I Spent 1000$ To Upgrade A 1500$ Guitar - Worth It? | Evertune & Fishman Fluence Modern

Today we look at a different topic than usual - I spent 1000$ to upgrade a 1500$ Ibanez 7 string guitar (Evertune bridge, Fishman Fluence Modern pickups and a full service) and we will check out the difference in detail! One of my main goals this year is not to buy too many new guitars and to upgrade awesome older models I own. With this video, I want to show you the process and result so you can decide if you want to do that too :)
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[@Bernthguitar]

Today we look at a different topic than usual - I spent 1000$ to upgrade a 1500$ Ibanez 7 string guitar (Evertune bridge, Fishman Fluence Modern pickups and a full service) and we will check out the difference in detail :) Hope you like this one!

[@TheK20sedan]

Bernth can you show us how you did 04:54-5:08 3nps lick, that's what I want to do please

[@Liquifireguitargeek]

Hallo Bernt. Ich möchte die selben Pickups in die selbe Gitarre verbauen, sie passen aber an den Ecken nicht rein... Musste Alex für die hier ausfräßen, wenn ja, habt ihr das nachlackiert? LG

[@creepymcpeepers]

I got fishman pickups and a hipshot bridge and tuners for a 300 dollar schecter made China think dumb? Why can’t I order the circle of fifths poster and the rhythm pyramid poster in America from your site? 🙁I really been wanting a circle of fifth poster

[@michaelc1541]

I'd love to see a comparison between the tosin, javier, and the moderns if you ever find yourself investing into all of those.

[@SeaGoRetta]

Wow didn't expect THAT big difference in pickups. Amazing note separation and aggresiveness on distortion, on clean sound neck pickup sounds almost like piezzo.. Totally worth it.

[@vladkocharian2880]

Well, man, all the horseshit regarding wood is wrong. It IS pickups that matter for the sound of an electric guitar.

[@neoconnor4395]

​@@vladkocharian2880no its not, its the speakers you use.

[@vladkocharian2880]

@@neoconnor4395 That also

[@neoconnor4395]

@@vladkocharian2880 May I introduce you to the cult of spectre sound studios? They did a myth busting bit about pickups and ultimately decided its mostly a money grab.

[@progste]

@@neoconnor4395 That's only if you look at the EQ and output volume aspect but there is more to that in pickups.

[@Knoxvillemoto]

Wow. I'm really suprised how much different the Fishman's sound. Even through youtube, that is a clear difference.

[@dasenase]

Fishman's have a clearer separation of strings in chords.

[@colebertram8482]

I have fishmans theyre almost too high out put. I might try the classic humbuckers

[@maxblack7038]

Much prefer EMG and the evertune is too noisy

[@maxblack7038]

@VOTERFRAUD BIDEN I just wasted loads of money on an LTD Brian head Welch 7 string. Doesn't matter what I do it just sounds complete rubbish.

[@maxblack7038]

@VOTERFRAUD BIDEN omg thanks for the information. I live in Thailand so it's hard to sell 7 string guitar here. I'm thinking maybe change the bridge and put some EMG's in. I have the LTD baritone which is lovely. Which EMG's would you suggest I put in the new guitar?

[@maxblack7038]

@VOTERFRAUD BIDEN I've tried using string dampening etc but no real change. It's almost like the guitar has two distinct tones. Some nice big rich tones mixed with an irritating sharp metallic tone.

[@omarm7969]

I upgraded my prestige as well and ever since then I’ve been getting laid consistently at our gigs

[@joshwairau183]

the best reply

[@47ravenlord]

I guess lots of horny guys follow your band? :P

[@droidfan]

Not a gear review channel, but you definitely made one of the best reviews I've watched. You transitioned effortlessly from a tutorial style of video to an excellent review of a product. Hope companies take notice! Congrats, and thanks! (Only 'bad' thing: now I definitely want the Fluence pick ups :(

[@diegom.1510]

this is the best pickup comparison ive seen on yt. clearly shows the difference between the pickups and no generic poorly mixed backing track in the background and not 30 mins long.

[@gustavoloebel]

Amazing comparison dude! Thanks a lot for your video! Fishman sounds amazing!!

[@bluenitriletouch2842]

Had an Evertune retrofitted into my Him Root Strat last year and it was absolutely worth it. Going to do it for my other guitars as well. Btw the Fishman pickups sound AMAZING in this vid.

[@JustinNogle]

Hey Bernth! Really glad you made this video, thank you! Further validates my incredible purchase in January of my B.C. Rich Mockingbird Extreme Exotic (phew!) with Evertune and fishman pickups. It's a freaking beast, and beautiful to boot. I should send it to you to demo for KZbin properly haha. The pickups cut incredibly well as you said, and the Evertune bridge is awesome. 🤘🎸😎

[@D2ezbmu]

Those cleans sound amazing!

[@guitarofdestiny]

Those tattoos are insanely clean looking

[@MrTrixzzzz]

All comparison videos should he done exactly like this. Bravo man. Sounds killer!!!

[@chrisgalley281]

Thanks B.I love your perspective man

[@penguindrum264]

The fluence pickups made it sound almost post production from the studio(this will ultimately make the guitar sound even more amazing in your hands in live settings). Each note in the chords now sound clear and defined even in the lower register. Single note riffs in the lower end with distortion didn't sound radically different, but those sweeps sounded better with the Fishman Fluence Modern.

[@wrongname3636]

Bro, u need to show your practice routine. I feel really inspired when i see your story on instagram when u practice! Pls, make a video about your practice routine. How do u practice, what do u practice, PLS MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT IT!

[@Bernthguitar]

Hey, thanks for also being part of the Instagram community :) I made 2 videos about that, I recommend checking out 'Why You Make No Guitar Progress - And How To Change That' on the channel!

[@wrongname3636]

@@Bernthguitar ok, ty

[@markcrisostomo108]

That was very informative and made me want to get flshmans and an evertune even more. Cheers mate!

[@ModerneMaennlichkeit]

That was one of the best comparisons of the Fishman Fluence Modern Pickups i heard! Thumbs up to you!

[@ModerneMaennlichkeit]

@BERNTH you see, i won

[@PNWGuitar]

Sounds so much clearer and the tuning stability is insanely good

[@rickfeith6372]

Some fantastic alt picking and sweeps dude...super clean and precise. Definitely a tonal upgrade with the Fluence. Have yet to play Evertune but it looks good on that black Ibby.

[@jonborrmann3124]

Great video🤘👏👏🤘 The Fishman Fluence moderns are an absolute game changer for high gain tones. Haven't had the chance to try the Evertune, but am so very interested and intrigued.

[@schectermeister]

I just ordered an ESP LTD mh-1007 with the same evertune bridge & fishman pickups. Can't wait to play it! This setup sounds rad!

[@mxaxe5591]

Thank you!! That was a really awesome video. Very informative.

[@dominikwylezik5194]

The difference is stunning! Those pickups made your guitar sound more brighter and cleaner, for me it is more modern I think, worth it!

[@cachelesssociety5187]

Yes, I wasn't expecting that.

[@donmowatt]

First video ive seen of yours, ...insta-subbed. Insane playing. and amazing video - no fluff, straight to the point. I have some fishman fluence moderns I just bought that I've been on the fence about because I really wasn't sure if they would bring some life into my old ESP LTD WA-200 , but this really gave me the confidence that it will help immensely.

[@Beyond-Antares]

Wow those fluences sound amazing. Looks like I need to revist some of my old Ibanez's for a modern refreash

[@LordMortem1]

Those Fishman Fluence pickups sound incredible!

[@TobyKBTY]

It was like a blanket was taken off. I wasn't expecting such a night and day difference.

[@lucasbrandon723]

WOW - that made a huge difference!

[@Endstation93]

I have the exact same guitar. Never Had any tuning issues, but i threw a set of bareknuckles in which improved the sound immensly. Nice video and excellent playing. Keep up the great work.

[@christopheryanik9430]

How difficult was that? Thinking about doing the same thing. You replace all the wiring, pots & electronics too? Do you use the "voicing" switch for anything with the BK's? Coil split?

[@robertpenland2429]

Thx for the info 👍

[@theericbeaty]

I've been considering upgrading my PUPS in my Ibanez RG4EX1 with some DiMarzio PAF Pro and Tone Zones. I've heard that buying used can save you lots of money as well. Your Fishmans definitely have much clearer tone and response. Thanks for making and sharing this vid. Now, if I could just get an Ibanez endorsement 😉

[@SuperMadmore]

I loved your clean sound!!! You should consider using that more often in your videos.

[@Bernthguitar]

I also really like what the Neural DSP Plini can offer in that department :)

[@crespyexperiment953]

When I picked up guitar I gravitated more towards the 7 string then the standard 6. 7 just felt right to me ❤🎉

[@anthonystark9390]

It's absolutely worth it to me. I bought an evertune equipped Washburn and loved it so much i bought an evertune to put in my Kirk Hammett signature. I like my pickups so those are fine but the evertune is a must have. I'm also a mechanical engineer with significant manufacturing experience so I just put it in myself and saved the shop fee.

[@HeadrushStudio21228]

your DI sweep picking is proof of your godlike playing. You're the best ive ever seen friend.

[@GuitarGearGyan]

Way more clarity and better tuning for sure. But you can get a nice Solar guitar for 1100 USD with an evertune and upgrade the pickups which would be more economical.

[@edrosenquist6541]

I was considering selling my Evertune system (I impulse bought it after seeing it on another vid) because of the instalation complexity. Thankyou for this vid!!! I also have the same pickups! Funny coincidence! These are going on a 6-string build I'm putting together now.

[@ceddufresne8542]

i bought these (fishman fluence matt heafy signature) to put on my Jackson Monarch pro ash...cant wait to get it back from the workshop and play it🤩

[@riffinpeace6667]

this guy has some of the best tatoo work i have ever seen

[@billygwalthney369]

this was the biggest difference I've seen in comparing pickups 👍

[@brunorecchia]

In fact, for a lot of guitar brands, what makes the price diference is the pickups and hardware like bridge and tuners. The construction and quality use to be same, so will always worth to upgrade guitars like ibanez and LTD. Excellent video!

[@VentureNW]

Except, on an LTD you can get Fishman Fluence and an Evertune, brand new, for $1500

[@brunorecchia]

@@VentureNW Not here in Brazil. Is hard to find the best models and here is dollar x10. So always need some analysis

[@VentureNW]

@@brunorecchia still cheaper to buy a built guitar than to install the same parts on a garbage guitar. Also Thomann ships to Brazil. Just looked it up.

[@brunorecchia]

@@VentureNW Yeah, even Importing by thomann or sweetwater we still tributed by the government and in the end the reference remains x10. Because of all of this that we rarely see any high model of any brand. The 300~700 dollars is a range acessible (with reservations...), the most common is the copys and the cheap models modified

[@fuzzmaayn29]

the fishmans on middle clean sounded so good

[@RJW14]

I remember having the entire electronics of my 75 les paul redone, the mojo from such an old instrument is just incomparable to anything new. Also I had my mayones setius modded by the factory as a custom order :) Just a different neck pickup to suit my taste.

[@m.t.pokkets86]

Of course, no gear channel, but I was pleasently surprised by this vid. Wouldn't mind some gear related vids at all, wouldn't even mind some Ibanez related vids, too (because of being an Ibanez fan boy :P). If the main focus is on the educational part... why not? You once "vlogged" a tour video - that was great, some inside view of the life as an professional guitar hero which we all admire so much ;)

[@stann6280]

1000$ upgrade, bruhh my guitar is 120$ I'm not worthy

[@joinerleal]

You Play an actual instrument, you are worthy ;)

[@stann6280]

it's horrible but enough to get me going

[@meltyboys946]

@Short For A Stormtrooper Big For Your Mom dont be elitist garbage

[@IcarusSuite]

@Short For A Stormtrooper Big For Your Mom what's an actual instrument for you?

[@ancientdeeds6634]

@@IcarusSuite it probably is a ''princess special''

[@sulizztianz]

Awesome guitar 😮, matching with your skill level 🤘🎸

[@LayMyBurdenDown]

Forgot to mention the weight of the Evertune lol :) great video loved the A/B presentation and the DIs.

[@RandyBakkelund]

You should make a slapping technique video, that was cool how you did the slapping at around 3:05

[@markoseba2387]

Could you do a lesson of that sweep section? Sound killer👌🏻 Btw.love the sound of the new guitar, definitly worth the upgrade😁

[@shreddic7974]

Ceasar Guitars need WAY more attention - Alex is an incredibly talented guy who builts one of the most beautiful guitars ive ever seen. Hes a legend in general, eventhough I never met him in person yet. Bernth you too, ill be joining your patreon soon. bleib gesund und knusprig

[@heropyro]

This made up my mind. The Fishman's sound awesome, like they amplify the right parts. Off to guitar shop!

[@TheTactical6string]

This made me feel better. I just bought a minty LTD mh-1000 for a killer price for this market and could of bought a lot of other guitars instead, a new Charvel or ibanez or many good guitars for that price. It has the evertune, the Fishmans as well Stainless steal frets, all that for less then a grand. The Fishmans are going to be the best part now that im hearing more examples like this one.

[@arnyarny77]

i plan on having the evertune installed on my 2006 highway one strat. after watching the pickup upgrade, i might just change that out as well , yea its expensive but buying a whole new guitar is much more

[@attila1746]

I have an Ibanez RG5120M with Fluence Moderns. It definitely has excellent clarity.

[@timothyjerry2455]

I just ordered the wily adler set. Can’t wait to hear them in my LP

[@cliff_garcia4229]

And he even has the guitar tuned to A Standard which sounds amazing. LG grüße aus Vorarlberg 🤘🤘🤘.

[@franky-161]

for me, i really love floating double locking trems, but i would also want one hardtail at least

[@naftade]

You were ahead of time,Sir. Did you see that there are quite a bunch of 7strings and Baritons out there with that very setup? Small wonder, one could say. Nice look and really cool sound!

[@bibiinspades1953]

Definitely gonna upgrade my guitar I was thinking about Fishman pickups first then a Evertune bridge

[@rolandlemus203]

I am going to miss the alien guitar!! I just got some Tosin Abasi for my 7 string Ibanez RG7421PB, but I went the other way, I went for better tuners, I am putting in Sperzel's two tone, blue and gold, and I am hoping that will make a difference on the tuning issues. I agree with you, even with a fixed bridge wow, it was and is going out of tune especially when playing for a period of time. So, I am waiting for that to come in, due to the virus slow down of delivery. My luthier is going to reroute the opening since the 7 string Fluence is a tad longer on each end. NICE upgrades, and you can hear how much fuller and richer the tones are! Congrats!

[@coobanez777]

Been considering getting my RGD7UC upgraded with an Evertune - I feel you on the tuning instability annoyance. It is a pricey upgrade, and that guitar already has a fair bit of wear and tear on it though. Might be an upgrade I make to the next hardtail RGD I order instead.

[@XenoTravis]

I have the rgd 7 string prestige. They don't make it anymore and it is definitely the best guitar for the money I have played so luckily I own it. My strandberg 7 string with trem makes the ibanez trem look like a god. It is so good and tight. I never have tuning issues when changing strings from the springs. If I do they have a little metal thing I spin to adjust tention. So good.

[@stackhom656]

I think it would be great to make a video on your opinions regarding neck shapes because I think you've played a thicker neck when you went to jazz school and thin necks when you started going metal. btw I started doing a more organized practice routine and one lick I practiced for days became really easier, nearly nailing it less than an hour! keep it up!

[@cherokeejeep5382]

The bass sounds more muddy with the originals, however if the guitar produces a tighter bass sound out it will give you more head room for your dist.,od,fuzz or whatever pedal you choose giving you more command of your desired tone and sound. Something to think about

[@michaelanderson4849]

I totally agree with you. I rather own a few instruments are top notch than a bunch so-so. Recently I had a guitar with EMG's that I really did not like. After an replacement with Fishman modern humbuckers I'm in love with this instrument.

[@caddilac1525]

I’m about to do a swap too

[@Endlessnameless803]

Side note, your guitar looks awesome with the evertune/fishmans man

[@paradox7743]

Well worth the upgrade-The Fishman Fluence Modern are incredible p/u's.

[@NoCantsAllowed]

Sounds much better!

[@jamesmccormick875]

The Fishman pickups sound so much cleaner. What a difference. The notes with the high distortion aren’t muddled, each note can be heard. When you were doing the low riff, they seemed to be very even and the mids really come through. They are also noiseless. I’d like to know how long the battery lasts.

[@MookieB_The_Artist]

You have inspired me

[@Vraktorius]

I actually prefer the "old" one's tone and character,it has a bit of "dirt" in it which I like,cheers!

[@zombiemachinery4868]

I agree Bernth, if you have a decent guitar put your money there. Fret job, pickups, graphtech nut, locking tunners, original Floyd Rose or any decent bridge you prefer like you know tune-0-matic, hardtail, etc...

[@kauko8124]

Zombie Machinery I dont find any real advantage in the locking tuners. Just changed a set of 10-52 today and the only good thing is you can lock the stinging tip of the string inside)))

[@zombiemachinery4868]

@@kauko8124, 1 bend or 1 whammy bar stroke with no locking tuners and you're done and gone.

[@TheWolvesCurse]

leiwander umbau. you gained some high mids with those pickups, making it sound way clearer than before despite the rise in output signal. sounds really decent. might consider these when i think about going active on one of my instruments. i'd be worried to have to set up the evertune bridge again, once i change string gauge, or tuning. but then again, i'm using double locking vibrato systems for about 8 years now, and there it was just a matter of getting used to changing the spring pull and setting the intonation. every euro spent on something that brings you joy, is not wasted. if it works, there's no need to justify spending that money.

[@hershellumiere]

Man that sounds like a huge difference. Like it's like there's a wet towel over the amp while it's facing the wall.

[@driptopher7222]

I've been thinking about getting an evertune installed on my Chapman Ghost Fret Pro 7. I live pretty close the the evertune headquarters and could just drop my guitar off and pick it up to avoid any shipping costs while still having it installed by the most qualified people possible. Kind of a lot of money but I love the guitar. My only issue is I feel a little ripped off considering you can have evertune order any guitar new and get an evertune installed on it for only $300. You end up saving the installation cost. Kind of sucks it'll be $300 more just because I already own my guitar.

[@Aaronius_Maximus]

So weird! I was just going through your course lesson videos and started to wonder if you ever played 7 string. I hope later on you'll release some content/riffs for the 7-string 🤘

[@Bernthguitar]

Hey Christopher - yes, I need to use it more often :) The first 7 string lesson is coming next week, we will check out extended scales, arpeggios and more! Looking forward to sharing it

[@Noshimonoriku]

AWESOME!!!!!!

[@adamtwelve]

For around 1,000 bucks or slightly more you can just buy a Solar guitar that comes with evertune, stainless steel frets, luminlay side dots, locking tuners and SD pickups.

[@-Christoph]

Yeah. I had such a guitar. returned it twice. Solar Guitars quality control seem to be extremely shitty (if it exists at all), so I recommend either to buy it personally so you can have a look at it or if you order it online tell the seller to check it for you. First time I got one with broken evertune, so It literally became a nevertune and the second time the volume knob didn't work and there were also some issues with the finishing. Or you just take your chance and return it if there are any issues. But it's certainly a good guitar if you don't have bad luck... twice. Anyway, I'm done with that brand.

[@russellward4624]

I’ve got a few original RG 550’s. You can find them for $300-500, $700+ for some of the more rare colors. Put new pickups and had the frets dressed. Play like new for half the cost of a new guitar.

[@gastonpossel]

Tha Ibanez pups sounded surprisingly beautiful and mellow in the cleans middle position and in the neck for sweeping. The fishmans have more upper-mids and less bass, wich makes them better for rythmic riffs that would cut through a dense metal mix.

[@jaychen2000metal]

More clear and bright now but is it too bright when up loud. That's the thing about amps that i hope companies start addressing

[@flingflang69]

Very cool.

[@Guithulhu]

Those Fishmans sound SWEEEEEEET!!

[@robdobble6672]

IMO the plugin muddled the distortion sounds, but the cleans were really good. The fishmans were really cool and the notes were clearer than stock.

[@cachelesssociety5187]

My apartment has a bad ground and EM interference is a fact of life. Hoping to battle this, I just picked up a Fluence set and am having it installed. Until now I've had a 2-humbucker guitar with a coil tap on the bridge PU. I wasn't sure whether to go with the Townshend or Abasi - and finallys settled on the McRocklin set - which is apparently the Open Core but with a modified single coil sound. Still being delivered / installed.

[@Dupdopy]

Fun fact: I have exactly the same guitar and have exactly same idea in terms of upgrading it (Evertune + Fishmans). And here is a live example of such upgrade. Cool =) Would you be able to record more stuff with the new guitar so we could hear it in the mix? Also, would you be able to upload DIs of the old and new sound somewhere? Would love to run them through my own plugins. Thanks!

[@michaelwarburton6173]

Much less muddy, but it was the improvements in clean tones that were the most noticeable for me.

[@octavio.r.d]

Do you think you could do a quick tutorial video on how to slap? I really like the way you were doing it in this video but I have no clue how to do it. Thanks!

[@-Christoph]

The pickups sound good. Maybe I should consider replacing the EMGs on the ESP Horizon.

[@sherlockhonks2514]

Bareknuckle.

[@amig012]

huge difference: I can definitely hear more clarity and crispness

[@dreammachine86]

Those Fluence Modern pickups sound really nice and clear. Maybe lose a bit of the warmth from the stock pickups in the active voicing but you can get that back with the passive voicing. Interesting that your pickups do support coil tap/single coil, but Fishman doesn't seem to promote this, and guitars with Fluence Modern/Classic as stock don't seem to be wired for the single coil option - as opposed to the voicing switch with is prominently advertised and setup on the guitars that use the pickups. I'm drawn to the Javier Reyes signature Fluence at the moment as each voicing is very distinctive - plus the single coil mode is part of the artists preferred setup, so it even has its own voicing known as 'voice 3'. The wiring diagram shows that you can select which coil is used as the single coil - separately for each pickup if desired - and the voice switching can also be chosen separately for each pickup. So if someone didn't mind having more controls (knobs / mini-switches etc.) on the guitar you could get a huge variety of sounds. Could choose voice 1/voice 2/voice 3 inner single coil/voice 3 outer single coil for each pickup - and combined with a 3 way switch and separate volumes for each pickups that would give so much to play with. E.g. both inner coils, or bridge humbucker in more aggressive voice 1 blended with warmth of neck pickup in outer single coil mode and so on. I'm planning on getting a 7 string for my next guitar (which will only be my second guitar as I'm a fairly new player) - and will be tempted to put in those Javier Reyes signature Fluence. Think I'm most likely going to get a Schecter Hellraiser which already has active EMGs so swapping in the Fluence should be easy - although never played EMGs before, and if I actually found I really liked them it may be worth saving the money and keeping them. Btw Bernth thanks so much for doing such a great channel - your videos are so useful in helping me learning techniques, theory and getting inspiration for interesting chords and scales.

[@xoznemen]

Que buen video master

[@chanceperez5038]

Those Fishman pickups are soooo much cleaner!

[@hlrossato]

Awesome video Bernth! I have some questions regarding gear (at least the gear you've mentioned on the video). Did you record your DIs directly into the Scarlett 2i2 instrument input? Also, regarding the upgrade, apart from looking sick it also sounds sick. But here's a question: Would you do the same upgrade in a rather cheaper or cheaper guitar? Thanks!

[@valencia_m__]

thanks for this comparisson, i like much more the sound of the original pickups, the fishman sounded too bright and "plastic" for me. I Saved a lot of money with this video, thanks again!

[@juanrodm6406]

Felipe Valencia M try the JariWintersun video “Ultime Test Metal Pickups”. A complete sound review. You wont regret. Cheers

[@djdanger9812]

This is how comparison vids should be! Take note KZbinrs.

[@monocyte2210]

The Fishman pickups sound way better. nice video Bernth!

[@janipekkala1484]

Putting 1meg pot where I start if I want more gain for distortion tone, other way it messes up the clean tones.

[@Ivan_Int]

I would buy Schecter Sls7 or Keith Merrow7.