Blackouts: Yes or no???

[The Only Factor]

I've done a search here and haven't found a thread really pertaining to what I'm looking to know, and for some reason I'm getting a "403" and a "404" code saying I am forbidden to access any of the thread topics from a search, even though I'm logged in and active on the boards... So IF there is a thread with this in it already, I apologize and don't want to really want to necro bump a seriously old thread...

I have been seeing a lot of mixed reviews about the Blackouts, especially when compared to the EMG's in the 7-string area anyhow. But at the same time, I'm really curious about these and would like to know if it's worth getting, trying and using in place of EMG's. I've had a lot of experiences with the 707 and the 81-7. Depending on the guitar and the tuning, I find the 707 to be more favorable than the 81-7, and vice versa. So I was curious to know which I'd be better off with.

The guitar is most likely going to be an ESP LTD M107. Basswood body, maple neck, yadda yadda yadda. Tuning is going to wind up being D to D with low A. I've had one of these years ago with 707's, and found it to be very pleasing. Yet I've played one recently with the same pickups and now find it to be a little on the warm/dark side. So would I be better off getting 2 bridge (ceramic) models, 2 neck (alnico) models or just get a normal set which is one of each?

What are some of your thoughts and opinions on this, and which would you go with? I thank you for your thoughts and input on the subject and will post and NGD when the M107 arrives...

[FireInside]

My .02 bro, I have a M-107 with a Blackout in the bridge. I'm tune to drop A and it sounds great! I haven't tried the 707's or 81-7's so I can't give a comparison. Honestly I couldn't be happier though. It really brought that cheap old M-107 to life. Hope this helps.

[AngstRiddenDreams]

Blackouts are amazing. Solve the output problem by lowering them down or turning your volume know down a bit. I love them though. Great sound.

[groverj3]

I have the 6 string variety in my basswood/maple neck through SLSXMG. I find them too hot to run the same amp settings as my passives. Easily solved by turning down the gain a tad on the amp.

[myampslouder]

Blackouts are great pickups. I'd definitely give them a go. I ran the for a long time in my S7420 until i got tired of re eqing my amp when i switched guitars. They sound awesome but the insane output is a little annoying if you switch back and forth between active and passive equipped guitars.

If you do get blackouts you should do yourself a favor and try the neck pickup in the bridge. The blackout neck sounds way better and thicker than the blackout bridge. also the output is a little more controllabe

[asilayamazing]

Originally Posted by groverj3

I have the 6 string variety in my basswood/maple neck through SLSXMG. I find them too hot to run the same amp settings as my passives. Easily solved by turning down the gain a tad on the amp.

thats the same with almost all actives? thats why im all "active" at the moment once my amp sounds good i didnt wanna adjust it AGAIN.

[The Only Factor]

I've heard about trying the neck model in the bridge from a lot of people, including Frank Falbo and Scott Miller at SD. This is why I was asking about this. I had also heard about lowering them to help solve the output spike as well, so it's something I will keep in mind when I do land them.

And as for switching guitars on the amp, that is luckily fairly easy, as I use a Line 6 Vetta head with seperate presets made and saved for each guitar. So luckily that's not a factor. Hell, I'm still working on trying to get the new AW-7 eq'd and tweaked on this amp and the other guitar has EMG's, so tweaking to the Blackouts should be no problem.

But will consider these a lot more now fo the new one... Thanks and keep the thoughts coming!

[groverj3]

Originally Posted by asilayamazing

thats the same with almost all actives? thats why im all "active" at the moment once my amp sounds good i didnt wanna adjust it AGAIN.

EMG-X series pups are a bit lower output so I didn't need to change amp settings as often when I was playing with those. I don't play with a band or anything, so I don't mind setting up different tones for different pickups. I can see how it would be a problem if you have to take a few minutes to dial your amp in between songs in a live setting.

[groverj3]

Originally Posted by The Only Factor

I've heard about trying the neck model in the bridge from a lot of people, including Frank Falbo and Scott Miller at SD. This is why I was asking about this. I had also heard about lowering them to help solve the output spike as well, so it's something I will keep in mind when I do land them.

And as for switching guitars on the amp, that is luckily fairly easy, as I use a Line 6 Vetta head with seperate presets made and saved for each guitar. So luckily that's not a factor. Hell, I'm still working on trying to get the new AW-7 eq'd and tweaked on this amp and the other guitar has EMG's, so tweaking to the Blackouts should be no problem.

But will consider these a lot more now fo the new one... Thanks and keep the thoughts coming!

I haven't tried the neck model in the bridge yet, might a good suggestion. Just keep in mind that you're going to have to re-eq your amp with active pickups, so don't jump to switching pups around unless you know you don't like the sound.

I tend to run my blackouts with less bass and mids than my passives. I do find them kind of boomy and lacking a little high end "sizzle". In my opinion they are less suited to downtuning than standard EMGs, but better suited to standard tuning. This might also be solved with better eq-ing and playing through non-shittastic amps (mine is currently of the shit-tastic variety ).

[The Only Factor]

Originally Posted by groverj3

I haven't tried the neck model in the bridge yet, might a good suggestion. Just keep in mind that you're going to have to re-eq your amp with active pickups, so don't jump to switching pups around unless you know you don't like the sound.

I tend to run my blackouts with less bass and mids than my passives. I do find them kind of boomy and lacking a little high end "sizzle". In my opinion they are less suited to downtuning than standard EMGs, but better suited to standard tuning. This might also be solved with better eq-ing and playing through non-shittastic amps (mine is currently of the shit-tastic variety ).

Ah yes, I remember the days of playing thru shit-tastic amps!!! I don't miss those days that's for sure!!! I hope something comes thru for you with a better amp soon... What are you currently tuned to, or what tuning were you trying with the Blackouts that you didn't like? I find a very similar result with lower tunings when using the 707...

I'm familiar with setting my amp(s) and stuff for actives. I've been using EMG's for a long time and I use other really hot passives when I'm not - stuff like the D-Activator 7's recently. As for switching pickups, anything is better than the stock junk pickups that come in those guitars. I could put EMG's in it, but I am considering finally going with a set of these for something different. I really like the 707, 81-7, 707TW and 707TW-R. I know I could still try something like the 707X's, but I figure it's been long enough before finally giving these a go.

When I score them, I'll try them in the normal way - bridge and neck in thier actual spots. If I find the tone to be to spike-y, I'll try the neck in the bridge and see what happens that way. Worse comes to worse I'll either have to buy another neck model or flip them if I still don't care for them. Then again, won't know until I try them!

[groverj3]

Originally Posted by The Only Factor

Ah yes, I remember the days of playing thru shit-tastic amps!!! I don't miss those days that's for sure!!! I hope something comes thru for you with a better amp soon... What are you currently tuned to, or what tuning were you trying with the Blackouts that you didn't like? I find a very similar result with lower tunings when using the 707...

I'm familiar with setting my amp(s) and stuff for actives. I've been using EMG's for a long time and I use other really hot passives when I'm not - stuff like the D-Activator 7's recently. As for switching pickups, anything is better than the stock junk pickups that come in those guitars. I could put EMG's in it, but I am considering finally going with a set of these for something different. I really like the 707, 81-7, 707TW and 707TW-R. I know I could still try something like the 707X's, but I figure it's been long enough before finally giving these a go.

When I score them, I'll try them in the normal way - bridge and neck in thier actual spots. If I find the tone to be to spike-y, I'll try the neck in the bridge and see what happens that way. Worse comes to worse I'll either have to buy another neck model or flip them if I still don't care for them. Then again, won't know until I try them!

Yes, my 6505+ is at the parents' house about an hour away because it's simply too loud for my apartment. Hooray for graduating from college and getting a real adult job... Looking into getting a Digitech GSP 1101 which should model some decent tones better than the vypyr 60 watt combo I'm slumming with .

I tried the blackouts (AHB-1 BTW) in C standard on one of my 6-strings, but wasn't a huge fan. At times, it's a nice sound, but not what I was looking for. Sounded too loose for my taste. I turned that guitar into my D-standard guitar and it's pretty happy there. So, take my opinion with a grain of salt, it might be due to a crappy amp.

Also, I'm not sure if the 7 string version is eq-ed the same. It's possible that the pup is wound slightly differently. So, basically I'm just rambling here .

[The Only Factor]

Originally Posted by groverj3

Yes, my 6505+ is at the parents' house about an hour away because it's simply too loud for my apartment. Hooray for graduating from college and getting a real adult job... Looking into getting a Digitech GSP 1101 which should model some decent tones better than the vypyr 60 watt combo I'm slumming with .

I tried the blackouts (AHB-1 BTW) in C standard on one of my 6-strings, but wasn't a huge fan. At times, it's a nice sound, but not what I was looking for. Sounded too loose for my taste. I turned that guitar into my D-standard guitar and it's pretty happy there. So, take my opinion with a grain of salt, it might be due to a crappy amp.

Also, I'm not sure if the 7 string version is eq-ed the same. It's possible that the pup is wound slightly differently. So, basically I'm just rambling here .

Hahaha. Kinda funny because I'm playing with a Line 6 Vetta half stack at my place which is an apartment complex, so I know the feeling. However, I am lucky and have a half/full power switch that allows me to play this 200 watt (though Line 6 claims these to be more along the lines of 300 Watts...) monster in my place, and then switch it to full power to play out, at a jam session or with a drummer without having to touch anything else really. Kinda cool feature. And from what I've played of the 6505+'s, you can still get a really decent tone at a normal volume level for a place like ours. But I know what you mean none the less.

And from what I recall a few folks from SD saying, that the 6-string, 7-string and 8-string versions are all wound and tweaked differently because of frequency ranges between the 3 are capable of and know to produce naturally in the various tunings. Dimarzio did and said the same thing about a lot of versions of thier pickups as well, such as the D-Activators, the Tone Zone and the Evolution. Because it'd be hard to have the same basic inner workings for a 6-string one versus the 7-string one. The tone wouldn't be right and would have to be redesigned, re-tweaked and rebuilt to accommodate.

But either way, I'm interested in getting a set and seeing how they turn out and work for me. However I really need to think about if I wanna do a 2-pickup or 3-pickup configuration, and with what control pattern I wanna do it with still first.

[AngstRiddenDreams]

I played my Blackouts in drop A and loved them. Yes, Emg's are tighter in lower tunings but the blackouts definitely don't flub out all over the place either. They're not insanely tight, but they're tight enough for pretty much all purposes, and the slight looseness they have adds a lot more fullness IMO.
I like Emg's, I like blackouts. I'd say you should give them a try, and if you don't like them get an Emg 85x/60x combo.
Also, put the blackout bridge in the neck. Unexpectedly amazing pup.

[Kozuki]

Originally Posted by AngstRiddenDreams

I played my Blackouts in drop A and loved them. Yes, Emg's are tighter in lower tunings but the blackouts definitely don't flub out all over the place either. They're not insanely tight, but they're tight enough for pretty much all purposes, and the slight looseness they have adds a lot more fullness IMO.
I like Emg's, I like blackouts. I'd say you should give them a try, and if you don't like them get an Emg 85x/60x combo.
Also, put the blackout bridge in the neck. Unexpectedly amazing pup.

Bridge blackout in neck. I have seen quite a few posts about that, but no one wrote about the tone itself, what does that produce? Nice lows and great for riffing/soloing, or maybe unexpected nice cleans?

[AngstRiddenDreams]

Shit my bad, got it backwards. I meant blackout neck in the bridge!!!
Well it's an alinco magnet, so it's got better cleans naturally. Lower output than the bridge, and it sounds quite a lot fuller and clear in my opinion. It's like the frequency range is shifted from huge bass and low mids to tamer bass and lots of all of the midrange. More clarity due to the lower output.

[The Only Factor]

Originally Posted by AngstRiddenDreams

I played my Blackouts in drop A and loved them. Yes, Emg's are tighter in lower tunings but the blackouts definitely don't flub out all over the place either. They're not insanely tight, but they're tight enough for pretty much all purposes, and the slight looseness they have adds a lot more fullness IMO.
I like Emg's, and I like blackouts. Also, put the blackout bridge in the neck. Unexpectedly amazing pup.

Originally Posted by AngstRiddenDreams

Shit my bad, got it backwards. I meant blackout neck in the bridge!!!
Well it's an alinco magnet, so it's got better cleans naturally. Lower output than the bridge, and it sounds quite a lot fuller and clear in my opinion. It's like the frequency range is shifted from huge bass and low mids to tamer bass and lots of all of the midrange. More clarity due to the lower output.

I have heard quite a few guys doing this and having a lot better results tone-wise with it. Plus I read somewhere here where Frank Falbo said to use dual neck position Blackouts if your using 707's in both positions. This was because - like you mentioned - the alnico magnet and the coil windings of the neck position make it a more rounded, smoother and not as harsh a bridge position pickup. This is why I was curious to know if I'd be better off just buying a normal set or buying 2 neck position models for use as a pair...

So if that is the case, how does the bridge model sound in the neck??? Now I'm really curious about these and seeing what kinds of tones these are capable of. for discovering new tones and sounds!!!

Originally Posted by AngstRiddenDreams

I'd say you should give them a try, and if you don't like them get an Emg 85x/60x combo...

I take it you would mean the 707X and 60-7X right, especially since this would be for a 7-string? I'm looking into the 707TW-X and 707TWR-X for my Eclipse 7-string. I've heard a lot of good things about the X's, and am just as intrigued and interested in them as I am the Blackouts.

Thanks for the head's up, and will try the Blackouts in various positions to see what I like best!!!

[Kozuki]

Originally Posted by The Only Factor

Thanks for the head's up, and will try the Blackouts in various positions to see what I like best!!!

I want to see the result of bridge blackout in neck position too! I might get my new 7 string next year with couple of blackouts and just switch their placing, lol!

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

I don't think the BO Bridge in the neck would be a good idea at all... It's WAY too powerful.

[AngstRiddenDreams]

Originally Posted by HeHasTheJazzHands

I don't think the BO Bridge in the neck would be a good idea at all... It's WAY too powerful.

Yeah i meant to say neck in the bridge.
And yeah i also meant 707x and 60-7x. I recommend the 60x over the 707x in the neck. Much more versatile and great great cleans.

[allshallperishfan]

i highly reccommend blackouts for any 7 string! i have them in my 7 and they sound perfect, and you can tune down as low as you want without loosing ANY clarity. The only time i would say to stay away from the blackouts is if you cant stand high output pickups, because its probably one of the highest output pups out there. However they still remain completely silent without feedback which is a big plus!

so as long as you dont mind higher output (more than EMGS) go for the blackouts, the tone is amazing!

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Originally Posted by AngstRiddenDreams

Yeah i meant to say neck in the bridge.
And yeah i also meant 707x and 60-7x. I recommend the 60x over the 707x in the neck. Much more versatile and great great cleans.

Yeah, I know. I'm just advising Kozuki that I wouldn't put a BO Bridge in the neck...

And +1 to the 60-7X. The 60 on it's own is a really clear and clean pickup. Imagine the 60X.

[Kozuki]

Originally Posted by HeHasTheJazzHands

Yeah, I know. I'm just advising Kozuki that I wouldn't put a BO Bridge in the neck...

And +1 to the 60-7X. The 60 on it's own is a really clear and clean pickup. Imagine the 60X.

Oh c'mon guys, don't laugh like that at a pup noob like me

[The Only Factor]

I'm actually kinda curious to know what a bridge BO sounds like in the neck now... I know that the BO's are normally position specific, but a lot of people say that the neck position is surprising in the bridge.

So I gotta ask, is having a bridge BO in the neck like having an 81-7 in the neck position, or is it just way too much tone and power-wise???

[BabUShka]

Originally Posted by asilayamazing

thats the same with almost all actives? thats why im all "active" at the moment once my amp sounds good i didnt wanna adjust it AGAIN.

EMG's distort a bit faster than most passive pickups, thats noticable. Problem solved by turning the volum pot on the gitar to 8/10 or around there.

But with blackouts, oh man.. They have crazy output. Ive only played 6 string version blackouts, but for me they was all about hate. Scooped, bassy and crazy hot. They sounded like EMGs with a tubescreamer built in and mid scoop instead of midhump. And the more I down tuned the ATX, the worse they got.. Thats why i traded them for EMG81/85, and that just made me love the ATX again. My .02