What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

[oneblackened]

A few months ago, I ripped the EMGs out of my LTD EC-1000, because I really just do not like actives. Problem is, I'm not sure what I want to put in it. I've got some options, and I'm just unsure if they're what I want or not.

I mostly play through a 5150 block letter, but also through my interface into digital amps. The guitar is going to be most likely go between E standard and C# standard, depending on what I need it for that day (mostly in E, though). My playing goes from zeppelin-esque heavy blues rock to thrash/death metal, mostly on the heavier side. I'm looking for something tight and articulate in the bridge, with big (but tight) low end. Neck, I'm a fan of a tone kind of like Paul Waggoner from Between The Buried And Me's lead tone.

Custom 5/59: Seems like it would work best for the less-heavy stuff. I'm just not convinced it's what I want for the more extreme stuff I play. Maybe an SH-5 would work better?
Full Shreds: Might work better for lower tunings than the C5/59, but I'm a bit concerned the mids might be a bit overpowering in an all-mahogany guitar.
Black Winters: Would be perfect for the heavier stuff but I'm not exactly convinced they'll work that well for the lower gain stuff.
Distortion/Jazz: I know I like this set. Solid combo, but perhaps not what I'm looking for in this guitar.
Dimarzio Titans: Tight as all hell and super clear, but again, for lower output stuff I'm not sure they're what I want.
BKP Aftermaths: Considerably more expensive, but maybe they're worth the expense since they're very close to the tone I'm after for metal.

[Gibson 1964]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

Black winters do cleans and low gain very well.

I hated BKP aftermaths. Dry as a desert, and I would say darn near useless cleans. I thought they had insufficient bass, and they just felt dry. Shrill and dry would be my description

Basically a BW is a better distortion with more presence and a more balanced tone. I like mine clean and with low gain. If you like distortions, go for a BW.

I bought some pickups from one of the guys from BTBAM on ebay. They were no longer using them. Direct mount BKP Nailbomb Bridge (alnico) / VHII Neck. Said he was going back to Dimarzio.

[oneblackened]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

I'll do some more research into the BW. I was also looking at the BKP Blackhawks, any idea on those?

[Gibson 1964]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

I have no experience with the blackhawks.

[LatsMcGee]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

When I was thinking of going passive on my EC1000 I was leaning on the Black Winters, a Friend of mine has an EC1000 with the Bareknuckle Nailbomb set and they sound fantastic....

Mine currently has a blackout neck in the bridge and an emg60 in the neck...

[Rockstar216]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

Out of the ones you listed the Black Winters, Distortion, Dimarzio Titans, and BKP Aftermaths would probably be what you want.

The only suggestions I would add is from SD would be a Alternative 8 but outside of SD I would say look at the Bill Lawrence L500 and L90 series.

[Gibson 1964]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

When I was thinking of going passive on my EC1000 I was leaning on the Black Winters, a Friend of mine has an EC1000 with the Bareknuckle Nailbomb set and they sound fantastic....

Mine currently has a blackout neck in the bridge and an emg60 in the neck...

Either of those would work.

If you go the BKP route, nailbombs would do well. I was unimpressed with the aftermaths. I suspect they might work better down-tuned. But big bass they do not have.

With Wilde, I would go L500, not l90 as l90s have a bit of a single coil sound IMO. They sound great, but I would suspect they are a bit quirky and can sound odd with tons of gain.

[SGFanatic]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

I have BW's in my EC-1000 and they smoke!! I also have BKP Blackhawks. Both of those pickups are my favorite 6 stringers'. I do have to say I love EMG's, and in the right rig, they sound great. I would say for more versatility, you'll want to go with the BW's. For as much as I love BKP's, they have a very unique sound, and if you drop that $$$ on BKP's and don't like them, that sucks. However BKP's have great aftermarket value. My Blackhawk is ceramic and very bright. I like bright, but lately I've been leaning toward alnico mags. I hope to get an alnico one day, but my BW's serve me very well right now.

I'll do some more research into the BW. I was also looking at the BKP Blackhawks, any idea on those?

[Aceman]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

ESP puts a 59/JB combo in those. That might be excellent.

[oneblackened]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

ESP puts a 59/JB combo in those. That might be excellent.

Can't stand the JB. Probably my least favorite Duncan ever.

[oneblackened]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

Okay, after all that, I've decided to go with a set of BKP Alnico Nailbombs.

Thanks for the help, guys! SDUG is the best.

[SGFanatic]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

Let us know!! I'm curious about the ABomb...
You can't go wrong with BKP.

Okay, after all that, I've decided to go with a set of BKP Alnico Nailbombs.

Thanks for the help, guys! SDUG is the best.

[oneblackened]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

After a little more debate (and listening), I went with the Ceramic Blackhawks. I realized the ABomb was gonna be a bit too bassy in a guitar that's like a slightly brighter Les Paul.

[Gibson 1964]

Re: What pickup set will work best in my EC-1000?

I use A-bombs in a solid mahogany Les Paul Firebrand deluxe. Not bassy at all in there.