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FM Guitars Esphera 7-String w/ Extras - $1,600 (Glen Allen, VA)
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Alder body
Ash top
3-piece maple neck
Ebony fretboard
25.5"-27" scale
Set up with NYXL 9.5-64's in standard
FM Guitars pickups (mid-high gain ceramic)
Hipshot hardware
I am the second owner of this guitar, and I purchased this, used, in March 2026. It's an exceptional guitar - extremely lightweight (I've owned Strandbergs and a Parker Fly, and this is lighter than any of them!), plays really nicely, and sounds great, but it just isn't the guitar for me. I personally find that the scale length is a bit too aggressive for me (especially when I'm used to playing on a subtle 25-25.5" Strandberg 6-string), and I'm not a fan of the voicing of the pickups (I've realized I just really prefer Fishmans in extended range instruments). In the right hands, this is gonna be a stellar instrument.
In the name of transparency, the fretboard needed some work when I received it. There was some fret sprout and a small bulge in the side of the neck in the upper frets. The original owner received a serial-matched neck from FM, but never installed it. I liked the color variations on the original fretboard, so I had One Three Guitar (Richmond, VA) professionally repair the neck and swap over the nicer Hipshot string locks from the newer neck (the older ones weren't very secure and were discarded). With a recent setup, it plays like a dream and, speaking as a guitar tech in training, the repairs are basically invisible and flawless.
Included in your purchase will be the FM Esphera 7 (obviously), the additional neck (pictured, in case you decide to swap it out, it is undrilled), and a brand new set of D'addario strings. This does not come with a case or gig bag.
This Esphera, as spec'd, would be $1850 new - $1550 + multiscale ($150) + top ($150). That does not include the 5-8 month wait, an extra neck, or a pack of strings. It was also professionally set up when the neck work was done and it has fresh strings with very little play time on them, so you're set for a while!
I'm gonna be very picky on trades - the right Strandberg or Omne 8-string, an Ibanez TC825 in sparkle blue, maybe an Ibanez RG/UV 7-string with trem, a silent 1x12 FRFR cabinet - but feel free to try!