A seven string guitar having a neck configured with a first tapered portion and a second tapered portion. The first tapered portion is relatively narrow adjacent to the guitar head and increases in width toward the guitar body. The second tapered portion is relatively narrow adjacent to the first tapered portion and increases in width toward the guitar body. The standard set of six strings are stretched across the neck, and a seventh string is stretched over the first tapered portion and over the open space adjacent to the second tapered portion. A player of the seven string guitar is able to use the thumb to access the seventh string.