practicing every single day.
But here’s the thing: I’m really into Sleep Token right now. And as I’ve started getting into tabs for their songs, I’ve realized most of them require 7 strings. I really love that low, chuggy yet clear tone in their songs and don’t know how viable it is to get a nice low tone like that on a 6 string. Perhaps with digital processing via computer?
Honestly, their music + some of Mick Gordon’s work is what inspired me to get into this in the first place…
So I’m perhaps a little dismayed / bewildered as to whether or not I can learn the songs and have them sound good without modding the crap out of my 6 string guitar as a beginner. Replacing pickups or even changing for heavy gauge strings feels intimidating for where I’m at.
I saw this video from Jamie Slays on YouTube where he highly recommended the 7 string Jackson JS22, which is basically the same price as the 6 string version that I got. https://youtu.be/tJ8q5JUJVeo?si=5oTDHRrs2t00S5za
I am debating returning my 6 string while still within the return window and getting this JS22-7 string instead. Perhaps later on when I’m more skilled I’d mod the pickups on it, but out of the box it seems like an amazing choice at $269. And to be honest, that’s kind of my budget right now.
Does anyone have any advice? Do you think I should just keep the 6 string/might regret retuning it? Part of me wants to go all in on the 7 string. I’m already learning guitar, might as well learn the extra string now than have to get used to it later…unless you think it’s going to be a pain to play traditional 6 string music on this thing? Can a 7 string serve as your one and only guitar? For what it’s worth, I’m tall and have big hands, if that makes a difference one way or the other. And I’m not intimidated by 7 strings unless it’s vastly more difficult to play on. Do I eat the cost and keep both?