Dimarzio Ionizer 7 VS PAF 7 Bridge Pickup Shootout And Comparison

Recently, I switched the stock Dimarzio PAF 7 in the bridge pickup position of my Ibanez RG7PCMLTD (A fantastic guitar, by the way) with a Dimarzio Ionizer 7 Bridge pickup.
The audible difference, while subtle, is definitely there with a substantial increase in output and tighter lows. I've been having a lot of fun with the Ionizer 7 in the bridge and the PAF 7 in the neck; especially when it comes to split positions and clean tones. As usual, however, I'm focussing on a metal rhythm sound for this comparison as I feel this is the most important thing to look at when comparing bridge pickups.
The PAF 7 is a serviceable bridge pickup, as I stated in my initial review of the RG7PCMLTD. Historically, there have a been a fair few Ibanez guitars which have needed more or less immediate pickup changes (Here's looking at you RGA8) and I stand by my statement that the RG7PCMLTD does NOT fit in to that category. Ultimately, the guitar is a personal instrument and I encourage people to personalise and customise their guitar to suit themselves as players.

[@AkiraSpectrum]

Awesome video! Definitely noticeable difference during the parts you turn down the mix and let the guitar come through as the main focus. Immediately noticeable is the higher output, tighter lows, and enhanced mids of the Ionizer. I think I would prefer the Ionzier based on this tone clip. The PAF7 doesn't have enough midrange for me.

[@alexlucasmusic]

For me, the main purpose of the video was to show that the PAF7 is a good starting point. A lot of Ibanez 7 strings ship with them for a reason: Most players can get something usable out of it. If you've just blown all your money on a guitar and can't afford a replacement bridge pickup, you're not going to be stuck with a dud (Unlike the Ibanez RGA8 I bought used and had sitting around for 3 months while I researched and got money together for some EMG 808Xs. If the stock pups were good enough, I'd at least have had those 3 months to develop my skill and put a song together for a demo, but that looks like it's a ways off now). I'd be interested in trying out a bunch of 7 string pickups from Dimarzio, as they're often overlooked. It's easy to find demos of Seymour Duncan, EMG and Bare Knuckle products. In terms of the video market, it's pretty saturated; one of the reasons I'm assuming my BKP Juggernaut video didn't do all that well. Thanks for your comment, dude. I've pinned it.

[@AkiraSpectrum]

I definitely hear you on the comment. I've heard horrible things about the RGA8 stock pickups (supposedly they are actually bass pickups). Yes, when it come to 7-string Dimarzio's, you don't see a lot of demos of them on youtube as you do for SD and BKP.

[@_pant0m]

PAF7 for me the warmness and the organic sounds hits me

[@MrSleepyj85]

Man I came to hear the Ionizer and ended up getting to listen to a sick ass track! Well done

[@PureJadeKid]

Awesome playing. Thank you for the comparison.

[@alexlucasmusic]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you see more content that takes your fancy

[@edwardkania9622]

Great video. That maple board looks so good here.

[@alexlucasmusic]

There’s something about this type of maple that I love. PRS do similar looking maple. I’m boring, though, so all my current guitars are ebony 😂

[@FungusLabel]

PAF 7 is the ultimate djent pickup. Of course u need a tubescreamer or a really high gain amp. If you dont have a high gain amp try X2N-7. Lovely demo.

[@damiano2211]

I also own this fantastic Ibanez! Love it!!! However, times ago I was thinking of replace my pickups with bare knuckle or heavier ones. But, later, I changed my mind. The paf are very versatile. I mean, if you have 3 or more guitars, it would be good, but in my case, I only own this guitar (and an acoustic one), so my choice goes to more possibilities. I think you can confirm that: with the right pedals (and avoid touching the 7th string!) You are able to play even blues! With this guitar (and a good guitarist that I'm not!) You could play almost anything.

[@alexlucasmusic]

The PAF 7 is an incredibly versatile pickup. That’s the reason it makes for such a good stock pickup. It has the most market appeal. For my use in heavier rhythms, I needed to switch the bridge pup to something a bit tighter and more focussed. The Ionizer 7 was far more appropriate to my use case. At the moment, I’m using SD Nazgul/ Sentient in all of my guitars except for the PRS Mark Holcomb, which comes with the Alpha/ Omega.

[@JeremyPrado]

good tone alex, by the way, i just purchased the Ionizer 7 for the bridge and blaze on the neck... any thoughts?

[@alexlucasmusic]

I did love the Ionizer 7. It had a certain aggression in the middle that made sound like a budget Bare Knuckle. The guitars I played now have the Seymour Duncan Nazgul/ Sentient, which are slightly different, but I’m equally happy with them. I’ve not used the Blaze, but I’m sure it’s as high a quality as the Ionizer!

[@theorncampbell4432]

@@alexlucasmusic My main guitar at the moment has a Nazgul Sentient set in it. I'm very happy with it. I'm considering the Ionizer 7 set for my next build. How would you compare the Ionizer set to the Nazgul sentient? Are the ionizers "hotter" or have more clarity? Cheers

[@danieln2967]

Did you compared the PAF 7 to the Blaze 7 set? Im gettin an Apex 2 with stock PAF 7s. If i can avoid the pickup swap, the better. Thanks!.

[@alexlucasmusic]

It depends on your style, really. I’m sure Korn used the PAFS for years and you can hear it all over their albums. Also, with modern pedals and modellers, you really can sculpt tones more than ever. Check out Ryan Bruce’s video on why he stopped reviewing pickups

[@szymiblue]

I absolutely love this guitar, and have the same one. I hate to make changes on an anniversary model but I plan on having it forever anyway, and I think the PAF7 bridge pup is just a little bit on the edge of shrill and missing some low end output with all of the bright tone wood going on.. Would you say the Ionizer was the right choice, or would you recommend a D Activator perhaps? Thanks, and nice playing 🤘

[@alexlucasmusic]

I’ve never tried the D Activator, but I’ve heard nothing but good things. I would have loved to put in a custom order with Bare Knuckle for something like a Juggernaut set. The Ionizer was a good fit and got me the tones I was after, but this guitar had so much potential that a boutique style pick-up would’ve been really interesting

[@nicoroy123]

Nice playing, what is that song ?

[@alexlucasmusic]

Thanks, dude. It’s just something I wrote for this video. Maybe I should revisit and update it properly!

[@CPTLYNXY]

Paf sounds warmer 🤗

[@alexlucasmusic]

Completely agree. I think that's what makes them so versatile. You can use a PAF7 for metal, rock, cleans, crunch, whatever. For me, I needed something that was built with one or two specific things in mind and the Ionizer 7 is that pickup. I think the difference is also down to the choice of guitar. Ash body, maple top, maple fretboard and stainless steel frets give the guitar a brighter tonality, which helps to tame some of the low end of the PAF7. However, in something like an all mahogany guitar, this pickup could across as muddy.

[@CPTLYNXY]

Alex could you try out some ibanez s series please !!😉

[@alexlucasmusic]

CPTLYNXY Dude, head over to the website and give me a model number and I’ll see what I can work out for you! I have my 2007 S470DXQM (Upgraded to EMGs) that I’ve always wanted to do a video on. Maybe I’ll do that this weekend!

[@CPTLYNXY]

alexlucasmusic s6521q or older models s5521q. The 7 string s5527qfx is sexy I bet that with jugs would be killa. The current s6uc is top spec but not keen on the styling of the nailbombs 😀

[@extendedrangetechmetal1489]

for djent type music,,,ionizer or titans even though paf does that well also, for all the rest paf all day long :) in my humble opinion.

[@ritualsoundsystem]

Ionizer 7 is highly underrated

[@alexlucasmusic]

And even though Tosin moved to Fishman, it’s cool that Dimarzio still sell it. Too many people slept on this pick-up, especially seeing as it’s a direct fit replacement for the bulk of Ibanez 7 strings

[@altpath]

I think i prefer the slightly dirtier paf7. The ionizer is great and articulate, but I'm a traditionalist I guess.

[@alexlucasmusic]

I was after a tighter and more aggressive tone, so the Ionizer was a great fit for this guitar. Can’t beat that PAF in the neck, though

[@kimseniorb]

paf should be more low-end muddy?

[@danmancini4059]

I did not like the EQ of the Ionizer in this video. PAF wins for me. Ionizer sounded a little dead to me? Missing some upper mids maybe?

[@alexlucasmusic]

If I still had the guitar, I’d love to run it through some Neural plugins now to see how the Ionizer stacks up. It really tightened up 25.5” 7 strings, in my opinion. The PAF is still the all-round champ

[@alvarg]

prefer the PAF7 to be honest, the ionizer sounded gritty in comparison.

[@alexlucasmusic]

That’s a fair comment. I think the PAF were more well-rounded, but the Ionizer had more of that modern, high-gain, tight tone that everyone wanted out of 7 strings at the time. Nowadays, it seems to be more about the Fluence sound.

[@PitcockFTW]

puff 7!