Fishman Fluence pickups are popular worldwide, but not suitable for everyone. They cater to various musical styles, making them versatile. If you’re searching for pickups that can cover all bases, this review is for you.
The Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico & Ceramic Pickups Set is designed for 7-string guitars. As a trusted name in the industry, I had to give them a try.
This review will explore the advantages and disadvantages of this set to determine if they’re suitable for you.
- Incredible tonal range
- Super-rich, and dynamic sound associated with heavier music
- Very pricey
What Makes Fishman Fluence 7 String Modern Alnico & Ceramic Pickups Set Special?
Fishman Fluence pickups are not your usual pickups. They come with an advanced set of circuit designs that allow them to work great for different music genres, especially for black and metal music. The Fishman Fluence 7 String Modern Alnico & Ceramic Pickups Set is no exception. The set is designed to deliver lush, super-rich, and dynamic sound associated with heavier music. The pickups react differently to the player’s attack, providing a ridiculously fine-tuned tone.
If you’re looking for a set of guitar pickups that offer a lot of tonal flexibility, the Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico and Ceramic pickups are definitely worth considering. These active pickups come with two different voicings and a push-pull option on the tone knob, giving you plenty of options for shaping your sound.
Let’s start with the voicings. The first voicing uses the Modern Alnico pickup at the neck and offers a full and boosted sound that’s perfect for distorted solos. This voicing delivers a tight, high-gain sound that’s ideal for playing in the higher registers.
The second voicing uses the Modern Ceramic pickup at the bridge and offers a more clean and crisp sound. This voicing delivers a rich, bright tone with a tight low end that doesn’t get muddy, making it perfect for playing on the seventh string.
In addition to the voicings, the Fishman Fluence pickups also offer a passive humbucker tone with a lot of dynamic response. This is a great option if you’re looking for a more classic, vintage tone.
One of the standout features of these pickups is the way they’re designed to eliminate any hum or noise. The pickups are wound differently than most pickups, with two multi-connected layer boards, which helps to reduce any unwanted noise.
Finally, the pickups also come with a gold split in the volume knob, which offers even more tonal possibilities. One of the reviewer’s favorite positions is the middle position with the coil split, which delivers a little bit of twang.
Overall, the Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico and Ceramic pickups are a great option for guitar players who want a lot of versatility in their sound. With multiple voicings and a noiseless design, these pickups are sure to impress.
Dual-voiced Pickups for Multiple Usable Tones
The Fishman Fluence 7 String Modern Alnico & Ceramic Pickups Set is a set of dual-voiced pickups. This means that each pickup has multiple usable tones that players can switch between using a push-pull switch. The set comes with two different models, one with Alnico magnets and the other with Ceramic magnets. The Alnico model is ideal for players who love a warmer, vintage tone, while the Ceramic model is perfect for players who prefer a more modern, aggressive tone.
Easy to Install and Use
Installing the Fishman Fluence 7 String Modern Alnico & Ceramic Pickups Set is relatively easy. The set comes with everything you need to install it, including a battery pack, wiring, and a push-pull switch. The battery pack is small and can be easily plugged into your guitar’s audio jack. The push-pull switch is also easy to use, allowing players to switch between different tones on the fly.
Expensive but Worth It
The Fishman Fluence 7 String Modern Alnico & Ceramic Pickups Set is not cheap. It is one of the most expensive pickup sets on the market. However, it is definitely worth the investment. The set is designed to create a unique and powerful tone that is hard to achieve with other pickups. The advanced technology and dual-voiced designs make it a favorite among professional players and studio recording artists.
User-Friendly for Beginners and Pros Alike
Despite its complicated technology, the Fishman Fluence 7 String Modern Alnico & Ceramic Pickups Set is user-friendly. It is easy to install, use, and switch between different tones. The set is ideal for both beginners and pros who want to create a unique and powerful tone. The set is also compatible with different guitar models, including Schecter gear.
Unpacking the Features and Specs of the Fishman Fluence Modern Set
The Fishman Fluence Modern Set is designed specifically for 7-string guitars, making it the ideal choice for players who want to create tight and modern sounds. The set includes both Alnico and Ceramic pickups, which work together to deliver a unique tone that is perfect for metal and other modern music genres.
Active Pickups with Passive Tone
One of the biggest differences between the Fishman Fluence Modern Set and other pickups is that they are active pickups that deliver a passive tone. This means that you get all the benefits of active pickups, such as a high output and low noise, without sacrificing the warmth and depth of a passive pickup.
Advanced Circuit Design and Wiring
The Fishman Fluence Modern Set features an advanced circuit design and wiring that allows for multiple voices and sounds. The set includes two different models, one for the neck and one for the bridge, each with its own unique voice. The wiring also allows for easy switching between the different voices, giving you more control over your sound.
Direct Battery Supply and Audio Output
The Fishman Fluence Modern Set is designed to be as user-friendly as possible. The pickups are powered by a direct battery supply, which eliminates the need for a ground wire and makes installation much easier. The set also includes an audio output that allows you to plug directly into your gear or recording studio, making it perfect for both live and studio work.
Famous Players Love Them
The Fishman Fluence Modern Set has been used by some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Tosin Abasi, Keith Merrow, and Jeff Loomis. These players love the unique and usable tones that the pickups deliver, and they appreciate the advanced circuit design and wiring that allows for easy switching between different voices.
Most versatile tone
Switch between passive and active modes, and both sound great
Fishman Fluence Modern: The Real Deal
One of the main reasons why players love Fishman Fluence Modern pickups is that they offer the best of both worlds. You can switch between passive and active modes, and both sound great. The passive mode is warm and organic, while the active mode is tight and focused. The best part is that you don’t need to worry about the battery dying in the middle of a performance. The pickups come with a rechargeable battery pack that lasts for weeks, and you can easily charge it with a USB cable.
The Tone: Multiple Tones in One Pickup Set
Fishman Fluence Modern pickups are not your regular pickup set. They are designed to create multiple tones, and they do it exceptionally well. The Alnico and Ceramic pickups work together to produce a wide range of sounds, from clean and crisp to heavy and distorted. You can dial in the perfect tone for any genre or playing style, and the pickups will deliver.
The Performance: Ideal for Studio and Live Work
Fishman Fluence Modern pickups are not just great for recording in the studio. They are also perfect for live performances. The pickups are completely noise-free, so you don’t have to worry about any unwanted hum or buzz. They also come with plenty of power, so you can drive your gear and effects without any issues. Whether you’re playing in a small club or a big arena, Fishman Fluence Modern pickups will deliver consistent and excellent performance.
The Design: Advanced Wiring and Circuitry
Fishman Fluence Modern pickups are not just another set of pickups. They are the result of years of research and development, and the design is focused on producing the best tonal quality possible. The wiring and circuitry are advanced, and the pickups are built to last. The size and traditional steel wire used in the pickups are ideal for 7-string guitars, and the tight bass and distortion are perfect for heavy music.
Best guitars with this Fishman Fluence set
Strandberg Boden Prog NX7
Best headless fanned fret guitar
A headless guitar is a favorite for many guitarists. Since it is lighter weight, the distribution of mass brings the guitar closer to the body and the tuning is more stable.
The dense wood of the maple neck also produces a bright, sharp tone. The combination of Swamp Ash and maple is often found on Stratocasters, so the Prog NX7 (full Strandberg review here) is clearly made to be a versatile instrument.
You can also see this in the type of guitar players these Strandberg guitars attract. With artists like Plini, Sarah Longfield, and Mike Keneally, who have an extensive tonal range.
You could say it’s a good headless Strat with a better ergonomic design, but the choice of pickups is where it turns away from the analogy.
This model has active Fishman fluence pickups. The Modern Alnico at the neck and Modern Ceramic at the bridge.
Both have two voice settings you can control through the push-pull of the tone knob.
- At the neck, you can get a tremendous active humbucker sound with the first voicing with a full and boosted sound. The articulation is perfect for distorted solo’s in the higher regions of the guitar.
- Click to the second voicing, and you get a more clean and crisp sound.
- At the bridge, you get a crisp growl with a tight low end without getting muddy, perfect for the low 7th string.
- Click to the second voicing and you get a more passive humbucker tone with a lot of dynamic response.
Conclusion
So, if you’re looking for a great 7-string guitar pickup set, the Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico & Ceramic Pickups Set is a great choice. They’re easy to install, and they deliver a unique, powerful, and usable tone for a variety of music genres. Plus, they’re a great value for the money.
Plus, you can use them for live studio work and they’re great for professionals and beginners alike. So, don’t hesitate and get them today!
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Neaera and a content marketer, dad, and love trying out new equipment with guitar at the heart of my passion, and together with my team, I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2020 to help loyal readers with recording and guitar tips.
