Custom isn't always better. I waited a long ass time for a custom sometime last year, and when I finally got it, I didn't like how it played at all. I'd only ever go with a custom again if I was able to play other guitars that that luthier has made previously inorder to see if I like them. As far as production model guitars, for 7 strings I like the Ernie Ball Musicman Petrucci guitars, both regular and BFR versions, and the Dean Rusty Cooley signature guitar is the best playing guitar I've ever touched, hands down.... but comes with EMGs, which may or may not be your preference... I'd also take a look at Vigier, Suhr, and maybe Caparison