Jeff Loomis Blackouts help - Cleans? Output?

[jwebster82]

Hello all! I've been an avid Blackouts user since the day they were released and love them. Have them in a few of my RG's and also have a DCM100 that has the Retribution pickup as well. I really love the Retribution pickup but sadly there is no 6 string version as I would have them in ALL of my guitars. I have tried the EMTY's before as well and honestly did not care for them as I found them just a little too stiff for me and where the frequencies are hyped it made it difficult for me to get a nice clean sound out of them. When I was an EMG guy, I always preferred the 85 over the 81. I've never really been a passive pickup player. Just don't jive with them.

I picked up an Ibanez RGD2120ZCSM not too long ago and am looking to drop in some Blackouts with the Black Nickel covers to match the hardware. Lately though I have been putting some SERIOUS consideration in the Jeff Loomis Blackouts. On paper they seem like they would be up my alley but before committing to the them I'm hoping for some feedback on a few things:
1.) How are the cleans? I am good with the regular Blackouts for cleans and really love the Retributions for cleans so I'm curious if the Loomis' are similar?
2.) How's the output on the Loomis'? My hope is that they aren't as hot as the regular blackouts (my only complaint) but not as hot (or specifically frequency hyped) as the EMTY's.

I am most definitely a fan of Loomis so I'm sure these will work well for me, just a tad nervous due to the experience I had with the EMTY's. I play a lot of stuff like Sepultura, Crowbar, Fear Factory, Pantera, some Nevermore, Meshuggah, Slayer, Alice in Chains and even some skate-Punk stuff like Pennywise. All over the place really, so I need a good pickup to fit in many different styles.

 

[Arwin]

Re: Jeff Loomis Blackouts help - Cleans? Output?

Cleans are very good to my ears but I might be a bit biased

I think this video does a good job of showing the Loomis pickups in a different context than you would normally hear them, lots of cool clean and mid gain tones, you could even play country on them with the right rig.

To hear the tones they are designed to achieve definitely check out Jeff's playing with Nevermore, Arch Enemy, and Conquering Dystopia.

 

[jwebster82]

Re: Jeff Loomis Blackouts help - Cleans? Output?

Thanks for the quick reply Arwin! I'll give'm a shot. I've listened to a few different videos and recordings online and they seem like they should work well for me.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Jeff Loomis Blackouts help - Cleans? Output?

I have a JL7, which comes with the Loomis Blackouts. I like them. The bridge is clear and has a nice grind in the mids. The neck is very clear. Not very bluesy, but crystal clear, and with a little EQing it can pull off tones that remind me of an acoustic with a piezo pickup.

 

[jwebster82]

Re: Jeff Loomis Blackouts help - Cleans? Output?

Cool, thanks for the info! My set just arrived via Post today so I'll be installing them tonight!