EMG 707, Blackout EMTY, or passive?

[mcdj0nt]

Hello all!

I am currently playing on a Dean Rc7x (stock) with the EMG 707s. I play through a POD HD500 into a rocktron v3 through an Avatar cab. I have always played EMGs and don't really know anything different however I have been into the more djenty style of play as of late and it has sparked my interest in passives. Given my setup what would I benefit from most if I am looking for more clarity (specifically Low end) and more punch/bite. Vildjharta and Monuments are a couple of my big influences at the moment. Interested in lundgren m7 on the passive end.

Thank you!

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[macgruber]

if you don't want to rewire the gat, swap the bridge pickup for a emg 81-7. much tighter pickup than the 707. thats the easiest option. i pulled all the electronics and emg 808s (bigger versions of the 707) and installed the seymour duncan nazgul/sentient set - that made a huge improvement in clarity. that being said, the 81-7 is a killer pickup for tight bottom end and cut when it comes to actives.

theres a bunch of great passive out there, it just depends on how much you can spend. dimarzio d-activators, seymour cuncan distortion, lundgren m7, bareknuckle painkillers etc.

 

[mcdj0nt]

Thanks for the response. How about the X series of EMG? just as punchy? heard there is more headroom so I am curious as to how that affects the sound. That being said about the passives however are the generally better for the type of tone I would be trying to achieve. Im close with the 707s that I have I just feel they are lacking

 

[macgruber]

i've got an 81x in one of my six strings. not too different than the standard 81, but seems to have a bit less compression. kind of like a the 18v mod for the standard emgs but a bit more pronounced. still sounds like an emg though.

 

[Vrollin]

Give the EMTY's a miss, they just arent on par with the 6 string versions....

 

[vick1000]

!8v the 707s.

 

[bzhan1]

I don't know why companies put 707s and 808s on bridge and not the 81 counterparts. they're great for smooth solos and junk for rhythm.

 

[Scordare]

I have no love for 707s.. My 2008 Dean USA RC7G came stock with them also, the first time I had ever tried them, and I gave them 2 months. I switched amps, eq'ing and other gear around to try and accomodate them, while gigging...but they always sounded like plastic mufflers. The neck was just ok and the bridge was intolerable. I gave up and bought a pair of the regular soapbar SD Blackouts, which was the only alternate choice at the time, and it was a night and day difference! ..MUCH clearer and usable. I still have the Blackouts in it and like them a lot, but it is my only active guitar and I'm getting tired of the battery and the level difference when I play other passive guitars through my rig. I haven't tried the 707x's or the EMTY's but don't really have any desire to...I'm currently looking at the SD Sentient/Pegasus combo. I just wish Seymour Duncan and Dimarzio would make their full line of 7s available in soapbar style...without custom shop prices.

 

[Great Satan]

Currenlty using the SD Blackout Dino custom 'Retribution' in the bridge of my 7,
it'd be a straight swap with an EMG as it has the quick connect features.
I like it.

Passives are of'c a different thing entirely & have a bitch more dynamics & bounce to them,
but more often than not i find myself just playing the blackout as its a tighter, cleaner sound (much less noise than passive humbuckers),
much more precision when playing faster riffs and such.

 

[soldierkahn]

I would highly reccommend the Dino Retribution like above, i had it in my DCM100 and it sounded like they tok out all the shit i hate from 707s and amplified what i liked about it. The only other suggestion thats a LOAD better than 707s.... the EMTYs. Im rocking both the 6 string and 7 string versions and asolutely love them!

 

[juka]

As you seem to look for more "clarity" give the Fishman Modern Ceramic a try!

Been a huge EMG fan for decades but never got into the 707.
Still like my 57/66, but have Fishman Moderns (in 6 and 7 string versions) in all my other guitars.