Ionizer 7 v Liquifire 7 (Neck, for cleans)

[athan25]

Links:
http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/7-string/liquifire-7
http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/7-string/ionizer-7-neck

Guitar: Jackson JS22-7 http://www.jacksonguitars.com/guita...osewood-fingerboard-fixed-bridge-satin-black/

Bridge PU: Dimarzio Crunch Lab

I'm choosing between buying the dimarzio Ionizer 7 or Liquifire 7 for my entry level, but quite impressive, lightweight Jackson 7 string dinky. My Les Paul is set up with a Seymour Duncan Avenger in the neck for smooth and ripping solos, so for my 7 string I'd like to find a really great clean pickup for the neck. The crunchlab does sound good on clean, but obviously a little thin and twangy (but perfect for my distortion needs). I'm trying to choose between these 2 pickups as to what sound will produce clear, well balanced, but not too bassy cleans. I often fingerpick cleans too which adds a bit of low end/muddiness anyway. If you have any experience or knowledge of these two pickups in neck position I'd greatly appreciate any comments. Many thanks

 

[TheWarAgainstTime]

Definitely the Ionizer. I found the Liquifire 7 to already be a fair bit darker/bassier, so fingerpicking lost some definition. Killer for lead playing, but lackluster for cleans as a result. By comparison, the Ionizer is lower output, brighter, and far better for cleans in general IMO. After all, they were made for a guy who does a lot of clean, slap, and fingerpicking work

 

[clintsal]

I'd also throw the Dactivator neck in there for consideration - noticeably brighter than both pups you describe, higher output and more compressed - to me that's the perfect equation for a great clean sound, especially for finger picking and tapping.

EDIT: But I agree with the above, speaking just between the two you listed, the Ionizer is much nicer for cleans IMO. Liquifire just sounds/feels like I've turned my tone knob down halfway.