This Ibanez Iron label Iceman 7 String Was Awesome Until...

[@WildWildWeasel]

I have a bandmate who runs an Iceman like this one, but he put the Wes Hauch signatures on his, the Jupiters with the bar magnets, they're incredible imo, better than the d-activators and nazgul-sentient.

[@EricMorettin]

@@WildWildWeasel yeah the Jupiter's are my favorite rail pickup outside of the ones Dimebag would have used.

[@WildWildWeasel]

@@EricMorettin we cover a lot of tesseract stuff, and he has it wired like Acle's Mayones with the split setting...the way it rings and chimes on the split neck position is just delicious lmao

[@travismiller7679]

I currently have all three sets in three separate 7-string guitars. They're each great for different things. The deactivators have my favorite neck pickup of the three. The jupiter is my favorite bridge pickup for recording. And the nazgul is my favorite for just jamming on my own. While the deactivators are some of my favorite pickups of all time (I've got them in three different guitars) the are a bit hot for most recording interfaces.

[@EricMorettin]

@@travismiller7679 yeah, I really had to turn the input gain down on my interface when I was using the DiMarzio pickups by comparison

[@travismiller7679]

@@EricMorettin Yea same here I also have the nazgul and sentient in an 8 string and they sound amazing in that.

[@spincycleproductions]

Saw the end result on Andrew's Facebook and commented that it made me wanna mod my Iceman now. Glad you uploaded this video showing the process!

[@BaenaCarcosa]

plug this hole

[@EricMorettin]

Chupapi? 👀 👉👈

[@jonsierra723]

Senpai?😂

[@CakedNinja]

Personally, with high gain, I generally don't replace pickups unless they're really cheap or noisy. EOD it's your guitar, you do whatever you like. I would've added a killswitch. Most barely use it, myself included, but it's nice to have. On the bright side, you still have a killer pickup set for another guitar. 🤘

[@soundgardener75]

Agreed on the killswitch!

[@crock2434]

Had the RGIB21 for 3 years now and the thing is a tactical machine...

[@EricMorettin]

@@crock2434 baritones for life 🤘

[@FuzzImp]

It was for Baena so I won’t question it too much. But I’ve had dactivators in a few configs and I can get along with them fine. I can hear a difference in the clips and I’m sure how they react to his rigs probably is more apparent.

[@Wyatt.D.Loiselle]

I personally liked the SD set more. I do like the Mark Holcomb Omega bridge pickup a little more though. I really like the combo of a SD MH Omega bridge pickup with an EMG passive H4 in the neck... that pick is super smooth and clear, it sounds like a neck humbucker and not some weird single coil thing that a lot of neck humbuckers do for some reason. Good review Eric! I do agree that either one are good, I'm just impartial to the SD feel.

[@AbstractLogic1]

One often understated fact about the mod you did is that by removing the tone knob you're effectively introducing some high end into the signal. if you prefer the original tone you can wire in a resistor to your volume pot to emulate what it would sound like with the tone knob in the circuit.

[@EricMorettin]

@@AbstractLogic1 the tone difference is negligible from the tests I've done regarding this topic. This is also for a metal context, so all of the additional high end clarity (if any) the better!

[@AbstractLogic1]

@@EricMorettin oh for sure it's pretty minor. I would say it's more noticeable on split coil settings than anything.

[@sonicmayhym]

i move the volume pot on allot of my guitars and a unique and funny plug you can use for the empty hole is taxidermy eyeballs..and they come in many sizes..but it's cool because your hole becomes and eye on your guitar..and some of them have posts as well that are long enough that you use with a clip that goes on the inside and holds it place..easy to remove no glue required..

[@Jstall7543]

I had a 3 pot guitar but only wanted to use two pots. I installed an afterburner and love the extra gain! You could install a Phase switch or a Momentary Kill Switch!

[@josearjona3728]

IMO, Nazgul and Sentient sounds much better

[@EricMorettin]

@@josearjona3728 That's fair! To me. There wasn't much of a night and day difference and honestly I would not recommend modding this guitar outside of removing the tow knob since it is great from the factory

[@jay133666]

The truth is they don't sound any better, but they sound a bit different because of an eq. Using a right eq right after would almost erase the difference in tone. It's just a preference and there is not enough difference in other qualities of this pickups to say one is much better. Using them without any tubescreamer or eq makes a difference, of course.

[@EricMorettin]

@@jay133666 yeah you can hear the biggest difference on the clean channel or DI. Doesn't matter in a mix

[@roncubus]

@@EricMorettin about the Nazgul/Sentient set, what adjustment did you do to make them fit on the PU cavities? did you file the edges on the Nazgul/Sentient?

[@EricMorettin]

@roncubus no need to file the mounting tabs here

[@mrjoe9308]

The thing with strings thru ferrules is that for exemple on DEAN's (tune o matic and strings thru ones) they make them going into the body (that's the best they never move at all) and others like jackson or ibanez .... they make them just glued in contact with the body (because not enough space with each other ferrule with hardtail bridges).

[@shredenvain7]

I have a Jackson Slat 7 with the Nazgul/Sentient and an Ibanez 7621 with the D- activators in it. I absolutely love both guitars but you can definitely tell the difference in tone.

[@deathmetalglenn]

I've got 2 iron lable ibanez, a 7 string multiscale rgd, and a 5 string multiscale bass thats completely blacked out like this iceman, they're both fantastic instruments, I've definitely had my eye on this iceman too 😅

[@EricMorettin]

@@deathmetalglenn I think you need to add it to your collection 🤘

[@RyRyTheBassGuy]

I've noticed only a handful of pickups I've used in my life to sound unique. Most of the time that has to with how hot they are or aren't. Like, the JB sounds different than the Full Shred, but the Full Shred doesn't really sound any different than the Distortion. The EMG 81 doesn't sound like anything else and the same goes for the SD Blackouts, but these seem to be the outliers. Output aside, most of the time someone hates a pickup, IMO, its because they don't have the height set correctly. My JB and Blackout equipped guitars sound best set at 3/32 (measured fretting the last fret) and my Full Shred and EMG outfitted guitars sound best at 8/64th. I personally like both high and low strings at the same height (or maybe the high E side a 1/64th closer), but do what works best for you.

[@preston2636]

My iron rg had bkp ragnarok which no matter how you cut it are a massive upgrade to deactivators. Also had the bridge upgraded to original hipshot. Amazing guitar.

[@EricMorettin]

@@preston2636 sounds like some awesome upgrades on that guitar!

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

Deactivators sound better than the Fusion edge set that comes in the newer iron label 7s. I personally like the Dimarzio Titan bridge pickup for 7 string guitars. For extra holes I like to wire a kill switch in parallel with the output jack. Looks clean and has a function.

[@DrGand]

Yeah pickups with similar output sound very similar. The Nazgul sounds like it has slightly more 400-500hz in it; not a fan. Kinda honky in the mids. I wouldn't have made this swap either, but you gotta know what you're chasing in the tone. Pickups really affect the guitars output/volume. Higher output pickups sustain longer while lower output pickups because of their lack of sustain and volume are more tonally sculpt-able by the preamp in the amplifier. Super high output pickups like an X2N, Invader, or Slug can be hard to tame the low end of for chugging, but sustain for days. While lower output pickups like PAF's can be incredibly tight for chugging, they don't really sing for things like whammy bar solos without a super high gain amplifier. The result is that most "high output" pickups sound similar, especially the ones "voiced" for metal. D-Activator, Super Distortion, Ducncan Distortion, Duncan JB, etc... Are all great pickups that won't really sound different. They all have similar outputs... But you would hear a massive difference going from a stock PAF to a D-Activator to a Slug. I would've left the D-activators alone if they did the job. Otherwise if I wanted more sustain I'd probably change to an EMG 81-7 or D-Activator X as they both have significantly more output but are still capable of taming the low-end of. If I wanted a tighter low end, a swap to a Duncan SH-5 Custom or Crunch Lab might do the trick. But a change in output is typically what you're hearing for when deciding to change pickups. Do I want to make this guitar louder or quieter and why? Most of the time I swap pickups for aesthetic reason though, so the point is moot. I don't care that most of them sound similar haha

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

Yeah, I like swapping pickups for different colors, sometimes. I make sure they're as good, or better than the stock pickups, of course, but aesthetics are important, too.

[@PhreakOvicH]

I love my Iceman 7 string! I might remove the tone just like you did! Other than that it's sweet!

[@EricMorettin]

@@PhreakOvicH That is the only mod I would recommend doing on this guitar!

[@noisesfromtheabyss]

Replacing such good sounding pickups as D-Activator with Seymour Duncan Nazgul+Sentient is pointless IMO. It's obvious that you can't hear a noticeable difference. I've been saying this for years when I talk to clients or friends - you will hear much more difference after changing the speaker / IR in your cabinet / or DAW. It's different if you change budget pickups. But even a cheap Squier after setup and changing strings played brilliantly connected to a good sounding amp with a 12" speaker instead of a tiny combo with a 6"...

[@gilmeaguitar]

Man... that guitar is a dream of mine, got the ICT700 that I really love and wanted a 7 string Iceman (the 507 is 2 rare and this Iron Label is too much €€€ for me). Would put the Wes Hauch Jupiters in it and just rip. Great guitar and vid!

[@msi1985]

Makes me want to change pickups in my 7 string. I've never liked the Keith Merrow fishmens that came with it... Inspiring me to do a swap!

[@EricMorettin]

@@msi1985 lots of great options for a swap! I have a few sets available as well

[@msi1985]

@@EricMorettin I'm going to try a set of Lundgren m7s and see how they fare

[@EricMorettin]

@@msi1985 That is what Keith Merrow uses now

[@beautague9163]

​@@msi1985 do it. Massive upgrade!

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I replaced the stock humbuckers in my RG7421 with a Dimarzio Crunch Lab 7 (bridge) and Rainmaker (neck) and they sound great (they are also have red/black and red coils, so they look cool, too).

[@Hatredy11]

D'Addario locking guitar straps. All guitar pickups should be plug-and-play swappable like actives.

[@devinh342]

Nazgul/Sentient combo sounds much better imo, crisp yet dirty but not muddy like the Dimarzios

[@roncubus]

11:48 D Activator 12:10 Nazgul

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Preferred the Duncans, but I can see why someone would prefer the stock pickups. There is just something about the Duncans that could cut through the gain. I can see the DiMarzios being good with a brighter setup.

[@EricMorettin]

@@nicholastotoro7721 That's fair. I think you could EQ the DiMarzios to sound closer to the Duncan's. But there's no need to swap them imo.

[@nicholastotoro7721]

@@EricMorettin I agree. Also an excuse to get another amp or cab... 🤣

[@chocolatecookie8571]

Dimarzio for cleans and for overdrive the Duncans have a small advantage

[@admgloval]

Man, wish they made a 6 string version of this one!

[@EricMorettin]

@@admgloval same!!

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

Next time you can just use the tool you used to remove the 3-way swtich to remove stuck knobs instead of doing that whole cloth and pliers shenanigans which can deform the knob depending on how hard you squeeze them. It's a bit hard to tell how much the new pickups affected the sound because you removed the tone knob from the circuit and that lowers its resistance, giving you slightly more gain on the pickups.

[@EricMorettin]

@@BrunodeSouzaLino Tone test was done with the tone circuit removed on both pickups. You won't deform these metal knurled knobs with human strength.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

@@EricMorettin You won't deform the knobs, but you'll deform the knurling on them.

[@EricMorettin]

@@BrunodeSouzaLino having worked with a lathe and have knurled objects, itl take a lot to mess that up. More than doing this.

[@DwayneGretzky99]

So you had to round the metal feet on the new pickups to fit the routing, right?

[@EricMorettin]

@@DwayneGretzky99 they actually fit the existing body routing

[@HarryBall-fw7pv]

I've might put those pick-ups in my RG550

[@EricMorettin]

@@HarryBall-fw7pv DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan?

[@HarryBall-fw7pv]

@@EricMorettin I would like DiMarzio's but I've been very happy with the Seymour Duncan's I have. Both make great pups. I might take the DiMarzio humbuckers(air Norton/tone zone) in my RGT1221. That's set up B to B tuning. Put them in my RG550. And the Seymour Duncan sentient and nazgul in the RGT1221. Any opinions? I'm still a beginner and learning

[@EricMorettin]

@@HarryBall-fw7pv that sounds like a good pickup swap especially for the lower tuning!

[@HarryBall-fw7pv]

@@EricMorettin thanks Eric! That's exactly what I was thinking

[@jonsierra723]

Where do you get those little plugs?

[@EricMorettin]

@@jonsierra723 link in bio

[@Mr.Goldbar]

I would've not done this mod, as I much prefer the D Activators and I really don't like the Nazgul for some reason. What I do wanna do to this guitar is an entire gold hardware swap, I think it will look classy with that, maybe even take it to a luthier to route it out for a floating bridge :)

[@EricMorettin]

@@Mr.Goldbar If I bought this guitar I wouldn't have done anything outside of removing the tone knob. Gold hardware will rust and pit very fast Even if you keep up with cleaning the hardware

[@gearhead2017]

Not a fan of the iceman series but those sd pickups sounded amazing

[@skourthsgiaoyrths9610]

The only flaw of the guitar is that it doesnt come with a trem. We iceman fans have been dying for a other model with a trem since the stm and ibanez doesnt seem to care, just for the record im making a custom build rn

[@EricMorettin]

@@skourthsgiaoyrths9610 I think one may be coming in the future

[@skourthsgiaoyrths9610]

​@@EricMorettin holy crocs!! Do you have any info in that or just a rumor?

[@fat_ninja_status]

Why do they have such a weird nut for the 3-way switch? I prefer deep well sockets to remove the pots. idk why 3 ways have to be weird. Lol

[@EricMorettin]

@@fat_ninja_status It's just a design 🤷‍♂️ A lot of these switches aren't used solely in guitars as well

[@fat_ninja_status]

@EricMorettin I'll do a deep dive into one day kinda interested in reason why. I know stew mac has a tool for it but I'll probably just go find a normal hex nut to use.

[@Godmil]

I couldn't tell the difference between the pickups :/

[@Equimanthorn80]

"In true metal fashion..." Ironically, the most iconic true metal Iceman player, Tom G Warrior, actually rolls down the tone knob on his Iceman to get his signature sound. Other than that, I have to say Glenn Fricker would probably love this pickup test, because whatever difference there may be between them is nothing that couldn't be replicated by just barely touching a couple of eq knobs on your amp.

[@EricMorettin]

@@Equimanthorn80 yeah the results were really unnoticeable and it would be especially unfortunate if someone was to spend all their money to do this on their own or pay a tech to do it.

[@honigdachs.]

Yeah, but a) these two pickup sets are very similar to each other for a good reason and b) Glenn doesn't know shit either way.

[@EricMorettin]

@@honigdachs. The pickups were set at the same height here

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

​@@honigdachs.I hate Glenn.

[@Ortizjan2227]

arent those fusion edge 7?

[@EricMorettin]

@@Ortizjan2227 No they are DActivators

[@__belial__]

So you said you were going to show us how, but you didnt Edit: I am a die hard Chris Broderick signature d activator fan, but they are hard to find.

[@EricMorettin]

@@__belial__ They sometimes show up used

[@lowtunedg9211]

Dimarzio >SM always

[@geofffreeman8226]

Hey if you swap the tone for a second volume you can be ace Frehley!

[@EricMorettin]

@@geofffreeman8226 only one volume is needed here!

[@geofffreeman8226]

@@EricMorettin all good!

[@acdover]

Sorry, but that out of tune 7th string is hard to handle. Sounds like you need a heavier gauge string also. That being said, I prefer the Duncans. Dimarzio's sound muddy on the lower strings.

[@BryantWalker-m6e]

If you want a REAL tone change swap speakers in the amp they make the most difference.

[@EricMorettin]

Agreed

[@DanielRodriguez-vk5dw]

Was this Andrew's guitar? hahaha

[@EricMorettin]

@@DanielRodriguez-vk5dw yes

[@DanielRodriguez-vk5dw]

@@EricMorettin Awesome! Great video btw

[@EricMorettin]

@@DanielRodriguez-vk5dw thanks!

[@tymanngruter1808]

Better first try your guitar in a session ore a gig before you do any change on your beloved guitar! 😊

[@marulas2965]

the pickups sound the same i hear no Different

[@Joose]

DiMarzio>Duncan

[@nemisisarcher8213]

Original are better to me

[@GoldChains5150]

Agreed. The Duncan’s probably sounded better for the cleans, but DiMarzio won the distorted stuff🤷‍♂️ and who even runs cleans with these type of guitars anyways 😅😅😅

[@ToxicSentinelTTV]

I couldn't hear a difference at all. Just sounded like a guitar to me, this coming from a guitar player, love the video though

[@EricMorettin]

@@ToxicSentinelTTV yeah the difference wasn't as big as I would have thought which was unfortunate. These are both still great pickups at the end of the day

[@ToxicSentinelTTV]

@@EricMorettin personally in my project guitar a BC Rich Bronze series from the early 2000s, I got some Black Winters in there and the difference between them and the ones it came with was magnitudes of difference. Only because they're wired differently and the originals were just plain bad.

[@Grimmii69]

Costs too much. For me

[@BattleofTrenton]

That’s the worst plug job I’ve ever Sean next time just leave the old knob

[@Luis4270-o1u]

No Differenz

[@preston2636]

The nazgul is so much better for low tunings and djent. Like infinity better. You need to tune down to at least g then test them and you'll see what i mean. B

[@dimebagtribute]

Use a tea spoon to take off your knobs!!!