nice old 7-string Gibson

wizard3739 · #1 03-30-2011, 05:23 PM

A very good friend just loaned me one of his 7-string archtops to allow me to find out if I wanted to learn to play it. (This was on my bucket list of "things to do"). It is a nice old Gibson L7 with the neck replaced by Benedetto. Anyone have suggestions about how to get started with it? Gorgeous tone, beautiful neck!

wiz

NSJ · #2 03-30-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizard3739

A very good friend just loaned me one of his 7-string archtops to allow me to find out if I wanted to learn to play it. (This was on my bucket list of "things to do"). It is a nice old Gibson L7 with the neck replaced by Benedetto. Anyone have suggestions about how to get started with it? Gorgeous tone, beautiful neck!

wiz

I'm Really thinking about trading one of my remaining guitars for a 7 string--the thing about 7 strings is, you can actually play the music as it's actually voiced and written--ie real separation between the bass and treble.

The thing is, if you really want to take advantage of it, you have to lose the pick--can't dampen and/or skip 2 consecutive strings with a pick. Since I'm really concentrating on finger style guitar, a 7 string may be ideal. (the rumor was that Mr. van Epps was simply looking for the low Bb to harmonize with the horns

)

brad4d8 · #3 03-30-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizard3739

A very good friend just loaned me one of his 7-string archtops to allow me to find out if I wanted to learn to play it. ...Anyone have suggestions about how to get started with it?
wiz

"Master Jazz Guitar Solo Collection" by Bucky Pizzarelli has about 30 tunes arranged for 7 string, and Just Jazz Guitar often has an arrangement for 7 string. I tune my 7th string to 'A' and octave lower than the fifth string (as does Bucky) so you can always just move notes from the 5th to the 7th. One thing, don't look at the neck when you play, at least at first, or you'll probably find your mind playing tricks on which string is which.
Brad

Dookychase · #4 03-31-2011, 09:28 AM

Wizard, when I first got my 7 string, it was frustrating. You're so used to seeing the top string as the sixth string. I played the 7 string exclusively for about 2 weeks then laid it down for a couple of days.

When I went back to it, it seem to make better sense. As brad said, don't look at the neck.

Also, Jimmy Foster has some videos on youtube with some tips on getting started with a 7 string. Once you get used to hearing chords with the low string you'll be hooked.

Good luck.

hot ford coupe · #5 03-31-2011, 09:45 AM

Just think of Charlie Hunter with that 8 string axe. What a sound.

Dookychase · #6 03-31-2011, 10:23 AM

I think Jason Crawford also plays an 8 string. Check him out on youtube.

In an interview in Just Jazz Guitar, luthier Michael Greenfield said he was making a guitar for Charlie and he was going back to 7 string.
Whether or not he went through with it, i don't know.

wizard3739 · #7 03-31-2011, 10:39 AM

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at Jimmy Fosters lessons.

wiz

Jabberwocky · #8 03-31-2011, 01:19 PM

But your bass player is going to hate you for stealing his lines

Jim Soloway · #9 03-31-2011, 01:53 PM

Assuming that the lowest note is tune to an A (the Van Eps tuning), then there's a simple place to start. Look at all of the chord forms that you play that start on the A string and simply move the lowest note down by two strings while leaving the rest of the chord unchanged. (And in those instances you are actually extending the range by an octave, not just a fifth). Work on simple things like basic ii-v's and always use the low A instead of the regular A. It's an easy starting point that gives a big sonic payoff ithout a lot of effort.