Best 7 String Guitar Pickups (2024 Update)

Overall: These have a bottom end growl like no other pickups I've played, very touch and attack sensitive, no matter how low I tune there is no mud, the neck pickup is the best I've ever played , fluid , smooth with definition , I play Duncan Jupiter's and they kick ass , the Fishmans are easily on par with them with a growling voice I've never heard from a passive pickup , I like EMG's but the Fishmans are hand's down better. Installation will be a bit frustrating for first timers and novices , I installed them in 2&1/2hrs That included modifying my Epiphone Les Paul Custom Special , the pot holes , were too small as was the input jack hole , I did have to order Long Shaft pots as the included pots are short shafts , If you like EMG's you'll love these. I gave the fetures a low score because they should make them plug and play at this price.Dennis

These pickups are amazing for someone who wants to run with one bass and wants pickup options. The different voicings are truly different and can change the sound quite well, also considering they can be coil split. These are perfect for the guy who has one bass or wants to use one bass and is a session guy. The voicings and ease of change on the fly make it ideal for studio work. I would say though, if there's a specific tonal sound you are going for, I would buy the pickups that beat give you that tonal sound. Are there better single coil jazz bass pickups? Yes. Are there better active soapbar pickups out there? Yes and no, depending on what you like. But what this does is give you very good pickup sounds for the different styles and voicings it offers, and pretty much puts 6 basses into one bass (if you consider the coil splitting). If you already own multiple basses, this may not be for you as it may not add to your Arsenal unless you're looking for a singular bass to travel with. But if you own a single bass and are wanting more tonal options, this is the way to go. One thing to note, I did have to route out just a little bit the pickup cavities in my Jackson JS3VQ bass, so do check your pickup cavity size. I didn't need to remove much though and they fit.Matthew P.

I just installed these in my baritone Viper tuned to DropG and hoooolly ***!! I expected nice articulation and clarity but I didn't think they'd sound THIS good. These are truly next-level and I don't think anything else comes close. The lows are just nasty, the tightness, bite, the attack…it's just drool-worthy and I can't put the guitar down. The definition is consistent across every string but nothing ever sounds harsh or treble-y. Most 'metal' pickups are all about output and I've never understood that. Too hot, too boomy, too compressed, etc. Both voices are extremely useful and the neck never gets muddy. Cleans are nice and flat, nothing in the EQ is 'boosted' so it's the perfect platform for layering effects. I was skeptical about all the hype and rave reviews but I stand humbly corrected. It's all true and I can't recommend the Fishman Fluence Moderns enough. They are extraordinary.Cody

Overall: These have a bottom end growl like no other pickups I've played, very touch and attack sensitive, no matter how low I tune there is no mud, the neck pickup is the best I've ever played , fluid , smooth with definition , I play Duncan Jupiter's and they kick ass , the Fishmans are easily on par with them with a growling voice I've never heard from a passive pickup , I like EMG's but the Fishmans are hand's down better. Installation will be a bit frustrating for first timers and novices , I installed them in 2&1/2hrs That included modifying my Epiphone Les Paul Custom Special , the pot holes , were too small as was the input jack hole , I did have to order Long Shaft pots as the included pots are short shafts , If you like EMG's you'll love these. I gave the fetures a low score because they should make them plug and play at this price.Dennis

These pickups are amazing for someone who wants to run with one bass and wants pickup options. The different voicings are truly different and can change the sound quite well, also considering they can be coil split. These are perfect for the guy who has one bass or wants to use one bass and is a session guy. The voicings and ease of change on the fly make it ideal for studio work. I would say though, if there's a specific tonal sound you are going for, I would buy the pickups that beat give you that tonal sound. Are there better single coil jazz bass pickups? Yes. Are there better active soapbar pickups out there? Yes and no, depending on what you like. But what this does is give you very good pickup sounds for the different styles and voicings it offers, and pretty much puts 6 basses into one bass (if you consider the coil splitting). If you already own multiple basses, this may not be for you as it may not add to your Arsenal unless you're looking for a singular bass to travel with. But if you own a single bass and are wanting more tonal options, this is the way to go. One thing to note, I did have to route out just a little bit the pickup cavities in my Jackson JS3VQ bass, so do check your pickup cavity size. I didn't need to remove much though and they fit.Matthew P.

I just installed these in my baritone Viper tuned to DropG and hoooolly ***!! I expected nice articulation and clarity but I didn't think they'd sound THIS good. These are truly next-level and I don't think anything else comes close. The lows are just nasty, the tightness, bite, the attack…it's just drool-worthy and I can't put the guitar down. The definition is consistent across every string but nothing ever sounds harsh or treble-y. Most 'metal' pickups are all about output and I've never understood that. Too hot, too boomy, too compressed, etc. Both voices are extremely useful and the neck never gets muddy. Cleans are nice and flat, nothing in the EQ is 'boosted' so it's the perfect platform for layering effects. I was skeptical about all the hype and rave reviews but I stand humbly corrected. It's all true and I can't recommend the Fishman Fluence Moderns enough. They are extraordinary.Cody

If you wanting a high output pickup, these are not your choice. I’ve had blackouts and emgs and those would be better a better choice. If you want more Note clarity and pick response and a WIDE VARIETY of tones, this is your guy. The neck pick up- super clean with the right amount of output, and with the push pull options, you can get a glassy strat shimmer. With the tone knob dialed back and using voicing two, you get a super dark and top and mid heavy that Keith is known for. The bridge pickup- it chugs with heavy distortion and get super note definition when tuned down. Pull in the knobs and you can get Slash from a half powered PAF. I have got e erything from David Gilmour to Korn to some Pantera rhythm tones. You will not get a high end “sizzle” aka Dime leads but still sounds greatDennis

Been playing and gigging for 30 years. Owned lots of guitars and bought lots of after market pickups. These pickups are shockingly good. They do exactly what they say they'll do. They have the punch, cut thru, and clarity of actives but they react to your fingers like passives. Very rewarding playing experience. They sound and feel like low output PAF style pickups. Long cable runs are not an issue. I'm shocked by how good they sound. Definitely worth checking out.Chuck

I have been using the 81-7 for a few years now(although mine is an earlier issue with the extended housing). I have it installed in a Schecter Damien 7 which I use as my primary guitar for practice and home recording. I find that this pickup is great for this type of application as it cuts down a great deal on the amount of noise you get with computers and TV's in the room. At home I play and record using a Line6 Pod X3 and the EMG's are great for low volume playing. I have also used that guitar live but the pickups give me A LOT of feedback at high gain/volume settings. Right now I have the 81-7 in the neck position with a 707 in the bridge. Since the 81 has a greater mid range voicing it tends to sound very well balanced and clear at the neck while the 707 provides slightly sweeter tones at the bridge. The 81-7 can sound very flat or even harsh at the bridge depending on what kind of amp you are using.No matter what position, I do recommend doing the 18 volt mod if you use EMG's(google it). The increase in power is really noticable and it essentially gives the pickups the dynamics of passive pups while maintaining their active gain character. EMG's are actually designed to operate at up to 27volts but 3 batteries is just not practical in most cases.some guy-mr0kN

The EMG 60A is of course a 60 with the ceramic magnet swapped for Alnico. What's the difference? Well it has a Kim Jong-un and smoother sound, less of the hard 'clang' to the treble of the 60(c) for sweeter cleans and a more open, fluid delivery with the gain turned up. The age old EMG 18v mod works magic bringing better dynamic response, clarity with extended frequency response and depth. 50k pots add a touch more bite.pauln4813

Sounds amazing and the costomer services were great! Nothing beats real people with great attitudes! Love this pickup! Great with its match!sherm.ryn

These pickups have given new life to my Schecter Omen 8! Along with the Rechargeable Battery Pack, my Omen 8 is an enjoyable guitar to play!Larry

I am completely satisfied with these pickups. Easy to install and deliver face smashing tone. They also look really good in the guitar.Durty

Sound: I put this set into a Squier Contemporary HH Strat and after some trial and error experiments with pickup height, I am blown away by the versatility of this set.You want METAL, you got it.You want funk ala 'Love Rollercoaster' by the Ohio Players, you got it.Blues, psychedelia, pop, Skynyrd… It's all here if you know to EQ your gear.I've used this guitar through three Marshalls; a DSL1CR, an Origin 20 head through an MG412, and a Valvestate VS15R.Through the clean channel on the DSL I found it really easy to drive the tubes for a nice dynamic sound that varies with the nature of your picking technique. Through the Ultra Gain channel… Pure Mayhem – roll back the treble.With the Origin 20 I found a similar response as on the clean DSL, just louder.The VS15R is solid state and the variety of sounds was totally dependant on the EQ settings. The VS15R has dual pre-gains and with both of them dimed… ULTRA MAYHEM.I've also run this set through a Vox VT40X using the 'Fender Deluxe Reverb' model. With some light compression and a splash of reverb you can achieve a funk sound that is suitable for everything from RHCP to the Ohio Players.I had no idea… This is one incredible set of pickups! Features: When I modded the guitar I replaced the stock 'master volume/master tone' pickguard with a standard Strat model except that I configured it for dual volumes and master tone.If you, the reader, intend to put these pickups in a Strat style guitar, I IMPLORE you to not go the 'master volume' route. By tweaking the individual volume levels you can get an endless variety of sounds. With a master volume you are cheating yourself out of so much… It's almost an insult to these pickups to use a single volume to control them. Ease of Use: It's incredibly easy to get a great sound from these pickups. It's all in the amp's EQ and the height of the pickups. I found the "sweet spot" to be half way between the strings and pickguard. Quality: This is a US made Seymour Duncan pickup. Their quality… Dumb question. Next! Value: For the price this set is an incredible value. Manufacturer Support: I've never had a problem with SD pickups, but I've only been using them since 1986 so… The Wow Factor: "Wow Factor"… In summary I would say this set is like a slight brighter and more modern version of the DP100 Super Distortion. Yeah, they're THAT GOOD.Wow, huh? Overall: Summary: This is an incredibly versatile set of pickups. They're capable of more than just metalMark

I'm getting old and just recently got into the digital side of things with amps and tone. I actually was quite impressed with how far the digital technology has come and my Fishman Fluence pickups sounded… almost like hooking up to real amps. Huge range of tone! I then bought a new guitar that came with a Black Winter guitar pickup that I planned to swap out. As I tuned and tested the guitar with my old pedal board and amp I found a very good match for this pickup. I play older death/black metal for a hobby now and I found the Black Winter to capture the tone perfectly and it even sounds good when you spike the mids. The Fluence has better range and clean tones but the Black Winter has a "sour melt" on the harmonics that I can't pass up. Works best with; Death Metal, Sludge, Alternative styles. It tightens up nicely but struggles a little with Djent/Metalcore and clean tones but got the job done. Like any modern pickups in its class it handles higher mids peels off any style of palm muting and pinch harmonics, but some how it got me stuck playing my best covers of Hammer Smashed Face by Cannibal Corpse and Soul Crusher by White Zombie. Played live using a LTD M-Series into a TS-808, Rocktron Hush,Randall RG1003H 100W Solid State. Recording test played using a Gibson 1975 Flying V into a Kemper Profiler Head with preloaded (free) amps/effects.Bent Gimlet

L'ho installato alla tastiera su una Ibanez RG1527 pensando di ottenere un suono "Satriani Style" funziona bene, ed ha un sacco di outputma il,suono è un po' scuretto, va bene per i alcuni pezzi di Satriani dove usa il PU al ponte, ma ad esempio per un suono alla malmsteen è troppo scuro.Seria Barbara

Overall: I installed these on a Jackson Dinky 7 String. It took a $200 guitar and turned it into a monster. I was blown away with how these pickups sounded right off the bat. The pull knobs definitely help sculpt your sound. I also love how I can crank the gain on my amps and not have to worry about the noise. Love these pickups!!Louie

Overall: I installed these on a Jackson Dinky 7 String. It took a $200 guitar and turned it into a monster. I was blown away with how these pickups sounded right off the bat. The pull knobs definitely help sculpt your sound. I also love how I can crank the gain on my amps and not have to worry about the noise. Love these pickups!!Louie

Easily the loudest pickups and highest gain I've ever worked with. The bridge pickups gives it a HIGH riding gain and it's good for chunky rhythms, and the neck pickup provides a VERY smooth yet high gain solo sound that I absolutely adore. Definitely my favorite pickup out there, can't imagine using anything else.tayl3004

I've had one of these in my Ibanez RG7321FM for over a year now, and after having spent a year with it, and finding all of its sweet spots, I can say that I am still in love with it.Yes, this pickup is hot. But, I found that if you lower it down towards the body a bit, you can get a really sick sound out of it. It still distorts really well, even when it's lowered down, that's how much output this thing has.I have a Blaze Neck in the same guitar (neck pos, obviously), and in the middle position of the switch, with some roll off of the tone and volume pots, you can get a really "classic" tone out of them. And despite it's high output, it's still really clear and reacts to picking changes quite easily. All in all, if you want mass amounts of power in a bridge pickup, this will probably be a dream come true for you.BrainArt

Sound: While installing it may have been a bit of a challenge the overall tones coming out of my jackson 7 are amazing! Tighter more Glassy Sound with a Great twist on the mids! I have no issues with clarity and squeals! Also pickup needs minimal adjustments after installing. Great Range and sound absorbson! Features: Installing it could be a challenge. But any 4 way conductor will be if having no experience. Ease of Use: Very Easy to get great sound with minimal height adjustments. Quality: It is put together rock solid. Cant complain. Value: Most definitely! Dont second guess yourself. Manufacturer Support: Very easy purchase during a pandemic! The Wow Factor: 5 Star rating. With style! Overall: Great Pickup! Will be getting the neck Rainmaker to go with this Dreamcatcher! Very clear Glassy Bright Tone with a twist on the mids to make any squeals a good time. Cleans up the low tones so you dont have to!Nate

Based on the description and very few online demos, I was expecting this pickup to be an evenly EQ'd, mid-high output bridge pup that's better than your average OEM stock pickup but not great. However, once installed, it was clear that this pickup can hang with the other aftermarket modern metal pickups. It's definitely not mid-honky like a Titan/Nazgul/Jugg, but the mids are still very present and cut through a mix. Big chords ring out very clear, and heavy palm mutes are tight and aggressive. I haven't tried this with cleans yet, but I'm sure it will excel there as well. Money well spent.Marco

I put this in a Koa top Ernie Ball Music man guitar. Before installing this pickup , the guitar sounded muddy and very dark . This pickup is crystal clear, rich warm and just the right amount of aggression!!!! Highly recommendedSean

Purchased a pair of 57 + 66 EMG's to swap stock Dimarzios on my seven string Ibanez RG. Although I used to be 100% Dimarzio fan, epesially PAFs were my favourite, now I made my choice for EMG's. Very versatile, no hums at all. Can make good variety of sounds from bluesy till high gain. Good output on 57 in bridge position and quite average on 66 in neck. Very modern looking. If you make you sound through guitar processor amp simulations – I would highly recommend EMGs. I would go for another set of these, if my were stolen or broken. The minus – not so good clean sound as expected.ua2014.ganz

Love this pickup! Sounds perfect for djent, but is incredibly versatile for many other styles too. Crystal clear, mid focused, and very modern sounding. So glad I pulled the trigger.ce2162

I put this pick up in my 8 string legator ghost. The guitar is fanned fret. If you have a guitar with fanned frets where the pickups are slanted, you might find that this pick up does not cover all the strings (depending on string spacing). It barely fits my guitar and I had to do some light Dremel work to get it to fit my guitar (not a problem it's barely noticeable). But overall the pickup sounds fantastic!parbel-89

I am building a 8 string steel guitar. I am using a standard 8 pole in the bridge position for that standard twangy Nashville sound. Flip the selection switch and boom! Lace sensor in the bridge position with the 25 db Eric Clapton boost kit by Fender and hello Sonic bliss. Totally different tone, very harmonic sounding. All the tone I never knew I had. Love it.dave-n-wv

These pickups are powerfull, more gain, more tone and a very new and exiting design. Out of the box I was suprised how simple and elegant they are, nothing like I've seen before! After installing them, a big smile on my face (and in my ears) while I tested! They sounds fantastic, all across my 9 strings, and no noice! I think my instrument looks great now, the pickups shine both vintage and modern on it! I'm going to order new Lace pickups for my other guitars, also for my 6 strings, -and so should you, I highly recommend Lace!atomkraftverk1

The Rainmaker 7 is amazing. The sounds are so clear even when played with lot of distortion. It is definitely a most buy. It goes super well with the Dreamcatcher 7. I bought the JP157 and change the pickups. I kept the 12db boost and added a coil tap and the sounds combos are amazing.Dave

I bought a pair of these last year to replace the EMG-HZ that came in my Schecter Damien 7, I wanted a better pickup that could handle thicker strings and lower tunings without turning to mud. Let me tell you these were perfect. These things blew me away, they have more mid lows then say EMG 81/85-7's and sound "warmer". I can't get enough of the distorted tones that the Blackouts bring, simply awesome if all I can say. Clean tones are nice and rich as well. Blackouts themselves are one of the best pickups out these and the 7-string version handles all the extra lows with ease.kixofmyg0t