Opinions on pickups?

HeavyMetal4Ever · #1 12-30-2007, 07:35 AM

Howdy fellow Jemsiters

Lately i've been unhappy with the tone in 3 of my guitars, so i'm going to do a pickup swap, and I was interested to hear what other people think about my pickup choices.

I have a Charvel Fusion Custom, which is 24.75 scale with basswood body, floyd bridge and bolt on neck. It has a Seymour Duncan Invader in the bridge, and it's way too wooly and thick. I'm thinking of putting a Dimarzio Evo in it for more cut.

I also have a Ltd Mh400, with floyd bridge, mahogany body, set neck and 25.5 scale. It currently has an Emg 81/85 set, and I don't like the compressed tone. I'm looking at a Dimarzio D-Sonic in the bridge and a Paf Pro in the neck.

The last one is a Ltd Mh1000, and it's a set neck, mahogany body, 25.5 scale with fixed bridge and string thru body. It has a Duncan Jb in the bridge, and I don't like the "twangyness" of the Jb. I have been thinking about a Duncan Dimebag or a Dimarzio super 3.

Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

Rock on!

DEADTUNES666 · #2 12-30-2007, 09:59 AM

Do you know what those pickup combos will sound like through your gear? I am totally a dimarzio guy, so I don't think you can go wrong with what you're thinking. That doesn't mean you'll like them. If you can try out guitars with those pickups through your setup, or something real similar, that would be a good testing point. It's all about what sounds pleasing to you. They're your guitars and there's almost no wrong choice...good luck man

millzy · #3 12-30-2007, 12:54 PM

im completely a dimarzio guy also...i would try the seymour duncan shred-fest..or i cant remember its name!..but its the only one the have like this..its a great pickup...and makes your lead sound really superly defined and clear which is what your after
neck pup only however

the evo sounds great for your bridge but what do you use you bridge for...cutting rhythm tone or what?

DEADTUNES666 · #4 12-30-2007, 01:07 PM

If I'm recording I'll use the neck pickup for leads, but live stuff I'll use the bridge for all my distorted or overdriven stuff. Seems to cut a little bit more for my taste. Clean stuff I always go 4th position... On a H-S-H configuration. So it'll depend upon what you're doing and what you're after. I'm 38, and at this point I know exactly what I want, and how to obtain it, but it took a lot of experimenting along the way. The more stuff you try, the more informed your taste will be...

HeavyMetal4Ever · #5 12-30-2007, 01:46 PM

Thanks for your info/advice

I've tried the Evo and the D-Sonic and the Paf Pro, and I liked what I heard, so my mind is pretty much made up, although I would still like to get advice or comments on these choices.

When it comes to the Duncan Dimebucker v's the Dimarzio Super 3, the jury is still out. They both sound like they would suit a mahogany body, and would both suit high gain tones. Unfortunately, I havn't been able to try either of them myself, so any info or advice would be great.

I would really like some info from anyone who has tried the pickups i'm looking at in guitars with similar specs. I would also like to hear from anyone who has the same guitars, but have chosen different pickups. All opinions and advice are appreciated.

Rock on!

rvai · #6 12-30-2007, 11:39 PM

have you tried the emgs on 18v? try that before you switch your pups

HeavyMetal4Ever · #7 12-31-2007, 01:44 AM

Tried the 18v, and it was much better than 9v, but the tone still seemed to lack something to my ears. It sounds much fuller, with more headroom, but it still sounded "processed" if that makes sense?

Thanks for the info

Rock on!

CityofBlindingLights · #8 12-31-2007, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millzy

im completely a dimarzio guy also...i would try the seymour duncan shred-fest..or i cant remember its name!..but its the only one the have like this..its a great pickup...and makes your lead sound really superly defined and clear which is what your after
neck pup only however

the evo sounds great for your bridge but what do you use you bridge for...cutting rhythm tone or what?

I think you're referring to the Full Shred, Shredfest is the name of one of my U-G colums, lol.

Anyway, you're not going to go wrong with any combo. If you don't like the sqwakiness of the JB, try the Breed. The breed is thick and creamy, and it's got a little more bass imo and the highs roll off nicer.

That D-Sonic/PAF Pro combo sounds REALLY good, I'm actually thinking of trying out that combo with an HS-2 sandwiched between them.

shreddersymphony · #9 12-31-2007, 02:00 AM

I've always been a Dimarzio guy, really. The Steve Special is a fantastic bridge pickup, and the cruiser single coil is amazing as well. No wonder Mr tone king Andy Timmons uses it

. I also recently tried a Xiphos (not for the guitar really but just to test out the new Dimarzio D Activator pickups) and was quite impressed...so impressed that one is definitely going in the bridge of my new custom guitar.

Mike239 · #10 12-31-2007, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvai

have you tried the emgs on 18v? try that before you switch your pups

I don't mean to steer the thread off course but what does the 18v mod do to the sound of the EMGs.

HeavyMetal4Ever · #11 01-02-2008, 01:18 AM

I found that the 18v mod opened up alot more headroom and removed alot of the compression from the sound.

Even with the 18v mod, they still retain the super clean/sterile tone actives are famous for.

In my opinion the 18v mod improves the tone alot, but I still prefer the "organic" tones from passives. Emg's just sound too "digital" for my tastes.

It's a fairly simple mod to perform, so if you are interested, give it a go, it's quite easy to change back if you don't like it.

Rock on!

millzy · #12 01-06-2008, 10:30 AM

i completely understand what you mean by saying their 'digital'
completely

peromucho7 · #13 01-06-2008, 10:49 AM

try this, http://humbucker.biz/hp31363/Hot-Stuff.htm
this ''Hot Stuff'' sounds like old Van Halen's frankenstein guitar to me,
regards.

-Rhaab · #14 01-07-2008, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyMetal4Ever

Thanks for your info/advice

I've tried the Evo and the D-Sonic and the Paf Pro, and I liked what I heard, so my mind is pretty much made up, although I would still like to get advice or comments on these choices.

When it comes to the Duncan Dimebucker v's the Dimarzio Super 3, the jury is still out. They both sound like they would suit a mahogany body, and would both suit high gain tones. Unfortunately, I havn't been able to try either of them myself, so any info or advice would be great.

I would really like some info from anyone who has tried the pickups i'm looking at in guitars with similar specs. I would also like to hear from anyone who has the same guitars, but have chosen different pickups. All opinions and advice are appreciated.

Rock on!

The i dont think the dimebucker is a good pickup. Too trebly, thin and sensitive imo

racerevlon · #15 01-08-2008, 05:28 PM

The Super 3 is my bridge pickup of choice and I've yet to play it through an amp where it sounded bad. The EQ curve on the Super Distortion is a little to boomy for me--the Super 3 adjust the EQ curve, pushing the mids up and bringing the bass down a bit. Gets you right through the mix.

Cheers,

Race