Maybe you want to chase heavy, modern riffs, or maybe you just like a low string to chug on. Either way, a seventh string drops your range without making you retune the whole guitar.
The catch is that a low B only sounds tight when the guitar is built for it. Scale length, pickups, and solid hardware decide whether that string stays clear or turns to mud.
The ten picks below span first-time seven-strings up to premium signature models made for djent and prog. We ranked them on tone, hardware, playability, and value.
Still on the fence? Read whether a 7 string is worth it before the chart below, then grab our 7 string EQ tips once it’s home.
Quick Comparison Chart
| # | Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Sterling by Music Man 7 String | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
ESP LTD EC-407 | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 6 |  |
Schecter Damien Platinum 7 | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 7 |  |
ESP LTD Buz-7 | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 8 |  |
Ibanez RGD Standard RGD7521PB | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 9 |  |
Schecter Omen Extreme-7 | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 10 |  |
Ibanez GRG 7 String | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
Signature Models and Scale Lengths
Two picks carry artist names, Mark Holcomb’s PRS SVN at a 26.5-inch scale and John Petrucci’s Sterling, while the Schecter Reaper goes multiscale to keep the low B tight without stiffening the trebles.
Active pickups dominate the metal end, with Fishman Fluences in the Ibanez Axion and EMGs in both ESP LTDs and the Schecter Damien. The Omen Extreme-7 brings the carved-maple look for the least money.
1. PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN
PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN
Signature 7-string with a 26.5-inch scale and Seymour Duncan Alpha and Omega pickups built for low tunings.
Pros
- 26.5-inch scale stays tight in low tunings
- Signature Seymour Duncan Alpha and Omega pickups
- Beveled maple top with quilted maple veneer
- Includes a PRS SE gig bag
Cons
- Mid-range price is above entry budgets
- Fixed bridge, no tremolo option
The PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is the signature model of Periphery’s Mark Holcomb, and it’s the most complete seven-string on this list for modern tones and low tunings. The 26.5-inch scale length keeps the low B tight and articulate, while the signature Seymour Duncan Alpha and Omega pickups deliver the clarity that djent and prog rely on.
Beyond the electronics, this guitar simply feels expensive. The beveled maple top with quilted maple veneer, bound ebony fretboard, and PRS-level fit and finish all add a touch of class to what’s fundamentally a metal machine.
A PRS SE gig bag is included, which sweetens an already strong value at this price.
2. Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label
Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label
Multiscale Axion Label 7-string with active Fishman pickups, a nyatoh body, and Macassar ebony fretboard.
Pros
- Two active Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers
- Nyatoh body with panga panga and walnut neck
- Macassar ebony fretboard feels fast and smooth
- Striking Black Aurora Burst matte finish
Cons
- Active pickups need a 9V battery
- Multiscale takes some adjustment
The Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label is a lead guitarist’s dream that feels like an extension of your hands. Its nyatoh body and panga panga and walnut neck give it a substantial feel, and the Macassar ebony fretboard is fast and smooth for tearing through solos.
What really sets it apart are the two active Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, which offer multiple voicings for everything from saturated rhythm to crisp leads. The Black Aurora Burst matte finish looks killer on any stage, and the multiscale design keeps the lowest strings clear when you tune down.
For metal players who want flexibility, this is the standout.
3. Sterling by Music Man 7 String
Sterling by Music Man 7 String
John Petrucci signature 7-string with a mahogany body, roasted maple neck, and a modern tremolo system.
Pros
- African mahogany body with roasted maple neck
- Two humbuckers plus a 12dB push-push boost
- Modern tremolo for dives and vibrato
- Final USA setup and padded gig bag included
Cons
- Tremolo complicates string changes
- Bold blue finish isn't for everyone
The Sterling by Music Man JP157 is the lone signature John Petrucci model here, and arguably the best seven-string for players who want a tremolo. The African mahogany body and roasted maple neck deliver a bold, resonant tone whether you play clean or plugged in, and the neck profile is built for zooming across lead lines.
Two Sterling-designed humbuckers pair with a 12dB push-push active boost, so you can shift from articulate cleans to a saturated lead voice on demand. The modern tremolo handles dives and vibrato, and every unit gets a final setup and inspection in the USA before shipping with a padded gig bag.
4. Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale
Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale
Multiscale 7-string with a swamp ash body, poplar burl top, and Ebony fretboard for balanced tension.
Pros
- Multiscale keeps low strings tight and high strings slinky
- Swamp ash body with figured poplar burl top
- Maple and wenge neck feels solid
- Comfortable carve reaches the upper frets easily
Cons
- Fanned frets intimidate first-time players
- Heavier than some 7-strings
The Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale is our favorite Schecter on the list, and a great introduction to multiscale guitars. The fanned frets maintain tension on the low strings at drop tunings without sacrificing bending feel on the higher strings, which is a genuine advantage once you adjust to it.
A swamp ash body with a figured poplar burl top keeps it light and resonant, and the maple and wenge neck feels solid in the hand. The compact body profile and comfortable neck carve make reaching the top frets a breeze, so it earns its place as a versatile mid-range instrument with plenty of playability.
5. ESP LTD EC-407
ESP LTD EC-407
Single-cut 7-string with a mahogany body, active EMG humbuckers, and a smooth set maple neck.
Pros
- Mahogany body gives a dark, punchy tone
- Active EMG humbuckers cut through any mix
- Set maple neck with pau ferro fretboard
- Classic EC single-cut shape and feel
Cons
- No coil split for single-coil tones
- Active EMGs sound polarizing to some
The ESP LTD EC-407 brings the classic single-cut EC shape to the seven-string world, and it’s an extremely versatile instrument for the price. The mahogany body produces a dark, punchy tone that sits well in heavy mixes, while the set maple neck with a pau ferro fretboard is smooth and comfortable to play.
A pair of active EMG humbuckers gives this guitar a tight, focused voice that cuts through for rock, metal, and even country leads. The set-neck construction adds sustain and stability, making the EC-407 a dependable workhorse for the aspiring or gigging player.
6. Schecter Damien Platinum 7
Schecter Damien Platinum 7
Metal-focused 7-string with a mahogany body, EMG humbuckers, and a three-piece bolt-on maple neck.
Pros
- Mahogany body with rosewood fretboard
- EMG humbuckers built for high gain
- Three-piece bolt-on maple neck stays stable
- Aggressive satin black metal aesthetic
Cons
- Bolt-on neck lacks set-neck sustain
- Stock strings need an upgrade
The Schecter Damien Platinum 7 is built for metal players who want all the essentials in one aggressive package. The mahogany body and rosewood fretboard give it a thick foundation, and the EMG humbuckers are tailor-made for high-gain rhythm and lead tones.
A three-piece bolt-on maple neck keeps things stable for fast riffing, and the satin black finish looks every bit the part on a dark stage. It’s a no-nonsense seven-string that handles drop tunings and chugging with ease, and a fresh set of strings is all it takes to get it gig-ready.
7. ESP LTD Buz-7
ESP LTD Buz-7
Buz McGrath signature 7-string with an alder body, active humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose locking tremolo.
Pros
- Floyd Rose locking tremolo for solid tuning
- Two active humbuckers for high-gain clarity
- Alder body with maple and walnut neck
- See Thru Black signature looks the part
Cons
- Floyd Rose setup is fiddly for beginners
- No fixed-bridge version available
The ESP LTD Buz-7 is the Buz McGrath signature model, and it’s the pick for players who want a Floyd Rose on their seven-string. The alder body with a maple and walnut neck feels great and delivers solid tone, and the See Thru Black finish gives it a premium, understated look.
Two active humbuckers provide the high-gain clarity that modern metal demands, and the Floyd Rose locking tremolo keeps everything in tune even after aggressive dive bombs. It’s more guitar than a beginner needs, but for the experienced player who wants expressive whammy work, the Buz-7 delivers.
8. Ibanez RGD Standard RGD7521PB
Ibanez RGD Standard RGD7521PB
RGD-shaped 7-string with a nyatoh body, poplar burl top, and a fast Wizard-style maple neck.
Pros
- Nyatoh body with eye-catching poplar burl top
- Thin Wizard-style maple neck is fast
- RGD body geometry suits extended range
- Jatoba fretboard handles complex riffs
Cons
- Passive pickups feel tame for modern metal
- Glossy finish shows fingerprints
The Ibanez RGD Standard RGD7521PB is for players ready to move on from a starter guitar. Its RGD body geometry is purpose-built for extended range, and the thin Wizard-style maple neck is fast enough for the hardest riffs and complex chord changes.
The nyatoh body wears a stunning poplar burl top, and the jatoba fretboard handles shredding comfortably. The passive pickups lean a touch tame compared to the active-equipped models above it, but for fast playing this Ibanez stays comfortable and looks fantastic doing it.
9. Schecter Omen Extreme-7
Schecter Omen Extreme-7
Budget 7-string with a mahogany body, carved maple top, and coil-tappable humbuckers for varied tones.
Pros
- Carved maple top looks far pricier than it's
- Mahogany body delivers solid build quality
- Coil-tappable humbuckers widen the tonal range
- Black Cherry finish stands out on stage
Cons
- Budget hardware may need a setup
- Stock pickups lack high-gain bite
The Schecter Omen Extreme-7 is the budget standout, and it looks far more expensive than it’s. The carved, quilted maple top mounted on a mahogany body gives it real visual appeal, and Schecter’s build quality holds up well even at this price point.
The coil-tappable humbuckers provide a diverse palette of tones, letting you break free of a pure metal voice when you want cleaner, single-coil sounds. The hardware may benefit from a setup out of the box, but for a budget seven-string that looks great on stage, the Omen Extreme-7 is hard to beat.
10. Ibanez GRG 7 String
Ibanez GRG 7 String
Affordable beginner 7-string with a poplar body, bolt-on maple neck, and high-output Infinity R pickups.
Pros
- High-output Infinity R pickups for rhythm work
- Poplar body bolted to a smooth maple neck
- Pine fretboard plays easily for new players
- Lowest price point on this list
Cons
- Entry-level hardware and tuners
- Shorter 25.5-inch scale limits very low tunings
The Ibanez GRG 7 String is our pick for entry-level beginners stepping into the extended range for the first time. It’s part of the GRG series, a more affordable variant of the RG line that still aims to preserve playability and tone, with a poplar body bolted to a smooth maple neck.
The high-output Infinity R pickups deliver plenty of saturation for rhythm work under distortion, and the pine fretboard plays easily for newcomers. The 25.5-inch scale makes the jump from six to seven strings feel natural, though it does limit how low you can comfortably tune.
Half the price of many picks here, but nowhere near half the quality.
Final Thoughts
The PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN takes our top spot because it gets the fundamentals right and then adds the polish. The 26.5-inch scale and signature Alpha and Omega pickups keep low tunings tight and clear, and the build quality feels like it belongs on a guitar costing twice as much.
For most players chasing modern metal and djent tones, it’s the one to beat.
If you want more sonic flexibility, the Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label and its active Fishman Fluence pickups give you voicing options that few guitars at any price can match, while the Sterling by Music Man JP157 is the clear choice if a tremolo is on your must-have list. Players watching their wallet should look hard at the Schecter Omen Extreme-7, which delivers a carved maple top and coil-tap versatility for far less than you’d expect.
Whichever you choose, any of these seven-strings will serve you well. If you’re still adjusting from six strings, our guide on how to transition from 6 to 7 string will smooth the learning curve, and pairing your new guitar with the best amp for 7 string will help that low end truly roar.
Rock on!
