Mahog would be cool yeah, but a bit bassy i think. I origionally planned to use mahogany but I am currently re-considering moving onto something a bit clearer like alder perhaps...maybe even go the whole hog and go to maple *bright*
As for the EMGs, yeah, all EMGs are blade style pickups, and none of them have pole-pieces. For standard string spacing and 8 strings a 707 is too narrow, the 5 string bass pickup is closer, but to be on the safe side I am going for the 6 string version (the "45" housing - 4.5" long ). If you choose the 40, or 45 DC you will in effect have a nice big emg 85; as thats all they are, guts from an 85 in a biiig box.
Hrrm, well all the places I have mentioned up to now have been emg (www.emgpickups.com) LGM guitars (www.lgmguitars.com) and hipshot (www.hipshotproducts.com) . There about the only manufacturers I am using, i think. If you have any more questions fire em my way, Ive been researching this project for a good few months so the chances are, I will know the answer