Heavy Duty: Extended Range Guitars Connecting With More Players

While traditionally associated with the more extreme shredding involved with heavy metal and hard rock, extended range guitars have been gaining in popularity even with players of other styles in recent years. These instruments allow guitarists to advance their playing abilities, experiment with sounds, and create new and exciting music. An increased range of pitches to work with and a beefier lower end do, of course, continue to appeal to the metalheads out there, but jazz and fusion players are also embracing the versatility and challenge provided by extended range axes.

We recently touched base with reps from four of the most notable suppliers of these types of guitars to learn about trends in the market, what specific models are generating profit for MI retailers, and what’s on the horizon for these hard-hitting instruments.

While there have been 7-string (or 8, 9, et cetera) and baritone guitars for years and years, it seems like extended range guitars have reached a new level of popularity of late – MMR even just recently ran an article expressly on the topic. Have you been observing this trend as well and, if so, what do you attribute it to?
Blue Wilding: ESP has been a resource for extended range guitars for 25 years. In fact, we’re one of the few major (non-boutique/custom shop) manufacturers who’ve offered 7-string and baritone guitars as part of our product offerings for more than two decades. The driving force is always based on the musical styles that guitarists find appealing. Extended range guitars are primarily used in heavy music, mostly varying sub-genres of metal, but also with innovative players in other genres who appreciate the lower tunings achievable with extra strings and longer-scale necks. A lot of current guitar-oriented music requires the extended lower end to match up with the lower keys of the music. If you simply downtune a typical standard-scale 6-string model to C#, B, A, or below, the intonation, tension and feel go out correct functional range and things start sounding bad and feeling… well, “flubby” is a good word to describe it.

Drew Montell: I think players and builders alike are actively realizing that, like other instrument families, the guitar can be utilized in a variety of ranges to create remarkable music. Other instrumentalists have been playing the same instrument with multiple ranges for centuries (i.e. trumpet), and I think it’s exciting that this concept is becoming more popular amongst guitarists. With the increase in popularity, builders are seemingly willing to create more options for players to choose from, and the result is the trend you speak of.

Jon Romanowski: Metal music constantly evolves. Players in this music category are always pushing the envelope, to get heavier, faster, and more extreme. Extended range instruments have the feature set that allow you to execute those techniques. Extended range guitars have been increasing in popularity due to its sounds and tuning stability with low tunings.

Thomas Appleton: We have seen increased interest in our extended range products all across the board. Ever since the introduction of the first production 7 string with our Steve Vai Universe guitar back in 1990, we’ve been on the forefront of developing cutting edge designs to meet the needs of the players who need something more than a traditional 6 string guitar can provide. The late 90’s saw the launch of the ultra-popular RG7620, a guitar that helped pave the way for the Nu metal revolution and set the stage for further development of extended range instruments. Moving from there into 8 and even 9 strings we have continued to push the limits on how far we can take designs and provide our customers and fans the guitars they desire.

For your brand, what are currently the hottest-selling extended range electrics?
DM: We have been fortunate enough to work with John Petrucci and Tosin Abasi to develop the Majesty 8 string and Kaizen 7 string guitars. All of these artists had a desire to push the boundaries with their own design respectively. John wanted an 8 string version of his best-selling guitar for years, and to achieve the lower register while maintaining playability, the multiscale was the way to go. For Tosin, he also went with a less drastic multiscale, but we also wanted to improve the technical playability of neck, while maintaining extreme comfort. Therefore, we invented the “Infinity Radius” which allows for enhanced visibility across all of the strings on the neck with a familiar feel.

TA: We have a large selection of extended range instruments in our line. Some of the strongest selling extended range instruments currently include the RGDMS8CSM, Q547BMM, RGR752AHBFWK, RG9PBTGF, RGA622XHBK, QX527PBABS, RGD71ALMSBAM, AZ47P1QMBIB, RGMS8BK, RGMS7BK, RG7320EXBKF, and for the entry level price points the GRG7221WH.

JR: The extended range MDK series models are doing very well for us. In addition, Misha Mansoor 7 string models, (Pro Series and USA made models) also have been selling since their launch in 2020. One of Jackson’s top models is the Jackson JS 22-7. It’s a $199.99 extended range (26.5” scale) 7 strings, that allows you to test the waters without blowing up your wallet. (Although we have those sorts of instruments too!!)

BW: The LTD M-7HT Baritone Black Metal is currently doing very well, as are two other guitars in that series, the Phoenix-7 Baritone Black Metal and EX-7 Baritone Black Metal. The LTD Deluxe SN-1007HT Baritone offers the sonic performance of a 7-string, 27” scale guitar in a more traditional shape. On the slightly higher end, our ESP E-II Series has a number of popular extended range models like the E-II Horizon NT-7B Hipshot and E-II T-B7 Baritone. Our popular extended range artist Signature Series guitars include the LTD Brian “Head” Welch SH-7 EverTune, LTD Stephen Carpenter SCT-607 Baritone, and the LTD Javier Reyes JR-608 8-string. However, our lower-priced models like the LTD EC-407 allow for more customers to get into these guitars without breaking the bank.

As something of a niche instrument, even with increased acceptance and application, how do successful MI retailers go about connecting with potential buyers in terms of promotion, display, and marketing? Are there any “best practices” that you’ve noticed to be especially impactful?
JR: The successful retailers that connect with the buyers of these instruments typically have sales associates in their stores that play music in that genre or have a deep passion for bands that require extended scale instruments. These staff members typically play locally, develop a following and other players seek them out, as they are seen as subject matter experts.

TA: Some retailers aren’t going to want to hear this, but you need to meet the customer where they are. It is really about having the right people. If all of your sales people are traditionalists and always try to push their customers in that direction, they will not be able to connect with the new generation of players out there. They really need someone on staff who understands and appreciates the technical applications of modern playing styles and the features that modern manufacturing allow. You really have to have someone on staff who understands the modern player’s needs. Looking at promotion though, social media is really where you need to be today. Many retailers do well on their socials with unboxing videos and new product arrivals. This really seems to draw customers in their stores and help their customers feel connected to the store.

BW: Absolutely. First is the awareness that not everyone coming into a store or ordering online has any personal experience with playing a guitar with more than six strings, or longer than a 25.5” scale. Teaching them how to approach the instrument is crucial. Let customers know how the standard tuning is different on an extended range guitar. Keep string sets in stock that are appropriate for these models – most string makers these days already offer extended range sets. Perhaps most importantly, having someone on staff who is familiar with these guitars and the artists who use them helps sell the guitar to the customer. Finally, manufacturers like ESP create demo videos that allow potential customers to see and hear what’s possible with an extended range model.

DM: Understanding what a player is hoping to achieve and which instrument best suits that desire is a skill that can only be gained with experience. Knowing the benefits and challenges of longer scale lengths, different string gauges, neck feel, tunings, etc…all come down to playing these instruments with an open mind. Even more importantly, getting these instruments into the player’s hands to test drive these options will help them understand what an extended range instrument can do for their music!

What trends – materials, features, building techniques – have you been observing with extended range guitars?
DM: For those players that are willing to try out features like extended scales, it seems they are also interested in other less-common design features, all of which builders are ready and willing to supply. All of the amazing aesthetics, woods, and more remain available in these instruments, but features like multiscale lengths, headless necks, unique pickup designs, preamps, et cetera… are also commonly offered in these extended scale guitars. Accessories to the actual instrument itself are also inspiring a variety of playing styles and guitar design. Something we at Ernie Ball take pride in, is the constant pursuit to advance guitar string materials and gauge combinations. These innovative strings give players a plethora of options to sound unique, and more importantly, coincide with their instrument and playing style.

BW: The EverTune constant tension bridge is a natural fit for extended range guitars. The same kind of customer who wants the down-tuned lower end will definitely benefit from the tuning stability and intonation perfection on guitars outfitted with the EverTune. Beyond that, the same things that make ESP popular overall, such as great quality control and attention to detail in design, apply equally well to extended range models as they do to our more typical guitars.

JR: Since the extended scale trend tends to be heavily weighted toward 7 & 8 string models… many of the materials that are used are similar to what is used on a bass guitar to bring out the low end. We have also observed the use of alder and basswood bodies, multi- laminate necks made of hardwoods (maple/walnut).. to ensure stability and other elements like Fishman Fluence pickups and Evertune bridges.

TA: There are so many facets to this. First, you have the down tuning bunch which we’ve addressed with our RGD line of guitars. These guitars feature a 26.5 scale length which makes an easy transition to alternate tunings. For guitars with 7, 8, or even 9 strings there are many things that you have to take into account when designing a guitar of this nature. One easy to recognize example is you need to make sure you the materials you use can handle the additional tension that is created when you add more strings. A few newer trends have been gaining traction over the last decade or so including multi-scale instruments as well as headless guitars. We’ve addressed both of these trends with our Q Series.

Are there any recently released or upcoming extended range models for your brand that you’d like to bring to MMR readers’ attention?
TA: We have many new extended range options that we are excited to talk about. The most important new introduction this year is our new Axe Design Lab series. The Axe Design Lab is a new series designed to allow our research and development team to think outside of the box and develop new gear that is exciting and pushes the boundaries of modern guitar manufacturing with looks aesthetics and functionality. In this series we have a light multi-scale option on the S body shaped SML721. We also have a new 27 fret RGA622 in two finishes as well as a new RGD8 string multiscale model the RGDMS8CSM. There is a 9-string offering as well, the gorgeous poplar burl top RG9PBTGF. While this is not part of the new Axe Design Lab we are excited about the new tremolo-equipped RG7320EXBK.

BW: Definitely! The new LTD Deluxe EC-1000 Baritone is in super high demand, and we’re making them as fast as we can. The LTD Deluxe MH-1000 Baritone is another great one. Same goes for the LTD Deluxe H3-1007 Baritone. And there’s always more on the way!

JR: I can’t reveal details on our upcoming projects, but what I can tell you is our current Pro Series MDK7, Mansoor 7 string and JS 22-7 DKA models all have extended ranges and features suited for the extended range player.

DM: This year we will be releasing additional versions of our unique Kaizen 6&7 string guitars that were designed in collaboration with Tosin Abasi. Gorgeous new combinations of John Petrucci’s Majesty and JP15 guitars in 6,7, and 8 strings will be available later in the year. Diving into the deep end, you’ll find new varieties or our flagship StingRay 5 hitting the market in 2023 as well.

Expectations for this market segment in the coming months?
DM: I expect to see continued growth as even more options of extended scale guitars and basses become available, especially with NAMM quickly approaching. Hopefully these features will continue to help the guitar market thrive, and more importantly help musicians everywhere create, perform, and play with passion!

JR: I would expect this segment to continue to grow and evolve and we will be adapting to ensure we have the best solutions available for the musicians that want to play this sort of guitars.

TA: I see this market segment continuing to grow. 7 and 8-strings may seem weird to traditionalists, but they’ve been in the market for so long now that many guitar players have never grown up in an era where they didn’t exist. This is not different or weird to younger players, to them it is just another style. It is getting to the point where some of the new generation of players out there wonder why you would even use a 6-string.

BW: Again, ESP has been in the extended range game for a long time, and we want to remain the go-to brand for every musician pursuing deeper, darker, heavier sounds. The sub-genres of metalcore, black metal, progressive metal and so on aren’t waning in popularity. Deeper, heavier guitar is an integral part of the sound of these music styles, and ESP will continue providing the tools they need.