Conference napalm::guitar

    It has an added lower "B" string.  As if I didn't have enough troble
    with 6 of 'em ...
    
    
    				Scary

                                                                
    According to Vai, who's says he'll be playing them exclusively 
    now, the guitars will soon be in music stores.          
                                                      
    Vai used the 7 string on the new Whitesnake album.     
    
    -Tony

    I don't know about you but I would be totally lost playing with
    an extra string.  
              
                               Dave
    

                                
    According to Vai, its prettys easy to get used to - he says that
    after a couple of hours the neck seems no different to a 6 string,
    although it would screw me up no end !!!
                                                                      
    If you ask me its just musical snobbery!! If he wants a low B for 
    something he should learn to de-tune the low E string to B, whilst 
    he's playing, and then return it to E after playing his lick in
    B - now *THAT* would be cool!! Having said that, he'd have to lossen 
    his locking nut, then he'd have to re-tune his floyd and.... 
    ...oh well, maybe not!
                     
    -Tony (who also has enough problems playing six strings without worrying
          about a seventh!!).                               

John Mayall was playing a 7 string 20 years ago when I saw him...

FWIW

dbii

    Yeah, this isn't exactly a *new* idea.  George Van Epps used a 7 string
    acoustic for years.  It sure takes a lot of custom built parts though. 
    Trem/locknut/pickups...
    
    What's cool is that this one'll be in general production so it'll be
    available (but expensive, no doubt).  I doubt I'd really buy one, but
    it'll be really interesting to see.
    
    Greg

    
    
    Back in 1980 when I was going to U of Lowell, my guitar prof
    played on a 7 string.  Used to confuse the hell out of me
    at first when I'd look at a positioning he was showing me,
    and I'd end up on the wrong strings on my guitar!
    
    Ralph
    

    Lenny Breau used to play a 7 string, but his addition was a high A
    string.

    
      OK, how long is it gonna take DiMarzio and Seymour to come up
    with a replacement 7 pole pick-up? How about an extra low bass
    control on guitar amps to cover this new low B string. 
    All the string companies are gonna stand behind this guitar, eh?
    
    			- I'm selling all my axes right now! -
    
   
    		- I can't stand my sense of humor  (sometimes) -
    		
    							-BoOm-
 
 

Gee, I can see all the metal heads scrambling to write a whole bunch of 
songs in B using all the classic Judas Priest lix that used to be in E !

:)

    Keith Richard could get one and then have a guitar where he didn't have
    to use 3 of the strings.  Or he could use his standard ratio of 
    5 strings:3 notes:2 fingers:1 *!@#$% -- and leave all the strings on the
    Ibanez and get (be?) a second *!@#$%.
    
    - Evan

    
    My former instructor, Michael Miller, had/has a 7 string semi-hollow
    body, but he said that it's mainly for jazz playing.  "It adds more
    depth", I think is what he said.  It was custom made, though.
    Thank god he didn't use it for giving lessons; would have confused the
    h*ll out of me!!!
    I think his had a low B.
    
    Now, that man could play *ANYTHING* !!!
    
    J.

    George Van Eps has long been considered the master of the 7 string 
    guitar. His 7 string archtop was made by Epiphone (I believe), and 
    also has a string dampener attached to the headstock. About 5 years
    ago, Guitar Player did a cover story on George and his unique playing
    style. I'll see if I can locate the article and post the issue later.
    
    Mark
    

    Van Eps' original 7-string was an Epi, but he started using a Gretsch
    Van Eps model in the '60's.
    
    George uses a low A string, which allows the fingering to be
    transferred easily from a six string. Chords that formerly had roots on
    the fifth string now have them on the 7th string.
    
    Most custom archtop builders offer 7 string versions.
    
    Danny W.

Has anyone actually seen one of these beasts?  The Ibanez dealer that I work
with here in Co. Springs says they won't stock any because they don't believe
the market here will support it (probably true).  Said they'd be happy to 
order one for "someone", if "someone" wanted one though.

My dealer said the price was "about $1800", anyone know what they're actually
selling for?

Greg (who could have three killer 550,560, or 570s for that, with a couple 
      hundred change...)

    There's a black in the Phoenix's papers for $1,000.  In talking with
    store owners, it sounds like these aren't going over too well.
    
    Mike

    A better deal:
    
    I saw one in a local pawn shop the other day for $600 with case.
    
    7 string Ibanez Universe, black, florescent green
    pickups/knobs/bindings....  Looked like it'd make a NICE addition
    to my hot-pink Ibz.  I'm considering it.  It played just like my
    other two ibanez, 'cept the fret-board was a little wider.  I think
    I could get used to it...
    
    Anyone have any comments?
    
    jc
    

    Well, I think you're right, but I was actually probing for something
    I *didn't* know.  :-)
    
    

    
    ...don't no about the price but I generally avoid Daddy's
    stores,the one in Shrewsbury seems to be run by a bunch of idiots!
    
    
    				ian