7 string guitars?

[Jim Soloway]

That's key, finding a cheaper source for that part. I guess it's specialized and it seems that every fan-fretted guitar uses the same independent bridge/tuner device. I don't see why it can't be less expensive. I don't know who makes it, but they may have a monopoly.

No economy of scale. The primary initial cost in fabricated good is in the startup (design, engineering, tooling and setup). If the market is small and there's already one or two established players, there's not a lot of incentive for a larger manufacturer to get into the game. So you end up with a small number of suppliers having to recoup all of their cost and hopefully some profit from a small number of sales.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Durn you, Strandberg, even your 6-strings are cool!

[pubylakeg]

Hi Jesterbob,
Regarding a first 7 string guitar purchase, I'd suggest if you have any 7 string playing friends, try theirs first. Or go to a guitar shop and try one out until they ask you to leave,(joke), or better still, see if you can borrow a friends one for a few weeks.
I feel the 7 string is a very different creature to the 6 string and requires a huge adjustment on the part of the player. In my opinion, it's not really advantageous to go back and forth between the two, and committing to the 7 string is, perhaps, not a decision to be taken without a lot of prior enquiry and consideration.
To the best of my knowledge there isn't a great deal of instructional material available, and I have to say (having bought most of it),what is out there is not terribly inspiring. However, this may change in the future. Additionally I feel that the 7 string should really be played finger style, again, not for everybody.
In short, try to borrow one first, or buy a cheap one. If all else fails buy a cheap AFJ957 ?.
Best Wishes
Puby
P.S. Book of 7 string etudes please Mr Eschete !

[jster]

Have you spent any time playing 7-string yet or is this just something you're considering? If you haven't tried it a bit, then I'd suggest going really cheap at first. 7-string is definitely not for everyone and they are really difficult to sell for a decent price. I played 7-string exclusively for about 8 years but I always advise people to start with a cheap used Ibanez or Schecter. It won't look right but it gives you a chance to explore the concept for very little money and whether you decide to move to something better or give it up altogether, you can unload it for a fire-sale price and not lose much in the process.

Any thoughts on 8 strings? At some point, I want to seriously try 8. Never even tried a 7 though.

[pubylakeg]

Oh I get it, the clue is in the name.