Extended Range Guitars: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Extended-range guitars (ERGs) offer you access to a broader tonal range than standard 6-string guitars, allowing you to hit those deeper, lower notes that are perfect for genres like metal, jazz, and experimental music.

For example, a 7-string guitar adds a low B string, giving you an extended bass range that’s crucial for the heavy, down-tuned riffs found in metal subgenres like djent and deathcore.

Bands like Meshuggah and Periphery have made this sound a defining feature of their music, relying on that extra string to add crushing weight and complexity to their riffs.

In jazz, ERGs provide the opportunity to explore new harmonic possibilities.

A player like Tosin Abasi from Animals as Leaders uses 8-string guitars to blend jazz-inspired chord voicings with progressive metal, creating intricate layers of melody and rhythm that wouldn’t be possible on a standard 6-string.

Adding an extra string opens up entirely new creative possibilities. A 7-string or 8-string guitar not only extends your lower range but also allows for more versatility in your playing.

You can transition seamlessly from heavy, low-end chugs to intricate, melodic lines without switching instruments.

ERGs are becoming a favorite in modern metal and beyond because they push the boundaries of what a guitar can do.

Whether you’re experimenting with complex chord structures, tapping into new tunings, or blending genres, extended-range guitars provide the tools to expand your musical landscape.

Guitars like the Ibanez RG7321 or the Schecter Omen-8 are great examples of budget-friendly ERGs that deliver on both playability and tone, making them accessible for players looking to explore new sonic territories without breaking the bank.

Meanwhile, higher-end models like the Strandberg Boden 8 offer ergonomic design and cutting-edge features for serious musicians pushing the boundaries of their craft.

If you’re chasing that heavy, chuggy sound, extended-range guitars (ERGs) excel in lower tunings.

These guitars let you tap into deep, resonant tones that regular 6-string guitars simply can’t reach.

With a 7-string, you can drop down to a low B or even lower, creating the thick, powerful sound that drives modern metal.

Think of bands like Slipknot or Korn, where those extra low notes bring an aggressive, earth-shaking presence to their music.

But ERGs aren’t just for metal. They’re also perfect for complex jazz harmonies, allowing you to play extended chord voicings that wouldn’t be possible on a standard guitar.

Jazz fusion players like Charlie Hunter use 7 and 8-string guitars to blend bass lines and melodies on a single instrument, opening up new possibilities for improvisation and composition.

Whether you’re hammering out crushing metal riffs or navigating intricate jazz progressions, ERGs deliver the sound and versatility you need to explore new musical territories.

Icons like Steve Vai, Javier Reyes, and Stephen Carpenter have fully embraced extended-range guitars (ERGs), pushing the limits of what’s possible on the instrument.

Steve Vai, with his 7-string Ibanez Universe, pioneered the use of extended-range guitars in rock and instrumental music, expanding the guitar’s potential for complex, melodic compositions.

Javier Reyes, of Animals as Leaders, uses 8-string guitars to blend intricate rhythms and harmonies, fusing elements of metal, jazz, and classical music into a seamless, innovative sound.

Stephen Carpenter, from Deftones, took his heavy, downtuned riffs to the next level by incorporating 7- and 8-string guitars into his music, giving Deftones’ sound an even deeper, more powerful resonance.

7-string guitars are the go-to for many modern metal players. Adding that low B string gives you a deeper, more powerful sound that regular 6-strings just can’t reach.

You’ll find these guitars everywhere in metal because they strike a perfect balance: they let you get those heavy, crushing riffs while still feeling familiar enough if you’re used to a standard guitar.

Take Misha Mansoor from Periphery—he’s a huge advocate of 7-strings, using models like the Jackson Juggernaut to create his signature mix of complex rhythms and soaring leads.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory also relies on 7-string guitars, like his Ibanez DCM100, to deliver those punishing, down-tuned riffs that have defined the band’s sound.

The versatility of 7-strings makes them perfect for more than just metal, too.

John Petrucci of Dream Theater uses his Music Man Majesty 7 to blend progressive metal with intricate, melodic playing.

Whether you’re diving into djent, progressive metal, or just want a fuller, heavier tone, 7-string guitars offer endless creative possibilities while keeping things grounded enough for you to experiment with ease.

8-string guitars take things even further by adding two extra low strings, usually tuned to B and F# or A and Eb.

This expands your tonal range dramatically, giving you access to deep, earth-shaking lows that are perfect for heavy styles like metal and djent.

These guitars are built for crushing low-end riffs that demand power and precision.

Look at Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders—he’s a master of the 8-string, using his Ibanez TAM100 to combine jaw-dropping technicality with deep, resonant tones.

Fredrik Thordendal from Meshuggah helped pioneer the use of 8-strings in djent, using models like the Ibanez M80M to create their signature polyrhythmic, downtuned sound.

With an 8-string, you’re not just adding more low notes; you’re expanding your creative possibilities.

These guitars let you explore new tunings, complex chord structures, and heavier riffs that simply wouldn’t be possible on a standard guitar.

If you’re ready to push the limits of what a guitar can do, an 8-string is the perfect tool to take your music to the next level.

9-string guitars are less common, but they take extended range to a whole new level.

With that extra string, you’re diving into ultra-low tunings that open up entirely new sonic possibilities.

These guitars are perfect for experimental music and players looking to push the boundaries of what’s possible on guitar.

For example, artists like Josh Travis of Emmure and Glass Cloud use 9-strings to create brutal, bone-crushing riffs that hit frequencies most guitars can’t touch.

His Legator Ninja 9 gives him the extended range to explore new depths in his music while still allowing for complex chord voicings and intricate lead work.

9-string guitars aren’t just about going low—they’re about expanding your entire musical vocabulary.

Whether you’re crafting heavy, down-tuned riffs for metal or exploring avant-garde, experimental styles, a 9-string guitar gives you the tools to create sounds that stand out and push guitar playing into uncharted territory.

Baritone guitars are a favorite for heavier music styles because they’re tuned lower—typically a fourth or fifth lower than standard guitars.

This tuning gives you deeper, darker tones that are perfect for crushing riffs and heavy rhythm-focused playing.

Take Stephen Carpenter from Deftones, who uses baritone guitars like the ESP SC-607B to create those signature, downtuned walls of sound that define the band’s heavier tracks.

Baritone guitars let you get those thick, rumbling low notes without needing an extra string, making them a great option for players who want more low-end power while keeping a more traditional setup.

Baritones are especially popular in genres like doom metal, stoner rock, and post-metal, where the focus is on deep, resonant tones that standard guitars can’t quite deliver.

Whether you’re locking in with the bass on rhythm sections or crafting slow, heavy riffs, a baritone guitar gives you that extra depth and darkness to make your music hit harder.