Humbuckers for metal for Japanese Strat

[jonsick]

I have just gotten a Fender Japan Modern Stratocaster HH.

https://shop.fender.com/en-GB/electric-guitars/stratocaster/made-in-japan-modern-stratocaster-hh/5280400323.html

Excellent playing guitar, but given my metal tastes I would like to change up for higher output pickups. I'm usually an EMG guy, but would like to stay passive for this one.

I am not too bothered about keeping the pickup aesthetics, so it doesn't matter if the new pickups are chrome/nickel covered or not.

Current favourite passives are the DiMarzio super distortion bridge and Gravity Storm neck in my Jackson SL2h. I also have a Duncan Invader set in my Jackson WR1. I quite like high output as I tend to use Marshall amps usually without a boost. I went through that whole tubescreamer thing and don't tend to bother anymore as I like the unboosted tone. I'm not a big fan of the Duncan JB, I find it too bland. The Duncan Distortion similarly just sounds very hi-fi ish.

Of course, I like my squealies and pinched harmonics. And tuning will be E-standard.

[CaptainWhizz]

What sort of metal?

[jonsick]

I guess more black metal or grindcore but with good amounts of midrange. A good example may be early Dimmu Borgir, or Entombed's "To Ride" tone. I know most of that is amps/EQ etc, but I would say I like a good lot of mids.

[Mincer]

Being that you like the squeal, I'd look at the Alpha & Omega set. It gets the high output EMG thing in a passive pickup.

[nexion218]

In my experience the clostest to the "sterile" tightness of an EMG is the Nazgûl. Tons of output, sharp as a knife and so tight in the bottom end that it can take all the bass you'll ever need and then some withouth becoming flubby. Oh and of course take a look at the Black Winters. A really unique character and more versatile than the Naz.

[Masta' C]

Yup...Nazgul/Sentient, Alpha/Omega, or Black Winter set. Nothing more to add

[Synapsys]

DB used EMGs, and Entombed stock Gibson pickups. Also, their tones are EQec very differently.

To get both tones, I'd go Custom/59. And use different amps for DB tones.

[BeKindRewind]

I second the notion of a Custom\59' set. Or a Custom 5, but you should try the regular Custom first and magnet-swap it to suit your tastes.

It'll give you something a little different than all your other guitars but still fills that metal need.

I swapped from an EMG set to Custom\59' in one of my metal guitars and I loved it, so there's that. If you like power chords, the Custom is hard to beat.

[jonsick]

Thanks for the suggestions. I went a little wild. I ordered a 59/Custom. I don't think I ever had one of these. I definitely have an SD Custom laying around and a couple of liberator pots.

I found a Duncan Distortion set for pretty cheap and figured I should give them another shot at that price. I also have a black winter set and an invader set winging its way so I may do some experimentation. I'm usually an EMG guy, have them on most of my guitars, so just felt like playing with some passives for a change.

[Mincer]

The great thing about the 59/Custom Hybrid is that it does a lot of things really well. With a boost pedal or just with a lot of gain, it can absolutely make a great metal pickup. Love to hear how this eventually turns out.

[Masta' C]

Just realized this has the "Modern Modified" pickups from the factory. Those are allegedly high output pickups with harder rock and metal in mind....have you actually tried them? I bet the 59/Custom is actually a step down output-wise