Best passive pickup for metal.....

K

killswitch_19

New member
Hey guys,

I just purchased an Ibanez SZ 520 QM that's got a mahogany body and neck with a maple cap.

I'm actually an EMG guy and have an 81/60 combo in another guitar that I love but I also like the openness of passives.

I've actually never played a quality passive pickup other than a JB in an ESP LTD 400 which actually sounded really good. I'm looking for a pickup that is warm and open but that is tight and extremely clear under high gain.

I don't want any muddiness at all. I need it to be as close in clarity and articulation as my EMG 81.

I'm running a Peavey XXX w/EL34's through a 5150 4x12.

So far I'm considering a JB or the SH-5 Custom.

All info and help is apprecitated.

EDIT: I play metal in the vain of Killswitch Engage, Darkest Hour, Unearth, LOG etc...

Scott.
 
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Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

Hey man, i am also considering a jb for metal, but have never played one, how good does it distort?
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

Well, Killswitch uses emg's, but both mark and willie from lamb of god has invaders in there main guitars, and willie has a jb in the jackup guitar. I think a jb, custom, distortion, or dimebucker would work for you very well. And if you get a pickup and don't like it you can always use that 21 day swap thing.
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

The JB is great for metal. You also listed the custom-5, I'd say a regular custom would probably get you there as well. The distortion can be good too. Its all a matter of taste. Can't go wrong with a JB/Distortion/Custom for metal imo.
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

Willie Adler (Lamb of God) uses JBs exclusively; Mark does use the Invader, though.

I'm gonna recommend either a Distortion or Dimebucker. They're quickly becoming my two favorite pickups. Both are extremely versatile, as well.

However... it's REALLY hard to go wrong with a JB.
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

I've got the same guitar and I always thought a set of DD's would sound cool in it. I play classic rock and have a PG bridge and a Gibson 490 in the neck. Changing over to an A2P neck and a C5 bridge this week. Killer axe but shhh...don't tell anybpdy ;)
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

JB_From_Hell said:
Willie Adler (Lamb of God) uses JBs exclusively
Click to expand...
thats not what this months issue of guitar world said(they did vuglar display of power on him this month). i guess......................GUITAR WORLD LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or is just misinformed.
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

Sh*t... you're right. I've always seen him pictured with a JB, and I just skimmed through it before.

Thanks for the correction :)
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

JB_From_Hell said:
Sh*t... you're right. I've always seen him pictured with a JB, and I just skimmed through it before.

Thanks for the correction :)
Click to expand...
does that mean im right?
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

JB_From_Hell said:
Refer to where it says "you're right" for the answer ;)
Click to expand...
o ooops :smack: lol. sorry about that, i guess i missed that part. I think he used a jb to record the new cd and then switched to invaders.
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

Duncan Distortion or a Bill Lawrence 500xl are the closest ur going to get to the sound of emg's with passives.
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

JB_From_Hell said:
Willie Adler (Lamb of God) uses JBs exclusively; Mark does use the Invader, though.



However... it's REALLY hard to go wrong with a JB.
Click to expand...
JB from hell willies MAIN axe has a INVADER in it it is his BACKUP axe that has a JB.

having said that the JB is a asskicker, has more clarity and bite than the invader
and if you set it close to the strings it gets a emg 81 type tone
I have the 81's in two other guitars and i would recomend the JB for ANYONE that wants a 81 style tone in a passive.
the JB is my personal favorite passive high output bucker :cool3:
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

Dodger said:
Duncan Distortion or a Bill Lawrence 500xl are the closest ur going to get to the sound of emg's with passives.
Click to expand...
I have to disagree.
the distortion does not sound like a 81 it is too boxy and has too many mids going on.
the 500XL is a great pup in its own right but also does not sound anything like a 81.
of all the passives i tried the JB has the closest tone curve overall to a 81(not a boat load of bass,great treble bite and crunch,and just enough mids to give the tone body)
I set the JB real close to the strings and it sound damn METAL for a so called vintage hot pup :laugh2:

the tone curve for a 81 is something like 5 bass,5 mids,and 8 treble and the JB is listed at 5/6/8
the JB has more upper mids but is still real close to the 81 overall
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

killswitch_19 said:
Does the JB have a flabby low end or a tight low end?
Click to expand...
IMO the jb has a tight low end, but you might not think that it does. Tightness of low end is an opinional thing.


EDIT: JB from hell beat me to it......by a long shot cause i was eating my ice cream.......
 
Re: Best passive pickup for metal.....

I guess my biggest fear is getting it and it sounding no better than the stock pickups that are in it.

I'm an EMG guy so when I switch to an axe loaded with EMG's I can tell a huge difference in clarity and articulation.
 
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