Best 7 or 8 String Guitars in 2026: 4 Picks Compared on Specs

Updated on Oct 26, 2026

The Jackson JS22-7 DKA HT is the top pick because it is the only guitar in this guide offered as a kit, with a cable, tuner and strap in the seller's listing. The guide covers all four 7-string electrics that match the 7-or-8-string filter today, and every pick is chosen from the stated specifications in the seller listings and from the maker's published product information.

4 picks from 16 guitars that match this guide with a price we can quote today. Prices below are live, each shown with the time it was read.

Quick list

Which one is right for you?

• For a first 7-string with accessories: The Jackson JS22-7 DKA HT is the only kit in the pool, with a cable, tuner and strap named by the seller. It is the pick if you want one box with the basics included. See pick 1
• For an Ibanez 7-string without extras: The Ibanez Axion Label RGD71ALMS is the only Ibanez in the pool and is listed without a bundled kit. Choose it if you already have your own accessories. See pick 2
• For a Jackson Pro Series signature: The Chris Rörland Soloist SL7 is the only Jackson Pro Series model and the only Chris Rörland signature in the pool. It fits players who want an artist-named 7-string from Jackson. See pick 3
• For a John Petrucci signature: The JP15 7 is the only Ernie Ball Music Man in the pool and carries John Petrucci's name in the model. It is the pick for a Music Man 7-string with an Amber Waves finish. See pick 4

All 4 picks in detail

1 Best starter kit

Jackson JS Series Dinky Arch Top JS22-7 DKA HT 7-String Electric Guitar

Type

Electric

Strings

7 or 8

Kit or bundle

Yes

$269.99 (as of 10/26/2026 00:35 PDT - Details)

View on Amazon

This Jackson is the only kit in the pool, with the seller listing a cable, tuner and strap alongside the guitar. That makes it the single pick here for anyone starting a 7-string setup from zero. It also shows a Satin Black finish and a 7-string Dinky Arch Top body in the model name.

Pros

• Only pick offered as a kit, with cable, tuner and strap named by the seller
• 7-string electric from Jackson's JS Series, stated in the listing
• Satin Black finish stated in the listing

Cons

• Scale length, pickups and bridge type not stated by the seller
• No case listed; the bundle covers accessories rather than a case
• Only one finish offered in this pool

Good fit if

• First-time 7-string players who want cable, tuner and strap included
• Players who prefer a Jackson JS Series 7-string with a Satin Black finish

Skip if

• Players who already own a cable, tuner and strap and want the guitar alone
• Players who need scale length or pickup specs before buying

Verdict: The JS22-7 DKA HT is the best starter kit among today's picks because it is the only listing that includes the basic accessories.

2 Best standalone Ibanez 7-string

Ibanez Axion Label RGD71ALMS 7-string Electric Guitar

Type

Electric

Strings

7 or 8

View on Amazon

This is the only Ibanez in the current pool and the only pick that is neither a starter kit nor a signature model. The seller lists it as an Axion Label RGD71ALMS 7-string with a Black Aurora Burst Matte finish. Players who already have accessories get a 7-string without extra kit parts.

Pros

• Only Ibanez in the pool
• No bundled accessories in the listing, so no duplicate cable or tuner
• Black Aurora Burst Matte finish stated in the listing

Cons

• Scale length, pickups and neck wood not stated by the seller
• Does not carry a signature artist name
• No case or gig bag listed

Good fit if

• Ibanez players who want a 7-string without bundled extras
• Players who like the Black Aurora Burst Matte finish

Skip if

• Players who want a starter kit with cable, tuner and strap
• Players who want a signature artist model

Verdict: The Axion Label RGD71ALMS is the standalone Ibanez 7-string to choose when you already have your own accessories.

3 Best Pro Series signature Jackson

Jackson Pro Series Signature Chris Rörland Soloist SL7 7-string Electric

Type

Electric

Strings

7 or 8

$1,599.99 (as of 10/26/2026 00:35 PDT - Details)

View on Amazon

This is the only Jackson Pro Series model and the only Chris Rörland signature in the pool. It is also the only Soloist SL7 listed, so it covers the player who wants an artist-name 7-string from Jackson. The listing states a Satin Black finish.

Pros

• Only Pro Series Jackson in the pool
• Only artist signature Jackson in the pool
• Satin Black finish stated in the listing

Cons

• Pickups, bridge and scale length not stated by the seller
• Not offered as a kit
• No second finish listed

Good fit if

• Jackson players who want a Pro Series 7-string
• Players looking for a Chris Rörland signature model

Skip if

• Players who need pickup or bridge specifications before buying
• Players who want a non-signature no-frills 7-string

Verdict: The Chris Rörland Soloist SL7 is the pick for a Jackson Pro Series 7-string with an artist signature in the model name.

4 Best John Petrucci signature

Ernie Ball Music Man JP15 7 John Petrucci Signature 7-string Electric

Type

Electric

Strings

7 or 8

$4,199.00 (as of 10/25/2026 23:48 PDT - Details)

View on Amazon

The JP15 7 is the only Ernie Ball Music Man in the pool and the only John Petrucci signature. With an Amber Waves finish and a 7-string layout in the model name, it gives players a second artist-signature choice with a different brand than the Jackson options.

Pros

• Only Ernie Ball Music Man in the pool
• Only John Petrucci signature 7-string in the pool
• Amber Waves finish stated in the listing

Cons

• Pickups, bridge and scale length not stated by the seller
• No accessories included in the listing
• No non-signature Music Man option in this pool

Good fit if

• John Petrucci fans who want a signature 7-string
• Players who want a Music Man 7-string with an Amber Waves finish

Skip if

• Players who need full specs before ordering
• Players who prefer a non-signature 7-string

Verdict: The JP15 7 is the pick when you want a John Petrucci signature 7-string from Ernie Ball Music Man.

Specs compared

How we chose these

How we picked: The current pool contains four electric guitars whose seller listings declare 7 or 8 strings. Because the pool has fewer than 12 entries, every matching guitar is included below rather than cut to a shortlist. We compared the listings by stated specs: string count, body type, brand, kit status, finish and any signature name. Where the seller does not state a spec, such as scale length, pickups or bridge, the guide says 'not stated by the seller' instead of guessing. Prices on this page are live and read from each product listing, so this text avoids quoting dollar amounts. No unit in the pool has been played or reviewed by this site; selection is based on the maker's published product names and specifications in the pool.

What to look for

Start with the string count you actually need

The filter for this guide matches listings that declare 7 or 8 strings. In the current pool, all four picks are 7-string electric guitars and no 8-string appears. If your plans depend on the extra-low range of an 8-string, none of today's picks fits. For a 7-string, the full pool is covered below.

Kit listings versus guitar-only listings

One pick, the Jackson JS22-7 DKA HT, is listed as a bundle with cable, tuner and strap. The other three are listed as guitars alone. A kit is convenient if you are starting fresh; a guitar-only listing avoids duplicate accessories if you already own those items.

Signature and series labels

Two picks carry artist names in their model: the Jackson Pro Series Signature Chris Rörland Soloist SL7 and the Ernie Ball Music Man JP15 7 John Petrucci Signature. The Ibanez is an Axion Label model and the other Jackson is a JS Series model. The seller listings do not describe exactly what an artist changed, so treat the signature as a product-line fact rather than a spec sheet.

What to do when a spec is missing

Some listings in this pool state the model, finish and string count but omit scale length, pickups, bridge type or weight. This guide marks those as 'not stated by the seller' and does not fill the gap with a guess. If you need those details, check the maker's published specifications before ordering.

Wood and body shape as background

For acoustic guitars, Martin's materials explain that body size affects volume and bass response, and that tonewoods shape resonance, sustain and tonal character. Those principles are useful background when a guitar lists its woods or body style. None of the four picks in this pool states its body wood, so this guide does not compare wood specs.

Protect your hearing at loud volumes

If you practice or perform at loud volumes, the risk of hearing damage is real. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders notes that sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss after long or repeated exposure. Include hearing protection in your routine, especially for extended-range guitars played in heavy settings.

Questions

What does '7 or 8 strings' mean?

A standard guitar has six strings. A 7-string guitar adds a seventh string, and an 8-string adds an eighth, usually on the low end for deeper range. The filter for this guide matched any listing with 7 or 8 strings. Today's pool has four 7-string electric guitars and no 8-string, so all picks here are 7-string models.

Are these guitars acoustic or electric?

All four picks are electric guitars. The filter did not separate acoustic and electric models, but every listing that matched the 7-or-8-string filter in the current pool was for an electric 7-string. If you need an acoustic 7- or 8-string, it did not appear in this pool.

Which pick includes accessories?

The Jackson JS22-7 DKA HT is the only kit in the pool. Its seller listing names a cable, tuner and strap with the guitar. The other three picks are listed as guitars alone, so if you choose one of them, you will need to provide those accessories separately if you want them.

What if a specification I need is missing?

When the seller listing does not state a spec such as scale length, pickups, bridge type or weight, this guide says 'not stated by the seller' instead of guessing. Check the manufacturer's published spec page or ask the retailer for the missing detail before ordering.

Do signature models include extra features?

The pool does not state the exact changes on the Chris Rörland Soloist SL7 or the John Petrucci JP15 7. Their model names identify them as artist signature guitars, but the seller listings do not describe the specific differences. For that detail, consult the maker's own specifications.

Should I worry about regulated tonewoods in guitars?

International trade in some woods is controlled by CITES, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that permits are required for listed species moving across borders. The current pool does not state the woods used on any of the four picks, so this guide cannot tell you whether a regulated tonewood is present.

Update history

• 2026-10-07: First published.

Sources

• Acoustic Guitar Types | Martin Guitar
• Acoustic Guitars Wood Guide | Martin Guitar
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss | NIDCD
• CITES | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service