Best 7-string guitars: Extend your range with the top pro and cheap 7-string guitars

Best 7-string guitars: the top pro and cheap 7-string guitars
(Image credit: Future)

The 7-string guitar has long been the weapon of choice for the harbingers of doom, delivering the extended range needed to play everything from djent to death metal and, of course, nu-metal. So, if you are finding that your current axe simply isn't cutting it, then one of the best 7-string guitars is precisely what you need to bring the thunderous low-end these extreme genres demand. 

Though seven-string acoustic guitars actually date as far back as the early 19th century, the first mass-produced electric version arrived in 1990 courtesy of Japanese guitar giant, Ibanez. Developed with shred legend Steve Vai, the Universe model would inspire a whole new generation of players. 

There was a time when 7-string guitars were few and far between, but thankfully things have changed. While the originators, Ibanez, have always been at the forefront of this style, there are also worthy considerations from the likes of Jackson, Schecter, and even PRS – all of which and more are covered in our guide to the best 7-string guitars.

Best 7-string guitars: Our top picks

You really don’t need to be a fan of Mark Holcomb’s band, American tech-metal masters Periphery, to appreciate this glorious signature 7-string in the PRS SE series. Naturally, the PRS SE Mark Holcomb 7-string djents with the best of them, but there’s a lot more to his guitar than just high gain tones – from its classy looks and comfortable body design to switchable single-coil sizzle. One of the best 7-string guitars money can buy.

If you’re looking for the best 7-string guitar that’s easy to play and super user-friendly, the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7 is it. In fact, to the point of being easier on the hands than some of the six-strings we’ve seen over the years. And though it feels small and compact, the tones are remarkably gargantuan.

Best 7-string guitars: Product guide

Best 7 string guitars: PRS SE Mark Holcomb 7-string guitar

(Image credit: PRS)

1. PRS SE Mark Holcomb 7-string guitar

The best 7-string guitar overall, with truly versatile sounds

Specifications

Price: $1,029/£999/€1,158
Body: Mahogany with maple top and quilted maple veneer
Neck: Maple, set
Scale: 26.5”
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 24 extra jumbo
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alpha humbucker (neck), Seymour Duncan Omega humbucker (bridge)
Controls: Master volume, master tone (push/pull coil-split), 3-way blade pickup selector
Hardware: Chrome, PRS String-Through Plate style
Left-handed: No
Finish: Holcomb Burst, Satin Walnut (with maple top and walnut veneer)

Reasons to buy

+
More versatile than most 7-strings
+
Coil-splitting pickups
+
Not just aimed at Periphery fans

Reasons to avoid

-
May be overkill for those looking for first 7-string

It would be fair to say that 7-string guitars aren’t exactly a priority for a company like Paul Reed Smith, but this collaboration with Periphery axeman Mark Holcomb manages to bring their signature class and precision to the extended range world. 

As you’d expect, it excels at those monstrous tones the tech-metallers are known for – with all the definition you’d ever need to cut through – but there’s plenty of versatility too, with a split-coil mode to tap into more glassy tones.

The passive Seymour Duncan humbuckers are hot but still incredibly responsive and musical, unlike the more compressed ceramic active-equipped competitors in this list. The two finish options are decent too, either a natural Satin Walnut or Mark’s own Holcomb Burst. An all-round winner in our best 7-string guitars round-up.

Best 7-string guitars: Ibanez Premium Steve Vai Universe UV70P

(Image credit: Ibanez)

2. Ibanez Premium Steve Vai Universe UV70P

The 7-string guitar that started it all

Specifications

Price: $1,499/£1,149
Body: American basswood
Neck: Maple/walnut five-piece Wizard-7, bolt-on with KTS Titanium rods
Scale: Multi-scale 25.5"
Fingerboard: Bound Panga Panga with green dot inlay
Frets: 24 jumbo, Premium fret edge treatment
Pickups: 2x DiMarzio Blaze humbuckers (neck and bridge), DiMarzio Blaze singlecoil (middle)
Controls: Volume, tone, 5-way selector | Hardware: Cosmo black, Edge-Zero II-7 tremolo
Left-handed: No
Finish: Black

Reasons to buy

+
Strong and reliable tremolo system
+
DiMarzio Blaze passive pickups

Reasons to avoid

-
Finish not to everyone's taste

It’s the original and, according to some, it’s still the world’s best 7-string guitar. For its time, the Ibanez Premium Steve Vai Universe UV70P was a futuristic machine that could harness the power of previously untapped registers, whereas now there’s an almost vintage charm to the Universe. 

The DiMarzio Blaze pickups bring all the heat you’d need to replicate Vai’s wonderful legato and sweeped runs as well as articulate those alternate picked runs. The American basswood body resonates well and the panga panga fretboard sounds close to rosewood.

The HSH configuration also means that there’s plenty of tonal ground covered, from spikey in-betweens to full fat humbuckers. Ibanez are known for their fast, playable necks and that’s perhaps why this UV70P reissue continues to sell well to this day. One for all the Bad Horsies out there.

Best 7-string guitars: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7

(Image credit: Jackson)

3. Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash HT7

The best 7-string guitar for sheer playability

Specifications

Price: $1,399/£1,199/€1,399
Body: Swamp ash
Neck: Maple/wenge, three-piece, bolt-on
Scale: 26.5”
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 24, jumbo nickel
Pickups: 2x Fishman Fluence humbuckers (neck and bridge)
Controls: Volume, tone with push-pull coil-tap and voicings switch, 5-way selector
Hardware: Black, Floyd Rose 1000 Series 7-String Double-locking Recessed Tremolo
Left-handed: No
Finish: Baked Green, Baked Blue, Baked Red

Reasons to buy

+
Very easy on the fingers
+
Not bulky at all
+
Great-sounding, versatile tones

Reasons to avoid

-
Swamp Ash is in short supply

Lightweight and easy to get to grips with, this recently released Pro Series Dinky has comfort at the forefront of its design. There’s virtually no sign of the bulkiness 7-string guitars have often been associated with. But it doesn’t end there… There’s a pair of active Fishman Fluence humbuckers with a five-way selector, coil-tap and voicing switch.

Bearing in mind swamp ash is now in short supply, and Fender have announced they’ll be descaling its usage across production, it might be worth getting one of these while you still can. This is the best 7-string guitar for doing pretty much everything.

Best 7-string guitars: Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty

(Image credit: Ernie Ball)

4. Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty

The best 7-string guitar for you if money is no object

Specifications

Price: $3,399/£3,599
Body: Mahogany with flame maple top
Neck: Mahogany, neck-through
Scale: 25.5”
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 24
Pickups: DiMarzio Rainmaker-7 humbucker (neck) and DiMarzio Sonic-7 humbucker (Bridge)
Controls: Magnetic volume (push/push)/Magnetic Tone/Piezo Volume 3-Way Output Switch (Magnetic/both/Piezo)/3-Way Pickup Switch (Magnetic Pickups)
Hardware: Schaller locking tuners, Piezo-equipped floating vibrato, chrome
Left-handed: No
Finish: Enchanted Forest

Reasons to buy

+
A dream to play
+
Petrucci tones galore

Reasons to avoid

-
One of the most expensive options

Admittedly, this isn’t something many of us can afford without some serious planning, but considering John Petrucci was one of the earliest users of seven-string guitars, it brings an infinite amount of consideration to its craft. 

From crystal cleans to screaming metallic abrasiveness, the DiMarzio Rainmaker humbuckers compliment just about anything you can throw at them and there’s also a byzantine switching system and built-in adjustable boost to give you that push wherever needed. 

Then there are the Piezo sounds, which sound frighteningly wooden and percussive, delving into acoustic tones that are every bit as convincing as you’d be hoping for.  The true connoisseurs choice when it comes to all things 7-string guitar.

Best 7-string guitars: Schecter Banshee Elite-7 FR S

(Image credit: Schecter)

5. Schecter C-7 FR S 7-string guitar

A Floyd Rose and Sustainiac-equipped low-end machine

Specifications

Price: $1,299/£1,149/€1,099
Body: Swamp ash with flamed maple top
Neck: Maple/Walnut Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Scale: 26.5"
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 24
Pickups: Sustainiac (neck) and SuperCharger Mach-7 (bridge) | Controls: Volume/Tone/Intensity/3-Way (Pickup) Switch/2-Way On-Off Sustainiac Switch/3-Way Sustainiac Mode Switch (Fundamental-Mix-Harmonic)
Hardware: Black chrome
Left-handed: No
Finish: Cat’s Eye Pearl

Reasons to buy

+
Unusual design
+
Highly playable

Reasons to avoid

-
 Floyd Rose won’t be for everyone

This Schecter definitely packs a lot into one compact instrument. The swamp ash body and flamed maple top feels comfortable and lightweight, while the carbon fiber reinforcement robs mean this neck will come as flat as it gets and stay that way. 

It has a neck-thru construction so maximum resonance and ultra access through to the highest frets. Perhaps the main draw here is that it comes equipped with a Sustainiac pickup for infinite… you guessed it, sustain. 

There’s also a Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge, which only adds to the amount of expression this instrument is capable of. A truly versatile and modern weapon of mass destruction for lovers of low-end guitar. 

Best 7-string guitars: ESP E-II M-II 7 NT

(Image credit: ESP)

6. ESP E-II M-II 7 NT 7-string guitar

One of the best 7-string guitars from ESP

Specifications

Price: $2,499/£2,499/€2,199
Body: Mahogany with buckeye burl maple top
Neck: Three-piece maple
Scale: 25.5”
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 24
Pickups: 2x Bare Knuckle Warpig 7st Black Battleworn
Controls: Master volume, master tone, 3-way selector
Hardware: Hipshot w/ string-thru
Left-handed: No
Finish: Purple natural fade

Reasons to buy

+
A truly stunning instrument
+
Incredible build quality
+
Bare Knuckle Pickups

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

Crafted in ESP’s Tokyo factory, this E-II puts forward a good case for being one of the best-looking seven-strings ever made. But on closer inspection, there’s a lot more going on here than just good looks. 

It comes powered by a pair of direct-mounted Bare Knuckle Warpig 7st pickups which, despite being extremely high in output, manage to sound brilliantly musical and well-defined – as Bare Knuckles proved time and time again.

The hardtail hipshot bridge and string-thru body design will assist for maximum resonance and ensure your guitar will stay punchy where others begin to mud up. It also comes with Schaller straplocks, Gotoh locking tuners and an ESP hard case.

Best 7-string guitars: Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA

(Image credit: Ibanez)

7. Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA 7-string guitar

The best 7-string guitar for sheer value for money

Specifications

Price: $249/£219/€199
Body: Poplar with quilted maple veneer
Neck: Maple, bolt-on
Scale: 26.5”
Fingerboard: Treated New Zealand pine
Frets: 24, jumbo
Pickups: 2x Infinity R humbuckers (neck and bridge)
Controls: Master volume, master tone, 5-way blade pickup selector
Hardware: F107 hard-tail bridge
Left-handed: No
Finish: Transparent Blue Burst, Transparent Black Burst

Reasons to buy

+
Very affordable
+
Decent build quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best sounding pickups

If you’re on the hunt for a seven-string on a budget, or perhaps want something inexpensive to start out on, this Ibanez Gio will be hard to beat. It’s built well, holds its tuning thanks to the F107 hard-tail bridge and comes with a quilted maple veneer on a poplar body. 

The Infinity R humbuckers are actually better than most other options in its price range, but still probably the main compromise to make this instrument so affordable. There are no split-coil options, alas, but the 5-way blade pickup selector can go a long way, especially at this price.

Best 7-string guitars: Cort KX500MS

(Image credit: Future)

8. Cort KX500MS 7-string guitar

An affordable multi-scale beast for lead and rhythm

Specifications

Price: $705/£699/€777
Body: Swamp ash with poplar burl top
Neck: Maple/amaranth, five-piece bolt-on
Scale: Multi-scale 25.5"-27"
Fingerboard: Macassar ebony
Frets: 24
Pickups: 2x EMG 707 (neck and bridge)
Controls: Volume, tone, 3-way selector
Hardware: Black nickel, individual hardtail bridge w/6 single saddles, Cort locking tuners
Left-handed: No
Finish: Star Dust Green, Star Dust Black

Reasons to buy

+
Great price for the spec
+
Perfect intonation

Reasons to avoid

-
Fanned frets aren't for everyone

If you’re looking for an affordable model among our guide to the best 7-string guitars, and that boasts impeccable intonation with a traditional Fender-style scale length for the higher strings and tight thickness for the lower end, try this Cort.

The active EMG-707s are the seven-string version of the 85, which has long been one of their most widely used sets, and lacks little in terms of firepower. Finally, the Star Dust Green finish gives it the futuristic edge it so clearly deserves. A high-precision performance machine for not much money at all, in the grand scheme of things.

Best 7-string guitars: Buying advice

Dream Theater's John Petrucci and Periphery's Misha Mansoor photographed at Wembley Arena

(Image credit: Future)

Choosing the best 7-string guitar for you

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Every 7-string guitar has its own unique features and selling points. Some models, like a few of John Petrucci’s signature instruments, feature whammy bars. Others might have active ceramic pickups, and some models, like the Cort KX500MS and Jackson’s X Series SLAT7, boast a slanted bridge and fanned frets for different scale lengths across the strings.

The main thing to consider when choosing from among the best 7-string guitars is comfort. An instrument that feels difficult to play might make your creative process unnecessarily cumbersome, while those who’ve had enough time to get to grips with extended range guitars may be looking for something with precision. 

While there have been 7-string Les Paul and Explorer designs in the past, such as the Matt Heafy Epiphone Les Paul Custom, these guitars are more often than not cut as some form of super strat – with thinner bodies and necks to facilitate ease of play.

Some of the best 7-string guitars, like the Ibanez Universe and ESP E-II M-II 7, stick to the same scale-length as a Fender Strat (25.5”), and these models are often popular among lead players. The strict riffers out there, on the other hand, will generally opt for a stop-tail and prefer the tightness across the board that comes with having a longer scale-length like 26” or 27”, especially those who spend more time on the thicker wound strings.

Best 7-string guitars: other features to consider

If you’re playing a mixture of rhythm and lead guitar, you may enjoy gravitating  towards a fanned fret model that offers the best of both worlds. Or perhaps you’ll be tempted by other features like a whammy bar, built with infinite expression in mind.

Pickups are also worth consideration when shopping among the best 7-string guitars. Progressive metal guitarists might need a full scope of tones at their beck and call, from shimmering cleans and acoustic strums to brain-sizzling distortions, which is why the John Petrucci signatures are virtually unbeatable in versatility. 

Other metal players, however, may have little use for Piezos, voicing switches or coil splits and find themselves better suited to something less complicated, with only high gain tones in mind. Ready to find the best 7-string guitar for you? Cool, then let’s take a look at these low-end stunners now…

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Amit Sharma

Amit has been writing for titles like Total GuitarMusicRadar and Guitar World for over a decade and counts Richie Kotzen, Guthrie Govan and Jeff Beck among his primary influences. He's interviewed everyone from Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy to Slash and Jimmy Page, and once even traded solos with a member of Slayer on a track released internationally. As a session guitarist, he's played alongside members of Judas Priest and Uriah Heep in London ensemble Metalworks, as well as handling lead guitars for legends like Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, The Faces) and Stu Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, G3).