hi guys

I have recently begun learning some Periphery songs, and I am experiencing a muddy tone because of the tuning ( drop G#). I play on a real cheap seven string, Peavey Predator. Do you think a new hi-end pickup will solve my problem, or is it possible that the guitar has so cheap wood, that it won`t resonate properly?

You can't just expect profi sound on the $ 200 guitar, but it would certainly improve things if you put fresh new strings, good pickups and above all, a good amplifier. "how much money - so much music. " is a saying that explains well what I wanted to say
I would rather recommend you to wait a while, find out the kind of tone you want, what guitar is for you (pickups, wood), visit shops, try every guitar that is in your financial capabilities, and then you will get an answer...

I already have a pretty good sound setup, which sounds killer for me when playing in D-E tunings, and mostly in B as well
It`s just that the three halfsteps from B to G#, really killed the clarity of the tones, even with fresh strings.

I think I either way will buy a new bridge humbucker this summer, and try to change it myself for a challenge

I think pickup change or maybe some kind of EQ or preamp pedal could help you produce more clarity.

along with this you might want to roll the gain down as well

All good advice ! I would be tempted to first experiment with an EQ pedal perhaps and rolling back the gain before spending any serious wonga

Well how do you use your guitar? I've seen people playing 7, even 8 string guitars, and lowest notes couldn't come out properly on most of amps. Remember that playing such low notes requires something that is suitable for both bass and guitar, needs to have tons of gain, and sound tight in the same time

If the notes don't come out on the audio tracks (and you can clearly see if the waveforms from the problematic areas on the neck are not matched in amplitube with other waveforms), then it's time for a pickup change.

Usually in low tunings (like A and G# or lower), REALLY make sure your tone isn't clashing EQ wise with anything else. Keep gain DOWN but double or quadruple the takes. Having a tone that goes through without sounding muddy is more EQ wise than anything else, but of course - good amp and good pickups can get you a good part of the way
In a live situation the way you EQ is often different, but depending on so many things. Usually you can turn your gain and especially mid up, as you can't double (or more) the amount of takes.
If you head over to SS, Bulb has already given a lot of stuff on the forum about how he likes to EQ things

This post has been edited by Sollesnes: Jun 4 2011, 11:44 PM

I just noticed your signature below, and I see that you have a decent equipment. Your question has an entirely different connotation,sounded to me as a beginner question, my mistake, sorry