Pups for downtuned playing

[FrostStorm]

Hello all!

I have a ibanez S470 and I need better bridge pup for it. It should be really articulate and clear sounding even in high gain music and it should work with downtuning.. My project currently plays in A and B. I have used EMG:s and Duncan Blackouts and they work fine, but I wouldn't like to put actives on this guitar. Any suggestions? I have thought about Duncan Invader and Bill Lawrence l-500 xl (I have no experience with these though). Is the lawrence better than duncan dimebucker? I tried it and it was bit too scooped and harsh sounding pup.. It was like the tone was sacrificed to get the power and output on it.. Anyway.. I'm open for any suggestions, the brand doesn't really matter.

[dark_void86]

Dimarzio D-Activator X and Lundgrens in general would be a great idea. A Wilde Bill & Becky L500XL is amazing, could be for you in this tuning and is a totally different pickup to the Dimebucker.

[_FR0D0]

if you want to go the duncan way Invader invader is not your best bet for downtuning, any of the customs is way better, also the distortion should work fine.

I'm more a dimarzio guy so here is my list:
1.- D-Activator
2.- D-Sonic
3.- Steve's Special

[seani]

Check out Bare Knuckle pickups. They really are outstanding and show the difference between "boutique" and "factory". I have a Soloist with a VHII installed in the bridge and it's amazing - it picks up all the nuances and I can it still sounds sick with really high gain through Mesa Boogie v-twin, boss metal zone and my new vox saturator (yes I like my distortion pedals )

They do higher output pickups too - loads of demo's out there to tempt you, check out youtube and their website.

Seani

[hellboar]

I can't even fit a battery in the cavity on my S

[FrostStorm]

I have heard lots of good things about those bareknuckles. Another boutique pup maker is lundgren.. Heard they do very good pups for downtuning too.. And meshuggah use them. That's pretty convincing for me, since meshuggah is all about downtuned riffing. I'll have to search clips for all of these pups you've suggested me, and then I shall order the best

[NeglectedField]

Try the Duncan Distortion. Just had one installed on my S320 and it rocks, though I play in standard E.

[crossbones]

Duncan JB? The Invader can be a little dark and in Mahogony it might not be as clear. The Job is a little clearer and brighter. I have one in my S520 and its my favourite pickup!

[jono]

Originally Posted by seani

Check out Bare Knuckle pickups. They really are outstanding and show the difference between "boutique" and "factory". I have a Soloist with a VHII installed in the bridge and it's amazing - it picks up all the nuances and I can it still sounds sick with really high gain through Mesa Boogie v-twin, boss metal zone and my new vox saturator (yes I like my distortion pedals )

They do higher output pickups too - loads of demo's out there to tempt you, check out youtube and their website.

Seani

For downtuning, I personally believe that you don't want to go too high output as this tends to muddy up unless the pickups is specifically designed to avoid this. It also depends on how low you want to go.

On another note, I've always found bareknuckle pickups to sound very ordinary. I've only tried a few but I've always gone back to DiMarzios. There's nothing wrong with them, but they just sound like the next aftermarket brand to me.

I wonder if folks aren't swayed by the "boutique brand" reputation or maybe I just like the DiMarzio sound.

Thus my recommendations are DiMarzios and I'd suggest the PAF Pro or the Fred for downtuning.