[Open lane]

Hi. I have an ibanez S5527QFX. The stock pickups do not come close to getting the sound i'm after.

It is a 7 string guitar, made of mahogany. I want to have this guitar get a similar tone to michael angelo batio (love or hate - that IS what i am after in this guitar.)

I have read that the dimarzio air norton will deliver what i'm looking for in a basswood guitar but would be muddier in mahogany. Is there a pickup that would better accomodate my guitars mahogany nature? Would a liquid fire accomodate better? Something else?

Ideas?


For those unfamilar, this is the hot/round type of tone i am after:


https://youtu.be/hb5QaCfm7bg

Again, love or hate, it's what i'm after
Ideas?

[DarthPhineas]

Have you looked at the DMT pickups Batio model??

DMT might have changed the name back to be under the regular Dean umbrella. Cannot remember.

[Open lane]

Hi. Thank you for responding. I have considered that model but unfortunately i'm running on a 7 string and i do not think that they make it in a 7 string version.

[DarthPhineas]

I'd start with considering the Titan and the Illuminator and the D Activator. All come in 7-string. I've tried and reviewed all 6-strings versions of those and like them. They can all fit in the same general ballpark, but can specialize for different goals if needed.


It would help to know more what's going on with the pickups you have.  as in what do you want more or less of, based on what you're currently hearing. And then, what sort of amp are you using...factoring in that a good amp can often bridge a lot of area with any good pickup.

[Open lane]

Hi. Thank you for your input. I have been checking out clips online, and after deciding that the illuminator is likely not the choice for this specific project (a little too high output for me), i decided to spring and order the air norton. My logic to go with the AN is the fact that I read that it is brighter than the liquid fire and because it is going in a darker wood like mahogany, the extra brightness may compensate and make it sound a little darker like the liquid fire. I have a friend who has both and in his guitars, they get a similar sound to what i want (the different type of wood in my guitar is what concerns me.) For now, with this being a 7 string guitar, options are a little more limited.


I think that my next axe will likely be a 6 string RG and i'm gonna load the dmt (as you suggested). I will try to keep you updated with how i feel about my choice. I don't want you to think i don't respect your opinion - because i do. I've kind of decided i'm going to have to settle for something that may be different than was i initially going for, given the mahogany and 7str situation. I'll let u know my thoughts. Thanks again.

Btw, running an ibanez sm7 distortion into a slight delay into a hall of fame reverb into a marshall class5 as a practice rig. And logic pluggins as my recording rig.