7 string pickup to compliment overall band sound? Hard rock/metal

[Alex6534]

I know it's the broadest title ever  but here's the deal.

I play in a 7 string hard rock/metal band, ranges from Alter Bridge to Nevermore type riffage and the other guitarist uses a Matt Heafy Les Paul 7 string with EMG 81-7/707s so I need something that will sit well with it rhythmically while still allowing me to get good cleans and leads (I'm landed with all leads and cleans pretty much). The guitar is a one piece swamp ash body, 5 piece maple/wenge neck with a wenge fretboard, quite loud acoustically and tight.

We play through Kempers so dialing in amps shouldn't be an issue, what would you recommend?

[Dave Sloven]

How much bass would you say is has acoustically?  Is it bright?

Sounds as though it is very resonant.

I'm guessing that you will probably want one of the ceramic bridge pickups. Neck, I guess there are a lot of options depending on style. 

[JimmyMoorby]

I know it's the broadest title ever  but here's the deal.

I play in a 7 string hard rock/metal band, ranges from Alter Bridge to Nevermore type riffage and the other guitarist uses a Matt Heafy Les Paul 7 string with EMG 81-7/707s so I need something that will sit well with it rhythmically while still allowing me to get good cleans and leads (I'm landed with all leads and cleans pretty much). The guitar is a one piece swamp ash body, 5 piece maple/wenge neck with a wenge fretboard, quite loud acoustically and tight.

We play through Kempers so dialing in amps shouldn't be an issue, what would you recommend?

Whats 'wrong' with the sound you have at the moment....whats it lacking?

Its an extremely lazy and simplistic connection but my painkiller does remind me on an EMG 81 and when I say it reminds me thats all I mean not that its some sort of tweaked emg 81 if that makes sense.  I was surprised at how good the cleans are and I dont do extended solos on the bridge but widdly fills and licks sound full and present for metal.

I'm not recommending the painkiller btw just saying it would definitely 'fit' with an emg 81 though.

Black Hawk would be awesome for Jeff Loomis type stuff IMO.

[Alex6534]

Whats 'wrong' with the sound you have at the moment....whats it lacking?

Its an extremely lazy and simplistic connection but my painkiller does remind me on an EMG 81 and when I say it reminds me thats all I mean not that its some sort of tweaked emg 81 if that makes sense.  I was surprised at how good the cleans are and I dont do extended solos on the bridge but widdly fills and licks sound full and present for metal.

I'm not recommending the painkiller btw just saying it would definitely 'fit' with an emg 81 though.

Black Hawk would be awesome for Jeff Loomis type stuff IMO.

The painkillers are in my basswood 7620 (came with it) - I find them great on the lower strings but with the wrong amp it can be quite harsh, usually I go for a darker mesa recto profile so it balances out. I suppose I've not really considered the painkiller because Swamp Ash to me is a brighter wood than basswood, meaning it could be harsher which is not what I'm after. Neck cleans I find okay, bid muddy on the lower strings and bridge I find too bright. It is a fantastic metal pickup, but I suppose I'm after a different flavor and a bit more versatile.

How much bass would you say is has acoustically?  Is it bright?

Sounds as though it is very resonant.

I'm guessing that you will probably want one of the ceramic bridge pickups. Neck, I guess there are a lot of options depending on style. 

I would say it sounds quite bright and resonant, bass seems tight but not a huge amount of it, it's hard to explain but it's deciding whether I want to emphasise the qualities it has (might workout better seeing how bass heavy the other guitarist tone is) or try and even out the spectrum.

[JimmyMoorby]

Whats 'wrong' with the sound you have at the moment....whats it lacking?

Its an extremely lazy and simplistic connection but my painkiller does remind me on an EMG 81 and when I say it reminds me thats all I mean not that its some sort of tweaked emg 81 if that makes sense.  I was surprised at how good the cleans are and I dont do extended solos on the bridge but widdly fills and licks sound full and present for metal.

I'm not recommending the painkiller btw just saying it would definitely 'fit' with an emg 81 though.

Black Hawk would be awesome for Jeff Loomis type stuff IMO.

The painkillers are in my basswood 7620 (came with it) - I find them great on the lower strings but with the wrong amp it can be quite harsh, usually I go for a darker mesa recto profile so it balances out. I suppose I've not really considered the painkiller because Swamp Ash to me is a brighter wood than basswood, meaning it could be harsher which is not what I'm after. Neck cleans I find okay, bid muddy on the lower strings and bridge I find too bright. It is a fantastic metal pickup, but I suppose I'm after a different flavor and a bit more versatile.

How much bass would you say is has acoustically?  Is it bright?

Sounds as though it is very resonant.

I'm guessing that you will probably want one of the ceramic bridge pickups. Neck, I guess there are a lot of options depending on style. 

I would say it sounds quite bright and resonant, bass seems tight but not a huge amount of it, it's hard to explain but it's deciding whether I want to emphasise the qualities it has (might workout better seeing how bass heavy the other guitarist tone is) or try and even out the spectrum.

Mate like I said I wasnt recommending the painkiller for the reasons youve stated just saying it would work well with an emg 81 in the right guitar. 

Any way im going to sit on the fence on this one given the fact im not even sure if ive ever played a swamp ash guitar.

[Alex6534]

Mate like I said I wasnt recommending the painkiller for the reasons youve stated just saying it would work well with an emg 81 in the right guitar. 

Any way im going to sit on the fence on this one given the fact im not even sure if ive ever played a swamp ash guitar.

Cheers for the input though bud  for those looking to input as well this is the guitar.

Just now I'm thinking either:

Emeralds
Black Hawk Alnico/Ceramic
Juggernauts
Holy Diver

[Alex6534]

GAK currently have the ceramic 7 string black hawks and Guitar Guitar have the Juggernauts - what do people think?

[JimmyMoorby]

GAK currently have the ceramic 7 string black hawks and Guitar Guitar have the Juggernauts - what do people think?

I think youre going along the right lines.
For a full, crazy full bottom end but still tight with a cutting sound the alnico black hawk is ace BUT black hawks whilst full are bright in nature so I dunno how theyd sound in swamp ash.

For chugga chugga palm mutes the alnico black hawk is the king.

[Alex6534]

Well looks like I'm also getting another Ibanez RG7620...how did that happen?! so what I'm thinking is:

1st 7620 with Painkillers
2nd 7620 with Black Hawks (Ceramic?)
Swamp Ash 7 - Holy Diver/Emerald

Should give me a good palette of tones, might change the painkillers though...

And it continues! haha..
Open to any comments people may have on what I'm going with.

[Dave Sloven]

If it is bright and lacking in bass you might want to think of a Miracle Man.  Ceramic Black Hawk might also be a good choice.  I would avoid the Emerald in this case