[chavhunter]

This is probably a impossible question to answer but basically Im looking for a 7-string pickup that does EVERYTHING. lol maybe an exaggeration, but I play with such a varied style that I need very versatile pickups. Everything from full-gain heavy metal (pantera, killswitch engage, all that remains, nevermore) to totally clean jazz, and everything in between. i do a lot of instrumental guitar work to (satch/vai type stuff). I play an Ibanez RG1527 (well i will do when it arrives next week!) which is basswood, and my favourite tone so far comes from my epiphone les paul with an EMG 81 on the bridge through a marshall valve amp with a load of extra pedals.

i know thats a lot to ask for but basically Im going to want something with as hi-output as possible but will still go completely clean when it needs to. does such a beast exist? cheers for any help.

[The Dark Wolf]

Are you talking for the bridge? I'd say probably the most versatile bridge pickup is the Seymour Duncan JB 7. It has a sinister growl for rhythm, a sparkly tone for cleans, and just sings on leads. It's not my favorite pickup, but it can do many things well.


Personally, though. I'd take an EMG 707 over it.

[TomAwesome]

I have a DiMarzio Blaze Custom in one of my Ibbies, and in my experience with it, it can do a really good job covering pretty much any territory except for vintage PAF sounds. Depending on your tastes, the JB might be a good choice, too.

[bostjan]

My EVO 7 cleans up, but takes a little volume roll-down. Sounds great and has very high-output/great harmonics.

My D-Sonic 7 doesn't clean up easily at all.

EMG's will clean up without changing the upper partials much, if any. If they would make a regular-sized pickup, I'd jump for joy.

Oh yeah, the Blaze pickups go clean fairly nice, too, but I'd say the JB 7 and Jazz 7 combo is better as far as a compromised balance goes.

If you want to shell out some bucks, you could go for Swineshead HT 7B and CL 7N. They are available in dozens of colors and have a balanced sound. Might not have the output of an EVO 7 or EMG, but at least you'd have something interesting that only you and I would have.

[The Dark Wolf]

Heh, nice to see you around after 2 months, Stan Job.


My custom D Sonic 7 cleans up beautifully, btw.

[Leon]

i have an Evo7 / Blaze Neck setup, and a Blaze Custom / Air Norton setup. i can do nearly anything with both, about half because of the pickups, and also because of my wiring options. on each pickup, i can switch from series to parallel, which really gives you a lot of tonal flexibility.

just wanted to thrown in my $0.02 that getting a good pickup is only half the battle

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

Heh, nice to see you around after 2 months, Stan Job.

i was beginning to miss his wit and that avatar

[Naren]

Originally Posted by TomAwesome

I have a DiMarzio Blaze Custom in one of my Ibbies, and in my experience with it, it can do a really good job covering pretty much any territory except for vintage PAF sounds. Depending on your tastes, the JB might be a good choice, too.

I would give a vote for the Blaze Custom as well. It sounds great in basswood and is good for cleans, distorted rhythm, lead guitar, etc.

However, if your favorite tone is an EMG 81, you might want to get the EMG 81-7 (a sevenstring version of the regular EMG 81) or the EMG 707 (which I think sounds better than the 81-7, but I'm not a big fan of EMGs, so... ).

And, on a side note, kinda surprised to see you again, bostjan. I thought you were gone for good.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by The Dark Wolf

Heh, nice to see you around after 2 months, Stan Job.

No shit, where you been, dude?

[zimbloth]

Does every thing well? I'd probably say the JB too. The DS7 may have a decent clean sound with a digital amp, but with tube amps I really don't think so by any means. Keep in mind were talking stock here, not many people are going to swap out magnets.

I think there are better pickups for just heavy riffage, or just leads, or just cleans, but the JB I think probably is the best example of one that does it all well. There's many others which I think are up there though.

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

Does every thing well? I'd probably say the JB too. The DS7 may have a decent clean sound with a digital amp, but with tube amps I really don't think so by any means. Keep in mind were talking stock here, not many people are going to swap out magnets.

I think there are better pickups for just heavy riffage, or just leads, or just cleans, but the JB I think probably is the best example of one that does it all well. There's many others which I think are up there though.

Agreed on all counts, Nick.

Through my rig, my custom DS7 sounds really nice for cleans. But I was playing through a 5150 this weekend, and there, on cleans... not so much. (Although it sounded righteous in "quack" coil tap mode, and great when distorted.)