Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

[jonsick]

Quick rundown: Jackson Broderick Pro Series 7 string guitar. All mahogany neckthru with a floyd rose, ebony board, currently has a 7 string set of Black Winters.
Amps: Peavey 6505+

Problem: The guitar itself is very bass-heavy and the BWs don't seem to help me out much in the midrange despite boosting them up on the amp. So I'd like something that will help out with the slight dead-ish sound given the pronounced low-end and boosts the mids a little. I'm not into sounds where everything is so damn exact, read not a djent player. Think of me as an 90s metal guitarist with a 7 string. I like clarity on the B string as does anyone else, but mainly looking for some smoother solo sounds. I don't mind dropping in output a little, but I like my pinch harmonics and squeelies. In this guitar, the black winters seem to put up a little bit of a fight to get them out.

Current on my hit list to swap them out with is either the EMG 7 string set or possibly going back to a standard ol' JB 7 string in the bridge and going from there

It may be closed minded but I'm only really into pickups from Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio or EMG. I've had some bad experiences with more niche manufacturers and sort of done with that whole thing. Also BKs are super-expensive.

Edit - would consider Fishman?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

I can't help you but I have an interest in hearing the suggestions....I have a seven string that I just don't dig the pickups in. Surprisingly, it has a Pegasus, Sentinent set which seems to be a popular set.

 

[jonsick]

Re: Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

I can't help you but I have an interest in hearing the suggestions....I have a seven string that I just don't dig the pickups in. Surprisingly, it has a Pegasus, Sentinent set which seems to be a popular set.

Currently no suggestions. However I think I may just try a few out. I have an EMG 81-7 on the way along with a Duncan JB, DiMarzio Evolution and a Duncan Full Shred 7 once I track them down in stock. I have a feeling I'll end up liking the 81-7 the best.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

Typically I’m not a fan of actives. I do have a set in a guitar but only because they came in it and I didn’t have any other guitar with them. I think they sound fine, just a little sterile.
For me, I think the Evo is probably too hot.
Full shred might be a pretty good option.
Funny thing...over the years I’ve always tended to gravitate towards hotter pickups. A month or so ago I replaced he pups in my LP with some Dimarzio’s. A Super Distortion bridge and a PAF 36th anniversary in the neck.
Obviously the Super Distortion has plenty of output but what surprised me is just how powerful the PAF is. It’s listed in the Vintage output section but it really has a ton of output.
Maybe something hotter in the bridge and something more conservative in the neck?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

I think you might be a good candidate for active pickups here. This is a current list of our production active 7 string pickups.

 

[jonsick]

Re: Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

I think you might be a good candidate for active pickups here. This is a current list of our production active 7 string pickups.

Cheers

I've ordered in an EMG 81-7, the Jeff Loomis Blackout and a Duncan JB. Will try them all out when I get them. I'm still umming over the Duncan Full Shred too, but will see how funds permit.

Cheers all.

 

[jonsick]

Re: Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

OK so first offerings are in.

I found a 7 String Invader I completely forgot I bought. I immediately preferred it to the Black Winter in this guitar, much rounder, a little more proggy feeling. But in this all-mahogany beast, still had a bit of a deadening quality to the low end that seemed to prevent pinch harmonics and didn't really add to my desire of an altogether brighter tone.

The Duncan JB arrived. Sadly it's all black despite the fact I'd ordered a Zebra so it's going back. But I wired it in and tried it anyway. It took me a bit of convincing to get over the fact it's lower output than the Invader or Black Winter; I had to play with the height some. I've been using the Black Winter for so long, I was sort of used to the higher output. The pronounced mid-range response is very much more up my alley and the bite at the top end is more what I prefer. But the opposite problem of absolutely not really enough low-end is what got me. It's a shame really as I loved the crunchiness of the JB-7. But it's still not quite right. The clarity on the B string was great though, much better than the Black Winter as it didn't sound too harsh.

I'm returning the JB for a refund (well actually buying another toy that's not pickup related as I need one) and the next mission I think is the Actives which requires a little more gutting of the electronics. I'm still waiting on the 81-7 and the Jeff Loomis Blackout. I figure if one works in the bridge, then I can use the other in the neck.

I have a good feeling about the 81-7 and I think the main struggle is that the Jackson Broderick, given it's all mahogany and very heavy, is quite a bass-heavy guitar and quite dull in that spectrum. I have a similar sounding 6 string and the EMG 81 seems to be a great match. Annoying really as I love the feel of the guitar, I just need a brighter all-round tone out of it. I am very interested to see how the Loomis compares to the 81-7 though.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

Thank you for sharing your observations. I didn't think a JB would be right for you either. I am surprised that the Invader worked so well for you, though. The Full Shred is the polar opposite of the Invader- very clear & articulate, which works well with a mid-heavy or bass-heavy guitar.

 

[jonsick]

Re: Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

Thank you for sharing your observations. I didn't think a JB would be right for you either. I am surprised that the Invader worked so well for you, though. The Full Shred is the polar opposite of the Invader- very clear & articulate, which works well with a mid-heavy or bass-heavy guitar.

I emailed the guy back based on this and ordered a full shred instead. He didn't have Zebra but I'll live

 

[jonsick]

Re: Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

I actually got a response from my pickup supplier; he reckons I should cut to the crunch and go straight for the AHB-3 Blackout set. Going by youtube clips he may have a point. Any thoughts, Mincer?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Another set of pickups wanted for my 7 string

If you were considering the Full Shred, the AHB-3 is sort of an active version...it is bright, with about equal bass and mids. Again, great for a guitar that needs more cut, or if you just like a lot of output and treble.