Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

Guitarist

Guitarist

Mesa-ologist
I need your opinions regarding whether a PAF-style pickup will be suitable for this player...

My backbone is in hard rhythms that hit you in the face, but tastes are changing and my playing is quickly becoming more intimate and dynamic. I know that I don't want to lose the ability to crush, but it's not my "go-to" sound anymore. I'm digging the bluesy tones of my 59n and the subtle bite I achieve with it.

I've been using pickups with medium to high output...most recently using pickups such as the JB, the Custom, and the DiMarzio Air Zone in the bridge position...

I have a Boogie that is capable of all the gain I need, but I'm afraid that the focused attack I had with these pickups will be lost with a vintage style pickup.

What do you think? Can I still rip you face off with a PAF? Will I be better off with an "in-between"? Say a 9-9.5K bridge?

Thanks fellas.
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

I have an Antiquity set in one of my Les Pauls and the tone is to die for. You won't get the tightness normally associated with metal but through a Mesa you still get plenty of gain. If you need to tighten your tone up with PAF style pickups, a light OD will do you just fine so there are workable options with 8k pickups if you need a little extra amp compression for the really hard stuff.
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

I've got a PG in the bridge of my Les Paul that crunches in a big way the 59b is bad a$$ as well!, I use to always use higher output pickups but feel PAF types are much better and have better sensitivity to playing nuances!
 
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Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

I've got a Burstbucker 2 (NOT THE PRO) in my Historic Les Paul R0 and it's my Megadeth guitar. No issues at all.
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

I agree with Benjy the PG is pretty focused. The brobucker is focused with a bit more output, and the 78 won't have the tight low end you are used to, but man it sings in my R8.

Luke
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

It depends on the guitar. All-mahogany guitars (especially 57 Reissue LP Customs) tend to work really well with lower output pu's. SG's do too.

Or any guitar where the natural tone of the wood leans a little toward the warm/dark side tonally.
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

With a good amp, you can play metal with a Phat Cat! I wouldnt worry about the 8K pickup!

I didnt have any problem. I was playing the phat cat in a hollow body to boot!
 
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Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

How are the low E palm mutes? Loss of tight percussive attack?
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

****, I wish I had a 59b lying around to fool aroud with. What is the DC Resistance and output for a BB2 like?
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

Guitarist said:
****, I wish I had a 59b lying around to fool aroud with. What is the DC Resistance and output for a BB2 like?
Click to expand...

About 8.2-8.3k.
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

I have a BB2 coming my way this weekend...JW, what differences can I expect from two 8K pups, one with an AIV mag and the other with an AV?
 
Re: Should I Be Afraid to Use a 8K Bridge Pickup?

Alnico 4 has less output and if you saw its response on a graphic EQ, it would look very smooth and flat, maybe a very slight rise in the bass. A lot like Alnico 2 with just a touch more bass and output. The overall tone of A4 is very, very smooth, especially in the mids.

Alnico 5 would look like a smile, strong bass, upper mids and treble, but a scoop in the mid-mids.
 
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