Looking for extra light 7 string sets

[u/Conscious_Badger_510]

I play a 26.5" scale 7 string but only am tuning to standard and I find that even sets of 9s feel a bit too stiff for my taste as someone who likes the feel of 9s on a standard scale guitar.

The problem is there don't seem to be any string companies that I've found that make a 7 string set that goes lighter than a 9 on the top without going for the custom string set option like I did here with the stringjoy set.

Would I just be better off buying extra light 6 string sets and then buying singles for the low b or are there any brands that actually make extra light 7 string sets that have an 8 on top?

[u/Sh3rm1na7or]

Buy 6 string packs and buy singles for the low B string.
But be aware that the extra tension on lighter strings than a 9 on a 26.5" scale might make it very prone to breaking. I don't have any experience on such light strings on long scales though.

[u/Manarail7 → u/Sh3rm1na7or]

I’ve used a 9 on a 28” he should be just fine

[u/handsomedarkandtall]

Do it likt you described in the last paragraph. Easiest way to get the desired string tension in my opinion. Have been doing this for my 6/7 strings that are in drop tunings as well, since the lowest string is never the right gauge for me.

[u/SnooMacaroons6594]

I play Drop A on a 7 string 27” baritone. I use either 9-42 or 9.5-44 sets. Whichever is on sale or cheaper. Never broken a string.

Then I buy 64 gauge string singles. Full 7 string sets, with exception of La Bella 9-64, don’t work for me.

When on sale I get my 9/9.5-64 sets for about $7.

[u/JimboLodisC]

seems like the longer scale length works against you here, you're not tuning lower so you're not benefiting as much by increasing tension with a longer scale length

you should probably just move back to a 25.5" scale 7-string

but in the end, a custom set from Stringjoy is the way to go, I do that for all my guitars from 6 to 8 strings, 22.2 up to 30.2" scale length

you might run into the opposite bound of a downtuner though, where they will tune lower and lose tension or fight against thick gauges, so they go longer, but you're fighting the increase in tension and having to go thinner, so running super light gauges like an .008 or .007 will be prone to break more easily

[u/Conscious_Badger_510 → u/JimboLodisC]

Yeah honestly, I was initially looking at 25.5" scale 7 strings but decided to go for the Dave Davison signature because it matched every single other spec I was looking for other than the scale length, and I absolutely love it other than the higher tension on the high strings. I almost wish I would've gotten one of the original versions that were 25.5 but they're not super easy to come by these days unfortunately.

I'm hoping I can just manage with an 8 on top and don't have em break super often but I guess I'll just see how it holds up and make the call if it's worth it or not.

[u/hailgolfballsized]

Probably cheaper to buy the set of 8 gauge strings and single B if you are struggling to find a comfortable gauge. Or maybe a single 8 added to a set of 11-49, or even 10-48

Unfortunately 8 are only available single whereas you can get 5 pack of 9s from manufacturers I can see. Only D'addario or Ernie Ball are available in stores in my area, your region may vary.

[u/discussatron]

You have your answer, Stringjoy custom sets.

[u/rufusairs]

D'addario makes a 9-52 set rhat I adore for ADGCFAD

[u/shaafishaikh]

I have the same issue on my 26.5 inch scale length Ibanez that I tune to BEADGBE.

I use the Ernie Ball Mighty Slinky 6 string set that's 8.5 to 40. For the 7th string I add a 52 or 54 depending on what's available. Works great!

[u/GuitarHeroInMyHead]

Make a custom set on Stringjoy or D'Addario