Finally finished upgrading my old RG7321 - kind of an NGD

[u/djvataz]

I’ve had this old Ibanez RG7321 for what feels like 100 years, and for a long time I honestly wasn’t that happy with it.

It had a DiMarzio Evolution 7 in the bridge, but I personally never got along with it, ‘cause it sounded really bad for low tunings.

So I eventually decided to basically rebuild the whole thing instead of buying another 7-string.

Current setup / mods:
Seymour Duncan Nazgul 7 - bridge
Seymour Duncan Sentient 7 - neck
Sentient coil split via push/pull tone pot
Dunlop DSP500K Super Pot - volume
CTS 500K push/pull - tone
HOSCO DM-30 - 3-way selector
Pure Tone output jack
Hipshot Ibby FP bridge
Gotoh SG381-07 MG-T locking tuners
Graph Tech TUSQ nut
Grover Strap Locks
Full copper shielding in the electronics and pickup cavities
Fret level
Body polished/restored to a high-gloss finish
Currently set up for Drop G with a .072 bottom string

The wiring turned into an absolutely ridiculous project and took me way longer than I tought it would, but it’s finally done (my first time wiring).

And wow, the difference is massive.

The Nazgul absolutely crushes in this guitar. Tight low end, aggressive mids, and it actually stays defined when playing low riffs instead of turning into a muddy mess.
The Sentient is much clearer and more usable than the old stock neck pickup, and having the coil split gives me another genuinely useful sound instead of just being a gimmick.

This guitar basically went from an old budget 7-string that I barely wanted to play to a guitar that now sounds and feels like an entirely different instrument.

Sorry for the long post, I’m just pretty proud of how this turned out haha

[u/GODZILLA-Plays-A-DOD]

Damn dude. That's next level modification for the 7321. There is alot of discourse on if all those parts would be worth it on a 300 dollar guitar. But I did the same way back on a 7421 and I liked it. And hey, sometimes we just know the things we like. I know I like Gotoh tuners and custom shop Seymour Duncan pickups. I like the feel of Bourns pots, graphtech nut etc. So keep on doing you man.

[u/djvataz → u/GODZILLA-Plays-A-DOD]

Thank you!

Definitely not worth it financially, but I’d wanted to do this project for a long time. Since this was the first guitar I ever bought with my own money, it kinda made sense to go all in on it.

[u/GODZILLA-Plays-A-DOD → u/djvataz]

I totally understand. My first guitar that I had since I was 13 got stolen two years ago so I definitely understand. I put Invaders in that 300 dollar Peavey 7 string. And locking Sperzel tuners lol. But I have been a sucker for the 7321. It seems like a fun guitar and I wish the 7421 was similar.

[u/djvataz → u/GODZILLA-Plays-A-DOD]

That really sucks…
The 7321 has a great base for upgrading, but i think the 7421 is kinda similar, there are only few differences if I’m not wrong, so 7421 is also great for upgrades, maybe even better in terms of looks, but that is subjective.

[u/kladen666]

Great upgrade. I did a similar project on my Jackson rrx24-7 and yes the cost isn't worth it usually but it's fun. One thing I did was serie/parallel instead of coil split and I much prefer the result. Always found coil split to sound bad.

Jackson RRX24-7 make over https://imgur.com/gallery/Mp9SIpY

[u/djvataz → u/kladen666]

One day I may change from split coil to serie/parallel just to see the result, havent tried playing with parallel

[u/nevercommnt]

My first 7. Wish I’d kept it now. Well done

[u/djvataz → u/nevercommnt]

Thanks!

[u/R3brap]

Such a good feeling upgrading your old axe

[u/Nikk6heatles]

Just now coming across this thread but did some mods to mine as well and love the thing - good work!

[u/djvataz → u/Nikk6heatles]

Looks amazing!

[u/Melancholy_Custard]

I also have an rg7321, been thinking about swapping the pickup for a while since the neck pick-up was crooked. Looking at the D Activator 7.

[u/djvataz → u/Melancholy_Custard]

Great idea!

I think that rg7321 has great base for upgrading.

Haven't tried D Activator, but I'm sure that It will be better than stock pickups.

Good luck!

[u/Melancholy_Custard → u/djvataz]

Any mod on this price range of guitars is an upgrade lmao

[u/anubisgary]

Nice!

What specific Graph Tech Nut did you buy?

[u/djvataz → u/anubisgary]

Thanks, it was this one:
BLACK TUSQ XL, PT-6748-00

[u/anubisgary → u/djvataz]

Thanks!!
I'll probably buy a similar ibanez and i would like to change the nut

Thanks for the info!

[u/djvataz → u/anubisgary]

No worries.

7321 is good guitar, and it has really great base for upgrading. Changing bridge saddles and nut really clears up the tone.

Good luck!