[Defrost]

I know there's been an extended discussion about what kind of Dimarzio's the stockpu's in a 7620 are and i believe people here seem to have agreed that they're super distortion based pu's only to be found in the 762* models. I recently changed the bridge pu in my 7620 to a Lungren, but i wasn't satisfied with it's sound in the basswood body. It was heavy as a motherfucker, don't get me wrong, but the abundace of bass wasn't compensated enough with treble and i really want my sound to cut. So i've put the stockpu back in, but i'm still looking for an upgrade. What I want is a pu that offers a bit more output and has a slightly scooped sound (but not to the extend that it gets to shallow, since i play through an already slightly clinical sounding Engl Powerball) and i therefore thought the blaze bridge might suit me. But since the stockpu is derived the super distortion one would expect that the blaze bridge offers less output. Is this this the case? I play death/thrashmetal and do a lot of high gain schredding and won't be needing it for the few solo's i play (could alway's use the neckpu for that), so i also need it to be very articulate. I narrowed my search down to the Blaze Bridge, the Blaze Bridge Custom and the Seymour Duncan Invader (i don't want to route, so EMG is not an option). Anyone any ideas? Also other options/recommendations are more than welcome.

[Drew]

Read ME!

Give the above thread a read, it's quite informative.

What do you use for an amp? The blaze bridge sounds ungodly in my UV, but it's running through a very mid-y rig, a Mesa Nomad, so the slight scoop isn't an issue. If you were running it with a naturally scooped amp (or one EQ'd that way), you'd probably want something with more mids - a Blaze Custom or an Evo7, possibly. The Tone Zone is middy as hell and a great rhythm pickup, but not super defined, and not really bright, so it might not be a good match...

As far as output, Dimarzio can provide the "New 7" output stats, and they might be on Jemsite as well, but really, a properly adjusted (2-3mm from strings) Blaze through a modern high gain amp will provide enough distortion for virtually anyone's needs - it's a hot pickup.

[The Dark Wolf]

I agree with what Drew said. It's about balance... but when achieving that balance, you want the things that focus on the tonal ends you desire.

If you have a mid-heavy setup, the Blaze Bridge sounds exactly like what you want. It is very clear, has great bass (but not boomy or woofy. Very tight), scooped mids (relative to 'hot' pickups. But to me, the mids are very pleasant, even, and balanced), and terrific treble (but not screechy or shrill).

If you have a setup that already is scooped, a la, a basswood body with a Dual Rectifier with mids at 0, bass and treble at 10, for example , then the Blaze Custom would be a bit more to your liking. It sounds a lot like the Blaze Bridge, but it has a bit of a bumped midrange (not high or low mids, either. The solid mid-midrange, for lack of better term) and increased output (although this is not appreciably noticable to the ear. Both are relatively hot, but the smooth gain and mild compression on many Dimarzios make them sound much more... balanced, I guess, as for as output/loudness is concerned).

[Defrost]

Thanx guys! Drew, i'm familiar with the 'seven-string-pickup-guide-thread' and found it quite usefull for narrowing down my possibilities. The thing is, that it didn't provide me with an exact answer as to how a blaze bridge would compare to a blaze bridge custom and a SD invader in a 7620, given my desire for high output, scooped mids and articulation. Or mayby i just didn't read it thoroughly. I really want to be sure of my decision after spending big bucks on a Lundgren wich i ended up not liking that much. I would like to know how noticeable switching from ''New 7'' to Blaze/Blaze Custom really is, since in my opinion the ''New 7'' is rather good for a stockpu. I use a Powerball and paly (for this moment) straight through the third channel with quite a lot of bass and even more treble, but the mids (it has two) fairly reduced. That's allready is a ''scooped setting'', but of course i'm willing to adjust it if necessary! I don't know about you guys, but i think the Powerball is a natural scooped amp by itself so that only makes the decision harder.

[eaeolian]

I'd say try the EVO-7, as EMGs sound fantastic through that amp, and the EVO is apparently very EMG-ish.

I'd stay away from the Invader - I've never been able to stand this PU in either six or seven format. It's powerful, but I don't think it sounds good...

[Shawn]

Im very content with all my 7s that have the stock blaze pickups in them. I think they sound great. Maybe it's because I've grown to like them over the years. They sound good enough for me that I wouldn't want to change them. To each his own.

[Drew]

Originally Posted by Shawn

Im very content with all my 7s that have the stock blaze pickups in them.

New7, not Blaze, Shawn - there was a lot of confusion, but they're two VERY different pickups.

Personally, I think the bridge in my CST is a New7 as well, and while the bodywood makes a difference too of course, I think the CST sounds far more scooped than the Blaze.

[nitelightboy]

For what you're playing your best bet would be the Blaze, just a good tight sound IMHO. When I was in a DM band I played a charvel with a Duncan JB in the bridge and it sounded wicked hot with a little EQ'ing. I haven't heard the JB7 so I'm not sure if it's any good, but now that I think about it, I may have to go get one and try it out

[Defrost]

I've heard and read good things about the JB7 in combination with a mahogany body, but not combined with a basswood body, wich tends to round the tone of more. So i'm afraid of lacking definition/articulation when put in my 7620 (like i experienced it with the Lundgren).
eaeolian, you say the Evolution 7 apparantly sounds very EMG-ish. To my ear EMGs (especially the 81) sound slightly scooped with pushed treble. But from what i read on the Dimarzio's site, the Evolution 7 has more mids than bass en treble. So how do they compare? Or is it the output you're refering to? Or maybe i should get my ears checked after all those years of deathmetal

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by Defrost

I've heard and read good things about the JB7 in combination with a mahogany body, but not combined with a basswood body, wich tends to round the tone of more. So i'm afraid of lacking definition/articulation when put in my 7620 (like i experienced it with the Lundgren).
eaeolian, you say the Evolution 7 apparantly sounds very EMG-ish. To my ear EMGs (especially the 81) sound slightly scooped with pushed treble. But from what i read on the Dimarzio's site, the Evolution 7 has more mids than bass en treble. So how do they compare? Or is it the output you're refering to? Or maybe i should get my ears checked after all those years of deathmetal

Read this thread for the source of my info. Personally, I use Duncans - a JB7 in my maple/alder Soloist 7 and a Custom 7 in my mahogany/maple Sonic 7. EMGs have a distinct midrange peak that might well help the roundness of basswood be more aggressive - as, apparently, does the EVO7.