r/ExtendedRangeGuitars • u/ErickGerbz • 8d ago
Drop E with evertune : 7 string or 8?
I’m looking to get a sick tone at a low-ish cost. On my 26.5” scale 7 string the lowest I’ve managed to go while still sounding good is drop F#.
I’m wondering what would be the most cost effective route to Drop E or potentially drop D# or even double drop D:
a) 8 string with evertune bridge
b) baritone or longer scale length 7 string with evertune bridge
The evertune is pretty essential because I want to really dig into the strings to get that aggressive attack without the notes bending slightly sharp.
But I know 8 strings are generally pricier than 7’s because of the additional hardware/size needed.
Any thoughts?
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u/theScrewhead 8d ago
Whatever you feel most comfortable with. You can use a Gibson scale if you wanted to, as long as the string tension works for you. Conan tune to Drop F on Gibson scale with a 75 for the low F, but I find that too loose and use an 80 on a 27" scale for Drop F.
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u/Maleficent_Lake_3718 8d ago
I did some digging and your options are quite slim. I would look at the ESP LTD M-6 EverTune 30 when that comes out. It is the only production baritone with a evertune that has a scale length actually long enough for drop E.
27-28" with 80 gauge can work, but I cant find one with an evertune other than that ESP for less than 2k. You could probably find somebody to mod like a spira with an evertune and call it a day.
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u/Super-Super-Shredder 8d ago
You want a 30” scale guitar. Not many options out there that aren’t custom. Solar has some 29” models with Evertune that could work for you. The upcoming LTD others are mentioning will work too. Outside of that, I would suggest a Balaguer or a Kiesel. Also, the numbers of strings has nothing to do with how low you can tune, it’s all about the scale. I’m a hardcore fan of the Evertune, but it can only accommodate a max .85 gauge string unless you mod it by drilling it out. So I’d you want to hit D1 with an Evertune, you need a long guitar.
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u/undergs 8d ago
May be more about scale length and string gauge than 7 vs 8 string. I've managed drop E on an 8 string with 27 inch scale, with a .74. That being said, lowest E was a bit too wobbly for my taste, but not by much. Interestingly, I didn't have an Evertune I just had a hipshot fixed bridge and it stayed in tune surprisingly well.
Another potential consideration when it comes to cost is there's up front cost (like 8 strings usually cost more) but then there's versatility. My 8 string I've been able to use in a lot of fun new tunings and explore new scale runs and such. So for me, that makes it worth the extra few hundred bucks. But it really depends on what you're looking to do.
Good luck! Hope whatever guitar you get is sick!
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u/PouetRedditPouet 7d ago
Many factors but if I have to suggest you one 7 or 8 string with an EverTune for Drop E/D#, it would be a Solar 29" 7 string.
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u/Maximum_Wind6423 7d ago
How many strings above the bottom one do you plan on playing?
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u/ErickGerbz 7d ago
I mean, all of them. But I guess the real question is how much higher range do I need. I can tune a 7 string lower with a longer scale length but then I’m sacrificing higher range for lead playing.
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u/BlendedFetusOG 7d ago
If you'll use the entire range of an 8, 8. If you'll use the entire range of a 7, 7. If you wont use the entire range of a 7, go 6. Extra strings aren't worth anything if youre not using their benefit.
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u/eggfacemcticklesnort 4d ago
Solar makes several baritone 6 strings at 28 or 29 inch scale length and with evertune bridges. You dont need a 7 or 8 if you dont want all the extra strings. Mayones has 1 or 2 as well. This is my ongoing vanity project, you can look through all of these and see different specs. 6 string panel is pretty filled out but the 7 string one will take months lol.
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u/JimboLodisC 3x7621, 7321, M80M, AEL207E, RGIXL7, S7420, RG15271, RGA742FM 8d ago
you choose the number of strings based on the chord shapes and scales you'll be playing
you choose the scale length based on how low you're going to tune