Brutal death metal PU questions

[Fleshpile]

Hi all. 1st post!

I'm in a death metal band called Meenagorp, I'm looking for a guitar sound along the lines of Suffocation, Disgorge, Pyaemia, Nile, etc. I don't play leads as of yet (that may be a ways off), and I don't ever use the clean channel. With the stock humbuckers, I'm only using the bridge pickup. My switch just stays to the right all the time. I tune to D.

I'm playing an ESP LTD E-50 with stock humbucker pickups, through a Crate GT1200H/G412 full stack. I use a Boss noise reduction pedal as well. Overall my sound is pretty decent, but I know it could be a lot better with some high-end active pickups. I'm mostly looking at the SD Livewire Metal, or the EMG 85, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm not sure if I'll really benefit from having a neck pickup or not, since I currently just leave the bridge on and the neck off all the time (though that may change with a good neck pickup, who knows).

What to do?

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

You're on the right track- both will give you mondo thump and scream. Also check out the Lawrence xl500xl(arrr). (just make sure you're at http://billlawrence.com and you're seeing the word 'Wylde' all over.)

Also consider a Peavey Triple XXX head. The deepest razor-sharp kerschlunk ever known to man.

 

[frehley]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

Greetings Fleshpile,
Welcome to the forum. I'm new as well and I play Death Metal type stuff too. If you like the guitar tones of someone like suffocation & Nile, then consider this,
Suffocation uses EMG81's and Nile use the Duncan Invader. Both pick-ups were designed to do the same thing but the results are totally different.
The EMG-81 is super clear, edgy and very high gain, the Duncan Invader is very bassy and midrangy with very little high end, overall a very dark and VERY compressed tone IMO.
If you would like a good compromise between Suffocation & Nile, try the EMG-85 which has more low end closer to the Invader and some of the high end of an 81.
The Metal Live Wire pup is by far the most powerful pup I've ever heared but for me, it's almost completely useless for anything other than distortion. It's completely compressed sounding but if that's all you plan on using it for, then try it.

 

[AmirH]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

emg 85. For that style I don't think it can be beat too easily.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

If I played death I'd use an EMG 81 and a Peavey 5150.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

Yeah. 5150 and EMG's, for sure!

That said, I prefer the 85 in the bridge.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

The livewire will be the loudest thing by far...

for super-heavy crunch tone I'd suggest getting the 85 though, it's like the 81 but better...except by a 707 or 81-7

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

i'm playing death/ black stuff but i prefer passive Duncans. thusfar, the Invader & Screamin' Demon are my best bridge pickups. the default Duncan that came with my Ibanez SZ2020 is also killer for high gain stuff.

 

[Kac]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

I had a guitar very similar to yours and had 2 Invaders in it. I loved it!!!
serious metal, without a doubt!!!

Invader all the way!!! Rock ON :headbang:

 

[Fleshpile]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

Thanks for the input everyone, I think the EMG 85 may be my best option at this point. I'mma start watching Ebay .

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

i'm playing death/ black stuff but i prefer passive Duncans. thusfar, the Invader & Screamin' Demon are my best bridge pickups. the default Duncan that came with my Ibanez SZ2020 is also killer for high gain stuff.

On that passive note the Full Shred is another pup worth lookin at. It does really well when tuned down. Alot tighter than the Demons I play.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Brutal death metal PU questions

coincidentally, the Full Shred neck is paired up with my Demon in this guitar: