Thanks for watching and learning why guitar players like 7 strings! Watch the super extended ad-free cut PLUS gets hundreds of downloadable goodies here: www.patreon.com/posts/119679615?
@@EvilSewnit don't think so, there's tons of footage of Shogun being recorded on 7 strings in standard. Matt used a 6 string for the clean section, but it was in standard tuning.
Gotta throw some love to Meshuggah as well. A lot of people don’t know they started off on 7’s and that even nothing was recorded on a 7 and later redone with an 8👏🏻.
They actually started with 6s up till the None EP, although Fredrik seems to be playing an Ibanez Universe 7 string on the Contradictions Collapse studio footage
@@Hegder Actually iirc shortly after Meshuggah jumped into 7 stringer they were really tuning down as you would tune an 8 string guitar a full step down (E1, same as a bass) and only later switched to actual 8 strings but the songs were recorded on down tuned 7 strings for
Good call on the morbid angel… That “where the slime live“ riff is awesome And I personally don’t really care for seven strings, but would still like to say thanks for another great video.
I actually don't own a 7-string, but if I did it would ideally be one of those black Ibanez Universes with the green pickups. One of the sickest-looking guitars ever made.
@@Divine_Serpent_Geh , I also own a couple of 6 strings. One is tuned lowest B, F#, lower B, G, high B, & E. Here's the difference. I had to get that guitar set up special.
Sam Vallen is a crazy talented guitarist that mostly uses 7 string guitars for Caligulas Horse. I went the universe route myself after seeing him play the white one in C-Horse clips
Dude how did you know... Just got my first seven string a week ago. PRS SE 24/7. I'm IN LOVE!! AAGHH! Been in Nevermore heaven trying to learn everything they've put out.
Not even remotely joking when I say this but I've been eyeballing a Schecter Banshee Mach-7 FR S for the past week and trying to convince myself I don't need a 7 string. It's like he's reading our minds.
@@doju4166 - Does it not bother you that you can't hook your thumb over top for that aggressive Gary Moore vibrato or those Hendrix chord tricks? Or were you blessed with the kind of hand Dave Grohl had in that one Foo Fighters video?
I play 7 and 8 strings and I will never go back to a 6 string. I love the low chugs, the baritone scale, the endless depths you can reach, the range, simply all of it. I mostly play dark ambient metal, djent, thall style riffs and my god 7 and 8 strings are just PERFECT for that. HUGE chords voicings, insane melodies possible and riffs that actually use all 7 or 8 string sound HUGE. I actually feel limited when going back to a 6 string. It feels... wrong... love my Ibanez RGDMS8 and my RGD71ALMS. Perfect guitars that play BEAUTIFUL! People who say that nobody needs 7 or 8 strings is just wrong :D Great vid ma doode!
Those old 1990s Ibanez guitars are it! My main guitar throughout all these years is still a highly modded RG7620. The original Wizard 7 neck and the lo pro edge bridge just have it.
Another great video that made me pick up my guitar, thanks for that! I ordered my first custom guitar from Balaguer guitars earlier this week and ofc it's a 7 string! The wait's going to be torturous, but I still got my other sevens. I still smash Korn's Blind and Here to stay in between in Drop A. Sometimes I dare to drop the B to E and unleash hell. As for 7 string inspirations I would probably go for Jeff Loomis, Tony Macalpine and Dave Davidson, those men are wicked!
I got one in 2020 and never looked back. I float between Drop A, B flat and A standard. Just so much fun to play and I think it made me a better player. Great video uncle Ben!
Yeah! Let's hear the stories about all your sevens. I've only ever played cheap sevens that play like crap so I've never liked them but always wanted one. Your chord suggestions are super helpful and would love to see more about chord shapes that can include the low B. I'm definitely more encouraged to get one now.
Personally I would like to see a video dedicated to your whole guitar collection and how you use them / what you use them for !! I love everything guitar !!
My RG550 is in my profile pic. More is definitely more . But when getting with my garage band buddies. The diversity between individuals had us going nuts grabbing different guitars. We were playing Beatles, Led Zep , Korn and AIC . Thanks for the ideas the cowboy stuff is cool . You have really nice guitars .
I just started on 8 strings. Never had a seven string, always had a five-string bass . I tune it in such a way that if it's an f sharp standard, I turn the g string into a little f sharp so that all the standard chord shapes can be played on the middle sixth strings they're just in the key of b at that point, then I just use the 8 string in either drop e or it's regular f-sharp and I get this cool effect and very unique sound from it and I don't think I would ever go back. I like the symmetry of having the four tuners on each side of the headstock.
I still remember when Dead Heart in a Dead World by Nevermore was released. This is where I discovered both, 7 string guitars and Jeff Loomis. What an insane guitar player. It took a while but I got his Schecter signature... this video has become a perfect excuse to bring it out of its case.
Vai for me as well!! My biggest miss with gear was a friend told me to go to the local shop and get a Bob Bradshaw foot controller in like ‘97… For a rig I didn’t have… But someday… In the corner was a 7-string for about the same price as the controller. It wasn’t a Universe, not even close, but it was still a 7. Left with the controller, but came back the next day and it was gone….
on another note... i 'm going over your "Still of the Night " tutorial... as i wipe away my tears from learning the sorrowful chords of sadness... im wondering.. When is Ben going to cover another SYKES sONG!!!!!
Maybe I am just a nerd but one of the reason why 7 strings are my main guitar is because of how symmetrical 3 note per string scales are. People are coming out with courses now based off 3 note per string systems and all of it comes from playing 7 strings. The patterns became vary clear with 7 strings and it makes it super easy to play all over the fret board without really thinking about it. Also the number 7 is super important in music theory. There are 7 notes in a diatonic scale and with a 7 string you can play all 7 notes of the scale in one chord simultaneously, you might not like the sound but if your into jazz or experimental music it is really cool. There are also 7 modes and with the 3 notes per string system you have a mode on every string in one position. It also makes it much easier to do 4 octave patterns.
They are just on SoundCloud as far as I know but maybe we could throw them up on Bandcamp as well and then they'd at least be downloadable to put on devices or cd's or whatever.
I just got another 7 string again, finally! My 8 was physically Too Large & Heavy to play comfortably, but my Q547 is perfect I regret selling my green LTD H-207 back in the day
Oh, and I can’t forget frequenting the same boards on SSO with Uncle Ben himself - that’s where I saw ya post the very first weekend wankshop! Went by Zeno back then
Definitely would love to geek out on all them there 7s. I'm a huge Ibanez fan boy. I didn't know you had so many, dude. I'm green with envy. Nice work. Much love.
Great video, as always, uncle Ben! And it was nice to hear you mentioning Roger Wooten and Scott Mishoe! I'd add Christopher Godin to this list too. He was one of the pioneers on slap guitar, amongst with the beats you've mentioned!
the band that got me into playing 7-strings is Spawn of Possession. got myself an RG7420 and then a UV777BK in 2012. i’ve kept the UV ever since-it’s the best 7-string guitar this planet has to offer
I haven't been playing enough guitar for a long time but all I've been thinking about at work recently is playing and learning songs from a lot of my favorite bands. Mostly 7 string players (Mnemic, Fear Factory, Revocation, Cognizance) so I've been shopping around online thinking if i should buy one. This is the push I needed! Thanks Uncle Ben! 🎸🤘
Such a joy to watch! I'm lucky enough to have a green dot original Universe like you, got it in the late 90's. After 25 + years of fun, I finally figured out my preferred way to tune, which is treating the B as the lowest of six strings. Suddenly it feels so much more logical, you're playing a guitar in B standard, you get a wound G, and an extra high E on top, and can reap the benefits any way you see fit! Have you tried this? Has anyone else?! Best wishes!!!
I just recently picked up a 99 translucent blue shecter diamond a few months ago. Looked almost untouched got it for a song with a serious travel case. Saw it and brought me back to late 90s park 2ks when I had my band and we started seeing 7 string options other than ibanez available.
My uncle turned me onto Steve Vai growing up and seeing him with that universe made me freak out as a kid in the early early 90's. growing up through the 90's with bands like KoRn, amd Deftones made me instinctively want to pick up a 7 string eventually as well. I played 6 up until 2016 and finally spent my tax return on an Ibanez RGIR37BFE and its been my main guitar since. I absolutely love that guitar to death. I just love the fact you can go heavy with the tunes and drop but still keep your highs as well. I just feel like 7 is the best of both worlds.
Was introduced to the seven string axes in 2021, can't get enough since. That low B gave me SO much versatility, that now I simply cannot adapt to the six string)
Long time viewer & fan, first time replying. Love the content Ben, and this one's right on the money!! I got into the 7-string movement right as it became huge in '98. I was alrwady playing 6-strings tuned to B anyway, so the 7-string just seemed like a no brainer. The tuning of it was easy, I loved the versatility of having my normal 6 strings - with an extra low string , to cover just about anything I was going to play at the time... plus the 7-string neck just seems to fit my big hands better, so all wins as far as I was concerned 😂😂! Everything you said in this video is soooo right on the money - with one slight correction... On Whitesnake's "Slip Of The Tongue" album, that was actually recorded with the Universe prototype - "Metal Mutt" Steve named it - that Ibanez made for Steve Vai in 1989. But also: HUGE kudos for mentioning Trey Azagthoth & Morbid Angel, they really are pretty much the first ones to bring the 7-string into the world besides Steve and help demonstrate what its capable of outside of the virtuoso realm of it... You also touched on a few aspects of the 7-string's histroy, which still not many people are aware of, which was very cool too!! Lastly: the stuff you did with Arc sounds killer! I didnt know you had that project, and I'm gonna have to see if I can find and add ot to my music library! Keep up the great work, awesome videos & content! Happy New Year man! 🤘😎🎸🍻✌️
Thanks, uncle Ben :) Artificial Brain is the band that made me want to get a seven string. Those Arc songs are awesome. I will definitely be spending some time trying to learn them!
My first real world experience with seven strings was taking guitar lessons from Steve Smyth who at the time was playing in Nevermore and so always had a seven string in our lessons. At the time I was playing in C standard and my strings felt like wet spaghetti. I was listening to a lot of Nevermore, DreamTheater, Scar Symmetry, Blotted Science, Animals As Leaders and realized I could have my low tuning without sacrificing string tension. Now I’ve been playing seven string guitars almost exclusively for about twenty years and I’m never going back.
That Ibanez universe’s Floyd looks like a dragster. That shit sounds evil and tight af. Great finishes on your guitars. Thanks Steve. Diggin the ARC Riffs too.
Love the swirls! I’d love to know more about your Ibanez collection in general. I know absolutely nothing about Ibanez guitars and I’m thinking I need one in my life.
Great Video Meshuggah used 7-strings in the mid 90s.On there second album, i think. Jeff Loomis was inspired by that album, tried out a 7 string guitar and the whole Nevermore Sound was shaped
awesome vid, awesome content and compilation. missed the fredrik thordendal and what he did with meshugga's destroy-erase-improve 1995, with his UV greendot.
The band that really got me into 7s was Trivium, particularly on Shogun. Lately, Erra and Invent Animate have been some of my other favorite 7 string bands.
My introduction to seven strings was Slipknot, but wasn't until recently that I got one because there were so many riffs that I wanted to learn, mainly Dream Theater and Haken.
Bought an rgix27feqm after amp shopping years ago, grabbed the first 7 off the wall to test the amps because I was playing a 6 in C, fell in love with the guitar and the next day I wet back with my amp layaway money and put it towards the guitar. Although I like to play in B flat now, I love the versatility of the 7 and feel more comfortable with it than anything else. I will say that 8 was had to wrap my head around and I went back to 7 quickly
I know why I like 7-strings. I’ve been playing them since ‘97; my Ibanez 7-strings have a particular “growl” to them that regular guitars don’t have. Plus, I like the big necks.
Got a 7621 at a pawn shop a few years ago for like 100 bucks. It came in sun damaged white and you can still see the silhouette of the limp Bizkit and Korn stickers I scraped off. It's a 97 so it's basically a primary source document. 12:36
Cool video! I think I decided to pick my first 7 string after getting obsessed with Nevermore and those sick riffs Jeff Loomis wrote there. Have played 6s, 7s and 8s I still believe 7s are the sweet spot :)
@@BenEller No worries, we all know it was the dates that got you wrong, uncle Ben. All's well. Coincidentally, this DT talk reminded me of a guitar teacher with a YT channel called RomanOva. He does full album, song per song, bar per bar, breakdowns of DT (and 'Tallica,..') records. Technique and theory. I am not affiliated in any way (seriously), but he's obviously a real one. Maybe check him out and if you like him perhaps you could namedrop or recommend him in one of your vids. It might legitimately change the dude's life. Just one old DT head appealing to another one to help yet another one. Thanks for making nice sounds with your arm mittens. 🫡
Petrucci and Heaffy are the reason I got into seven strings. Ironically though I just finished building a six string custom RGD-550 looking abomination that is set up for baritone B standard tuning. For the time that I owned a bog-standard RG7421, I began to enjoy living in the low end of stuff but I never truly grasped the best way to use the low B with the other 6 strings XD and upon trying out "baritone" tuning for abit, I decided that's what I truly wanted. Just my thoughts I guess, but maybe one day I'll get another 7 for fun.
I love the 7 string mainly for the how bigger the neck is. I feel like my fingers aren’t as cramped up. Also the 7th string just gives it a massive sound.
Hi Ben, nice video and awesome seven strings collection. I like your tone and the great job that you have done with your guitars. I think you´re a collector of 7 strings guitar. There is a 7 string guitar that impressed me the first time i saw it, i´m talking about the Parker MaxxFly 7 String DFMV7MR. Awesome guitar, it would be awesome watching a video about you playing that guitars. regards from Vietnam dude!!
Thanks for watching and learning why guitar players like 7 strings! Watch the super extended ad-free cut PLUS gets hundreds of downloadable goodies here: www.patreon.com/posts/119679615?
You made 500k wtf 😳 congrats 🥂
Love that riff and rake on Monster. 🤘
Meshuggah??
I grew up with korn and nu metal but for me the player that made me want a 7 string was Loomis…that opening riff from River Dragon still slaps.
Loomis is the KING of 7's! Insane player and a sweet guy.
@@warnerww83 Jeff Loomis 🙌🏽
@@BenEllerI hear they’re auditioning a vocalist and a bass player. If you know any bass players they should probably look into it
Yeah Loomis should have been on the list! His new jackson signature just came out
More=better of course.
How could more be less?
@@deathmagneto-soy More is more!
thats what she said
Morer = Beterrer
Lol only to play less 😂
As a young 20 something in 2008 the Shogun album by Trivium is what got me into 7 strings and lower tuning.
Same. It's still what makes me love 7 strings
That album and Holographic Universe from Scar Symmetry did it for me
Funny thing is shogun is in b standard lol
@@EvilSewnit don't think so, there's tons of footage of Shogun being recorded on 7 strings in standard. Matt used a 6 string for the clean section, but it was in standard tuning.
@@paulbuerger1792 7 string standard tuning is B standard.
Gotta throw some love to Meshuggah as well. A lot of people don’t know they started off on 7’s and that even nothing was recorded on a 7 and later redone with an 8👏🏻.
They actually started with 6s up till the None EP, although Fredrik seems to be playing an Ibanez Universe 7 string on the Contradictions Collapse studio footage
@@MaestroKatProductions7 string Meshuggah > 8 string Meshuggah.
@@Hegder Actually iirc shortly after Meshuggah jumped into 7 stringer they were really tuning down as you would tune an 8 string guitar a full step down (E1, same as a bass) and only later switched to actual 8 strings but the songs were recorded on down tuned 7 strings for
that’s probably true; this is just my way of saying I much prefer the earlier stuff (up until about Chaosphere).
The original Nothing sounds way more gnarlier
Good call on the morbid angel… That “where the slime live“ riff is awesome
And I personally don’t really care for seven strings, but would still like to say thanks for another great video.
Formulas fatal to the flesh,.........epic fucking album( cd)😮
18:37 It was actually on the album Awake with The Mirror. The intro is basically chugs on a big ol' B5 😎🤘🏻
"Because why the fuck not" is a good start.
I actually don't own a 7-string, but if I did it would ideally be one of those black Ibanez Universes with the green pickups. One of the sickest-looking guitars ever made.
Just get one!
I like that low chug.
It was actually Steve Vai who inspired me.
i see you everywhere
@@guitaristslair , I enjoy guitars. I follow several guitar related channels. /shrug
I can get that low chug on my 6 lol 😂
@@Divine_Serpent_Geh , I also own a couple of 6 strings. One is tuned lowest B, F#, lower B, G, high B, & E.
Here's the difference. I had to get that guitar set up special.
Got my Ibanez s540 7 string in ‘91. Still have it!
The UV777 has been my favorite since i was a teen. I was just talking about it the other day and showing photos of it to a friend.
The silence and punchline at 9:20 was absolute perfection. 😂 Nicely done
"Reason number 3: Steve Vai. Just Steve Vai" 😂😂😂 YES!!!
I heard scar symmetry and Jeff Loomis and never looked back. At this point I’ve clocked more hours on 7s than 6 haha.
Sam Vallen is a crazy talented guitarist that mostly uses 7 string guitars for Caligulas Horse. I went the universe route myself after seeing him play the white one in C-Horse clips
I want to be Sam when I grow up.
Awesome video Uncle Ben when are you gonna break down some of your Arc songs? They’re awesome!
Thank you! I guess if there was demand for it I would!
Dude how did you know... Just got my first seven string a week ago. PRS SE 24/7. I'm IN LOVE!! AAGHH! Been in Nevermore heaven trying to learn everything they've put out.
i got my first 7 string (Ibanez RGR752 Prestige) a week ago too
Not even remotely joking when I say this but I've been eyeballing a Schecter Banshee Mach-7 FR S for the past week and trying to convince myself I don't need a 7 string.
It's like he's reading our minds.
The only mistake you made is not going for an 8-string
@@doju4166 - Does it not bother you that you can't hook your thumb over top for that aggressive Gary Moore vibrato or those Hendrix chord tricks? Or were you blessed with the kind of hand Dave Grohl had in that one Foo Fighters video?
@@redshiftdrifter who in the world does only have one guitar? So no, it doesn’t bother me when I’m playing 8-String stuff 😉
Weeping China Doll by Vai is one of the best 7 string pieces I've ever heard.
I play 7 and 8 strings and I will never go back to a 6 string. I love the low chugs, the baritone scale, the endless depths you can reach, the range, simply all of it.
I mostly play dark ambient metal, djent, thall style riffs and my god 7 and 8 strings are just PERFECT for that. HUGE chords voicings, insane melodies possible and riffs that actually use all 7 or 8 string sound HUGE. I actually feel limited when going back to a 6 string. It feels... wrong... love my Ibanez RGDMS8 and my RGD71ALMS. Perfect guitars that play BEAUTIFUL!
People who say that nobody needs 7 or 8 strings is just wrong :D Great vid ma doode!
JP first used a 7 string in the Mirror in Awake, even the video features it. Loving the content mate
Yep, The Mirror, Caught in a Web, and Lie
Those old 1990s Ibanez guitars are it! My main guitar throughout all these years is still a highly modded RG7620. The original Wizard 7 neck and the lo pro edge bridge just have it.
Another great video that made me pick up my guitar, thanks for that!
I ordered my first custom guitar from Balaguer guitars earlier this week and ofc it's a 7 string! The wait's going to be torturous, but I still got my other sevens.
I still smash Korn's Blind and Here to stay in between in Drop A. Sometimes I dare to drop the B to E and unleash hell.
As for 7 string inspirations I would probably go for Jeff Loomis, Tony Macalpine and Dave Davidson, those men are wicked!
ARC sounds very Mastodony. New word for ya'. Sounds great.
I got one in 2020 and never looked back. I float between Drop A, B flat and A standard. Just so much fun to play and I think it made me a better player. Great video uncle Ben!
Yeah! Let's hear the stories about all your sevens. I've only ever played cheap sevens that play like crap so I've never liked them but always wanted one. Your chord suggestions are super helpful and would love to see more about chord shapes that can include the low B. I'm definitely more encouraged to get one now.
Wasn’t expecting the old Arc bangers 🔥
Personally I would like to see a video dedicated to your whole guitar collection and how you use them / what you use them for !! I love everything guitar !!
My RG550 is in my profile pic. More is definitely more . But when getting with my garage band buddies. The diversity between individuals had us going nuts grabbing different guitars. We were playing Beatles, Led Zep , Korn and AIC . Thanks for the ideas the cowboy stuff is cool . You have really nice guitars .
I just started on 8 strings. Never had a seven string, always had a five-string bass . I tune it in such a way that if it's an f sharp standard, I turn the g string into a little f sharp so that all the standard chord shapes can be played on the middle sixth strings they're just in the key of b at that point, then I just use the 8 string in either drop e or it's regular f-sharp and I get this cool effect and very unique sound from it and I don't think I would ever go back. I like the symmetry of having the four tuners on each side of the headstock.
I still remember when Dead Heart in a Dead World by Nevermore was released. This is where I discovered both, 7 string guitars and Jeff Loomis. What an insane guitar player. It took a while but I got his Schecter signature... this video has become a perfect excuse to bring it out of its case.
Vai for me as well!! My biggest miss with gear was a friend told me to go to the local shop and get a Bob Bradshaw foot controller in like ‘97… For a rig I didn’t have… But someday…
In the corner was a 7-string for about the same price as the controller. It wasn’t a Universe, not even close, but it was still a 7. Left with the controller, but came back the next day and it was gone….
on another note... i 'm going over your "Still of the Night " tutorial... as i wipe away my tears from learning the sorrowful chords of sadness... im wondering.. When is Ben going to cover another SYKES sONG!!!!!
Maybe I am just a nerd but one of the reason why 7 strings are my main guitar is because of how symmetrical 3 note per string scales are. People are coming out with courses now based off 3 note per string systems and all of it comes from playing 7 strings. The patterns became vary clear with 7 strings and it makes it super easy to play all over the fret board without really thinking about it. Also the number 7 is super important in music theory. There are 7 notes in a diatonic scale and with a 7 string you can play all 7 notes of the scale in one chord simultaneously, you might not like the sound but if your into jazz or experimental music it is really cool. There are also 7 modes and with the 3 notes per string system you have a mode on every string in one position. It also makes it much easier to do 4 octave patterns.
My god. Do you have any Arc albums for sale?!?! I have been an avid 7 string player for decades, and I love what I'm hearing!
They are just on SoundCloud as far as I know but maybe we could throw them up on Bandcamp as well and then they'd at least be downloadable to put on devices or cd's or whatever.
If you're into the choppy chugs, check out the early djent bands like Fellsilent. Meshuggah also used 7 string guitars for a while
I just got another 7 string again, finally! My 8 was physically Too Large & Heavy to play comfortably, but my Q547 is perfect
I regret selling my green LTD H-207 back in the day
Oh, and I can’t forget frequenting the same boards on SSO with Uncle Ben himself - that’s where I saw ya post the very first weekend wankshop! Went by Zeno back then
Definitely would love to geek out on all them there 7s. I'm a huge Ibanez fan boy. I didn't know you had so many, dude. I'm green with envy. Nice work. Much love.
Great video, as always, uncle Ben! And it was nice to hear you mentioning Roger Wooten and Scott Mishoe! I'd add Christopher Godin to this list too. He was one of the pioneers on slap guitar, amongst with the beats you've mentioned!
Awesome video as always!
Glad you enjoyed!
I am thinking of getting an Ibanez UV70P-BK for my first 7 string guitar
I play a 7 as a 6...just felt in love with the neck and freatboard of my rg1527
the band that got me into playing 7-strings is Spawn of Possession. got myself an RG7420 and then a UV777BK in 2012. i’ve kept the UV ever since-it’s the best 7-string guitar this planet has to offer
Lacuna Coil and Korn got me into 7 strings back in the early 2000's, been playing them ever since!
Great video. I recently got my first 7 string, a Harley Benton Amarok 7 and I love it.
I haven't been playing enough guitar for a long time but all I've been thinking about at work recently is playing and learning songs from a lot of my favorite bands. Mostly 7 string players (Mnemic, Fear Factory, Revocation, Cognizance) so I've been shopping around online thinking if i should buy one. This is the push I needed! Thanks Uncle Ben! 🎸🤘
Fit for an autopsy got me into 7s. More is definitely more better. 🎉 sick vid uncle B
Thanks, Steve! Ironically, I got him to sign the the backing plate of my 7-string at a meet & greet a couple of years back.
I'm sure many will point this out but Awake came out before ACoS. More 7 string vids please Uncle Ben!
Ah! Got me
I sold my old school Universe (uv7bk) in 2002 because life. It was my favorite guitar from when I got in 1991. Still miss it.
I can play anything on drop A or below without changing the tuning
Or if i need standard tuning i can just use it from the sixth string
Love this vid bro!!! And your riffs!!! Fantastic! Dude all ur ibys!!!!! The green dot!! Man! I’d love one of those OGs
Such a joy to watch! I'm lucky enough to have a green dot original Universe like you, got it in the late 90's. After 25 + years of fun, I finally figured out my preferred way to tune, which is treating the B as the lowest of six strings. Suddenly it feels so much more logical, you're playing a guitar in B standard, you get a wound G, and an extra high E on top, and can reap the benefits any way you see fit! Have you tried this? Has anyone else?! Best wishes!!!
I just recently picked up a 99 translucent blue shecter diamond a few months ago. Looked almost untouched got it for a song with a serious travel case. Saw it and brought me back to late 90s park 2ks when I had my band and we started seeing 7 string options other than ibanez available.
My uncle turned me onto Steve Vai growing up and seeing him with that universe made me freak out as a kid in the early early 90's. growing up through the 90's with bands like KoRn, amd Deftones made me instinctively want to pick up a 7 string eventually as well. I played 6 up until 2016 and finally spent my tax return on an Ibanez RGIR37BFE and its been my main guitar since. I absolutely love that guitar to death. I just love the fact you can go heavy with the tunes and drop but still keep your highs as well.
I just feel like 7 is the best of both worlds.
Revocation! Please do a video on Dave Davidson and Revocation!
I got into 7 strings through Keith morrow and got me (surprise) a km7-hybrid.excellent video uncle ben , as always 🤘
Perfect Timing. I just ordered my first 7 string guitar!
happy new year uncle Ben, regards from Mexico!
I was hoping you were going to mention Morbid Angel. Most people gloss over their contribution. Trey and Erik are why I got my Universe's
Thanks Unc!
@16:26 it sounds like a Chris Poland influence going on there. Love it 🤘
Arc sounds amazing bro!
7 String Forever😎🤙
Was introduced to the seven string axes in 2021, can't get enough since. That low B gave me SO much versatility, that now I simply cannot adapt to the six string)
That Universe is just straight up godly!
I got the Premium reissue almost a week ago and I love it to bits ;)
Long time viewer & fan, first time replying. Love the content Ben, and this one's right on the money!!
I got into the 7-string movement right as it became huge in '98. I was alrwady playing 6-strings tuned to B anyway, so the 7-string just seemed like a no brainer. The tuning of it was easy, I loved the versatility of having my normal 6 strings - with an extra low string , to cover just about anything I was going to play at the time... plus the 7-string neck just seems to fit my big hands better, so all wins as far as I was concerned 😂😂! Everything you said in this video is soooo right on the money - with one slight correction... On Whitesnake's "Slip Of The Tongue" album, that was actually recorded with the Universe prototype - "Metal Mutt" Steve named it - that Ibanez made for Steve Vai in 1989. But also: HUGE kudos for mentioning Trey Azagthoth & Morbid Angel, they really are pretty much the first ones to bring the 7-string into the world besides Steve and help demonstrate what its capable of outside of the virtuoso realm of it... You also touched on a few aspects of the 7-string's histroy, which still not many people are aware of, which was very cool too!!
Lastly: the stuff you did with Arc sounds killer! I didnt know you had that project, and I'm gonna have to see if I can find and add ot to my music library! Keep up the great work, awesome videos & content! Happy New Year man!
🤘😎🎸🍻✌️
Thanks so much dude!
YES!!!! Do a video about all your Ibanez guitars!!!!
Thanks, uncle Ben :) Artificial Brain is the band that made me want to get a seven string. Those Arc songs are awesome. I will definitely be spending some time trying to learn them!
My first real world experience with seven strings was taking guitar lessons from Steve Smyth who at the time was playing in Nevermore and so always had a seven string in our lessons. At the time I was playing in C standard and my strings felt like wet spaghetti. I was listening to a lot of Nevermore, DreamTheater, Scar Symmetry, Blotted Science, Animals As Leaders and realized I could have my low tuning without sacrificing string tension. Now I’ve been playing seven string guitars almost exclusively for about twenty years and I’m never going back.
That Ibanez universe’s Floyd looks like a dragster. That shit sounds evil and tight af. Great finishes on your guitars. Thanks Steve. Diggin the ARC Riffs too.
Thanks Neil
Love the swirls! I’d love to know more about your Ibanez collection in general. I know absolutely nothing about Ibanez guitars and I’m thinking I need one in my life.
I know I'm pretty late; Buuut(t) happy new year uncle Ben!
7 String in the Beginning felt like playing a harp to me, but if you get used to it- Boom!
Great vid Ben. Yes let’s see a 7 string gear video! 👊
More ARC dude!!
That tapping harmony at 2:04 feels like earlier Keith Merrow
Great Video
Meshuggah used 7-strings in the mid 90s.On there second album, i think. Jeff Loomis was inspired by that album, tried out a 7 string guitar and the whole Nevermore Sound was shaped
Thanks Uncle Ben, Great historical of the 7 string, Much luv yr collection 👍
awesome vid, awesome content and compilation. missed the fredrik thordendal and what he did with meshugga's destroy-erase-improve 1995, with his UV greendot.
The band that really got me into 7s was Trivium, particularly on Shogun. Lately, Erra and Invent Animate have been some of my other favorite 7 string bands.
Meshuggah in the 90's was the 7-string revelation to me, and still #1 in my "best band ever" -list 🖤
Meshuggah the 1 string band.
Yes please do videos on your individual 7s. Great video as always!
My introduction to seven strings was Slipknot, but wasn't until recently that I got one because there were so many riffs that I wanted to learn, mainly Dream Theater and Haken.
Your BEADGbBe tuning made me fall in love with the 7 for a second time
Isn’t it great?! Love to hear that. Also, meshuggah, opeth, and Aphex as your avatar = you rule
Bought an rgix27feqm after amp shopping years ago, grabbed the first 7 off the wall to test the amps because I was playing a 6 in C, fell in love with the guitar and the next day I wet back with my amp layaway money and put it towards the guitar. Although I like to play in B flat now, I love the versatility of the 7 and feel more comfortable with it than anything else. I will say that 8 was had to wrap my head around and I went back to 7 quickly
I know why I like 7-strings. I’ve been playing them since ‘97; my Ibanez 7-strings have a particular “growl” to them that regular guitars don’t have.
Plus, I like the big necks.
Got a 7621 at a pawn shop a few years ago for like 100 bucks. It came in sun damaged white and you can still see the silhouette of the limp Bizkit and Korn stickers I scraped off. It's a 97 so it's basically a primary source document. 12:36
Cool video! I think I decided to pick my first 7 string after getting obsessed with Nevermore and those sick riffs Jeff Loomis wrote there. Have played 6s, 7s and 8s I still believe 7s are the sweet spot :)
Started using an RG7 in 2000 and never switched back to six strings. Mainly use an LTD SC-607 now. The sustain with the neck through is insane.
There’s only one Uncle Ben - awesome video !
Picked up a beat up AX a few years ago for literally $100. Best purchase Ive made. Just extra range and chug, just SO comfortable to play.
Justin Lowe, RIP got me into playing 7-8 string guitars. Picked an 8 up over 11 years ago and never set it down.
THANK YOU, STEVE ! Thank you, Brother Ben. I, too, love all 7 of my 7 strings 😅 great thunder coming from your playing. Thank you for this video..
Guitar collection vid? Amazing guitars!!!
Yes, we do want to see all guitars individually! And a great video as always
Trooch already played 7s on Awake. Check out the music video for Lie to see him rocking the Black and Acid Green Ibanez.
Got my dates wrong!
@@BenEller No worries, we all know it was the dates that got you wrong, uncle Ben. All's well.
Coincidentally, this DT talk reminded me of a guitar teacher with a YT channel called RomanOva. He does full album, song per song, bar per bar, breakdowns of DT (and 'Tallica,..') records. Technique and theory.
I am not affiliated in any way (seriously), but he's obviously a real one. Maybe check him out and if you like him perhaps you could namedrop or recommend him in one of your vids. It might legitimately change the dude's life.
Just one old DT head appealing to another one to help yet another one. Thanks for making nice sounds with your arm mittens. 🫡
12:04 Hell yeah! More “Meet The Machines!“
Uncle Djent Eller, nice licks! Your old drummer sounds like a monster too..dang.
Thanks, dude! He's a total beast!
@BenEller ❤❤❤
❤❤❤ appreciate it! 🤘
The mahogany body 7 string sounds awesome. And you're a pretty damn good artist too!!
Petrucci and Heaffy are the reason I got into seven strings.
Ironically though I just finished building a six string custom RGD-550 looking abomination that is set up for baritone B standard tuning. For the time that I owned a bog-standard RG7421, I began to enjoy living in the low end of stuff but I never truly grasped the best way to use the low B with the other 6 strings XD and upon trying out "baritone" tuning for abit, I decided that's what I truly wanted. Just my thoughts I guess, but maybe one day I'll get another 7 for fun.
I love the 7 string mainly for the how bigger the neck is. I feel like my fingers aren’t as cramped up.
Also the 7th string just gives it a massive sound.
Hi Ben, nice video and awesome seven strings collection. I like your tone and the great job that you have done with your guitars. I think you´re a collector of 7 strings guitar. There is a 7 string guitar that impressed me the first time i saw it, i´m talking about the Parker MaxxFly 7 String DFMV7MR. Awesome guitar, it would be awesome watching a video about you playing that guitars. regards from Vietnam dude!!
That Arc riff at 16:29 has a similar groove to Monomyth by Animals As Leaders. Very cool.
Perfect vid. Best I have seen in regards to 7 strings. That Musicman was the best sounding!
Thank you!!!