Blackout or Black Winter

[sebas1023]

Hey, i have a Les paul junior, with a humbucker in the bridge. I was originally gonna get an EMG but after doing some research I guess Duncan's caught my attention, I'm looking for a pup good for metalcore/hardcore. I usually tune to drop c/c# and I listen to bfmv, a7x, bmth, bvb, all the mainstream i would say. I cant quite decide on which one i want, and even thought the blackout is cheaper and comes with the cover, i still feel like the black winter might be beter because i heard despite its high output, it has really good cleans. Ive also previosly looked into the emg alx alexi liaho sig. Iknow this is an SD forum, but if any of you guys now about that pickup could you give me suggestions. I really need help, if anyone can give me any suggestions to which one may be better or any other pups they recommend. Thanks

 

[Aceman]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

Not my cup of tea - But I have a Blackout and I love the Distortion (close to Black Winter)

Very different sounds. Both great sounds....I'd think some online clips would help you decide.

What amp/FX???

 

[Wildkat]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

I don't listen to metalcore, but I'd go with the Blackout. Great cleans, very hot. And as Ace said, what amp? The Distortion bridge is also really nice.

 

[jonsick]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

You and I were aligned musically and sonically until you mentioned the bands you're into. I could have put that better, so don't take this as me slamming your tastes, I'm not. Then you mentioned Alexi Leiho... who I like... or at least the first few COB albums... and then there's the Les Paul Junior...

Given your description, I would opt for the Blackouts.

To me, the blackouts seemed a little tighter in the upper range than the EMG81. I like things a little looser as I like the fluidity that brings, hence why I prefer EMGs offerings to the Blackouts. In fact, if I was to prod further, Alexi's early tone is all EMG 81 and for live the EMG passive H4 simply to keep touring simple. But with an LPJ, I would opt for the Blackout, specifically Mick Thompson's sig one.

However, my advice? I'd keep the LPJ stock, maybe throw something a little more classic in there, and go for a new guitar which will get you where you want to go. LTD, Schecter, BC Rich and Jackson have a whole range of offerings that would suit almost any budget and enable you to retain the LPJ flavour when you want a little classic tones and something new for the br00tz.

Early morning, no coffee, hopefully that helps...

 

[sebas1023]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

Really helpful, but for some of your speculations, I am 17, and I guess I'm still a beginner but somewhat skilled. I've played guitar for about 3 years, so I really don't have many guitars. I used to be really into metalcore stuff until more recently I started getting into a7x, cob, slipknot, Log, breaking benjamin and more classical bands like Metallica. Of course, i still play the old stuff as well as the music I'm getting into now. However, being only seventeen and depending on my parents for money, this explains the Les paul. But I've had it for a year and was thinking about getting an esp, a cheap I would say less than $200, but for now I'm stuck with the Les paul and I have an acoustic lead series amp 10 watts. Like I said I would consider myself somewhat beginner or intermediate, so I'm most likely not as rigged as you guys are, but I just wanna upgrade my guitar. But maybe upgrading to the esp might be my only other option. However any suggestions would be great, but what I'm getting is either go with the Blackout or get a new guitar.

 

[jonsick]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

Really helpful, but for some of your speculations, I am 17, and I guess I'm still a beginner but somewhat skilled. I've played guitar for about 3 years, so I really don't have many guitars. I used to be really into metalcore stuff until more recently I started getting into a7x, cob, slipknot, Log, breaking benjamin and more classical bands like Metallica. Of course, i still play the old stuff as well as the music I'm getting into now. However, being only seventeen and depending on my parents for money, this explains the Les paul. But I've had it for a year and was thinking about getting an esp, a cheap I would say less than $200, but for now I'm stuck with the Les paul and I have an acoustic lead series amp 10 watts. Like I said I would consider myself somewhat beginner or intermediate, so I'm most likely not as rigged as you guys are, but I just wanna upgrade my guitar. But maybe upgrading to the esp might be my only other option. However any suggestions would be great, but what I'm getting is either go with the Blackout or get a new guitar.

I'm with you!

Hmmm, in that situation, I would consider the amp more than the guitar. Given your length of time playing and the like, I'd wager you may be looking at doing something band-related soon? If so, a better amp will give you a lot more tonal increases than a new pickup. Which to be honest on that amp won't make a huge amount of difference.

There's nowt wrong with an LPJ. I played a completely stock Squier Strat with 3 single coils for about 7 years before I could finally afford a BC Rich Warlock. I upgraded my little Rocktek 15w practice amp first to a Marshall TSL100 and a 2x12 but it took about 4 years of saving. I was glad I did though. The BC Rich came about 3 years later.

You won't be 17 forever, get yourself a part time job and fund this insane addiction called GAS!

Just to put a timeline on it, I started playing classical guitar and piano at 8. I got my Squier when I was 12, the Marshall when I was 16 or so and the BC Rich at 18 or so. It was around then I discovered that stacking shelves in a DIY store meant I could buy fancy gear. Which I did. A helluva lot. My parents wouldn't buy me anything simply as they didn't forgive me for quitting piano. That said, I wish I'd listened and stuck with piano still! Playing piano is far more a lady killer than guitar!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

See, I like the Black Winter here, as I like the clean sound better.

 

[sebas1023]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

I'm with you!

Hmmm, in that situation, I would consider the amp more than the guitar. Given your length of time playing and the like, I'd wager you may be looking at doing something band-related soon? If so, a better amp will give you a lot more tonal increases than a new pickup. Which to be honest on that amp won't make a huge amount of difference.

There's nowt wrong with an LPJ. I played a completely stock Squier Strat with 3 single coils for about 7 years before I could finally afford a BC Rich Warlock. I upgraded my little Rocktek 15w practice amp first to a Marshall TSL100 and a 2x12 but it took about 4 years of saving. I was glad I did though. The BC Rich came about 3 years later.

You won't be 17 forever, get yourself a part time job and fund this insane addiction called GAS!

Just to put a timeline on it, I started playing classical guitar and piano at 8. I got my Squier when I was 12, the Marshall when I was 16 or so and the BC Rich at 18 or so. It was around then I discovered that stacking shelves in a DIY store meant I could buy fancy gear. Which I did. A helluva lot. My parents wouldn't buy me anything simply as they didn't forgive me for quitting piano. That said, I wish I'd listened and stuck with piano still! Playing piano is far more a lady killer than guitar!

Thanks this was really helpful actually. Yeah i cant afford a good amp now but i am looking for a job for that exact same reason, to get new gear. Ill definatly consider that in the future, but for now ill stick with my lespaul.

-But with that said, my dad actually has an Ibanez amp cab. A promethean i think. However its a bass amp. So lets say i use that amp, with my les Paul, what would you guys say about that.

 

[Sensates]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

For all the influences you mentioned I would have pick the Blackouts.

But if cleans matter more then it's going to be Black Winter.

 

[jonsick]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

I'm pretty sure the Promethean is a bass amp. But no reason it can't be used. It may sound weird, but how weird is in the ear of the behearer... if that's a word.

If you want a new toy, the Blackouts are probably your best bet. But just don't get disappointed if things don't improve in a major way. They're great pickups, just don't think it's what you need right now. I'd put the money towards either amp fund or a used modeller for the time being.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

See, I like the Black Winter here, as I like the clean sound better.

ummmm, yeah. *sips coffee* I'm gonna have to kinda sorta go with the Mince on this one. so that'd be great, mmmkay?

 

[sebas1023]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

Thanks for the helpful advice guys. Yeah, i guess a new amp is the way to go. However, I don't usually play without headphones cuz I live in these town homes and the walls in my room are the walls of my neighbor, and I don't like bothering the rest of my family, so I cant be that loud. As a result, i use headphones, but I was thinking about this but I'm not sure cus I never used an amp head before. So what if i just get an amp head, (currently thinking about the micro dark) and not get a cab, can I just use the headphones with it. Again I'm not sure if that's how it works cuz I never used one but I think I can. I think I could get that now, and get a cab in the future probably when I get a bit more serious with guitar.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

So what if i just get an amp head, and not get a cab, can I just use the headphones with it.

Depends on the head,I guess...Tubes gotta have a load(spkr/cab).

+ another for a used processor/modeler thingie.

Oops/Edit:
Black Winter

 

[Aceman]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

All in on Blackout of only dirty, and Black winter if clean will happen.

The Blackout cleans, while clean, are a sort of particular kind of clean that I'm not thinking you want....

 

[sebas1023]

Re: Blackout or Black Winter

All in on Blackout of only dirty, and Black winter if clean will happen.

The Blackout cleans, while clean, are a sort of particular kind of clean that I'm not thinking you want....

I actually just saw some videos, and i find the cleans on the blackouts pretty nice. Theyre clean, but with a bit of crunch in there. And i play some cleans, but im actually gonna use the lespaul for more heavier stuff, so yeah cleans cleans wont matter much. Thanks for the heads up.