Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

[Silence Kid]

Trying to avoid the usual "low vs. high" debate; it always seems to come up that someone feels low output pickups are "flabby" or "loose" under gain, while others claim good results and improved clarity from boosting with the amp/pedals. But it always seems that "low" and "high" are spoken of in general terms.

So which low output pickups are preferred for extreme levels of gain without falling apart? Which should be avoided?

I've been playing around with my Screamin' Demon lately; I guess that is a low pickup with a design mindful of gain. While the millivolt ratings and DC resistance of that pickup are not particularly high (I think only the Stag Mag, WLH and a few other have lower mV,) to me it doesn't necessarily feel "low output" in practice; it just seems to push a lot more high end signal relative to anything else, that gives a brassy but not middy sound, a fast attack, and keeps bass under control when you pile on the gain.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

The Jazz works really well with very high levels of gain and remains tight. For bridge pickups, anything with an alnico V magnet is bound to sound tighter in the bass than alnico II.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

Bartolini....

 

[JeffB]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

T Tops
Tarbacks

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

T Tops
Tarbacks

this


many high gain (i.e., loud) bands of the 70s/80s didn't have the same access to aftermarket pickups that players do today.

speaking of the Demon, I was talking to Lynch and his tech the night a friend brought an old LP over to him that he played during that gig - although it belonged in a museum. he didn't change a thing. the only Duncan he claimed to have at that time was a prototype of the Super V in a Kamikaze. he also played a stock Tele during that show. you can say he was playing loud. but these days he gets his gain from his amps.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

Is the Super V not available at this point? Seems Lynch is marketing his own pickups these days?

 

[daenius]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

You know what is surprisingly great at high gain?

Dimarzio EJ Custom

Little did we know, Eric Johnson is the most brutal of them all!

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

Little did we know, Eric Johnson is the most brutal of them all!

I've seen him live in little clubs a couple times, and he does play louder than FRICK!

 

[hydro]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

T Tops
Tarbacks

+1
Tarbacks have vintage output but a ceramic magnet. To me, more hi-fi than a paf. Bigger, clearer low end. I have always wondered why no one makes a clone. They are my favorite pickups.

I also have a Manlius t-top clone that is the bees knees.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

Seems Lynch is marketing his own pickups these days?

seem to remember he started that while still on a certain big pickup company roster. then someone (raises hand) told a certain big name company about the dalliance and his name disappeared from the roster along with being associated with a certain product description.

looking at the Demon product description, it's interesting how "crisp 80s sizzle" applies to a pickup that came out in 1991. even 1990's self-titled Mob album has a different pickup written all over it. the cleaner-sounding 2nd Mob album sounds like the first real usage of the Demon.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

The Jazz works really well with very high levels of gain and remains tight. For bridge pickups, anything with an alnico V magnet is bound to sound tighter in the bass than alnico II.

Great; just bought an MJ Jazz Bridge. Plan on pairing it with the Jazz neck I got for $15 and resurrected

seem to remember he started that while still on a certain big pickup company roster. then someone (raises hand) told a certain big name company about the dalliance and his name disappeared from the roster along with being associated with a certain product description.

Somewhat surprised they kept/keep the Demon in production if they're now not marketing it with the endorsement; also considering as you state the endorsee wasn't best known for using that pickup/sound. Plus it was never a pickup that gets praise heaped on it, although I do enjoy and appreciate it.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

also considering as you state the endorsee wasn't best known for using that pickup/sound.

Ease up there, turbo. Not what I said in that post.

But I will say in this post is that the Demon is not what he was using for pretty much all the music (Dokken) that made him a known name.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

I've been using DM Humbucker from Hell (neck) that's classified as - despite the name - one of their lowest-output humbucker. But it's just as loud as the Evolution and other hi-output offerings from DM and SD.

Edit: same settings, same effects (Rocktron), same amp.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

Pearly Gates?

Bill

 

[Demanic]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

As I recall, Mark Morton was using a 59 set before he switched to Dimarzio.

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[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

I also have a Manlius t-top clone that is the bees knees.

Yah, Manlius Vinyl is a gem- it's like a good T-top with just a little extra juice.

Another great overlooked pickup is the Railhammer Hyper Vintage. Excellent at high gain; rails keep the low strings focused while slugs let the high ones breathe. I like Railhammers, have several different models.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

malmsteen's

 

[jeremy]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

the jazz bridge is great for tons of gain and drop tunings, t tops are as well.

 

[Archer250]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

Pearly Gates
Suhr SSV

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[jeremy]

Re: Best "Low Output" Pickups for High Gain

a buddy of mine who plays the heavys loves the pearly gates bridge pup. been rocking it since the late 90's probably and keeps coming back to it