7-string acoustics. Do they exist?

[donlyn]

Originally Posted by rmgjsps

My Doctor is Russian. We were talking about guitars and I asked if he played. He said that he used to and said, "You know, in Russia, guitars have seven strings." I didn't know, but now I do.

And in Russia, railroad gauge is almost 5 feet. Most common RR gauge is 4'8.5" in the rest of the world, not counting narrow gauge lines. As originally constructed in England, the Great Western Railway built and ran on a 7' gauge.

* * *

Saw "Spider" John Koerner many times at the Club 47 on Palmer St in Cambridge in the '60s. Remember him going across the street to the Oxford Tavern for refreshments between sets. Wonderful entertainer. Always wondered if the label asked for or made up nicknames for him and his buddies. And yes, at the time he did play a 7 string, octaved on the g string.

Don

[PHJim]

Originally Posted by rmgjsps

My Doctor is Russian. We were talking about guitars and I asked if he played. He said that he used to and said, "You know, in Russia, guitars have seven strings." I didn't know, but now I do.

Not all Russian guitars, nor even most. Most Russian rock, metal and jazz guitarists use six string guitars.

[H2O]

I have had my eye on Doff guitars out of Russia for awhile now. Their 7 strings appear to be available for a low price... Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Doff 7 String

[pbla4024]

Originally Posted by PHJim

Not all Russian guitars, nor even most. Most Russian rock, metal and jazz guitarists use six string guitars.

Russian guitar is a distinct instrument, not just a guitar used/made in Russia.
You can hear it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYJOXGJM41I

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by H2O

I have had my eye on Doff guitars out of Russia for awhile now. Their 7 strings appear to be available for a low price... Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Doff 7 String

Then you need one of these.

https://www.etsy.com/market/round_tuit

[PHJim]

Originally Posted by pbla4024

Russian guitar is a distinct instrument, not just a guitar used/made in Russia.
You can hear it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYJOXGJM41I

How is the Russian guitar tuned? Could you just tune it with the top six strings EADGBE and tune the bass to a convenient pitch like A.

[The Kid!]

David Myka could probably build anything that you can dream up for an electric or an acoustic. He is incredible. His acoustics ring for days!

http://www.mykaguitars.com/gallery.htm

[pbla4024]

Originally Posted by PHJim

How is the Russian guitar tuned? Could you just tune it with the top six strings EADGBE and tune the bass to a convenient pitch like A.

DGBDGBD
To be precise D2G2B2D3G3B3D4

[Brent Hahn]

This clip is from my Monday live internet radio show -- Dave Cipriani on a 7-string acoustic with a magnetic pickup and an overdriven little solid-state busker amp, Chris Payne on cajon and assorted other stuff. The 7th string is low.

[PHJim]

Originally Posted by pbla4024

DGBDGBD
To be precise D2G2B2D3G3B3D4

Ah, Dobro tuning with a low D. Thanks.

[PHJim]

Originally Posted by PHJim

There are various configurations of 7 string guitars.
- The one popularized, if not invented, by George Van Eps had an extra bass string. Bucky Pizzarelli was a disciple of Van Eps and his son John has carried on the tradition. I have seen solid bodied seven strings as well, but haven't heard them much, if at all.
- Lenny Breau played a nylon seven string guitar with an extra treble string. Lenny is the only player I've seen using this configuration.
- As Zombywoof mentioned, Spider John Koerner was heard on three great LPs in the mid-sixties playing a seven string with an octave third course. Roger McGuinn has had Martin make him a "Spider John" style seven string guitar, but it doesn't seem to be very popular yet. (Spider John is still playing, but usually uses a 12-string these days.)

I have read since I made this post, that Roger McGuinn has patented the design of the seven-string with the octave G. I hope that he has cut John Koerner in on this. There is no way that anyone who went through the Great Folk Scare of the sixties was not aware of Koerner, Glover & Ray. I always assumed that that was where Roger got the idea.

[HaiCou]

If you like the phased sound of additional treble strings and play of a seven string you might be interested in a customized guitar. It is pretty unique and versatile.

https://youtu.be/9k9TawyFaPU

I share this info for making it easier to other people approaching the field of acoustic 7 string playing. I think it’s great.

[soma5]

I have a 7-string custom High Noon (small jumbo) built by Texas luthier Jamie Kinscherff. It is actually a baritone, with approximately 28" scale length. It is ridiculously alive. I tune the top 6 strings in standard dropped a whole step to D-D and the bottom string to either G or A depending.

[zombywoof]

Spider John Koerner played a 7 string guitar, in his case a Gibson L1 or something, on which he threw a banjo tuner. As noted there was the Martin McGuinn Signature 7 string with the added octave G string. Ibanez at one time apparently offered a 9 string Waylon Jennings guitar. Thing is I have ever only seen one so apparently not many of them were produced. I liked the McGuinn Martin so much I am having an octave g added to one of my Harmony Sovereigns which already sports a pin bridge.

[otis66]

Steve Kaufman the Flat Picking Champion and teacher Plays a 7 String Gallagher Guitar.
https://youtu.be/tSmUKcx3nNw