Can't figure out which Seymour Duncan 8 string pickup is installed in used guitar

[Floater138]

So I'm considering buying a used 8 string guitar online since it has upgraded Seymour Duncan pickups. The photo is blurry and the guy at the store claims the pickups are blackouts. Problem is that the pickups clearly have the 8 pole pins visible on the pickup and I didn't think the blackouts were ever made with those. It looks more like a soapbar nazgul or one of the other newer 8 string SD pickups to me. Any info would be appreciated since the guitar is in another state and I doubt the sales rep is super knowledgable about the specifics of 8 string pickups.

Thanks!

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Can't figure out which Seymour Duncan 8 string pickup is installed in used guitar

Welcome to the forum. It could help if you posted a picture.

 

[Floater138]

Re: Can't figure out which Seymour Duncan 8 string pickup is installed in used guitar



Like I said the photo is terrible. It's an Ibanez 2228 posted on guitarcenter.com. I purchased it because i figured the upgraded pickups would help justify the price, regardless of which seymour duncan model was put in the guitar. That being said, it would be nice to know what pickups are in there. The guy claims its blackouts, but I can't find any 8 string blackouts with the pole pieces showing. Thoughts?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Can't figure out which Seymour Duncan 8 string pickup is installed in used guitar

Eight exposed fillister polepiece screws, in the so-called "active mount" cover, narrows the candidates down to Nazgûl, Sentient, Pegasus and Distortion.

DC resistance meter readings should suggest which pickup models are installed without resorting to unscrewing them to look at the stickers on their undersides.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Can't figure out which Seymour Duncan 8 string pickup is installed in used guitar

Funk is right, certainly not Blackouts. I'd make him take it apart to check what they actually are, especially since he gave you the wrong info to start (what else is he wrong about?). Make him take a clear pic of the bottom. If you are spending money, you should know what you are buying.

 

[Floater138]

Re: Can't figure out which Seymour Duncan 8 string pickup is installed in used guitar

I was actually hoping it was one of the other 4 options instead of the blackouts, so that is good news. Worst case scenario, I can return it to my local guitar center for a refund when it arrives if I don't like the guitar for some reason or another since I was given incorrect information. Seems pretty low risk. I just wanted to buy it since it would have sold on eBay for the price they were asking. I don't think anyone noticed the pickups werent emgs since the photo sucked so bad. Is it easy to unscrew the pickups and take a look without messing things up? It's something I've never tried to do.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Can't figure out which Seymour Duncan 8 string pickup is installed in used guitar

It is easy to unscrew the height adjustment screws BUT, in doing this, you lose the adjustments. Take measurements between the underside of the outermost strings and the top of the pickup casings.

Whichever models your pickups turn out to be, their suitability will depend on your playing style(s) and amplification. There is a case to be made for having two complimentary tones and another to be made for having two complimentary output levels. Depends whether you are a low tuned Metal player or a Stanley Jordan "touch guitar" type.