Lack of 30” Scale Length 7s
Hey everybody, this is a food-for-thought post about guitar manufacturing and frustrations in the ultra-low tuning department.
I have noticed through my many years of buying, selling, and searching for guitars that the market for 30” Scale length instruments seems to have a distinct gap between 6 and 8-string guitars. As someone with smaller hands, the neck width of 8-string guitars is uncomfortable for me, but I really enjoy playing Danza/Spiritbox/Northlane type stuff, tunings that hold really well in scale lengths longer than 27/28 inches. I really like the versatility of having a seventh string (I own a baritone 6 that I like but I miss some of those high notes for solos/dissonance).
After a long time searching, it appears guitars spec’d with seven strings and scale lengths longer than 29” appear to only be obtainable through two avenues - buying an Agile 730 (limited finish/shape options, still hard to find at lower price points) or going full custom. I’ve heard mixed reviews of the Agile 730s, and have been told they have a propensity for neck warping. I simply don’t have the patience or money to spend on waiting for a custom build. Does anyone know why there’s such a void in guitars of this spec? I’m genuinely curious why they’re not manufactured on a large scale, as I feel there’s a large market of people looking for instruments like this, with modern metal pushing down to tunings as low as B0.
If anyone knows of any guitars spec’d this way that aren’t pushing the 750-dollar range, or don’t have questionable QC, please let me know. I’d also like to gauge how many people in this thread have encountered a similar dilemma.
As always, thanks guys, and please keep the comments respectful. I understand this is a niche spec; and at the price range I’d like to stay in, may not exist.