A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

[BloodRose]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

Great thread . Thanks Bloodrose.
I've got a Crazy8 in my Soloist, which is good cause Im looking for a hotter sound from it, but i havent run it balls out yet. Definitly needs a good high powered single for the neck to match. Im looking for a SHR-1n.

You are very welcome!! I put a Custom 8 in one of my guitars (Washburn Salas) that has Cool Rails neck and mid and it sounds great. The Custom 8 that I did the shootout with in my Kramer is mated with Fast Track I neck and mid and they sound awesome too! The cool rails are alil more Buckerish sounding.

 

[papersoul]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

I guess I just tend to lean toward lower output pickups for high gain.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

I guess I just tend to lean toward lower output pickups for high gain.

Nothing wrong with that Bro! I dont have the output measurements for these, but the Alt 8 sounds big , but doesnt sound like a "high gain" pup. And, even tho the Custom is considered a high output bucker, one thing I like about the custom 8 is that the attack is alittle "squishy" like a vintage or low output pup.

 

[jerryjg]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

I guess I just tend to lean toward lower output pickups for high gain.

NO problem with that. I think something like my Jackson Soloist just screams( pun intended) for a High output distortion type and the Crazy8 does this.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

BloodRose, I've been thinking, which of the three would you see yourself using for thick and occasionally palm muted riffage and why?
Y'know, that chunky chuga-chuga

Just curious...

 

[WGTP]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

Great report, very useful info and discriptions.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

BloodRose, I've been thinking, which of the three would you see yourself using for thick and occasionally palm muted riffage and why?
Y'know, that chunky chuga-chuga

Just curious...

Here is my personal Hierarchy for these.. I love the Crazy 8 for when I want that gritty crunchy thing and it chugs quite nice.. But personally, Im seeing myself playing the Alternative 8 for laying down rhythym chunka chunka stuff and the Custom 8 for leads. Again, not that the others cant do leads, they can.. I just LOVE the squish and bloom of the C8.

WGTP,
I hoped it would be useful..

 

[hanumanlangur]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

Yeah, you're right about the C8 being great for leads. I think of the C8 as a full-bodied JB on steroids. It has similar upper-mids and a singing voice, but it's tight and has a lot of output.

 

[papersoul]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

Here is my personal Hierarchy for these.. I love the Crazy 8 for when I want that gritty crunchy thing and it chugs quite nice.. But personally, Im seeing myself playing the Alternative 8 for laying down rhythym chunka chunka stuff and the Custom 8 for leads. Again, not that the others cant do leads, they can.. I just LOVE the squish and bloom of the C8.

WGTP,
I hoped it would be useful..

Yes, but you can't switch guitars mid song at a gig because you prefer one pikcup over the other for lead, etc. I need something that is more all purpose, lead to rhythm since I don't record, ya know?

 

[Rowan]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

Yes, but you can't switch guitars mid song at a gig because you prefer one pikcup over the other for lead, etc. I need something that is more all purpose, lead to rhythm since I don't record, ya know?

I haven't tried the others but that is what I use the Alt 8 for. Good big, throaty rhythm tones and great leads tones that are reminiscent of a JB or Distortion but sweeter and with no icepick. I'm really starting to think its my favorite Duncan.

I had shrillness problems with the Distortion and regular Custom for lead work despite the fact that they are both great rhythm pickups.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

I wasnt saying switch axes... Just sharing thoughts.. Id say for one all purpose (and tighter rythym), go Alt 8)

 

[jhale667]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

I wasnt saying switch axes... Just sharing thoughts.. Id say for one all purpose (and tighter rythym), go Alt 8)

Would that be your recommendation for say, a lone guitar player in a 3-piece type band? One that'd be handling both lead and rhythm duties?

Between the Alt8 and C8 is the Alt8 more all-purpose of the two in that scenario, imparting tightness as well as singing for leads? :33:

 

[BloodRose]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

Would that be your recommendation for say, a lone guitar player in a 3-piece type band? One that'd be handling both lead and rhythm duties?

Between the Alt8 and C8 is the Alt8 more all-purpose of the two in that scenario, imparting tightness as well as singing for leads? :33:

Sorry for the delay in answering.. I wanted to do some more research.. Here is what I did today.. Today, I played ONLY the guitar with the Alt 8. Everyother time, I played one of the others first or after, so my thought process went to comparing. Today I just enjoyed this one pickup and ENJOY I did.. This REALLY is a great pup.. It has fullness and power everywhere. Every power chord or barre on the neck was big. and Single notes for solos too. Ive never heard a pickup with such big lows have no mush, such big highs have no shrill and such big mids have no hump..

Its full, present and could easily be my new favorite..

 

[jhale667]

Kewl.

Kewl.

Well then, sounds like I need to give one a try. Thanks.
I'll snag a cheap TB-5 or 11 on Ebay and make a C8 later...

 

[papersoul]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

I was thinking of having a boutique winder make me a set for my PRS CE-22 but I am thinking the Alt 8 might be the nice replacement for my Dragons but I would like to keep my PRS Dragon neck pickup if possible.

I will be replacing the 5 way rotary to a toggle and push/pull pot. Do you know if this will work with the Draong/Alt 8 or should I need to go to a duncan neck humbucker as well?

So the Alt 8 can play a variety of styles? The Dragon can do so, so I assume the Alt 8 can as well.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

Let me know how that works!! I played my Alt 8 clean, full saturation, crunch, blues... It seems capable of covering much ground.

If I had the extra $$, Id buy a couple more for different axes..
Better yet, Id love to have enough money to buy extra axes to put them in too...

 

[papersoul]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

No problem Bood,

Actually I am doing a PRS makeover. I am removing the tan speed knobs with black knobs, installing black pickup rings insteat of cream and replacing the Dragon Zebras with the Alt 8 and a Duncan neck bucker. Maybe the 59? JazzN or JazzB? PGn? This is an alder bodied CE_22.

I want a really articulate neck pickup to match the Alt 8.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

No problem Bood,

Actually I am doing a PRS makeover. I am removing the tan speed knobs with black knobs, installing black pickup rings insteat of cream and replacing the Dragon Zebras with the Alt 8 and a Duncan neck bucker. Maybe the 59? JazzN or JazzB? PGn? This is an alder bodied CE_22.

I want a really articulate neck pickup to match the Alt 8.

I use alot of 59 neck pups. I prefer 59b in the neck as it gives me a little more "smokey" blues tone. But I have both bridge and neck.. Ill say that if you want a good blues tone, or a warm clean tone, go 59. If you want super clean and articulate, go with the Jazz. Have a Jazz in my Pacer Imperial.
Now, I havent tried a jazz bridge and havent read all the posts on using the jazz bridge vs jazz neck.. Sorry bro..
I do want to see before and after pics of your project!!

 

[papersoul]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

I use alot of 59 neck pups. I prefer 59b in the neck as it gives me a little more "smokey" blues tone. But I have both bridge and neck.. Ill say that if you want a good blues tone, or a warm clean tone, go 59. If you want super clean and articulate, go with the Jazz. Have a Jazz in my Pacer Imperial.
Now, I havent tried a jazz bridge and havent read all the posts on using the jazz bridge vs jazz neck.. Sorry bro..
I do want to see before and after pics of your project!!

I like warmth overall, as long as it is not mushy or muddy. So, you think the 59B? The Alt8 is hot so it could be a nice match. Gearjoneser loves the Jazzneck with hotter pickups. I always thought you want lower output for clarity in the neck....like the JB/59 set.

If the 59B is warm and bluesy and the JazzN is clean and articulate...where does the 59N fall?

By the way, I was also looking at the Motor City Pickup's Afwayu.
http://motorcitypickups.com/products/afwayu.htm

What about a lighter or cooler pickup? Sometimes I think it is best to go with low to medium output pickups and let the amp do the work. Although sometimes hot pickups are just fun no matter the amp and I like to split pickups in my PRS......so maybe hot pickups. Althought I have heard great split PAFs....like the WCR Goodwood.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: A Trio of 8's.... The verdict

I like warmth overall, as long as it is not mushy or muddy. So, you think the 59B? The Alt8 is hot so it could be a nice match. Gearjoneser loves the Jazzneck with hotter pickups. I always thought you want lower output for clarity in the neck....like the JB/59 set.

If the 59B is warm and bluesy and the JazzN is clean and articulate...where does the 59N fall?

By the way, I was also looking at the Motor City Pickup's Afwayu.
http://motorcitypickups.com/products/afwayu.htm

What about a lighter or cooler pickup? Sometimes I think it is best to go with low to medium output pickups and let the amp do the work. Although sometimes hot pickups are just fun no matter the amp and I like to split pickups in my PRS......so maybe hot pickups. Althought I have heard great split PAFs....like the WCR Goodwood.

ok.. did a neck pup comparo for you... the Jazz is the cleanest and most articulate. The diff tween using the bridge 59 in the neck vs the neck 59 is this.. The neck model is wound with more highs to compensate for the position on the guitar. Therefore it is not as dark and has more clarity.
IMO the 59 has more warmth in the cleans. and for what you are requesting, Id say def the jazz or the 59 neck model.. Ive used the 59 b in several guitars cuz I like the dirty blues tone. (explorer, rg570 and others.) But have the 59 neck in the Schecter C1 and LTD400at. I tested both as the scale is different so I could give you accurate info... Again, I dont have a Jazz bridge model, only jazz neck in my Kramer Pacer Imperial.

Hope this helps