Does The EMG 707 Neck PU Suck THAT Bad?

[mm66554]

Just got my guitar which has 707s... the bridge pickup is great, but the neck one is muddy as hell. Even with sweeping and legato stuff I never use the neck pickup anymore (actually makes my sweeping sound crap - and I don't mean noise, just tone).

It happens with all amp settings too, even when clean. Back in the old days (last year) I would learn something typically played with a neck pickup, with the bridge pickup. Then once I nailed it I would switch to neck to get that really nice warm sound... not anymore. As soon as I find myself unconsciously switching to neck, I unconsciously switch back to bridge 10 seconds later.

So is this some well known characteristic of 707s? I always hear peopel talking about the bridge PU, but it's honestly not that bad. Not sure if neck blackouts are any better? Not that I would get them, if I change I'm going with a BKP Painkiller and maybe Liquifire.

 

[Vinchester]

707s are based on EMG85. And my neck 85 sounds awesome.

There's probably something wrong there. Have you tried changing battery? When EMGs run low on battery they could sound crap. Or maybe try adjusting pickup height.

Good luck!

 

[Scar Symmetry]

What guitar?

I like the 707 in the neck.

 

[Demeyes]

I like the neck EMG in my C7. I really like the tone I get from it for solo's. Have you tried adjusting the pickup height and changing the battery? Might be no harm in doing those to make sure you don't have an issue with the way it's setup right now.

 

[eaeolian]

I never thought the 707 sounded particularly bad in the neck - it's one of the better sounding EMGs, IMO.

Maybe that particular guitar doesn't like it?

 

[yetti]

What guitar do you have it in? It sounds great in my H207.

 

[djpharoah]

I found the EMG 60-7 to be the best sounding neck EMG for my style of leads.

 

[mm66554]

Schecter JL FR. I'll get a short clip up tomorrow morning. Haven't changed PU height/battery. The pickups actually have very high output, I don't think the battery is weak.

 

[cyril v]

Thats weird man, I don't like the 707 in the bridge position for the stuff I play, but it is absolutely sweet in the neck IMO.

 

[BMU]

707 neck sounds good in my Loomis. +1 to there's something wrong in the OP's case.

 

[drmosh]

Never really had that much of a problem with the 707 either, the 81-7 on the other hand

 

[BrainArt]

What guitar?

I like the 707 in the neck.

Maybe something isn't connected, properly?

 

[abstract]

if I change I'm going with a BKP Painkiller and maybe Liquifire.

DO IT!