Sound Check God is Seven
posted by on October 18 at 12:47 PM
The seven-string guitar is for the truly evil. It is for those who need to take their darkness to the next level—the celebrational level of orc rock, where double kick drums discharge and demonic voices chant and gurgle. Chances are, if you play a seven-string guitar, you tortured insects when you were a child and you have since renamed yourself “Squeegee” or “Munky” or “Raz.”
The seventh string is typically a low B. It allows you to gurgle and play massive low end while keeping the upper range open for soloing. In 1990, Ibanez introduced the Universe, a Steve Vai signature model. Vai was attracted to the extended range and was also into numerology, particularly the number seven.
Next were Dream Theater and Morbid Angel. Then came Korn in 1994. Their self-titled release sold three million copies and nu metal was born. Korn’s guitar player, “Head,” played a seven-string Ibanez. Metal fans around the world rallied and swam in Head’s super low end. Sadly, many insects were probably tortured.
But just when evil was getting eviler, Head found God. He had simply played too many low notes. That, and all the methamphetamines, Xanax, sleeping pills, and alcohol. God saved him from the seventh string.
Imagine the let down. You’re 15, you’re needing the sound of a metal band, and your favorite guitar player finds God and quits the band.
Artist/producer Mimesis, aka Marlon Schaeffer, was one of those Korn fans. His thoughts on Head’s contribution:
Head’s low tone was so low and nasty, I was like, Yeah!! I was into death metal and industrial at the time. Korn came out and it was exactly what I needed. The sound had this punchy-ness to it. It’s that seventh string. Then Head found God, and they got “Munky” to be their guitar player. Munky’s pretty good too.Just for the record, I’m not a nu metal guy. I went through that phase, like many of us did, yes. Now, I’m into Aphex Twin, Fantomas, Godspeed You Black Emperor, and Trentemoller.
OK Marlon, your tastes have evolved, but how many insects did you torture?
It started with the occasional ant. Then there were house flies. Then I discovered cockroaches. Im all cured now, I play a French Horn. Hail Satan.
You all are afraid of the rock. Don't be afraid of the rock.
I'm not afriad. I'm pregaming for Ozzy right now. Maybe I'm a little afraid.
shit, i rock so hard sometimes i need TWELVE STRINGS.
You know, Orcs love too. It's not all gurgling. Can you argue with 3 million sold?
Ozzy snorted ants.
WINDSTORM 07 - Ozzfest. He's got diapers on. "Bark at the Undergarments".
When I toured with Ozzfest in 2003 Head was still with Korn. They sounded evil, so did Marilyn Manson, but he was more cartoon evil.
Korn had the double seven string attack though, no one could compete. They also had five tour buses, one for each of the band members and one for the crew. The singer had his bus wrapped with a big ad for his wife Jill Kelly's porn company.
After the show they would get loaded then Munky and Head would tool around on mini-bikes they kept under the bus. The guitar player for Manson even had a road case that converted into a jump.
The seven string its all about the evil.
I don't know what I would have done if Ace Frehley had found God. That is terrible. I hope Marlon is OK.
two 7 strings? Please. That's like me using a magnum condom.
People buy 7 string guitars because their 5 string playing bassist is drowning them out. At that point, everybody needs to take a step back and re-evaluate what it is they're trying to accomplish.
I just finished a new guitar. It has eight strings and its called the Magnum.
Rob Zombie is a toy poodle. His dreads weigh more than he does. His movies do make me pee my pants, I have to say. Even when I see the commercials I pee.
LOLS at #4 and #11
I think Rob Zombie is in Akron Family now.
The original 7-stringers played jazz, starting in the 1940s:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Van_Eps
Ignoring the seemingly univeral disdain for pretensiousness,I think Rob Zombie is a pretty fucking rad artist/minor league visionary. Also, Justin Broaderick is a fucking genius and douchebags like Korn ripped him off only to turn a great sound into something to be ashamed of.
How about 8 to 12 string guitars with 5+ octive range? http://www.warrguitars.com
I didn't know Rob Zombie played jazz in the 40's.
Matt Pike plays a 9-string guitar, but don't hold that against him. He's written most of the best riffs of our lifetime.
People need to learn that you don't need more strings, you need more amps!
Dude! That guy from Morphine did more evil low end damage with two strings then any of the aforementioned could even hope for.
Fuck Korn! And all seven string guitar players!
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