Added: 3 years ago
From: DarkKnight369
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  • hey dave just wanted to ask did you have any trouble replacing the 707's with blackouts? cuz some guys have had some trouble replacing them and its making me worried about ordering a set of blackouts cu i dont want to make the cavity larger by sanding it. are the blackouts larger than the 707's?

  • @TheMetalhead804 The Blackouts Phase II are a direct replacement for the EMG 7 string sized active. They come equipped with the quick connect plug so all you have to do is plug them in and screw them up. The only reason I can think of that guys may have had issues with replacing the 707's would be due to the lead wire that is also attached to blackouts. If you are replacing 707s and using quick connect, cut off the lead wire that is attached for traditional soldering. Its not needed.

  • hey dude, why do the blackouts sound like the mids are scooped? or is it just the camera mic?

  • @TheMetalhead804 I did a part 2 to this vid. I recorded this through my laptop mic. The distance, height, and angle I placed it at changes how its recorded. I tried to recreate those conditions in part 2 for a more accurate comparison.

  • @DarkKnight369 awesome ill check it out thanks dude :D

  • @TheMetalhead804 no problem

  • wow, this makes me wanna put blackouts in my loomis. idk if i would get both neck models though

  • I've got an ESP Horizon NT II, but this is the guitar what I'll ask for chrismas, from Santa! ;)))

  • i would say that this would be a good review IF you were still using the same gear in your rack from the old video compared to the new video. I see a BBE Sonic Maximzer 482i in the new video. Older video it was either an older model he BBE or you just didn't have one.

  • @ebaypwnzftw I just double checked the video to make sure...the BBE is present in all video footage. Only thing I have changed that I recalled is adding the BBE OD pedal and ditching the rack wireless if that showed up in the videos. The BBE OD pedal is only used in my 7 string riffage video. The only real difference in this video is the altered sound from the changed camera angle. I shot a part 2 which is a much better comparison. I wasn't happy with this video.

  • Hey man, I was thinking of getting this guitar, but there isnt a shop that stock this guitar. Could you tell me any problems or downsides to this guitar, the neck wont be a problem to me because I have quite big hands. Thanks!

  • @ibanezguy15 No, its a good guitar.

  • hey which pickups are more responive to harmonics the blackouts or the emgs please reply

  • @MikeBassil I am not 100% sure. I would have to say the blackouts because they are hotter...as in they pick up more. I had to lower them away from the strings because they were picking up more than I liked. Both will shine with harmonics though.

    Make sure you check out my part 2 to this video...

  • EMG sounds good on this video

  • i kinda like loomis more playing it but your okay too

  • Would you say that 10-62 gauge strings are tight cuz when I get a schecter 7 string I'm most likely going to use the same tuning but with 10-52+64 gauge

  • Emg.....for sure...much cleaner sound

  • you have a jeff loomis guitar, in drop a, and it has blackouts. that is the exact same as the guitarist for thy art is murder

  • hey there. got another question for you.. which ones would you say you like more the blackouts or the EMG 707's. because ive got both and to me the 707's sound kind of thin but preally clear which i liked but the Blackouts are a much fuller tone and a little bassier. but i just wanted to you know what your personal opinion was on the matter? thanks.

  • @alecxg I definitely prefer the blackouts.

  • Why did you use the neck version of the black out in the bridge?

  • @guitaristguy20 Its a bright guitar...in brighter guitars I like the neck version of the actives. The 707 is more of a neck pickup than a bridge to begin with.

  • what gauge of strings do u use and what tuning?

  • @BUFFW Drop A and .010 - .062 in the video.

  • Wow you really have those gallops down! :) What do you prefer the emgs or blackouts? Because i have a schecter and i am looking at getting a Blackout in the bridge and a EMG 89 in the neck. Is that a good setup?

  • @motorxtp199 Thanks. I love the blackouts for 7 strings, but have not played them on a 6. Both my 6 strings have 18 volt modded EMGs. I would definitely think the combo you speak of would be good, especially since the 89 does coil tap whereas blackouts do not.

  • @DarkKnight369 Thank you for the advice! I will be getting the combo soon and will let u know how they sound!! :)

  • fucking great bold tone man

    do you still have some cliops with the stock emgs on that loomis?

  • @WithFullDistortion

    I compare and contrast clips in this vid. Also, part II to this vid is more accurate as to tone.

  • @DarkKnight369 is that line 6 cab any good? i know it has v30's in it but im not sure on getting it or not.. how would that cab compare to a mesa rectifier cab?

  • @spencerrr321

    you are thinking of the spider valve cab...that is not what I have. I have thr vetta cab which is discontinued. It has custom celestion modeling speakers to accomodate the cab modelng of the vetta and hd147. I have heard good things about the sv cab. The Mesa is bigger and probably better.

  • I prefer the EMGs they sound so much clearer wheres on the blackout the bass on the B string seems to overpower everything else for the next few notes so they don't ring out and i've found that before when i've used them in general i think EMGs are better for me thats why i play the hellraiser c-7

  • @DVpk47 When I got the ATX the 707's in my Loomis sounded crappy in comparison. Putting 2 neck blackouts in the Loomis made that guitar come alive.

    I personally think the hellraiser is too dark to have 2 707's. It should have had an 81-7 in the bridge. The blackout bridge pickup would be a much better mach for the bridge as well. After all, the 707 is like an altered 85 for 7 string. I have the C-8 hellraiser and I think the 808 is slightly dark in the bridge. The 808's > 707's though.

  • i like more the 707's than the blackouts

  • @tibi1687 If you are basing it off this video, I would agree. However, this video isn't an accurate representation. I have a part 2 that is better. Also, check out my 7 string riffage video. Its hard to tell as the mic used was the one built into my laptop. I can tell you first hand that the blackouts feel more organic and passive like and have a meaner lower midrange roar. While I like EMGs, I hate the 707's and will never touch them again.

  • hahaha holy crap how many schecters do you have... im gettin a C7 hellraiser tomorrow

  • I have 5

  • @DarkKnight369 thats awesome.. theyre great guitars... ive been playin my new one all day

  • love blackouts

  • On the contrary, EMGs have a higher more compressed tone. This video came out bad, check out part 2 to this and my 7 string riffage video.

  • I like your tones, but if you play with a band, a monster tone means a muddy mix. Not criticizing you by any means, just civing some advice

  • I do not turn up my rig to gig volume for these vids. If I do the laptop mic cannot pick up the sound without distorting. When I crank my tones more of the mids and highs shine through and less low end.

    I don't play in a band anymore though, but when I used to it wasn't a problem.

  • hey man, i've been toying around with the idea of gettin' a loomis. How does the neck feel on that beast? love yur playing

  • Feels good to me. All schecter necks are the same really. The satin finished ones might feel a tad different due t the extra layers of finish. That is about it.

  • i would like to hear that guitar and cab in a real metal amp for exemple a mesa or a 5150 seriously but anyways sounds good in your line 6

  • Mesa's are extremely over rated, and I can count on one hand the times I have actually heard good tone come out of a 5150.

  • mmm i think that loomis guitar has a floyd rose bridge but i don't understand why all the custom guitars i've seen doesn't have

  • The Loomis is offered in 2 models: hard tail and floyd. They discontinued the hard tail for 2009 but started offering it again in 2010.

  • in this video: old guy with money with a son who thinks hes cool

  • But the old guy with money said I was cool and special...I thought that meant something. It sucks that the old guy with money spent all his money on my guitar gear so the only place I have to play is this small, unfinished basement.

    Get real dude. I am 27 and I have a job that doesn't involve flipping burgers. I pay for all my gear and in my videos I am playing in the house that I own. I know its hard to understand when you are a 23 year old loser still living with mommy and daddy.

  • what was the song you played when you were demonstrating the clean tone? nice video.

  • Sounds like something I made up that was Soilwork inspired...I don't think it was anything.

  • Pickups are all about preference, Loomis himself, and rusty cooley both use EMGs.

  • I know its preference, but I would never use famous artists as a comparison. Who knows if they have endorsements or not. Plus...I can almost guarantee you most die hard EMG users have never tried blackouts. Many of them have the "if its not broke, don't fix it attitude." For me it wasn't broke, until the blackouts went head to head with the 707's and took the crown for me.

  • the blackouts sound more thrashy or more like a children of bodom sound, me perosnally i love the chunky break neck chugs so i love the emgs. but i guess it's personal prefrence

  • I can see how blackouts can sounds more "thrashy" if you set them or leave them really close to the strings. I did not dig the sound of them when they were that close so I lowered mine a bit.

    The blackouts are "chunkier" than EMGs. They have more of a lower midrange so they sound meaner and beefier. The 707s sounded over compressed and weak compared to the blackouts.

  • yeah it seems like when you play the EMGs it sounds like their trying to power and get all the amazing sound they wanna do but the blackouts sounds like they just power out the sound with ease.

  • This video sucks though, the placement of my laptop seemed to allow the built in mic to only pic up the highs and high mids. The part 2 to this is better, but my 7 string riffage video is probably the best demonstration of the blackout tone.

  • jeff loomis's signiture looks so badass,, btw is the ash body nice (in tone compared to mahogonay) ?

  • The ash is pretty nice, but different. Its definitely brighter than mahogany, but the maple neck and fretboard play into the overall tone of the guitar. It has a little more high end bite compared to my blackjack atx which has a lower midrange focus. The atx has the blackout bridge in the bridge postion where I put the blackout neck in the bridge position of the loomis. I am sure it would have a brighter attack and more of a "sharp" tone with the blackout bridge.

  • outta curiosity man.. I don't know if you mentioned this yet.. but what is the main difference in frequency qualities between the 707 and the blackouts??

  • Blackouts are better (to me anyway).  They sound less compressed and have a lower/meaner lower midrange. They feel a bit more organic too. They seem to have more passive qualities while maintaining the power of actives.

    This video sucks though and is nt an accurate representation of the difference because of the difference camera/mic angles in each vid.

  • cool thanks man.. that is exactly what I am looking for.. I wanted something that had passive qualities.. while maintaining active power.. and something with a better midrange that what an emg 81 has to offer.. thats great..

  • amazing riffs dude u made me wanna get the blackouts:]

  • Thanks!

  • @DarkKnight369 did you ever sell the 707's? i would so buy them!!!!!!!

  • Yep, shortly after I tool them out of the Loomis.

  • Hey I am interested in getting a line 6 guitar head, either the HD100, HD147, or the Vetta II. I would like to know which one is good for playing Live and at home. i know that SS's distortion crackles or becomes thinned out when cranked at high volumes. what are the differences in these 3? which on is loud enough to play live without tone loss? BTW nice tone

  • Forget what you know. People who complain about Line 6 amps thinning out or having the tone turn to shit at high volumes can't set the amps up right. Because the amp runs on presets, you have to set the tones up at the volumes you will be playing at. We perceive frequencies different at different decibel levels. If you set a tone at bedroom levels, save it, then crank it up, it most likely will sound like shit. Tweak that tone at gig volume, and it will sound good at that volume.

  • I gigged with the HD147 for 2 years without issues. It has power to spare, as I never even pushed the amp to the max.

    I think you are looking at this wrong, think about what you want. One of these is part tube amp. If you are used to tubes you may want that. Make sure its the Spider Valve MKII though, since its much improved over the original. The vetta II would be the most complex amp.  It has everything you could ever need and more, but it will take a ton of time tweaking the amp.

  • Thank you for your advice. I will try that.

  • I haven't been able to find the Loomis signature with the solid bridge online. Have they stopped making it?

  • I heard Drum City Guitar Land still has it online. Other than that, its unavailable an no longer made.

  • Okay, thanks.

  • your strings sound brand new when your using the emgs. that really makes them sound like shit

  • ITs the camera that is picking up the string noise.

  • sorry, i said 707s but i meant blackouts vs emgs.

  • is it the sam distortion setting with the emg's and the 707s? cuz if it is IMO the Emgs sound better

  • The camera angle ruined this vid. Check out my part two, its a little better.

  • Is that the standard 7 string low B tuning or what?

  • Drop A....AEADGBE

  • i like them better with the 707's

  • I don't, this vid sort of sucks. Watch Part 2 I made.

  • i agree

  • Im sorry, but i forgot to say last time (really forgot judging by the date)

    That wouldnt it make more sense to compare the pickups using the same camera? they sound too different to compare really

  • It was the same everything, just had it on a higher stool dead center, so it was picking up more of the projected highs and high mids.

    If you look at my video responses, I have a part 2 to this video where I got the angle more closely matched.

  • Sounds horable.

  • This vid does, check out the part 2 I posted though.

  • where did you buy this from every where i look i can only seem to find the one with a floyd rose and i def dont want that.....also what is is your opinion on whether i should get the loomis 7 or the blackjack 7 considering that i also play heavy metal music

  • I purchased it from Drum City Guitar Land. They still have a few of the non trem versions if I remember correctly. I believe Schecter discontinued the non-FR loomis model, so that could be why you aren't finding it. Anything you do find will be a 2008 model.

    I like the Blackjack ATX slightly more than the loomis. If you are talking the regular blackjack model, I would say the Loomis is better.

  • I think Drum City Guitar Land still has some. The non-FR is discontinued for 2009 I believe, so anything you find will be a 2008 model.

    I would say the Loomis is better than the regular blackjack, but I like the blackjack atx slightly more.

  • why u dont play solos...i wan t hear some...

  • Because my big clunky man hands don't work as fast as I would like up around the 12th fret and beyond.

  • you have a monster right hand my friend, and MASSIVE tone!!

  • My tone sucks in this video. The position of the laptop Mic makes it sound high, fizzy, and digital. My part 2 to this video sounds better.

  • i much prefer 7/8 stringed guitars because it inspires me alot more when making music

    i may never use the B and F string when with my band but on my own recording im constantly using them!

  • oh and what all did u play in this? it sounds killer

  • I just play usually. I might play some recognizable riffs here and there, but most of it is just improv mixed with song ideas I have or common riffs I always play.

  • How much do the blackots cost?

    I wanted to get the 707s but id have to get my ibanez routed for them to fit

  • Like $100 a piece I think. Google it to see.

    You may still have to route your Ibanez for blackouts. The passive shaped ones are really deep and Ibanez routes many of their guitars shallow to accommodate Dimarzios and the stock Ibanez pickups. Some people have had to either route the cavity down, or if its a bolt on get  neck shim.

  • It is hard to deside but I feel that for the rhythm parts, the 707's have a better tone. For so long I have always cared about what brings out my technical aspect but now I find I like sound slightly more. The black outs are nice and have a clearer and a more just sound.. but I'm not a player who likes to rumble my rhythm notes and palm mute licks really fast with staccato accentual style. However I find that the blackouts bring out the digital sound line 6 has a bit. I'm sorry Iike 707's.

  • The audio on this video came out like crap due to mic placement. Watch part too, because blackouts don't sound like they do on this video in person. This is just a crappy recording with my built in laptop mic after all.

  • Yeah that does sound a whole great deal better than on this video. I enjoy listening to you play I just wish I could see some smooth solo lick with some diminished "evil" stuff. I enjoy listening to that style but I am not a fan of playing it. That's just me and I hope it doesn't offend or anything. But yes, the sound does seem quit impressive.

  • I am not much for solos...even on the baritone scale my big clunky man hands don't work too fast down there. I just play what comes naturally to me.

  • and it turns out nicely then too. Don't worry dude you are still really good. I myself are a sloppy player haha. I'm decent though but I can find a good tone like you though.

  • I appreciate the kind words.  Thanks!

  • How about emg 81 and 85? the best pickups just plain out ever! haha

  • The 81 and 85 are out of context here since we are talking about 7 strings and the EMG 707 vs Blackouts.

    I have 2 6 string Schecters loaded with the 85 in the bridge and the 81 in the neck, both 18v modded. At one time, I would agree with you, and I still do appreciate the tone of them. However, I would probably much rather have blackouts in those guitars, or even the new EMG-X. Blackouts just have more dynamics and lower midrange roar to them.

  • i might go with the loomis and swap the pickups with blackouts just like what you did coz i'm really afetr the FR. how's the quality of schecter guitars are they built to last?

  • hey mate nice playing and very awesome guitar you have there. i'm thinking of gettin' the loomis or the hellraiser or the blackjack atx, it's my first time to buy a 7 string and i want to get the best one can you give me any advice on which one to get? i'm also contemplating on whether to get the FR version or just the string thru body. thanks and nice review bro \m/

  • I would opt for the Loomis or ATX. The ATX would be my first choice because I like the wood combo better and it comes stock with blackouts, which I find to be superior to EMG 707s. The Loomis is a great guitar though. The sating and ash/maple wood combo really gives it a more unique sound compared to the other Schecter 7's. 

    The ATX doesn't come in an FR version with 7 string, and I think they discontinuied the fixed bridge Loomis. The hellraiser comes in both I believe.

  • I must say I have never been a big fan of line 6 amps, mainly because i do not know how to get a good tone out of it, but you can get a great tone out of it.

  • thanks for posting this video. i was thinking about buying this or an ibanez universe and this helped alot on my decision. nice playing and i agree with you 100% fuck all the line 6 haters out there... the sound might not be as great as a high end tube amp.. but its close enough and 100000000x versatile.

  • I like the tone of Engls and Splawns, but I also love the tone of my amp. I have never felt anything was better in the tone department.

  • Damn i want one of those loomis models..

    Great vid btw, but i can't help but prefer the sound of the EMGs, i know the mic placement is different in all the vids, but the EMG's sound a little fatter and the blackouts sound a bit thinner to me

  • Watch my part 2 to this video.

  • Well having a digital amp dosnt help getting a great natural sound. Your guitar setup rules but you should ditch the amp and get an all natural tube amp man. Nice playing by the way \m/

  • Natural Sound? Please don't bring the mightier than thou tube stuff here. If I wanted a tube amp, I would own one. No tube amp I have played can replace my HD147.  I prefer the tone and feel of my amp.

    Also, this video sounds like shit. I have a part 2 thats better. Laptop mic + poor angle = bad representation.

  • Like I said...Digital = no feel

    but as long as you're happy man, that's cool. Just dont plan on playing live shows with this fart machine. Nice playing though man, like I said, as long as YOU are happy that's all that matters. Rock on dude

  • You never said anything about feel, read what you posted. You said natural tube sound. I don't play a digital amp to try and sound like a tube amp. I don't even use the models on the amp that are supposed to mimic tube amps. I use the line 6 tones that are unique tones and what if scenaios. I love the tone and feel of my amp, and I love that it doesn't sound and feel like a tube amp. I will give you that some clips in this video are shitty, but I have made others that aren't...

  • ...I am not even sure how you can judge an amp by youtube videos recorded with a built in laptop mic when the amp in questions is limited to half or a quarter with a volume pedal. Not really even the true representation of its tone to begin with.

    To be honest with you dude, I have played a 6505+, XXX, JSX, Mesa Dual Rec, Diezel Einstein, and a marshall tube amp or two, probably some I forgot too. Not a single one impressed me. I do like the tone of Engls and Splawns though, that's about it..

  • ...And I played live for 2 years with this amp, from June 2006-May 2008 to be exact. Never had a single problem and I played everything from basement gigs to 5000 capacity venues...search "thesystemafter" on here and see...

    On top of that, there are signed bands that use the HD147 including Mnemic, Muse, and Evanesence. Then there is Lacuna Coil using the Flextone II, the HD147 precursor. And, there is Meshuggah, NIN and others who use the Vetta II. Tubes are not everything, not for me...

  • Dude I agree that Line6 stuff is diverse and you have lots of tones in one amp, but there are some amazing tube amps out there. Like Framus, ENGL Laney, Diezel, I think they all would probably rock with that guitar I know jeff plays ENGL and You can get a tube amp to hit just as heavy as solid state, you just need the right one with the right cab amp combo, but the harmonic complexity and sweetness will also be greater just because you have more linearity from tubes. but IMO Blackouts Rock!

  • I am well aware of the amp makers you mentioned and their products. Out of all of them I have only played one, and that was a Diezel Einstein. Liked the tone, hated the feel. As far as Engl's go, they have been my favorite tube tone from what I have heard with them live.

    The main problem I have with tube amps is the feel. They just never feel "tight and precise" enough for me. Even if I fell in love with something like an Engl, I would have to buy a lot to get everything I have now.

  • tubes need good current to hit hard and tight like solid state, so good line conditioners that do not limit current, and an efficient cab will make it easier for a tube amp to have that hard hitting bass and chunk that solid state can have without the shattering glass saturation of solid state. It can be done it just takes some searching for the right cables, transformers, conditioners, amps, tubes speakers etc.

  • Tubes can often feel spongy, or to me, slow in response, and I don't like it. I have been told this has to do with the natural clipping differences between tubes and SS. Whatever it is, I can tell the difference when playing both types of amps.

    It gets old when people try and convince others that they need to play tube amps. Tubes are not for everyone, and they certain aren't the end all be all of tone. I love my tone, and that is all that matters. No one will convince me otherwise.

  • Very Nice Tone.

  • i would buy this guitar if it was a 6 string, i cant get along with 7 strings

  • that guitar fucken owns!!!!

  • The blackouts sounds more of a passive sound(less digitized)

  • what is the head your using?

  • Line 6 HD147

  • nice playing btw :)

    I have the Loomis with FloydRose and I did the 18volt mod on it which really cleared the sound of the EMGs, so now the EMGs has better buttom and better tone definition! I just put blackouts in an Explorer and that sounds nice too!

    I like both Blackouts and EMGs ;)

  • these pickups have turned my least favorite guitar into my most favorite guitar...these are the actives of a new generation

  • Hey bro, you did good on showin the diffrence between the two pickups.

    I got the HELLRAISER 7 string (black) but the string thru model. with the EMG707s

    And i plan on getting another some time in the near future but with the OFR, and from what i've read and ur review on the two pickups, i mightest well throw in the Blackouts.

    Thanks bro!

  • i think the EMGz are better

  • I still prefer the EMGs

  • Hmm i gotta say i still prefer the EMGs, though that could just be the difference in recordings. The blackouts probably sound much better in teh flesh

  • They do sound better in person. The video doesn't do it justice.

  • Dude, the sound of your pick hitting the string is throwing me off, I can't really vcompare the Blackouts and the EMGs. Try moving further away from the camera next time, and maybe turn your amps volume up?

  • The amp is at a volume where the audio won't clip and distort through my camera mic. ITs hard to not get the picking noise in the video.

  • i took the stock cheap duncan design pickups out of my schecter and installed the blackouts in my guitar and i love it. It has so many different tones and is the best money by far i have ever spent on any guitar equipment. They are a little pricey but well worth the money...far better in my view than the EMG's The blackouts have great tone in the clean setting and awsome distortion with the gain up or great classic sound with the gain turned down.

  • Blackouts are still a little cheaper than EMGz I believe. So they aren't that expensive.

  • Make sure you all check out my follow up video to this, labeled ad part 2. I re-did this vid so to speak with a different Mic placement.

  • istill prefer the 707s, but i just only like emgs

  • Ducunans have better attack.

    I think

  • i dropped the blackouts into my ESP and put it into drop A#, and these pickups are amazing for severe drop tunings

  • This makes feel reeeally good about getting Blackouts for my first 7. I wonder if Jeff himself will make the switch

  • Or maybe Kerry will make the switch. Who knows.

  • Bad ass video. I'm still saving for that damn guitar and was planning on doing that pickup swap as well. I would like to hear those things in person cuz I've tried the ATX with the blackouts and it sounded amazing but I preferred the EMG sound in this review due to the mic set up. The blackouts sounded really thin. Keep the vids comin! Thanks.

  • Yeah, I was disappointed in the way this vid turned out. The 707s are definitely thinner than the blackouts. The Loomis is now closer tonally to the ATX, just slight differences because of the wood qualities and neck vs bridge pup differences.

  • I just noticed I typed Rain in Blood instead of Raining Blood. What an idiot!

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