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Guitars with more than six strings are classified as Extended Range Guitars. These instruments are especially favored by metal guitarists, who often utilize 7-string, 8-string, and even 9-string guitars. To maintain stability, extended range guitars are built with wider necks reinforced with additional truss rods and are often available in multi-scale configurations. In these designs, each string has a scale length optimized for its pitch and thickness, achieved through a fanned fret system.
Known as the 'Father of the Seven-String Guitar,' George Van Eps (1913-1998), alongside Howard Alden, helped establish the seven-string guitar in jazz and swing music. Meanwhile, virtuoso guitarist Narciso Yepes pioneered the use of extended-range classical guitars with up to ten strings. In the electric guitar world, the first mass-produced 7-string guitar was the Ibanez Universe, designed in 1990 by the legendary Steve Vai. This instrument revolutionized modern metal and was quickly adopted by guitarists like Tony MacAlpine, Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Chris Broderick, Stephen Carpenter (Deftones), and James 'Munky' Shaffer (Korn), helping to lay the foundation for the extended-range guitar market.
Today, bands such as Animals as Leaders, Periphery, and the progressive metal pioneers Meshuggah have embraced 8-string guitars, pushing the boundaries of modern guitar playing with innovative techniques like slap-style riffing and extended-range tonality that blends elements of both bass and guitar.
Among the leading manufacturers of 7-, 8-, and even 9-string guitars, Ibanez stands out as a pioneer. The company first introduced the Steve Vai Universe and later the RG2228, the first mass-produced 8-string electric guitar, featuring custom EMG pickups. Other renowned brands like ESP, Jackson, and Schecter also offer a wide selection of extended-range guitars in various designs.
For players looking for even more tonal options, pickup manufacturers such as Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio provide specialized 7- and 8-string humbuckers designed to enhance the extended range experience.
Innovative brands like Strandberg Guitars focus on ergonomics and playability. The 7-String Custom Shop Boden 7 BKS Perpetual Black Stain features fanned frets, a headless design, and the revolutionary EndurNeck profile, used by artists such as Sarah Longfield and Chris Letchford (Scale the Summit).
For players chasing ultra-tight, aggressive metal tones, Ibanez offers the M8 and M80M Meshuggah Signature Models, featuring Lundgren humbuckers and an extra-long 29.4-inch scale length for maximum attack and clarity. Meanwhile, Tosin Abasi's TAM10 with a DiMarzio HSH pickup configuration delivers a more versatile tonal palette for progressive and fusion styles.
If 8 strings aren’t enough, players can explore 9-string options like the Ibanez RG9QI or the Schecter Damien Platinum 9—ideal for those looking to push the boundaries of extended-range guitar performance.
