This week, Guy answers our readers queries...

Brian asks:
I have three seven strings, and the guys in my band hate them!! It must be that I'm not utilising them properly within the context of the band, but its blaringly obvious when I decide to slip into the nether regions. We play metal/classic rock originals, but to flesh out the set, we play a few covers - and its during things like Brown Sugar, or Pretty Woman, or Song Number Two, when the guys start to wince. Any tips on going into the low areas without it being nut rumblingly obvious?

Guy answers:
To be sure you will always have problems when you are percieved to be overstepping your established parameters. Good taste however will always prevail. Remember that just because you have 7 doesn't mean you need to use them. I suggest you compromise within the band... the 7 is better utilised in the realm of original material where their are no preconceptions etc. Be fortunate that the band tolerate them at all and maybe pick up the old 6 for the covers?

Brian replies:
Thanks for the tips. As for picking up the six string for the covers, yeah, you're right, but you know how it feels to have something cool (the seven strings) and then to not use them... Also, I just read one of your columns re: having seven strings but feeling like you're just playing the same six string licks on them. I feel like, when I do use the seven string, I should at least make use of the extra string. But maybe you're right, good taste should prevail, and I shouldn't shove the extra string in where it isn't needed.

Just thought you might have some ideas about incorporating the seven string in a less intrusive manner.

Wow, the guys are really gonna hate the new additions - the triple neck (there's a picture of me playing it live at http://www.hj21.com) and the doubleneck guitar/bass... I'm thinking of having an A/B switch where I can switch our bassist off at will and do his solos for him... What do you think?

Guy's final words:
Nice axe (in the photo at http://www.hj21.com).... Good idea as regards the AB switch - I'll pass it on to my readers ;-)

Here is some food for thought-

If you simply must use the 7th string but also wish to remain at peace with the band then perhaps rearrange your six string parts down below but without altering the pitch or introducing any new ones. This will keep them happy and at least you're using the dude.... a totally unintrusive approach. Perhaps then you might start to slip in the odd choice notes when the Bassist is out of his territory.
- Guy

Send your 7 string tips, tricks or queries to Guy Pople: gpople@ntlworld.com

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see also:

Guy's site: http://www.7string.org/

and previous articles:

7 STRINGS GOOD, 6 STRINGS BAD
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/001023/10.shtml

7 STRING BLUES
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/001030/10.shtml

7 string Technique tip
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/001113/12.shtml

A Minor Blues Scales
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/001120/3.shtml

Some Major Blues Scales
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/001128/5.shtml

Here's some work for anyone interested in working out some new voices or shapes for them tired old 6 string chords..."
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/001204/14.shtml

This week I've laid out an expanded fretboard for the curious folk out there who might be wondering what the names of the notes they play are:
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/001211/7.shtml

my 7 string major scale modes template might be of some interest to those privileged few that wield 7 strings. See it this and more:
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/001218/11.shtml

A version of the A chromatic scale
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010115/7.shtml

Dominant 7th Arpeggios & more!
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010122/7.shtml

Minor & Major 7th Arpeggios for 6 and 7 stringers plus Creating chord inversions using 7B tuning
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010129/7.shtml

Diminished arpeggios for 7A and 7B tunings
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010205/7.shtml

PC Recording
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010212/7.shtml

More on PC recording + Fingerweights
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010219/7.shtml

7B Modes Aeolian to Dorian
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010226/7.shtml

7B modes Phrygian to Mixolydian
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010305/7.shtml

Power-type chords for all the 7B tuners
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010312/7.shtml

9th and 6th Bar Chords
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010319/7.shtml

Chord building is one of the best ways of coming to terms with the 7 strings as a whole. I have chosen a Bm7 and had a go at knocking up a few variations...
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010402/7.shtml

The phrygian Mode is a particularly useful scale. With a little experimentation it can be used in and out of its proper context...
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/010409/7.shtml

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7 stringers can see also:

STEVE VAI "The High Priest of 7-String"
http://ngaugeguitarist.tripod.com/vai.html
Steve Vai...the guitarist who set off the 7-string revolution in rock in roll. Vai & Ibanez guitars were responsible for the 1st mass-produced 7-string guitar available...the Ibanez Universe. They began working on the Universe in 1988, but it was 1st released to the public in 1990...

MORE 7 STRINGERS
http://ngaugeguitarist.tripod.com/guitarists.html
info on other 7-string players. Includes info on the player, the music they make, their gear, & links

Finally...

This website is dedicated to helping those people out there who like life hard: http://www.7string.org