Well, I used to own one of the early Ibanez Universe 7s, but sold it because my expectations were unrealistic. Paradoxically, I found it actually limited my playing as it was too tempting to just grind away one-dimensionally on the low B. But 18 years later I must be a better (or at least, more imaginative) player, because I'm really enjoying the 7 & feel like I'm actually using the full range of it.
So the HD 7s work well in basswood?
I'm curious how the Holy Divers hold up in a basswood seven.
Yes, very well.
I know I've posted stuff in the past that the HD wouldn't be my first choice for detuning (I keep all my 6 strings in Eb), but I'd like to retract those comments :) The HD7 holds up
very well down in Bb :twisted:
OK, it doesn't have that "instant" ceramic response that you get from, say, the Painkiller. But saying that it's not tight isn't the same thing as saying it's loose, or muddy - far from it, it's really clear. I'm not into the ultra-technical prog-death metal thing - my influences are more Obituary, Godflesh, Crowbar (i.e.
sludge :)) - but I don't think you
couldn't play that style on it. It's more of a
zzzhhhhin than a
djent if you know what I mean...
The low end has a real "thump" to it. I've often talked about the HD's midrange "chunk" before, it's probably why the HD is my favourite pickup, but that fat midrange "growl" is even better on the 7 :twisted: Let's just say that I hit a low Bb & find myself thinking
"hmmm, I'll just let that ring out for a bit longer" - it sounds
huge :lol:
As far as I can remember, this is my first basswood guitar, but the HD in it seems not far from how it sounds in alder. Very happy.