80's death metal pickups?

[Sodom616]

I know that most 80's death metal bands used dimarzio's (Death=X2N),(Morbid Angel=Paf Pro) so, i've been thinking of swapping out my DD's for dimarzio's, but im not sure which model to choose. I'm looking for something darker,bassier, and more "evil" than the DD but still retaining the clarity and tightness of the DD. I will be putting the pickups on a short scale mahogany/maple Schecter (maple cap+neck), I am really fond of the tone of the albums "The Bleeding" by Cannibal Corpse and "Deicide" by Deicide, if there are any Duncan's that can give me those tones, please let me know.

 

[P.A.Foholic]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

Sry, can't recommend any Duncans 'cause I have no exp with them in death metal. But I just got back my 7 string RG with X2N in the bridge. It slays. Very tight, eq-wise it's pretty even, no over the top freqs ---> easy to eq.

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

I like the DD ALOT for metal but it's not evil enough for the stuff i want to play, but seems like evry1 likes the X2N, so that's my first option so far.... Thx for the info P.A.Foholic.

 

[TSE]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

The DD is hotter than the X2N, not by much though. The X2N will also be fatter and slightly smoother than the DD. X2N is my favorite DMZ.

 

[P.A.Foholic]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

The DD is hotter than the X2N, not by much though. The X2N will also be fatter and slightly smoother than the DD. X2N is my favorite DMZ.

There are many things to consider when talking about which pickup is hotter. Yes, DD sounds like it's hotter pup because of the aggressive middle and treble range. However, X2N puts out a lot more millivolts but sounds more tame because of the even EQ response. It all depends on how you wanna approach the situation.

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

So the X2N is less aggressive than the DD?

 

[P.A.Foholic]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

So the X2N is less aggressive than the DD?

Yeap, but only by its character. IMO it has a razor sharp attack and is very, I mean VERY tight pup.

If you play it through a blackface or tweed you just can't get a perfectly clean sound out of it. That's some output for ya

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

Sweet so the X2N is darker,fatter than the DD but is still very tight, that's exactly what I'm looking for! will it work on a 24.75 scale mahogany/maple guitar tuned to D?

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

Any1 ever try a Super 3 for death metal?

 

[metalmachine]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

i personally think you need to keep the distortion

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

It is abit to bright and doesn't have that low end im looking for....I have no intention to throw it away, i will use it when i play some thrash or some downtuned metal (B standard), it's aggressiveness and clarity is to die for.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

What kind of amp are you using?

 

[dominus]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

TB-5 Duncan Custom.

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

I'll be getting a peavey 5150 on my b'day, but for now i have a line 6 spider iv 75w

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

Super3 is THE death metal pickup if you tune down. The X2N is as described, and while I haven't tried the De-Activator-X, it's supposed to be a warmer version of the X2N and was recommended to me by Steve at DMZ for a similar sound.

Don't disregard the Invader.

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

and another thing i should of mentioned is that i only play rhythm.... so i need lots of chunk and chuggs with those palm mutes. What i love about the DD is that when i hit a palm muted note, my heart just starts pounding! but it doesn't sound "big"

 

[Varg]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

Invader is a good choice, as is the X2N. I didnt know Morbid Angel used PAF Pros, interesting.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

you're complicating this. just keep the distortion and put a 250k pot on it.

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

I'm really liking the sound of the dimarzio super 3, hot and super compressed, but most people use this on alder guitars. Will it sound to muddy on a short scale mahogany guitar? I definitely do not want the invader, it has too much bass, and will probably sound muddy downtuned (i have no fcking clue how nile uses them on Drop A). The X2N seems like my best bet, but i think it's like the emg 81 of passive pickups.....every I know who plays death metal uses one.

 

[Sodom616]

Re: 80's death metal pickups?

Let me just finalize this, i don't want to use the DD anymore not because it's too bright (it's actually not that bright), but because it doesn't sound "EVIL" and "BIG", i just want something with more low end and a bigger sound for heavy rhythms, while still retaining those chunky mids that don't disappear when scooped.