Pickup replacement in Cape Town (or DIY..?)

BMU

I have some unopened Dimarzios lying around and have pretty much decided to replace the pups in my Ibanez Universe.

This decision has been a long time coming because I struggle with the thought of messing with a signature guitar or letting that beauty out of my sight.
Not to mention it's a pricey instrument, and I haven't seen one in the country in ages so maybe difficult to replace too.

Anyway.

On one hand I can attempt this myself. Don't have much confidence in my soldering abilities though. Especially on said high-value instrument.
Or my ability to sucessfully navigate a simple wiring diagram LOL.

So, if I'm going to let my precious be worked on by another man, any recommendations in Cape Town?
I'd probably just go to the main Bothner's in Plumstead, but would really prefer a same-day deal, no overnighting at a guitar shop if it can be helped.
(Willing to pay a little extra if that's what it takes.)

More on the pups ('cos it's cool talking about gear):
I'm not a fan of the stock DiMarzio Blaze II's, I find them muddy with high gain especially on the 7th string.
(Which defeats the object of a kickass metal 7-string guitar kinda... to be fair I'm sure it was designed with rock rather than metal in mind by one mr Vai.)
The pups are the main reason I've been playing the Schecter Loom permanently. Another case of the cheapest guitar becoming the favourite as someone mentioned in another thread.

What I have is a Dimarzio Evo 7 and Blaze Custom for the bridge. I've heard good things about both, think I'll try the Evo 7. Tight focused lows and screaming highs, so I hope.
For the neck I have an Air Norton 7 which I can't wait to hear.

Ok so back to the question: my dearest most highly prized guitar: where to replace pups in CT.

Reinhard

Gareth at Marshall Music in Cape Town. He tidied up the solder job I did on my SG.

dan77

I suggest you contact Andre from Tonerider in Cape Town. He knows his stuff when it comes to pickups and wiring. I've seen him do rewiring jobs on guitars where others have totally screwed up.

He'll also install them for you while you wait at a very competitive price.

BMU

Good suggestions, thanks.

arjunmenon

+1 with Reinhard. Gareth put in an Air Norton & Tone Zone in my 6 string Ibby and he really cleaned up the solder work and my tone pot actually works now.

BMU, have you considered the D-Sonic 7 or the Crunchlab 7 for the bridge. BTW, is your Universe a swirl one or one of the first "black with fluoroscent pups". There's a Universe at Musiek Wereld in Bellville going for 16k i think. Its the black with abalone binding and the Vai symbol inlaid on the body. Very lovely guitar but the neck feels chunkier than my 7620.
Touch wood, i haven't had any issues with the blazes in my RG7620.

BMU

Arjun, thanks. There's a problem with Marsall Music though. They have Warwick basses hanging on the wall for pretty good prices. Severe bass GAS every time I go there!! LOL. (Just kidding, I'll probably go there based on feedback here.)

Re pickups, I don't like Petrucci's tone...controversial opinion I know, I can't help it! I did love his pre-Ernie Ball tone and have wanted an Air Norton ever since then. But the D-sonic sounds scratchy and the crunchlab (which is what he uses on the latest album right?) is just not "there" from my sonic perspective. Anyway I actually have these pickups already, bought them about 2 years ago so might as well put them in!

Oooh I love talking about my UV's thanks for the excuse ? I had the black & green original 1990 model but it was stolen. Insurance replaced it with the new version, the black with binding and pyramid symbol. I don't miss the old one, the new one has the AANJ and imo sounds and plays better with a much easier trem for string changes.

R16k for a UV? Good price. Is it 2nd hand? I didn't know that place existed, will check it out!!

arjunmenon

BMU wrote Arjun, thanks. There's a problem with Marsall Music though. They have Warwick basses hanging on the wall for pretty good prices. Severe bass GAS every time I go there!! LOL. (Just kidding, I'll probably go there based on feedback here.)

Re pickups, I don't like Petrucci's tone...controversial opinion I know, I can't help it! I did love his pre-Ernie Ball tone and have wanted an Air Norton ever since then. But the D-sonic sounds scratchy and the crunchlab (which is what he uses on the latest album right?) is just not "there" from my sonic perspective. Anyway I actually have these pickups already, bought them about 2 years ago so might as well put them in!

Oooh I love talking about my UV's thanks for the excuse ? I had the black & green original 1990 model but it was stolen. Insurance replaced it with the new version, the black with binding and pyramid symbol. I don't miss the old one, the new one has the AANJ and imo sounds and plays better with a much easier trem for string changes.

R16k for a UV? Good price. Is it 2nd hand? I didn't know that place existed, will check it out!!

Ha ha Anytime man.
I've got a problem with Marshall Music myself because i GAS for PRS every time i go there. ?
No offence taken regarding the Petrucci comment (I'm a big fanboy though ? ) Different strokes for different folks!
I absolutely love his pre-EBMM days tone (when he played the Ibanez JPMs) and if i'm not mistaken he did use one of the early UVs on the Awake album. That Evo 2 of yours is not a bad choice for the bridge but i'm not sure if it goes well with the Air Norton. I'll probably have to hear this combo in action before i can say anything about it.
BTW, are you going for a coil tap on the Air Norton?
The UV at Musiek Wereld is second hand but its in pretty decent nick. You'll have to judge for yourself.
I just found the profile of the UV neck a lot fuller than the 7620 neck.
We really should meet up sometime to talk 7 strings man.

BMU

Arjun - that 7620 neck profile must be super flat then. The UV neck is a dream to play. Unfinished smooth wood hmmmm... I play the Schecter more these days as I mentioned, but the UV is more effortless for sure. I'm hoping the pickups will reignite my UV luuuv.

I actually didn't have gas for such a long time, I bought my black 'n green UV in '96 I think (2nd hand) and hardly looked at another guitar until fairly recently, so the RG7620 passed me by completely. But I hear only good things about them.

Coil tap - probably not, I didn't even think about it. The UV does have a single coil in the middle position. I guess I'll find out about the Norton/Evo match. Not much to lose.

PS - you're on 666 posts hehe. See what 7-strings will do to ya? ?

LooneyAtTheGate

Rob Drake the 'Guitar Doctor' replaced my pickups just perfect. Don't have his new number though but look it up, he's prob cheaper cos he works from home.

Reinhard

LooneyAtTheGate wrote Rob Drake the 'Guitar Doctor' replaced my pickups just perfect. Don't have his new number though but look it up, he's prob cheaper cos he works from home.

Another good suggestion, he rewired a 335 for me and my LP as well.