Favourite multiscale length for 7 string standard tuning?

I’ve played 25.5” to 26.25”, 25.5” to 28.265” and a 25.5” to 27” and found all to be plenty comfortable. Even the smaller fan, on a Strandberg Boden, was noticeable as far as increased tension on the 7th string.

Tuning and parallel fret placement relative to what you’re going to be playing makes a big difference though.

 

It actually wasn’t too bad in person. Some stretches on the lowest frets was awkward, but it was totally playable.

I played a Novax style guitar that was 27.5” to 30.75”, and combined with bass strings on the low three it seemed like a monster.

Can you try out any of the production stuff? The rather conservative fans on the Ibanez fanned models is a good introduction.

Seeing as you’re not looking to tune crazy low or high, maybe go with a smaller fan at first.

I will say, I’ve never had any problems adjusting to different multi-scale setups. It comes pretty naturally.

 

I find 25.5 - 26.25 perfect for B standard. It has that little bit of extra tension and clarity on the lower wound strings but only a .125 increase from one string to the next so it's just the E and B strings that feel a small bit longer than a regular 25.5" guitar. You can also drop a gauge for the low strings and still retain similar tension, 59 down from 60, 62 down from 64. With the 9th as the parallel fret the fretboard only slants a small bit and the bridge takes most of it.

I find anything longer than 26.5 a little uncomfortable to play so this scale feels much more natural to me.

 

Approved. I always like shorter scales on the high strings and 26.5" is good tension wise for the low B...

 

My eight (tuned with low B and high A) is only 26" on the low B, and it's always been great to me. I will admit, though, that my 28 3/4" low B is a lot clearer and brighter. A little extra scale length goes a long way, IMO.

 

I would go for something like 26" or 26.5" on the bass side and a regular 25.5" on the treble side.

 

I think 25.5-27" is great although I imagine a smaller fan like that of a Strandberg would feel even better ergonomically. As it's been said, a little extra tension does add a lot of clarity but I think even 25.5" is quite sufficient for Standard, Drop A, and probably Drop G at the lowest as long as you have a good amp/pickups.

24.75-26.5" sounds heavenly though actually.

 

I've played Strandberg and Kiesel multiscale 7s and preferred the smaller fan on the Strandberg; both offer a big enough difference to keep the low B string tight even if you're in drop G, but if you like to play vertical legato runs from the low to high strings, the 27" scale at the top string can be tough. That said, I have medium-small hands so the issue might just be my reach.

 

Yeah you’re correct about the Strandberg. Kiesel is 25.5-27 for the 7 string.

 

I found the strandy to have a really comfortable fan. I tuned to standard and I usually hate anything longer then a 25.5, but found it to be a non issue with that one.

 

25-26.5 makes a stock 10-59 set perfect for me