Should I put new pickups in my RG7420?

lawofvitality · #1 11-20-2007, 08:20 PM

I'm debating whether or not I should put new pickups in my stock rg7420.

And if so, which pickups should I get for it? I want a good metal tone that is clear, with crisp chords, and a smooth lead, but without that shrill, harsh, trebly, hot tone.

Should I do that or just try to sell/get rid of it?

I'm asking here because I'm sure someone has done this before and had great results! thanks in advance.

hirah · #2 11-20-2007, 10:46 PM

i put
pafs in my 7420. more of a vintage lower gain sound. would be great thru a high gain amp.
d sonic in one 7620. mroe gain than the pafs . a bit fuller bottom end.

blazes in another 7620. my favorite so far. balanced and good for about everything. clean and clear but still aggressive.

djpharoah · #3 11-20-2007, 11:37 PM

Dude - totally recommend the Dimarzio Evolution in the bridge. This pickup is insanely tight and crisp. For the neck I would get either the Blaze Neck (steve vai) or Air Norton 7 (Petrucci). These combo(s) sound insane in the RG7 series.

PAF7s are better for mahogany guitars and you need a very high gain amp to power them as they are very high output. However some people have found success in basswood.

Nordhauser · #4 11-20-2007, 11:58 PM

Blaze Custom and an Air Norton 7 -- I am just not a fan of Evos.

**jim777** · #5 11-21-2007, 12:33 AM

Yes, if you have no problems with the trem, upgrade the pickups to a Blaze neck and Blaze Custom bridge 9or something else

). If you don't like the trem, trade up to a 1527 or 7620.

lawofvitality · #6 11-21-2007, 12:56 AM

Thanks everyone for your input!

I listened to the Blaze custom in the bridge on dimarzios website, and i liked the tone the guy got, but i know its not just from the pickup. It was really nice thought.

Air norton in the neck or Blaze neck?

I like petrucci's tone alot. i have nothing of basis for the tone of the blaze neck position.

What was petrucci's old pickup for 7's? wasnt it like steve's special? Do they make those anymore?
I remember the combo was steve's special/air norton, but i'm assuming that it was Air norton in the neck and Steve's special in the bridge. Correct?

thanks thus for for your input! its greatly appreciated and will help me out very much in the end.

**jim777** · #7 11-22-2007, 12:27 AM

Oddly enough, the "Steve's Special" came about because Petrucci wanted a 6 string version of the Blaze, as the Blaze is a '7 string version only' pickup. Steve Blucher at DiMarzio wound one up for him, and the 'Special' was born. I personally love the Blaze in the neck of a basswood 7, and it one of my favorite solid body pickups. The PAF7 is a nice neck pickup as well, and surprisingly good in mahogany too despite being a bit more middy. The Blaze Custom goes great with a Blaze neck, but it goes nicely with the AN7 as well.
I would suggest avoiding the Tone Zone 7, as it simply isn't a good pickup. (I'd avoid the 6 string version of the TZ as well, but that's just me

) The Evo 7 is supposed to be a little less bright and brittle than the 6 string version, though the 6 string is so bad in my opinion that I really wouldn't bother with the Evo7 unless you played one and liked it or got it nearly free. It's not a good bet given you've already stated you want to avoid "shrill, harsh, trebly, hot tone", which is pretty close to the mark.
You also have the Duncan option, and the Jazz7/JB7 sounds pretty good in basswoood. I'd still go with the Blaze/Blaze Custom though. That's a really nice set, and you'll love the Blaze neck if you do any jazz or fusion stuff; it's an outstanding pickup for jazz and fusion playing.

Flobanez · #8 11-22-2007, 02:03 AM

I have an S 7420 and for years i've thought about replacing the pickups but i've actually grown to really like them so I left them. The neck pickup especially sounds great. I'd love to get a Blaze for the bridge. I love the blazes in my UVs but those are basswood and i'd love to try it out in mahogany.

lawofvitality · #9 11-26-2007, 03:03 AM

Thanks Jim for that awesome info on the "steve's special"/blaze pickups.
I might have to try the blaze neck/custom combo
or maybe the air norton/blaze custom combo

thanks again. i'll let you know what I do.

Flobanez · #10 11-28-2007, 10:26 PM

Blazes are the way to go IMO.

evolvedmb · #11 11-30-2007, 12:10 AM

I have the same issue with my 7420 when I get it back from Sims someday.
I think I'm going with Blazes for a different tone than my other guitars.
I have evos in and RG already, and a tone zone in another RG760 (really like).
My JS has the Fred and Joe pups which I really don't like that much, but
the rest of it is modded.