Active or passive?

wbreslin951 · #1 04-08-2008, 12:02 AM

Which way should I go with pickups? I'm trying to get a really, really, really metal sound. I want alot of output, and I also want to be able to achieve pinch/artificial harmonics with ease.. I have an RG520QS with the stock pickups in it, maple neck, rosewood fretboard, mahogony body..

**elcid** · #2 04-08-2008, 12:17 AM

Best way to get artificial harmonics easily is to practice. Listen to La Grange, he's hitting pinch harmonics all over the place without a ton of gain, the Rev just knows how and where to pick the string.

That being said, JB is an awesome passive pickup. Just search EMGs on the forums and you'll see what will happen to your thread. It'll go something like this:

EMGs and awesome, they are the most brutal pickup ever

Then

Emgs suck and sound sterile and make every guitar sound the same

Followed by some suggestions of whatever pick up Vai is currently using, more than likely Evos, but someone will suggest Evo 2 or Breeds.

Also it will be pointed out that you didnt say what kind of amp you have, and more than likely pointed out that a new amp will have a bigger affect on your tone than pickups.

ColinMmmmm · #3 04-08-2008, 12:22 AM

And how.

kotornut · #4 04-08-2008, 12:49 AM

Dang Elcid knows.

markyperfection · #5 04-08-2008, 01:07 AM

We should lock this one up; everything that would've been said has been said except:

Have you thought about an X2n with a 2meg volume pot?

kotornut · #6 04-08-2008, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markyperfection

We should lock this one up; everything that would've been said has been said except:

Have you thought about an X2n with a 2meg volume pot?

Please don't impersonate that memeber I thought he was gone for good.

HeavyMetal4Ever · #7 04-08-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcid

Best way to get artificial harmonics easily is to practice. Listen to La Grange, he's hitting pinch harmonics all over the place without a ton of gain, the Rev just knows how and where to pick the string.

That being said, JB is an awesome passive pickup. Just search EMGs on the forums and you'll see what will happen to your thread. It'll go something like this:

EMGs and awesome, they are the most brutal pickup ever

Then

Emgs suck and sound sterile and make every guitar sound the same

Followed by some suggestions of whatever pick up Vai is currently using, more than likely Evos, but someone will suggest Evo 2 or Breeds.

Also it will be pointed out that you didnt say what kind of amp you have, and more than likely pointed out that a new amp will have a bigger affect on your tone than pickups.

I kinda get the impression that you have seen more than a few "which pickup?" threads...

Darin · #8 04-08-2008, 09:45 AM

I've heard great things from and emg loaded guitar. but also from passive pups as well. everything you want can be achieved without active pups. The best feature of an active pup imo is if you're the kind of player that keeps the volume rolled off a bit, keeping something in reserve, I believe they favor that a bit better than passives. But, a mild overdrive, not distortion, will boost your "output" as well, and its only on when you want.

wbreslin951 · #9 04-10-2008, 12:18 AM

i have pinch harmonics on lock, i can squeeze 'em out pretty much whenever I want.. I just want my guitar to emphasize that. i have an od20 distortion pedal hooked up to a (measly) 25w crate amp going to a marshall speaker from an amp the same size. I desperately need a new amp, but who can save up for that when I got other stuff to worry about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darin

The best feature of an active pup imo is if you're the kind of player that keeps the volume rolled off a bit, keeping something in reserve, I believe they favor that a bit better than passives. But, a mild overdrive, not distortion, will boost your "output" as well, and its only on when you want.

and I play like that ALOT!!! my volume is usually on 7/8, and when I want full output I just flick a switch that bypasses the volume/tone knobs on my guitar. I like to have alot of tone control on my guitar, and a lot of flexibility from those controls..

DEADTUNES666 · #10 04-10-2008, 12:22 AM

I went with passive. How hot does the pickup really need to be...

Darin · #11 04-10-2008, 02:17 AM

My JS2000 with the highpass filter offers a lot of volume control versitility. With the tap and the high pass and 3 pos switch, its like having 12 tonal options within easy reach.

mi2tom · #12 04-10-2008, 02:46 AM

Passive it is, easier lesser maintanence and is consistent throughout a show, active needed battery once battery goes bad it started sounding like crap.

Tank · #13 04-10-2008, 03:11 AM

I totally agree with Elcid here. EMGs make the guitar sound "blah".

IMHO Highoutput pickups like Evos, Breeds, SuperDistortion etc. have enough power. I use Evos mostly and also work with the Volume Pot on the Guitar the whole time, it has nice harmonics no need to boost that with EMGs that only will kill the character of the guitar.

CaptainD00M · #14 04-10-2008, 05:22 AM

Actives have about as much soul as the little girl in the exorcist.

I love my Dimarzio's in Basswood, Love My Duncans in Mahogany, and go with Whatever in Alder...

I like Dimarzio's most off all just because of the excentricites of them... that and the trashy colours.

HeavyMetal4Ever · #15 04-10-2008, 08:27 AM

Yeah, not a fan of actives either.

There's lots of good passive pickups out there that will give you a balls out metal tone.

I have two guitars with mahogany bodies. One has a Duncan j.b and a 59 combo, and they are great for just about any style.

The other has the DiMarzio D-Activators, and they are very good for metal. Forget the EMG comparisons, they have ther own tone, and they work very well with the volume and tone knobs, providing more versatility than I expected. They have a very clear tone, and remain crisp with lots of distortion.

Just my two cents, hope it helped.

Rock on!