[Collarbone]

Hello guys,

I'm getting a custom 7-string built. It's going to be PRS-style, mahogany body/neck with a quilted maple top and an ebony fingerboard. I ordered the Lundgren M7 bridge pickup to get the crushing distorted riff tones, and now I'm wondering which neck pickup I should get.

I have the Rio Grande Tallboy 7 neck pickup in my alder 7-string, and I'm not totally happy with it - it should have a bit more punch and definition. It also squeals like hell when distorted, even after I had it wax potted.

I have liked Duncans in 6-string guitars, and for the upcoming guitar I've been having a hard time to decide between the '59 and the Jazz model. I want a warm, though defined clean sound from the neck position, along with great singing lead tones. I also love good split coil sounds. Which one would be better? The Tone Wizard at SD's website strongly favors the '59, and it is the stock neck pickup in a big bunch of quality market guitars including Dean, Schecter, ESP/LTD etc... But then again, many here seem to prefer the Jazz. Wouldn't the Jazz model be too trebley and sterile in a guitar with a real (non-veneer) maple top and a thick ebony fingerboard? Good articulation is great, but a neck pu MUST have enough of that warmth and fatness. Muddiness, on the other hand, sucks. And yet another thing: would the '59 match the hot-as-hell M7 better because of its greater output?

Any opinions/experiences/random comments? All of them greatly appreciated! Thank you.

[The Dark Wolf]

The jazz sterile? What?

Actually, the jazz sounds like good match for that guitar already. Tell me it's not 25" scale, a la PRS, please.

The jazz is pure tone. But honestly, either pickup should serve you well. They have a similar character. But the 59 may be a bit bassy and woofy in that guitar. The Jazz is damn near perfect.

Oh, and

[Collarbone]

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

The jazz sterile? What?

Actually, the jazz sounds like good match for that guitar already. Tell me it's not 25" scale, a la PRS, please.

The jazz is pure tone. But honestly, either pickup should serve you well. They have a similar character. But the 59 may be a bit bassy and woofy in that guitar. The Jazz is damn near perfect.

Oh, and

Thank you for the quick answer and the welcome.

The scale will be 25" because I spesifically wanted it to be that... I like to use heavy strings and anything above that feels uncomfortable. I have always preferred the shorter scale, but that's just me.

Wouldn't the ebony/maple, on the other hand, even out the '59's "woofiness"? Just a thought.

[The Dark Wolf]

A word... generally, 25" scale sucks for 7 strings. Believe me, we on this board have tried pretty much it all. Still, your guitar...

Like I said, I'm sure the 59 would work fine. But the Jazz just sounds better period. It's more articulate and balanced. Sure, a maple cap and ebony board blah blah... you already know all this, and don't sound like a newb. No sense going over the obvious. Both will work.

I just think you'd be happier with the overall tone of the jazz, which, along with the Dimarzio Air Norton, is one of the best neck pickups ever made.




BTW... PICS!

[ohio_eric]

The Duncan Jazz should suit you. Or since you're in Europe you could look into Bare Knuckle Pickups. They have a lot of models and Tim Mills is a great guy.

[Collarbone]

The only concern I have about the Jazz model really is that it would not sound deep and warm enough. Especially because of the maple and the ebony. I think the '59 sound clips at the SD website sound better than the Jazz ones, but of course they are not telling the absolute truth. Besides, I've never tried one myself.

And about the scale, according to my own experience, I have to strongly disagree. I have owned my current 25" scale custom for 5 or 6 years now, and an Ibanez RG7620 with a 25,5" scale for a bit longer. When it comes to playability, I think the 25" is way beyond. For the low Bb, I have used a .070 GHS or a .068 Elixir, and it feels everything but floppy. I also like the shorter distances between frets - less uncomfortable stretching of fingers on the lower frets. I have used the guitar on more gigs than I can remember, recorded countless demos and one full album, and never had a problem. Of course, this is a matter of taste.

I have only few pictures of my current guitar, if that's what you meant... but here's one live photo and a music video, where it can be seen and heard. (The sound quality is crap because of YouTube, better sound clips at http://www.myspace.com/collarboneband)

http://www.collarbone.org/kuvia/collarbone02.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-hwepN3KmY

[Jongpil Yun]

If you want to try something really warm, I've heard good things about the Air Nortons and Tone Zones.

[ohio_eric]

Originally Posted by Jongpil Yun

If you want to try something really warm, I've heard good things about the Air Nortons and Tone Zones.

The Air Norton is a fine neck pickup. But I wouldn't stick a Tone Zone in the neck as a joke on someone I hated. It's way too hot and bassy for the neck. Hell I wouldn't put a Tone Zone in the bridge either.

[The Dark Wolf]

Man, it sounds like you already have your mind made up. Why ask for opinions then, if only to shoot them down? Just go with the 59. It's what you want people to tell you to use.

But as for me, I say put the Tone Zone 7 in the neck. That will sound so nice, warm, and fat. Especially with a 25" scale guitar in the neck position. Oh, and use some flatwound strings.

[Collarbone]

No no, I completely have not, nor have I shot anything down. I'm talking about the illusion I have and want to hear opinions if it's true or not. Please don't misunderstand just for the fun of it.

I have DiMarzio Blazes in my Ibanez and they sound very muddy. I'd like to stick with the Duncans... And by the way, a DR 10-56 set with an added GHS .070 works just perfectly with 25". Want to tell me why you think that scale sucks?

Again, thanks for the replies!

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

Man, it sounds like you already have your mind made up. Why ask for opinions then, if only to shoot them down? Just go with the 59. It's what you want people to tell you to use.

But as for me, I say put the Tone Zone 7 in the neck. That will sound so nice, warm, and fat. Especially with a 25" scale guitar in the neck position. Oh, and use some flatwound strings.