7-string pickup opinions

Fikealox

Fikealox

New member
Hey guys,

I got my first 7-stringer today, and I was hoping I could get some opinions on various 7-string pickups. It's got EMG 707s currently, and I'm a bit underwhelmed by them. I'm going to stick with them until I have a chance to play through an actual metal amp (I'm planning to buy a Blackstar HT5 soon), stick thicker strings on (I haven't decided which gauge, though) and properly evaluate them... but my brain-cogs are whirring.

Has anyone had any experience with Blackout 7s? I'm sure their lead tones would be better than the 707s, which I'm finding a bit bland and thin, but I'm a bit concerned that the bass would be too spongey and overwhelming on the 7th string (which'll probably be a low Bb... but I haven't decided).

Hopefully you guys can reassure me that 707s are awesome through a good amp, but I'd like to hear all sorts of ideas and suggestions.

Thanks!
-Liam
 
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Re: 7-string pickup opinions

I've never tried actives on my 7, but the 7-string invader is amazing.

It's very, very clear on the low end and its leads are very biting and full. Just figured I'd mention it.
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

I'm not an active kind of guy by any means, but I would sooner go with Blackouts than go back to EMG's. Modding your guitar to fit passive pickups again would be something else..I'm not sure what would need to be done, but if that's what you want to do, good luck!

Which 7 string did you pick up, by the way?

And for the record, I have an SH-5 and SH-1 in my Universe right now as well as Dimarzio Tone Zone and Air Nortons in my other RG. Both sets rule in their own ways. :D
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

where are you getting the blackstar? i didn't realise they were available here...
what kind of gui have you bought?
i've never played on actives, sorry dude
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

Thanks for the help, guys :) Yeah, I'm probably going to stick with actives of one sort or another ('cause the EMGs are the inconvenient bass-pickup shape), but I see myself getting more 7-strings eventually, so information on passives is useful too.

I haven't decided where I'll get the Blackstar from ;) Ebay has a couple of cheapies at the moment, but I'll probably try to spin a deal from Turramurra Music (in Sydney), because I know they deal in Blackstars (though they don't keep HT5s in stock as far as I know).

I was lucky enough to get an awesome deal on a basically brand-new ESP Forest 7:

F7frontsmall.jpg

F7casesmall1.jpg


It's in dire need of a setup, but I haven't decided what gauge or tuning I want to go with... I'm thinking heavy and lowish, though ;)
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

turramurra huh? cheers for that, that's quite interesting...

:scratchch

i'm not a fan of the forest shape but that's quite purdy. is it a set-neck? what wood is it?
you'll be doing your own set-up i assume?
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

It's a maple neckthru with mahogany wings and an ebony board :) Unplugged, it's very resonant and has a nice balanced sound. It's a lot less bright than I expected from it's on-paper specs. Unplugged, it actually sounds closer to a nice resonant LP than a strat - maybe partly due to the added mass of the neck?

I've been playing around with my Guitar Rig settings a bit, and while I'm still not liking the lead tones at all, it does have plenty of clarity for sweeps (etc), and a nice percussive rhythm sound. I do get the impression that it's the pickups/"amp" I'm not liking rather than the wood, though, which is definitely good.

Yeah, I'm planning to do the setup myself, though if it gets beyond me I'll probably resort to seeing my friendly neighbourhood luthier. (I have a Viper that's defeated me, come to think of it...)
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

nice one man, sounds like a very nice gui
if you like it's sound unplugged then it's just going to be a matter of finding the right p/ups IMO; have you had the chance to play it through many amps yet? i'm guessing either blackouts or the alnico EMGs are going to be the go but can't back that up in any way ; ]

sweeps, huh..? bloody shredders :grumble:

what's up with your viper?
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

Haha, my sweeps are still pretty shoddy, actually... well, the sweeps are fine, but the muting technique needs a lot of work still ;)

I haven't had a chance to play through any amps at all, actually. It only arrived today, and all I have at home at the moment is Guitar Rig 3, which is far too flexible for me, really. I'm really craving the simplicity of a little amp.

The Viper just needs a good setup - or maybe a fret-level. I just can't get the action to where I like it without a bit of buzz. Nothing noticable audibly, but it does kill the sustain past the 12th fret, which isn't ideal since it's my bluesy/ballad lead guitar. I could probably fix it up by reducing relief or raising the action, but I get too frustrated and just want to play ;)

What style do you play? And what sort of guitars have you got?
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

i've heard good things about guitar rig 3 but haven't had a look at it yet, a friend of mine has it and has been talking it up.

hmm... sounds to me like you need to hook that beast up to a dirty marshall ASAP and see what you think. i'm not necessarily a 'marhsall guy' but they do like hot p/ups.

it's probabaly more a lack of style in my case, i tend to swing between attempting fingerstyle, blues and metal depending on mood.

there's a list of gear on my profile, make me an offer :deal:
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

Haha, your style sounds exactly like mine, actually. I'm making a conscious effort to metalise my playing lately, though, as I've been stuck in a bluesy rut for a while.

*looks at the profile* Pantera fan? Awesome :D What're your thoughts on the PRS SE? I'm not in the market for any more guitars for a while (I have another new one coming this week, lol), but those SEs look really nice.
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

Welcome to the sevenstring club dude!:) Ever since I got my 7, I don't play my 6 strings anymore.

I got to test Blackouts 7s and EMG 707s side by side a little while ago.
The Blackouts have more life to them in general, thicker.
While the EMGs were certainly good, they were definitely lacking in a special soemthing.
Blackouts had that special something EMGs lacked.
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

Fikealox said:
Haha, your style sounds exactly like mine, actually. I'm making a conscious effort to metalise my playing lately, though, as I've been stuck in a bluesy rut for a while.

*looks at the profile* Pantera fan? Awesome :D What're your thoughts on the PRS SE? I'm not in the market for any more guitars for a while (I have another new one coming this week, lol), but those SEs look really nice.
Click to expand...

i'm hearing you on the metalisation, i've convinced that if your technique is good you can get a choppy tone out of a low-output p/up, the semi-chromatic puppets riff is one of the first things i play on a new p/up so it gets a bit metal at my place on weekends at the mo

more a dimebag fan, TBH i put that on the profile because i was finding that once i'd post on a thread no-one else would hehe

it's a very resonant gui, if you're looking for one i'd probably recommend getting an SE standard if you can find one as it's a really honky mahogany beast and you may not want to be limited to soapbar-sized p/ups to suit. also, the prs-style bridge is another draw...

i'm off, i'm finishing work and am going to dinner. have been working quite hard, as you can see

cheers

:beerchug:
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

I've got a cheap Jackson DX7 (used) that came with an Invader (a real one), and it does indeed sound good. Haven't tried the EMG 7s.

I also had a Custom Jackson 7-string that I ordered which had a Jazz and a Custom in it. Didn't really like either one in the 7-string model that much, though I like them for 6s.

I replaced the Custom with a Distortion and moved the Custom to the neck and liked it more that way, but still didn't really get along with the extra string (my own limitations there), so I sold it to Nick Hartman of Zilch - so if you ever see them live, wave at my Blood Drip Warrior :lol:
 
Re: 7-string pickup opinions

I don't like the 707 in the bridge but in the neck I think it's better than either of the blackouts. Blackout bridge in the bridge is awesome though, the 81-7 is supposed to be pretty nice too.
 
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