Start-a-new Or Convert?

[Thoughtless 7]

I have wanted a 7 string explorer for a LONG time now...but i'm wondering if i should build my own body or if i should get an existing one and make it into a 7 string?

Any advice is appreciated.

[feylya]

Hee, I'm kinda about to do the same thing except I'm converting a 7 string bolt on to a neck through.

[MzI]

well if you have a body already i say go with that, but if you dont itd prolyl be cheaper t o buy your own wood and what not and build it yourself, plus you get to choose any wood you want

MzI

[Devon Headen]

I'd say from scratch. Your string spacing is going to be cramped it you try to squeeze 7 strings onto a 6-string neck.

[Thoughtless 7]

I was thinking of getting a 7string neck and fit it...and replace the bridge and the alike...would that work, or would it be easier to just start from the beginning?

[Slaughthammer]

you wuold have to make the neck pocket larger or the heel of the neck thinner.

you would have to install a new bridge. with a TOM not that hard to do

you would have to make the pickup routs lager to fit 7-string-pickups

you'd pobably have refinish the whoe body.

why do you want to do this?

also, i don't think you'll be happy with the result. the cutaways are made for a 6-string neck and not for a 7-string. otherwise, you could make a cut through the hole body at the center line and set a piece of wood in the middle, so the neck pocket gets wider and the neck would fit it.... but i would rather build a new guitar