Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

Rex_Rocker said:
I have never heard of that before, TBH. I have heard of the 81 being thin, sterile, compressed, but never flabby.


Then consider the Black Winter or the DiMarzio Dominion! :)
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Yeah maybe that then on the EMG 81 comments, as said before though I think I'm settled on getting passives.

Not liking the sound from the Black Winters though, too dark and death metal-ly, need something with a bit more upper mid-spank!
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

SteveAlysis said:
Honestly man, you should be able to get that tightness with most of the pickups you tried, I’d try a tubescreamer to tighten up that bass. I’m pretty sure most those bands use some sort of overdrive with a peavey, Mesa, or similar.

I really like the Duncan Custom(SH-5) in mahogany.
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I tried a TS9 earlier today and although it does help tighten it up a little its still a little loose for my liking, esp when I drop down to A#. The classic metalcore tone is indeed those high gain amps with either a Maxon OD808 or TS9 but as I'm not playing my 6505+ as much its more the DSL5 combo now. Pegasus may be the answer here as it has that cut I need or the BKP Juggernaut as its chunky sounding but still tight.
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

DeadandBuried said:
Not liking the sound from the Black Winters though, too dark and death metal-ly, need something with a bit more upper mid-spank!
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The Black Winter is not dark by any means. It's very upper-mid-focused. I'd say it's even more upper-mid-focused than the JB, which is known for its high mid spike.

Check it out here:


Maybe also consider the Nazgul or Custom if you want more sizzle.
 
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Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

I just didn't like what I heard from the ones I saw with the LP's. Maybe its the audio quality or the amp they were playing through. Alot of these super polished demos are recorded with either an AxeFx or a direct signal.
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

The Black Winter is tight and slightly bright. "Dark and Death metal-y" doesn't describe the BW bridge at all.

A lot of demos for certain pickups tend toward certain styles of music, which gives them limited scope. You're also going up against how each player likes their amp and effects, so it's less about the AxeFx or going direct and more about how things are EQ'd overall. A lot of guys take a brighter pickup, which tends to offer better clarity under gain, and darken it at the amp or in post. You also don't know how these guys have the pickup adjusted...a turn or two one way or another makes a big difference with the BW, but when you find the sweet spot...YUM!

I like screaming '80s rock and metalcore. Easily my 2 favorite styles. I like tight/percussive pickups down low with a biting top end and soaring, full-bodied harmonics. The BW delivers on all counts. I use it for everything that I normally use an EMG 81 for (which is THE metalcore pickup, btw) and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I also prefer it over the regular Distortion. In an LP, it's bound to be a real heavy-hitter with just the right amount of thump and cut. You should try it!
 
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Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

This was the only demo that I sorta liked the sound of.


Similar playing to me in drop b. Mostly power chords and single note riff stuff. I like the low end to be tight and chunky, with some cut as well.
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

I kinda prefer the Nazgul though if I had to pick one, but Pegasus is ahead of both. Which one would have more upper-mid-range cut?
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

As masta' c said, it's important to consider how those people are dialing in the rigs that they're using. As I use a pickup set (the Alpha/Omega) that is definitely on the brighter, more articulate side, I counter this by using darker-sounding cabinet IRs and amps in my Helix or whatever other amp sim that I use. I think a lot of the videos you might have seen are going for brighter tones than what it seems you are. The Black Winter is definitely not an overly bright pickup (which seems to have been your complaint about the Nailbomb you have currently) and has plenty of upper mid cut with a solid low end. I think it's a much better pickup than the Nazgul and would definitely be more of a step in the right direction for you.
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

bloughlin16 said:
As masta' c said, it's important to consider how those people are dialing in the rigs that they're using. As I use a pickup set (the Alpha/Omega) that is definitely on the brighter, more articulate side, I counter this by using darker-sounding cabinet IRs and amps in my Helix or whatever other amp sim that I use. I think a lot of the videos you might have seen are going for brighter tones than what it seems you are. The Black Winter is definitely not an overly bright pickup (which seems to have been your complaint about the Nailbomb you have currently) and has plenty of upper mid cut with a solid low end. I think it's a much better pickup than the Nazgul and would definitely be more of a step in the right direction for you.
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Well as I said before a major factor is me switching amps to a 5 watt combo more for home playing. The DSL5 is more dark sounding so I need something with that cut through like the JB give me on my Strat.

I just feel the Black Winter is more for outright metal, so like 7 string riffing or solos as opposed to 'metalcore' which is drop tuned tight chugging syncopated riffs with some chord playing too. Maybe its just me but there's just something I don't like about it (probably cos most of the demos I've seen are in E standard or on 7 strings playing death metal haha).
 
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Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

This guy has the same guitar as me and the BW's in! That chock chock on the palm mutes is there...

 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

Just to let everyone know I have decided to go back to a BKP Aftermath to see if it gives me the sound again, if I don't like it I have 14 days to return it and will try the Juggernaut next. Then if all else fails I will move to SD and either try Pegasus or Nazgul!
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

Ok so BKP Aftermath in and also the bridge tone pot has been reconnected. There's improvements already as its not so shrill and hairy, on the top end.

I played through 3 different amps - my DSL5c, my 6505+ and my friend's Kemper Profiler.

Through the DSL5c it sounded a lot better, though anything lower than drop c I didn't push the deep button in on the amp as it made it a little muddy. Used the TS9 to tighten up.

The 6505+ is probably where I liked it most, tight and chunky, without any fizzyness or ice-picky high end. Didn't get to turn it up to gig volume however but its what I had before albeit a cab upgrade.

Through the Kemper it sounded so big! Its a pretty hot pickup but with tons of gain you get that nice attack and clarity. On the 5150 and Mesa profiles it sounded chunky.

Welcome back Aftermath I've missed you!

And my friend gave me his LTD ES-50 to do mods on it, so I may well throw in a Juggernaut or one of the SD pickups in it!
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

I wanna drop a suggestion for Lace if you haven't considered it. They're very tight, they're like the clean platform of pickups, perfect for stacking gain on top of. They're not for everyone but they are really good at what they do.

They're sterile though, if you want more personality, they're not the right pickup.
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

singlecutarmy said:
I wanna drop a suggestion for Lace if you haven't considered it. They're very tight, they're like the clean platform of pickups, perfect for stacking gain on top of. They're not for everyone but they are really good at what they do.

They're sterile though, if you want more personality, they're not the right pickup.
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I can attest the the no personality part. I have had a couple and played even more. The thing with lace pickups are you got to have an amp and playing style to compliment that pickup. I found out I love the red, silver, blue, set with a lot of gain and that it’s super tight. Clean it sounds sterile.


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Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

Is the Lace one a Drop and Gain? I've seen it before and it does sound good but worried it'll be fizzy for lower tunings?

For the moment I'm happy with my Aftermath but there's obviously the LTD I plan to throw some pickups in. Might not be a bad bet to pick something up 2nd hand and see what its like.
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

Looks like you already went with the Aftermath, but I was also going to suggest the Black Winters. I've got them in my baritones that I tune to Drop A# 80% of the time. They are great at articulating what you're playing in those low tunings. They keep the low end nice and chunky, but the clarity when you're doing full chords is awesome. I've heard some good things about the Bare Knuckles over the years, I'll have to try out a set one day.
 
Re: Bridge pickup for LP metalcore style

BaritoneVitoND said:
Looks like you already went with the Aftermath, but I was also going to suggest the Black Winters. I've got them in my baritones that I tune to Drop A# 80% of the time. They are great at articulating what you're playing in those low tunings. They keep the low end nice and chunky, but the clarity when you're doing full chords is awesome. I've heard some good things about the Bare Knuckles over the years, I'll have to try out a set one day.
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Yeah, went back to the old trusty and had that "aaahhhh there it is!" moment! I am going to put a set of SD's in that Ltd though so I may try the Black Winters in that, with it being a lower priced guitar its worth a shot but Pegasus/Nazgul remain top of the list.
 
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