Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale

july 2019 ToTal GuiTar
103
a
ll of these seven-strings pass the
acid test; there’s zero fl ab in the low
seventh string. This is crucial, and
it’s a testament to how well these
guitars have been constructed that
in each the de nition and string tension is
nigh-on perfect. There’s a versatility to each
instrument that makes it suitable for other
styles. And all are really fun to play, with slim
pro le necks making light work of notey
solos and rhythms, and just enough maple to
grab onto for chord work.
The JP70, with that body contour on the
wing, could not be more comfortable, unless
it got someone else to play it for you. That
person, the JP70 suggests, would be John
Petrucci, and so the question remains
whether those indi erent to Dream Theater
would  nd the instrument too-much-
Petrucci for their purposes. We say the
vibrato might silence such doubts.
Certainly, all the others invite you to put
your own stamp on the guitar. The Mansoor,
a signature model in name only, lacks the big
name Seymour Duncan pickups of the San
Dimas but those MM1 humbuckers are
remarkably versatile, and the playability and
aggressive contouring are a vision of where
the S-style electric is at in 2019.
That the Charvel hot-rodded feel translates
to seven strings should be no surprise, but its
shred-worthy gnarliness is nonetheless
breathtaking. As for the Schecter, its
multiscale design looks unusual but feels
natural on a guitar blessed with a custom
shop je ne sais quoi.
th
e g
as
s
t
a
t
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o
n
FINaL VeRdICT
Which of our seven-strings is best for you?
th
e g
as
s
t
a
t
i
o
n
scHecTer
reaper-7
MulTiscale
JacKson pro series
siGnaTure MisHa Mansoor
JuGGernauT HT7
cHarvel
pro-Mod san
diMas sTYle 2-7
sTerlinG Jp70
JoHn peTrucci
siGnaTure
features
sound QualitY
Value for moneY
build QualitY
PlaYabilitY
oVerall rating
suMMarY
features
sound QualitY
Value for moneY
build QualitY
PlaYabilitY
oVerall rating
suMMarY
features
sound QualitY
Value for moneY
build QualitY
PlaYabilitY
oVerall rating
suMMarY
features
sound QualitY
Value for moneY
build QualitY
PlaYabilitY
oVerall rating
suMMarY
best for
shred
best for
metal
best
Value
best
all-rounder
TGR320.gear_test.indd 103 22/05/2019 18:23