Pickups for a 7 string ESP/LTD M207

[stuh84]

Hey guys,

Just thought I'd ask for some help, I've been through a few threads and didn't get the exact answer I was after, so I thought I'd ask anyway.

I'm looking at giving my guitar a renovation, and I want to improve on the sound of the Duncan Designed ones in there. Problem is, pickups aren't my forte, I've never bought a replacement pickup in my life, so I thought I'd ask the experts instead.

My current rig is an Engl Invader 150, with an Engl Standard 4x12, which gets me dead on the tone I'm after, however I know it could be tighter with some new pickups, so some recommendations would be great.

An example of the kind of sounds I'm into are
Evergrey
Meshuggah
Iced Earth
Vital Remains
Decrepit Birth

So basically I'm looking to be completely clear and articulate with the notes (Decrepit Birth and Vital Remains style), really full (Iced Earth and Evergrey) and as tight as you could ever want (Meshuggah and Iced Earth again).

Also, I play a lot clean too, and like clean tones which are full and bright, rather than, I guess warm, I like a more modern clean tone.

Basically, I currently play all rhythm and leads on the bridge pickup (although I'd probably use the neck more on leads with a good enough one), and for cleans I either use the both pickups or neck only (have a 3 way switch), so I'd be looking for the qualities of distorted tone to come more from the bridge, and the clean tones to be more the neck.

So to sum it up, 7 string pickups to suit a basswood ESP/LTD M207, both bridge and neck, which are tight (tightness being the most important part), full and clear.

I'd assume a Nailbomb or a Warpig for the bridge position, unless anyone has any better suggestions? For the neck, I haven't got the foggiest idea.

Thanks in advance for the help :D

[il˙ti]

Nailbombs! Versatile, tight, excell in basswood, great cleans. I think you'd prefer an Alnico 8 or ceramic magnet in the bridge. Personally I'd go for A8, and I think that's what Tim prefers aswell in the 7 string Nailbomb.

[stuh84]

Nice one :D

A friend of mine pretty much said the same thing, just wanted to check with the entire community.

Looks like in about June/July I'll be buying some BKPs of my own :D

[avdekan]

Got nailbomb 7
never going back
!!!

[ibznorange]

Hey hows it going Stuh??
Looking for something besides "broderick uses a nailbomb/coldsweat) like you get over at the org? lol

Well keeping in mind how heavy meshuggah still sounds, let it be known that their pickup of choice, the lundgren m7/m8 is brighter than the sun through a magnifying glass, i thought maybe a holydiver/miracleman (one of them is super bright i remember people saying, dont recall which) might be good on that end of retaining the highs from the attack, keeping it clear

The painkiller is super tight as well, and having heard that one in person, it can get heavy as all getout as well. Personally, thats the one id go for to encompass what you say your looking for.
I dont have much experience with the lower output (or not high output rather) bkps other than the emerald, but youd probably want the high output anyways

So, Painkillers get my vote

[stuh84]

Yeah I'm not bad man,

I thought I'd come over to the guys that have tried the gear, rather than watched the gear instead :P

Sounds like a good choice on the Painkiller though, now I'm torn, but I guess whichever one I pick is going to be way better than what I own anyway :D

Would you say the Painkiller has good cleans too?

[Antag]

I vote Painkiller bridge with Cold Sweat neck.

Painkiller has more power than the Nailbomb, is super-tight with punchy mids yet retaining a lot of brightness.  It's great for detuning (or for that low B on a 7).

Cold Sweat neck is a great match for the high-output bridge models because it's a fantastic all rounder: a nice clean sound, but has enough power to give really smooth neck lead sounds too.

[The Hiryuu]

Mother$%&#er, I thought I made a new topic.

[Stevepage]

I'd say a Painkiller too with a Cold Sweat. I have one in my PRS and it really tightened up the tone alot. I've used it in other guys set up for tuning low to B and it really sounded awesome.