ESP Brian "Head" Welch SH-7 Evertune 7-String - See Thru Purple Reviews

This is one of the most highly reviewed 7-strings on this site, and after finally giving in and obtaining one for myself... yeah, it definitely lives up to the 5-star reputation. First off, this thing in person is absolutely beautiful. The black accents on the dark purple really stand out under the right lighting, and the exposed wood on the neck is the perfect special touch to top it all off (more on that later).

Playability: It's a 6-string in disguise. I can play it for hours at a time without tiring out, and it took me mere minutes to get adjusted to the added width of the neck/fretboard. This says a lot considering it was the second seven string I'd ever played, the first being over 2 years ago and only for less than a week. The neck shape is incredibly comfortable, and on top of that it is quite literally the smoothest neck I've ever felt in my life. Even if the "tuxedo" look isn't for you, trust me the benefits are worth it and I'm happy that Brian and ESP decided to go this route instead of a simple gloss. The guitar is heavy, but in a "built like a tank" sort of way, meaning it feels solid and like it could take some abuse well. Personally I like this about it since it adds an extra bit of stability to it that some guitars lack.

Evertune: There is definitely a learning curve here if you haven't used one of these bridges before, but I think it is a solid piece of equipment and I've been growing to enjoy it.

In regards to the things people have said about hearing the springs ring out; you just need to have the right string tension. I found that while playing in Drop G with lower tension, yes I did get some of that noise ringing out after playing a chord/note. But when tuned back up to Drop A/B standard it went away entirely. So just keep this in mind and maybe experiment with different tunings and string gauges if it bothers you that much (use Evertune's tension calculator for this).

Overall I'm extremely happy with this guitar and I find it difficult to put it down, and to me that's what makes a guitar truly great. Huge thanks to Paul Koehn for helping along the way, as well as the rest of the Sweetwater team.

I own numerous 7 strings and this one is by far the best sounding and has the best feel to it! The neck is super comfortable and the knows and toggle switch are out of the way just perfect. Also palm mutes feel smooth with the evertune bridge so it doesn't dig in like an SG or Tele.

This guitar is great! Action and playability are excellent and it sounds great! Beautiful finish as well! Special thanks to my sales engineer Patrick Cobley!Thanks for your help with everything!

This guitar should have an ESP logo on it because it feels and plays with the quality of ESP. Not that LTD's are bad by any means but there is a difference. I couldn't be anymore happy with this guitar or my killer sales rep Lee. Simply the best there is. If you are thinking about getting this guitar, stop thinking and just buy it....It is worth every penny!

Great guitar, I bought mine before the 300 dollar price increase ( probably covid related). Great build quality and plays as good as it looks. A definite must have.

Let me start by saying, I'm very meticulous when it comes to guitar build quality and especially guitar esthetics and tone. As I also own one of the Ernie Ball Music Man Monarchy Majesty John Petrucci guitars that are beautifully built.
I don't have 20 guitars to show for due to that, but I have what I call the Magnificent 7....7 signature guitars in total.
Before jumping to purchase this long thought after ESP LTD Brian Welch SH-7 Evertune, I did my OCD research on it for a few days and really couldn't find any negative feedback online about it. Some people have said the Evertune bridge mechanisms could be noisy and clanky when playing the guitar. I personally had no issues with noise at all coming from the Evertune bridge, and I play aggressive heavy progressive metal. I just wanted to clarify that with the one I have at least...and can't speak for others.
Let's get to the guitar. In my opinion, ESP did a fantastic job on building these guitars no joke. They get a 10/10 from me on quality control. This guitar is flawless right out of the hard case. If there would have been a scuff, nick, chip or scratch....I'd find it. This thing cosmetically is a "see thru purple Ferrari off the show room floor". Even better, It plays smooth up and down the maple neck and the Fishman Fluence Modern pups actually sound "killer" in the basswood body. I usually prefer Mahogany for the body wood of a guitar for sustain, but this match with the Fishman pups blends very well for sustain. I really love the added Push-Pull tone knob for Active and Passive pickup selecting. I am finding I am using both options depending on what sounds better for the riff. Brian Welch from Korn and ESP really put this guitar together well in all aspects.
Another major important thing I wanted to mention, is when playing a 7 string, some other guitars will bring on quick finger fatigue in a fast way and I'm great full to say this SH-7 does not do that. It really has that natural 6 string feel, but WOW you have a 7th string there. Honestly, I love this guitar and everything about it....and yes it literally shreds beautifully in a high or low gain setting and pushes out an incredible harmonic sustain that ring with goosebumps. Best way to explain it. Love the black hardware as well.
I would never send this guitar back in exchange for another 7 string...it's that good !! The reviews I've read and watched on this guitar before purchasing were honest and truthful. One more thing....as it's a mid priced guitar, you get a lot for your money, and a really nice fitted ESP hard case to protect your investment. Enjoy it !!
Tony K

I purchased the SH-207 last year and was pretty happy with it, but recently saw Korn in Tampa and noticed how incredibly clear Head's guitar was and decided to go ahead and upgrade. The difference is night and day and it is well worth the extra money. The Fishman Fluence pickups are amazing and have great clarity even on chords using the 7th string with everything down a whole step. The neck through design provides incredible sustain. And the Evertune bridge is pure sorcery (although it did take a bit of YouTube watching to understand how to use it). Definitely very happy with my purchase.

Purchased this guitar, first 7 string and first Evertune bridge. All I can say is wow! Well worth the money, comfortable to play, amazing work and style and the pick ups sound amazing. The push pull for active to passive is brilliant. Truly sounds like a beast, looks like a beast. Highly recommend if anyone is debating. The evertune took a little bit of research but after all of 2 youtube videos, it was quick and easy. Quick set up and holds tune with an iron fist.

This guitar has it all, and the Evertune bridge is a nice addition that brings everything together. Getting up and down the neck is not as effortless as on my 7-string Ibanez, but it still is fast and smooth in its own right. Fishman fluence pickups are great, and getting a killer lead tone out of this guitar is incredibly easy. Perfect balance of clarity and beefiness for rhythm tones, as well. Jon Chordas was incredible in making this process effortless, and the guitar even came with the matching ESP hard shell case. 5 stars.

I bought this a few months ago. At first I hated this guitar. It"s my first seven string so it took a lot of getting used to. Once I dialed in my reverb and distortion this thing took on a life of its own and wow... I had a schecter hellraiser previously (which I loved) but this thing puts the hellraiser to shame. It"s pricey but you get what you pay for. The evertune bridge is confusing at first but once you read a few instructions it"s true to its name, it STAYS in tune no matter how much you thrash this thing. I had to knock it down to A tuning when I got it but if I can figure it out you can. I just capo to go up in tune and it works great. I love this guitar, I"m a worship musician but I missed playing metal so I grabbed this without ever playing it. It was worth every penny! Jesus is Lord and he rocks!

All I can say is wow! Chords sound MASSIVE! This guitar begs to be road hard and put up wet! I've been primarily a six stringer for ever.. Since a child 3rd grade ! I ran into a predicament as I progressed. I wanted to get lower and didn't even realize that was the sound I was looking for. The guitar looks as amazing as it sounds. Wood is is a little different from wood typically found on these guitars. The harder you play the better it sounds. Bridge does exactly what it is soposed to do. Hold tuning like a champ. Everybody makes a big deal about the bridge . I had no problems tuning once I read the manual that came with the guitar. Pick ups are HUGE! like I said begs to be played fierce. If that it what your after, pull the trigger. But beware.. Does not come with a case!

ok so I've been playing for sometime now and I've always been a Ibanez guy , I learned on one and loved them since. The reason I wanted this ESP is because Korn one of my favorite bands and I already have Munkeys signature Ibanez so I wanted to get Heads signature guitar to complete my collection . I first started looking at this guitar a few months ago and I was really on the fence at first one because of the price its deff not cheap an I never played a ESP so I was nervous I wouldn't quite like it . This guitar also has a ever tune system which I'm not to familiar with yet, but anyways after doing some research I finally bought it . Let me just say WOW this thing is truly AMAZING the second I opened the box it was instant love lol this thing is really a piece of art it just beautiful the pics online don't do the justice , it also has glow in the dark fret markers which I thought was really cool !! .
Once it was plugged in the amp =] wow she plays just great , .The previous reviewer stated this guitar is kind of on the heavy side but in my opinion it really isnt that heavy compared to my Ibanez which i think weighs more but honestly i like a kind of heavy guitar just makes it feel like it could take a good beating made from quality .
but anyways i deff recommend this guitar if you are on the fence just do it i promiss you wont regret it !
and a big thanks to sweetwater sales rep that helped me out with this order thanks guys!!!

Just a quick note, I've not seen many reviews as this guitar model is relatively new. I have been playing for over 30 years and I have a number of quality guitars, 12 or so, US Les Pauls and Starts, Teles.. the usual. A couple cheapo ones to experiment with and parts laying around in places.. Tube & SS amps. I was looking for something that could get me a more modern and/or unique sound apart from the other guitars I own.. I got it.
The first thing that I noticed was just how incredibly warm the guitar sounded acoustically and how perfect the neck shape is, like a modern c but the center half inch or so totally flat. Really encouraging to play and just easy to reach any fret. Very unique but inviting feel. The neck fills your hand but never feels to big. It's odd actually. Keep in mind I love the fatter neck on my SG, and this is no where near that, but just as comfy. Those two things alone have me sold on this guitar. Everything else is a bonus.
The Fishmans are really something different. I'm not totally in love with them yet and I was as taken aback with them as the first time I played through EMGs. Personally I prefer the tone pot pulled out sound and may look into that getting permanently switched around, if possible. They are clear and push the crap out of an amp, not really in a dirty or forceful way. Just more. A lot MORE. In all honesty though they deliver as advertised so kudos to them for that, and I knew that going in.. Plus they are eerily quite. I had to tap the strings to make sure the amp was on.. They are quality equipment and I have to find out how to use them to work for me. I intend on them driving long signal chains through multiple pedals. I'm guessing that will be no problem. I can only guess battery life will be similar to EMGs.
Once I figured it out, the Evertune is fantastic. It may have been a bit more problematic due to the tuning the guitar came in, what ever Mr. Welch uses. Once I sorted that out, I've not tuned that guitar since I put the strings on, weeks literally. The strangest thing. From 99(F) degrees to 60, 100% humidity to 65%, still in tune. I have it set up that all but the low E and B will react to my wrists' vibrato, and I can't hear it stealing any tone. Plus, if I can figure it out, anyone can. It's a beautiful thing.What a wonderful time to be alive.
Down sides; it's heavy. Les Paul heavy and the reason for minus half a star. And being a 7 string its neck heavy, but certainly no more than an SG.
Also special hat tip to C.J. Brown for putting up with me and making sure my guitar was delivered on a specific day, no extra charge. I am a Sweetwater customer from now on..

I was surprised that a guitar of this caliber would come with a Plastic Nut, and not at GraphTech, which would only cost ESP a few dollars more, and I was even more surprised, that not only ESP USA, who inspects these guitars before shipping them to the dealer, but also Sweetwater during the 55 point inspection, also missed the Nut being chipped up between some of the strings. I have seen a few reviews in the past couple of years with different brand guitars being received with issues that should have been easily fixed during Sweetwater's Inspection. I had a Local Luthier friend Sam Make me a new Nut from a Graphtech Black Tusq PT-4025-00, as Graphtech does not make one that matches this guitar.


Step it up guys and gals..!