Not that I didn't like how 707TW sounds, I managed to get some great tones out of it, but I always felt there was something not quite right for my taste.
Whenever I would convince myself that I should go ahead and get 81-7, I would find a way to kill the gas and think that I'm an idiot for wanting to change a pretty brutal sounding pickup.
Also, from what I got from forums, difference wasn't really that big.
I finally gave in after a local EMG dealer had it in stock and on sale, and got one.
... and, I'm very happy I did. Difference indeed is not that huge, but that massive, overbearing low end on 707TW is just right on 81-7, nice and tight. Also, the pickup is generally cleaner, with less junk, and just a touch more bite, and much easier to dial in a good tone with.
I was afraid it would be a bit on the fizzy side that I remember from my LP with 81, but it turned out to be perfect for all mahogany Hellraiser. I cleaned up the insides to fit another battery and it's far from flat sounding at 18V.
Also, 81-7 pretty much kills 707 for leads.
Here's a really short clip.
Whenever I would convince myself that I should go ahead and get 81-7, I would find a way to kill the gas and think that I'm an idiot for wanting to change a pretty brutal sounding pickup.
Also, from what I got from forums, difference wasn't really that big.
I finally gave in after a local EMG dealer had it in stock and on sale, and got one.
... and, I'm very happy I did. Difference indeed is not that huge, but that massive, overbearing low end on 707TW is just right on 81-7, nice and tight. Also, the pickup is generally cleaner, with less junk, and just a touch more bite, and much easier to dial in a good tone with.
I was afraid it would be a bit on the fizzy side that I remember from my LP with 81, but it turned out to be perfect for all mahogany Hellraiser. I cleaned up the insides to fit another battery and it's far from flat sounding at 18V.
Also, 81-7 pretty much kills 707 for leads.
Here's a really short clip.
