[Roland777]

I'm not thinking about getting EMG's, but I just want this question answered.

Is it true that the 7-string EMG-pickup size is caused by the sole reason of using a 5-string bass pickup housing, and that the components themselves can actually be fitted into a regular standard size housing?

[nitelightboy]

I've never taken apart the housing, but even if they had to do a little R&D to get it to fit in the standard housing, they should have. Plain and simple. I like EMG's and wish I didn't have to butcher my 7's to get one of them loaded with some fine active pups.

[Hawksmoor]

I do believe that the pickups are sealed
, so rehousing seems out of the question

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by Hawksmoor

I do believe that the pickups are sealed
, so rehousing seems out of the question

They're sealed in epoxy. You'd probably need a jackhammer ot get it out.

[Drew]

The story I heard was back in the day EMG offered 7's as a custom order (possibly endorser-only), and that rather than retooling the production line for a new housing design (an expensive undertaking), they simply housed the seven string custom shop pickups in 5-string bass housings. This kept the cost feasible for custom-order production.

Fast forward a few years - EMG decides to bring these pickups into production. However, apparently, they've done so many custom shop 7-string pickups in 5-string housings that at this point it would (they decide) cause more problems than it would be worth if they changed the pickup design to a normal-sized seven string pickup. So, they enter general production in a slightly unusual size.

Personally, I understand the issue of reverse compatability, but I don't see wht they don't offer both.

[eleven59]

Not to mention EMG 7-string pickups are easy to spot from far away People saw Dino, for example, with his custom Ibanez with a blocked trem and EMG pickup, through his Line6 amps, and said "I want every one of those things he's using".

[metalfiend666]

Originally Posted by Drew

The story I heard was back in the day EMG offered 7's as a custom order (possibly endorser-only), and that rather than retooling the production line for a new housing design (an expensive undertaking), they simply housed the seven string custom shop pickups in 5-string bass housings. This kept the cost feasible for custom-order production.

Fast forward a few years - EMG decides to bring these pickups into production. However, apparently, they've done so many custom shop 7-string pickups in 5-string housings that at this point it would (they decide) cause more problems than it would be worth if they changed the pickup design to a normal-sized seven string pickup. So, they enter general production in a slightly unusual size.

Personally, I understand the issue of reverse compatability, but I don't see wht they don't offer both.

I can understand that totally. I also agree that they should offer an option of normal 7 string pickup size. I know the tooling would cost a lot, but they'd quickly make it back in sales from people who like EMG's but don't want to butcher their guitar.

Also, if 707 is equivalent to a 7 string 85, and we have the 81-7, I'd like them to make a 60-7 and 89-7.

[Hawksmoor]

Originally Posted by metalfiend666

Also, if 707 is equivalent to a 7 string 85, and we have the 81-7, I'd like them to make a 60-7 and 89-7.

That would idd be nice!

I admit, I'm EMG-a-holic

[urklvt]

Originally Posted by Hawksmoor

I admit, I'm EMG-a-holic

I can hardly stand anything but EMG. I'm with ya man!

[DSS3]

707's aren't in a 5 string humbucker housing though, that's the thing. My bassists 5 string is in my garage right now... they're wider than my 707's

[bostjan]

umm, what about a single coil?! EMG S 7?

I asked them about it a year or so ago, and they said absolutely never. Personally, I think doing 707 and 81 7 as the only two seven string pickups is pretty limited, but cool for me, since my sixes are EMG 81 + 85

[metalfiend666]

Originally Posted by DSS3

707's aren't in a 5 string humbucker housing though, that's the thing. My bassists 5 string is in my garage right now... they're wider than my 707's

I don't know what casing they used, but they state on their site that it's the extended bass housing. I assumed it was the 5-string, but maybe it's a 4-string housing?

[ibanez.shredder]

Originally Posted by metalfiend666

I don't know what casing they used, but they state on their site that it's the extended bass housing. I assumed it was the 5-string, but maybe it's a 4-string housing?

Its mainly because the humbucker housing size changes between manufacturers. Some have the 707 size ones, some have the wider ones. It seems they like aming it difficult for us . Somebody correct me if im wrong though.

Even if you could get the pickup out of the epoxy the pickup would be damaged irreprebly and would be unrepairable.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by ibanez.shredder

the pickup would be damaged irreprebly and would be unrepairable.

[JJ Rodriguez]

Any possibility of carving the casing/epoxy to a standard shape? Might look like shit, but if it would work that would be cool.

[dpm]

No way in hell. The coils run very close to the edge of the housing. It's an EMG35 housing btw, which is 3.5", the wider types are the 40 (4.0") and 45 (4.5").

[ibanez.shredder]

Originally Posted by Drew

I can just imagine you making that face . Yeah dpm hit the nail on the head, you can't shave the sides down because of the size of the coil, and on the EMG website it says that you can't remove the pickup from the epoxy (on any of their sealed pickups) without damaging the pickup and making it unrepairable