Mick Thomson: What I Think About 7 String Guitars! | Slipknot Guitarist

Slipknot guitarist Mike Thomson shared his thoughts on extended range guitars while discussing his 1998 Jackson Custom Shop seven-string, saying:

"I got [the custom 7-string Jackson] around 2002, but I haven't used it on any tracks yet.

"I play it at home - because actually most of the time I'm not using a drop-tuned guitar.

"If I'm sat dicking around, I just like to play in standard tuning. When you're writing you'll play different because the strings aren't dropped.

"To me, it's just another tool to get creative with. When you write riffs in drop B or drop A, you end up repeating yourself.

"It's so hard to mentally break out and do something different. At least with a seven-string, you can still play it like you would a normal guitar.

"Earlier on, I didn't really like them because people kept coming at me because it was cool to have a 7-string, yet most players would only chug on the lower string.

"Why have a massive neck for your little hands? Why play seven strings when you haven't learned how to play six? You have to walk before you can run, dude!

"Obviously, Steve Vai could play anything and sound great, but most of these guys were nothing like him... so back to the E major chord!

"I kept getting questions about tuning down instead of using a 7-string. I used to say, 'So what - it has all the notes I need!' It was a trend at the time; a lot of people were doing it. Plus this guitar is fucking astounding - it sounds and plays incredible.

"I've kept it in the case, still with the hangtag on the tuning pegs along with the build spec - like who did the electronics, fret dressing and final inspection.

"I've barely played it, but dug it out a couple of months ago and it was really cool to write with - almost like grabbing a bass because when you do that, you'll write riffs so different to what you would with a normal guitar.

"I tend to approach things with a more rhythmic standpoint and come up with weird groove riffs."

[erlendthomassen]

i'm getting a 7 string, don't wanna get 2 guitars, so i can play in e standard and drop b / drop a

[Henryarsenal]

In the hands of the right men theyre absolutely crushing. Korn used the whole spectrum of range and sound to create textures and grooves. But for Slipknot i think theyd better off sticking to 6, every band should find their own thing theyre good at.

[jasonstallworth]

It's taken me a while to get used to my 7 string after playing a 6 string for over 25 years. The thing I like about 7 string guitars over down-tuned, is it simply opens up more opportunities with that extra string. I DO AGREE that you don't wanna just hang on that low B string all the time. So I still write songs in other keys.

[jamiewhittle]

Mick is a monster, I met him and Corey @ an OZ-FEST, and they are FUCKING AWESOME, really down to earth guys.

[MadJackChurchill]

“Most players would only chug on the lower string” - a man that only chugs on the lower string.

[carpenoctem]

Munky and Head from KoRn play em well.

[jamesha]

hilarious to hear a robot gal say "fucking astounding" @ 1:29

[shredsickparadise]

I have currently 8 guitars and playing for around 12 years, I tried out 7 strings and felt like it's not my thing so I agree with Mick he's always so straight forward.

[fiftybones]

who the heck is "mike" thomson?

[rmnews]

What do you think about 7 string guitars?!

[Yugboy]

Damn, Mike Thomson is so smart! Why do people even use a 6 string? 4 string's are where its at!

[twiztid]

Even if he hates it i would like to see him play some seven strings someday since most of Slipknot songs can be played on 7 anyways.

[tompayton]

I think if you’re playing in drop A then a 7 string is what you should get. 6 strings only just about manage to still sound okay in drop A but it does sound really slappy and loose. I’d say drop A# is the down tune limit of a 6 string imo before it starts affecting the sound quality.

[diegolorenzen]

7 string stuff on the new Slipknot album?

[laurenshepherd]

I know this is 2 years late, but can someone tell me what song is in the background?

[trackerbuckmann]

Steve vai played withva high A string on the universe album.

I'm learned play on 7-string guitar, not 6 on Standard A tuning and what? It's your choice and what sound you like. Lower or higher.

[BobbyDidcott]

E major chord? Are you 100% he didn't say C major chord?

[shadowalk]

That female voice sounds artificial. Do they just find articles on the web and put it to a word-to-speech translator of some sort? Is that the purpose of this channel? (aside from getting views for revenue, of course)

[deathmetalmachine]

This would actually make more sense if you put seven on the fretboard like he does with the signature six I think Slipknot to just down to 7 and be done with it they already play in drop B and drop a so fuck it