DiMarzio Blaze

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 20.75k resistance; 380 m.v. output; highs=6, mids=4.5, lows=7.5

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez UV777BK "Universe"
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: all Blaze models
Artists using this pickup: Vai
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: no change...yet.

Perceived output level: medium output. not all that hot.
Tone: scooped
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Rock Master and Classic 50/50 Peavey set up with Marshall 4x12's (2). I seriously hate the clean sounds I get out of these. The distorted sounds are all right. Because of the pickups scooped sound, it really lacks punch. These may work if you use a Nu Metal-ish type sound, like scooped Recifiers & only play rhythm. Maybe that's why Korn used them. But if you are doing more traditional rock, with a more traditional hard rock sound, say VH, Ratt, Michael Schenker off the top of my head, you're going to want something else. Granted, guys who play those sounds usually stick to 6 strings.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: I'm seriously thinking of switching to the Blaze Custom which has more mid range. The scooped mid range thing seems limited. Plus the Custom has more output which I like. Oh, I've been playing 25 years, have a couple more Ibanez 6's, a Stratocaster, a Ripley, a Warmoth, a Marshall head (which the Blaze sounds better with but I don't use that amp anymore).

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 380mV Output, 20.75k DC Resistance

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG2027XVV Prestige 7-String
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Dimarzio Tone Zone 7
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Air Norton 7 (neck)
Artists using this pickup: Early Korn, Steve Vai, John Petrucci uses bridge pickups that are very similar to the Blaze
You musical style(s): Metal
Reason for pickup change: The Tone Zone 7, while a great pickup, is not the best choice for mahogany. My Ibanez is mahogany, and mahogany tends to be a very mid-heavy wood. The TZ7 is also VERY pronounced in the mids, and doesn't have a great amount of treble. Perfect for basswood, but NOT for mahogany. To get the full sound of mahogany, a more scooped-mid, high treble/presence pickup is required. The TZ7 sounded good in my guitar, but the Blaze sounds great.

Perceived output level: Pretty hot and powerful, but not so much so that you distort your clean sound. Very similar in output to the Tone Zone 7.
Tone: Scooped mids, with good bass and good treble. In mahogany, this actually ends up sounding perfectly balanced - just the right mids, bass, and treble. Perfect!
Sonic evaluation: Using the Ibanez 2027 into a Digitech GNX Floor Processor/Amp Simulator, and then direct into the PA with Peavey monitors. I use a bit of a graphic EQ in the loop as well, with a slight mid scoop/treble boost.
The Blaze sounds great. Got it right away from Musician's Friend (2 days! Wow!. Dimarzio tech support was absolutely wonderful in helping me with questions about what pickup to use/about the Blaze etc. They recommnded either the Air Norton 7 (neck)/Blaze Bridge (bridge) or the PAF7's. The PAF7's are nice, but too mellow for what I need I think. The AN7 I already had, just needed the Blaze. Installed it in about 30 minutes or so, everything was perfect. The sound... wow! To be honest, this is the best sounding bridge pickup I've ever heard (which makes my Ibanez the best sounding guitar I've ever heard. AN7, Blaze bridge, 5-way switching, and piezo. What more do ya need? Oh, it's 7-strings, to boot!). This pickup nails the old Korn sound on the lower register, nails the Godsmack/Disturbed/Pantera sound on the middle and higher registers, and totally nails the Petrucci "Lie" tone, from Awake. Awesome!
Compared to the TZ7, the Blaze is clearer and more defined. Probably a tad more bass, much more treble and presence (totally in the good way) and WAY less mids. It sounds less round,and vintagey, and more modern and sharp. Harmonics are good, in a way better than the TZ7, but artificial harmonics are just a bit harder to get (Those are all about the mids, and to be honest, the Blaze is still good here. However, the TZ7 is a pinch harmonic MONSTER. Best I've ever heard. It's all those mids. Just have to be sharper on AH technique with the Blaze, but still relatively easy). Overall, a great sound.
It also sounds beautiful when split with the Air Norton 7. The Strat quack is there, but more airy and sparkely. And both 'buckers in series is that PRS clean sound to a tee.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Metal, and it's a great match. The best 7-string bridge pickup I've heard, and probably the best for a mahogany guitar.

Comments: I would most definitely buy this pickup again. Lost or stolen, I'd be right back to Musician's Friend.
I've been playing for almost 15 years, studied classical guitar at college. I have lots of other gear, but this is my main rig. The TZ7 will be going into my backup 7, a Squier Stagemaster 7 (not a bad guitar.)
I love pretty much everything about the pickups, especially its clarity and bite. Don't hate a thing (Yet. Knock on wood. I don't anticipate this, however.)
I compared this to the TZ7 most directly. See above.
Honestly, I have found THAT sound. And I mean it. I've played a long time, and played lots and lots of stuff, but this is the best sound I've ever heard. I finally have THAT sound, that we all hear in our head. Everyone hears something different, but THIS is what I've heard for years. The search is over, brothers and sisters.
As an aside, if you have a mahogany guitar, avoid mid-heavy pickups unless ALL you do is the dark guitar solo type thing. I would recommend the Blaze for a mahogany 7, and the Steve's Special for a mahogany 6. The mid cut and treble clarity excels for this type of wood.

Pickup features: Passive Ceramic Magnet Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 15.80k DC resistance, 280mV output

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG7421
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Dimarzio Air Norton 7
Other pickups on guitar: Stock V7-7
Artists using this pickup: Steve Vai, but not in the bridge position like me.
You musical style(s): Art metal and hard rock.
Reason for pickup change: The Air Norton 7 had very chopped treble and I couldn't get it to sound clear with high gain no matter what I did.

Perceived output level: Medium, slightly hotter than a PAF, just right for me!
Tone: Clear and lively, tight bass but not boomy, nice treble but not harsh, slightly scooped mids but not really noticeable, the mids are complex and full of character.
Sonic evaluation: The Ibanez RG7421 seven string is running into a Digitech Valve FX preamp into a BBE 462 Sonic Maximizer into a Carvin DCM150 power amp into a Legion Sound 2x12 cab. The Blaze neck model was recommended to me by Dimarzio because I play some pretty heavy stuff but the Evo 7 was out of control and the Air Norton 7 was muddy and muffled. I didn't want to go with the Blaze models because I don't like scooped mid sounds; I feel that the character of guitar is all in the midrange, but after trying those two I was at my wits end and willing to try something against my gut. Even though the Tone Zone 7 seems to be pretty popular every Dimarzio tech I talked to (four different ones in all) told me to absolutely stay away from it. Hmmm...
So anyway, I got the Blaze neck model and put it in the bridge position. I chose the neck model because the bass was not as boosted and the mids were not as cut, and the output was more in the medium range which I prefer. I must say I approached this pickup with a fair degree of trepidation, not only because I don't like the mid scooped sound but because I had gone through two new bridge pickups in the last two months and didn't like either of them. So I strung up my guitar and plugged in to see what kind of tonal disaster awaited me this time.
BOY HOWDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I freaking LOVED it!! Clear and muscular, taught and ballsy, with the amazing ability to sound thick and chunky on single note lines yet very clear and balanced on thick distorted chords. The lead sounds had this great bite to them, cleans were twangy and shimmery when the coils were split like I like them, but the main thing I was concerned about was distorted rhythm playing, and it absolutely shines in this category. The mids were NOT excessively scooped, just slightly and the character of them still rules the overall tone, the pickup simply lacks the midrange 'honk' a lot of pickups have. It has almost the exact same EQ curve as a PAF humbucker, it's just slightly hotter in output. Just a great overall pickup for everything you'd want to do, just as a PAF is. A high output pickup is not necessary to get a great metal or hard rock sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play art metal and hard rock, and for this I thought perhaps a high output pickup would best suit my needs, but I was wrong. The Blaze neck model is right in the medium range of output and it handles heavy distortion better than anything else I've personally played. I think it's a great all around pickup, capable of great clean sounds and amazing distorted tone.

Comments: If something happened to this pickup I would get the exact same one to replace it. After the saga I had of finding the seven string bridge pickup for me (Stock to Evo 7 to Air Norton 7 to this, read my other reviews for those pickups if you like) I should think I learned my lesson and will stick with what works for me. And oh man, does it ever work for me. I'm not content with this pickup, or satisfied, or pleased, I am elated. It gives me better tone than I ever thought I'd have, being a musician on a budget, and it gives me the tone I hear in my head when I think about playing. What more could a guitarist ask for? I'd recommend this pickup to anyone looking for a great workhorse bridge pickup for your seven string, even though it's technically a neck pickup. This pickup has only grown on me the more I've played it, and it makes me play better because it really makes mistakes audible. Just a great overall pickup, but especially for heavy distorted rhythm playing it shines. My personal search for the perfect seven string bridge pickup is over. I love this thing! Try it, you may love it too, and don't let anyone tell you you must have an extremely high output bridge pickup for metal and hard rock. I used to play with EMG 81's and this pickup has WAY more character, depth and complexity to it's sound. The EMG's are like a Mack truck, cool but not too versatile. Just my opinion of course. But this thing stays in my guitar, and I'm so happy I didn't have to settle for something that wasn't exactly what I wanted tone wise.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: check 'em @ DiMarzio website

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG7420
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez stock V8-7
Other pickups on guitar: DiMarzio Air Norton 7
Artists using this pickup: John Petrucci, according to DiMarzio FAQs
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Hard Rock, Metal
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to duplicate John Petrucci's setup cuz I think his sounds are cool.

Perceived output level: Fairly high, can be kept far from the strings and still let you dial in high gain distortions
Tone: This pickup was designed with scooped mids, and you can really tell it once you're plugged. Very trebly.
Sonic evaluation: I use this guitar with three amps:
1) Mesa/Boogie TriAxis pre - Mesa/Boogie 20/20 poweramp
2) Marshall Valvestate 8100 head
3) Rexx 602 pre - Marshall VS8008 poweramp
All of them are hooked up to a Marshall 8412 4x12 cabwith Celestion speakers.
As mentioned above this pickup is very trebly, so you will end up with unusual tone settings, for example you'll probably crank the mids more than you would do with other pickups. It also sounds way bette with distortions than with clean sounds.
With bright amps (like the Marshall I have) it sounds like shit, piercing and inconsistant unless you back off quite all the treble and crank bass and mids all the way up.
With the TriAxis it sound amazing, the tone is very present and biting. It lets you dial in good Rock/Metal tones, and even at crazy gain levels the sound stays very articulate and definite, ideal for shredding.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup definitely works well @ the bridge hooked up to a cranked hi gain amp. Mainly for Rock/Metal players and shredders

Comments: I definitely love the sound of this pickup, even if it has a little too much character. If it were somehow lost I think I would buy it again or would try the Tone Zone 7.
To anybody who may be considering buying this pickup I would suggest to get a guitar with this pickup installed (Music Man Petrucci, Ibanez JPM) and try it. It sounds alot different from the average pickups available on the market.

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: See DiMarzios website

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez K7
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: DiMarzio PAF-7
Other pickups on guitar: DiMarzio Air Norton-7
Artists using this pickup: Vai, Petrucci, etc...
You musical style(s): Progressive Rock, Metal, Jazz, Fusio
Reason for pickup change: Wanted a hotter (higher output) pickup for ease in soloing

Perceived output level: Hot output, but not over the edge out of control
Tone: Mids are cut
Sonic evaluation: Basically an Ibanez K7 with a Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier and Mesa Recto 4x12 cab - want to hear what it sounds like and see my other gear I am using? Check out my website for Video Clips & MP3s @ www.jim-horne.com

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Progressive Rock, Metal, Jazz, Fusion

Comments: I have read some reviews about the blaze being a muddy sounding pickup - be it that persons style, setup or opinion - I strongly disagree. For my style and setup, this pickup hold true even with the most agressive attack on the low B string. Want to hear it for yourself - check out my website for Video Clips & MP3s @ www.jim-horne.com

Pickup features: Humbucking, Passive, And scooped midrange
Impedence or other specs: 385mv output. All i know lol

Model of guitar or bass: Schecter A-7
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Shitty Duncan JB Copy
Other pickups on guitar: JB copy in the neck
Artists using this pickup: Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, hell anyone using the RG 7 string from Ibanez is using this!
You musical style(s): Heavy/Death Metal
Reason for pickup change: Because the pickup i had blowed donkey, no definition on the low A (i tune mine AEADGBE), and because it wouldnt work half the time!

Perceived output level: Very nice, more output than my other pickup. Very good with heavy distortion.
Tone: More bassy than anything(which i like :)), scooped midrange.
Sonic evaluation: Like this...
Schecter A-7-->Zoom 505-->Boss HM-2---->Peavey Blazer 158

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play metal/death metal. This pickup is perfect for this. If you play anything else dont buy it.

Comments: If somebody stole this i would take my guitar, beat the shit out of the thief with it, and make him buy me 2 more blazes and make him put them in. I've been playing for 15 months and i have a Zoom 505 and a Boss HM-2 for pedals, and a Peavey Blazer 158 for the amp. I like the sound of this pickup, and i hate nothing about it! I compared this to a Duncan Invader but i didnt like the invaders tone so i bought this, and glad i did :)... It has everything i need on it, a and i'm very satisfied with this pickup, i have found the sound that i have been searching for.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Carvin DC727
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock carvin pickups (i put the blaze neck pickups in both positions as recomended by dimarzio)
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: korn, fear factory
You musical style(s): heavy, progressive rock, think soundgarden or tool
Reason for pickup change: carvin pickups were thin, no mids or bass, low output.

Perceived output level: much hotter than carvins, slightly weaker than blaze bridge pickup
Tone: even and well balanced. slightly scooped mids, but retains alot of punch and deefinition. nice chunky tone for rhytm or lead.
Sonic evaluation: carvin 7 string, maple neck through alder body, into a line 6 head and mesa cab. nice thick balanced tone. enough gain for fat chunky distortion, but still sounds good clean. powerful and well balanced. with the coils split, they are twangy, clear, with good output. doestn lose to much bass.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: heavy, progressive rock. theyre great for heavy or light, rhythm or lead. good for a one guitar band because of the diverse utilitarian tones.

Comments: im very happy with the tone. i have an ibanez RG 7 string with blazes, and i like the tone but i wanted something a little more balanced and crunchy, less metally. the blaze neck gets less bass, ore mids, and slightly lower output. they compliment the tone of a neck through body guitar well, keeping the bass within reason and giving a little more mid range bite. using 2 neck pickups is a great option for anyone not satisfied with their 7 string tone.

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG7
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Metal/Hardcore
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups suck.

Perceived output level: More, enough to notice a difference
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: Marshall G100RCD into a 4x12 Crate cabinet

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Perfect match for metal

Comments: If they were lost or stolen i would be mad but i would like to hear what the EMG 707's sound like first before i went out and bought the Dimarzio's again. I definitly wouldn't put those shit stock ones in again.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ??

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG7620
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Stock
Artists using this pickup: Korn, Steve Vai, Dream Theather,Mesuggah
You musical style(s): All Styles of Metal
Reason for pickup change: Bridge Pickup was too muddy!! No difinition on the low B!

Perceived output level: Hot
Tone: Scooped mid sound
Sonic evaluation: Ibanez clames that the pickups in the IbanezRG7620 are blazes but dont br fooled!!!I dont know what the stock pickups are....I plugged my Ibanez Rg7620 into a ADA MP-1 into the Front of a Crate Stack. This pickup kills. The perfect solution for the player who dont want to reroute their guitar for the EMG 707. The sound is tight, crisp, and defined. Perfect for speedy runs and speed picking on the low B. But most impressive was the fact I got a strat sound out of the blaze in series mode. I had to keep checking my guitar to see if I had a strat in my hands!! I was that good!I would check this out before the EMG 707. I was going for the 707 but EMG is so back up on orders so I check the blaze out instead thank goodness I did. THE PEFERCT REPLACEMENT FOR METAL PLAYERS!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Anything!!!! even Country

Comments: If it was stolen I would find the SOB, tied him to my stack and play some Malmsteen until his ear fell off than I make him buy me two blazes and beer! This pickup took me from about to selling the 7-String to never leeting it go! A MUST HAVE FOR A IBANEZ RG7620