Choosing the right pickup - Again...

[Markó]

Been forwarded here from the guys at Ultimate Guitar - So, here goes...
To ask mankind's greatest, most perplexing, and longest-standing question once again, my fellow 7-stringers, I ask you:

Which Bare Knuckles are the ones for me?

I'm looking to replace the stock bridge pickup of my RG7321 - Pretty much any of BKP's humbuckers are going to do the job tightening up the lows, but I'm also after (Aren't we all...):
- Responsive harmonics
- Impressive crunch tones
- Decent amount of attack and clarity

The only other point, though this is less of a make or break point, is that I'd quite like to keep the second position's tone on the RG - From stock, it's a pretty glassy tone from using a single coil from each humbucker, that works pretty well for cleans, which I kinda like if I'm honest.

Thanks for bearing with the question again,
Mark  :D

[Transcend]

I have a wiring diagram to keep the ibanez 5 way switching with bare knuckles.

However you need to order the neck pickup with the magnets reversed but thats easy enough to do.

hit me up if you want it.

Also is the 7321 basswood or mahogany?

and what amp are you using?

With this information i can help you further

[Markó]

Hey,

Thanks for the advice on the 5-way switch, that'll be great if I can keep the whole switching range - I may well be wanting that wiring diagram, but in terms of the actual installation, I'll most likely be having a tech or luthier install them to be certain the job's done well...

The 7321 is a basswood body with flame maple top, and I'm practising through a Peavey Vypyr 30W, though I'm also likely to be using a range of higher-end gear in coming months.

(Before anyone jumps on it, I have looked into upgrading amp-wise, but I'm in a situation where it's simply not practical or affordable to make a jump I'd be happy with, so I figured a long-term investment such as high-end pickups would not only make a difference now, but set me up well for when I eventually do upgrade my amp)

Cheers, Mark  :)

[Transcend]

Are there any reference points artist wise you can make?

I am going to presume you play metal with you owning a 7 string.

I have recently found absolutely great results using the new Aftermath in my Ibanez RGD which is an extended scale instrument.

Its very tight, not overly hot, well balanced and the cleans work incredibly well in position 2 as i have my guitar wired the same as yours is.

[Markó]

Well, assuming you mean who I'd like to sound like, I'm pretty much into a whole range between John Petrucci, Chris Broderick, and all your 'djent'-style tones from Periphery and the like. Having said that though, clean tones are a big part of it too, and on that front, I'd have to point towards guys like Tosin Abasi, John Petrucci again, and others..
So yeah, I'm playing metal  :D

So tonally, tight distorted tones, but with warmth to a degree. Having tried pretty hot pickups in the past in similar RGs, and then the more moderate output of the ones in the 7321, I'd probably say that medium-hot is where I'm looking...
Cleans-wise, I've been pretty much in love with the 2nd position humbucker tone from the RG7321; it's got punch, but it's glassy enough to have a bit of sparkle to it.

Sorry for the lack of technical terms, but I'll do my best to decribe what I mean tonally - If you need clarification on anything, shout up  :P

[Transcend]

have you checked the official aftermath clip by bulb from periphery? that should show you how good it is for the Djent type stuff.

I have also done a DT clip that is in the players section using the above mentioned guitar.

It splits onto the two outside coils in position 2 really well.

The cold sweat could also work quite well but i personally found it too bright in my basswood RGD.

The only other pickups ive played from the contemporary range are the nailbomb and the Miracle man

The NB i didnt get along with at all but others have had excellent results with them.

The miracle man may have a bit too much low end for your needs and it definitely doesnt split well or do cleans particularly glassily theyre a bit spikey and harsh.

Some other people will probably have better recommendations.

But i think the AM would work really well for what you are needing.

It isnt overly hot bit is tight, precise, clear, articulate and does clean up pretty well

[ratspeak]

I agree with Toe-Knee; the Aftermath is what you want. Maybe Aftermath bridge/Cold Sweat neck, but I'm sure you'd be fine with the calibrated set.

[Markó]

Yeah, the Aftermath sounds really good actually, liking what I've heard quite a lot...

If I were to expand into getting a neck pickup aswell, what would be your reccomendation? I'm a big fan of the really 'liquid', punchy, fairly smooth lead tone, with good harmonics, and use the neck position for little other than soloing and leads.

And on another note, what's everyone's thoughts on the pickup finish? The RG7321FM has a red flamed maple top, so anything like the camouflage covers is out of the question, sadly. Having said that, I'd still like something more distinguished than the standard black open coil pickups - Something that adds to the look of the guitar...

Thanks again, Mark

[Transcend]

hmm its a bit of an awkward one with it being red.

usually i either go for burnt chrome

or black with no visible pole pieces.

Hmm you could get the black battleworn but not so worn just to add a bit of edge to the design.

I have very little experience with BKP neck pups.

just the MQ in fact which i love for any kind of leads and cleans

however you would lose the wiring options you wish to keep as its only single coil.

The CS neck is meant to be very fluid and smooth.

Your best bet would be to ask Tim.

I have a feeling he will say the Calibrated AM set.

If he does that saves you a bit too as you get a discount when buying the calibrated set.

Ill hunt through my PMs and get tims description of the AM neck

[Transcend]

this is what Tim said to me..

Hi Tony,

the AM neck is DC11.5K Alnico V - it has got a modern voice with a lot of output for a fat, fluid driven tone and full clean tones.

kindest regards
Tim

Also remember to keep your switching options you need the magnet in your neck pickup flipping

[Markó]

The AM sounds great, though sadly I'll have to admit that a calibrated set could be pushing my budget a little, with the Aftermath being a tad more expensive than other contemporary pickups. Then again, any other neck pickup works out the same, with losing the discount on the calibrated set. Decisions, decisions  :roll:

Looks wise, a black of chrome pickup might look quite cool, since the 7321 has what I'd describe as dark silver hardware. Maybe some kind of engraving or aged finish would liven things up a little extra, too?

Thanks for all the help so far, it's made the decisions a lot easier, and I'm really psyched to hear these things in action real soon hopefully  :D

[Transcend]

Ahh is it the hardware that ibanez call cosmic black?

i have that on my RGA and it works well with dark chrome covers.

something like the duncan mustaine pickup look would work well

black chrome with bare knuckle pickups engraved across it.

Is the aftermath more expensive?

i thought it was the same price

[Markó]

Yep, the Aftermaths are £124.00 with covers; A similar humbucker, say the Nailbomb, is £114.00 with covers. A calibrated set is £240.00 with covers.

Just seen the 'Black battle worn' covers on these here forums - How do you think they'd look, with relatively sparing battle damage, and the engraved logo?

Cheers, Mark.

[Transcend]

I personally think they could be ok but they could also be a bit too much of a clash with the red unless its a dark red finish.

I would go with a dark chrome with battle damage

[Markó]

It's a fairly dark finish in person, and the standard pickups are black to begin with, so it may not look too bad - Are there any pictures of the dark chrome with battle damage online? I'm having trouble finding any just yet, but it does sound a good match...

Thanks again for the advice,
Mark.