Can't make up my mind; need some pickup opinions

[MAJ Meadows SF]

I have a custom 7 string being built, but won't be finished for a good year. I've got lots of time to decide what I want in there for humbuckers, but I like so many in this forum can't quite nail down what to go with. I can rule out some models. I have a Rico Jr Slant Top 7 being made: swamp ash, maple neck, ebony top, fret board, and matching headstock, oil finish, hipshot bridge, 26 3/8 scale. It will have matching Aftermaths, tyger finish, black hex heads, which should look sexy and sound pretty damn metal. So for this second intrument, different make, I went more hi-spec and used woods I've always wanted to since my days of arguing and learning about tonewoods with the late Ed Roman RIP (yes the guy was an A-hole, kinda' bias, but knew his stuff). So here are the main specs:

Black Korina/Limba body
Quilted Maple top (burl maple is a possibility if it will take to the color stain and scheme)
Macassar Ebony neck (25 1/2 scale)
Ebony fret board (ziricote has been discussed)
Floyd Rose, BKP and Jensen electronics

I want a different tone than the Aftermaths, and after a lot of searching, checking sound samples I am really leaning towards a Rebel Yell/VHII combo. At first I was going to try a Black Dog bridge after hearing how massive it can sound in a seven; I really like the snarl it has. However I have not heard much in the way of lead tones and it is a little lower output then I want to venture for this guitar. I usually prefer hotter contemporary pickups and lean towards ceramic metal tones in general, but I haven't ruled other ideas out. With this guitar I am shooting for a little more on the progressive metal side, more organic openess, wider dynamic range, but not loosing a powerful, tight low end. I want it to sound warmer than the other guitar I mentioned but retain a clearly metal edge. Hence, the Rebel Yell, but anything is up for consideration (except vintage and Aftermaths- not for this instrument).

Any thoughts and opinions will help and be appreciated. I may test a few of these this year before this monster gets built, and we will see where I end up down the road. 

[Madsakre]

a riff raff would also be an option. if you're afraid of losing gain, then add a booster in your chain :)

[Telerocker]

RY would be a good option, I think, but is has the reputation of being pretty sensitive for height, giving various results. Maybe an alnico Nailbomb. Warm good mids and quite tight.

[MAJ Meadows SF]

a riff raff would also be an option. if you're afraid of losing gain, then add a booster in your chain :)

Oh yes I do think I'll look into the Riff Raff as well. Good mention. Invader 150 = no extra gain needed. I usually push channel 2 or 3 pretty hard for rythym, and then just switch to channel 4 for leads/soloing, with a little volume boost or wah. But someday I'll join the wagon and get an Axe Fx Ultra or II, so I imagine I'll try a rediculous amount of patches and boosts :) I'd really love to hear more of the Riff Raff and Black Dog as their 7 string versions.

RY would be a good option, I think, but is has the reputation of being pretty sensitive for height, giving various results. Maybe an alnico Nailbomb. Warm good mids and quite tight.

I'll just have to jump in and mess with the height as much as I can, plus pole pieces. I really do love the RY sound in multiple applications though. The A-Bomb is a good thought, might as well being close to the RY anyways.

I guess the biggest issue is I haven't heard many sound bytes or clips of any of these doing a lot of rythym or leads in a 7 string version (except for the RY, which is why I favor it right now). I realize this would only be for a point of reference, as woods, rigs, and especially fingers will dictate differences in tones. But I would like some more audio as a reference in the 7 string register. I'll have to keep digging. Speaking of woods, I wonder if anyone has experience with BKPs in any of the components of this guitar build?

[Madsakre]

Well. Jon scaffer preferred the Riff raff. that should tell enough of that pickup ^^

[MAJ Meadows SF]

Well. Jon scaffer preferred the Riff raff. that should tell enough of that pickup ^^

Indeed and I love Jon's tone. I've always wanted to see a "riff-off" with him and the other more popular thrash titans form the 80s who claim to be the best at fast riffs and down picking. I know he would hold his own. Damn I'm going to have some experimenting to do with the four mentioned pickups. Ruling out ceramics is helping the cause but it might come down to just giving it the 'ol buy it and try it. Hopefully, since I have a year, someone will post something brilliant on here, or youtube, or soundcloud.

[MAJ Meadows SF]

I just realized we all are eager to hear what the Black Hawk sounds like and where it will fit in inside the BKP family. It could be an option!

[Telerocker]

Maybe Nolly can chime in (or PM him), he played them all and has a lot of experience with 7-strings.