D-Activator Neck vs Super 2... vs Black Winter Neck?

[Rex_Rocker]

I have a Black Winter in the bridge position of one of my guitars. I love it! I have tried the Black Winter Neck before, and I do like, but I want to try some different pickups.

I remember the BW-N being fat, smooth, and hot but clear.

Right now, I have an EMG HZ H4, which isn't bad, but it's a bit underpowered for the BW-B even if I set them both to the same distance from the strings. I don't want to pull the BW-B any further down because it's already not super close, and I like its tone where it is right now.

I kinda want something brighter/snappier this time around. I'm back to loving the EMG 60 in another guitar, so I want something along those lines but passive: Bright and snappy with good upper-mid bite under high-gain, lots of power yet with a decent clean tone.

I wonder how the DA-N and S2 compare. Would any of those give me what I want? Or am I better off sticking to the tried and true BW-N?

 

[Demanic]

D-Activator neck is loud and clear.
Don't rule out a Lace Deathbucker either. It will keep up with anything that you put in the bridge while still staying crystal clear.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[Bogner]

Black Winter and see how you feel. I bet you will be happy with it.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I've tried the BW-N. I could be happy with it. But then again, I'm happy trying new stuff as well!

 

[Bogner]

I've tried the BW-N. I could be happy with it. But then again, I'm happy trying new stuff as well!

In that case, try one of each and report back with detailed descriptions.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm thinking a gold-covered Nazgul or JB could work as well... opinions?

 

[weepingminotaur]

I'm thinking a gold-covered Nazgul or JB could work as well... opinions?

In the neck?? Or am I misunderstanding you? In any case, I think Black Winter neck is what you want here. You already like it, so why chase a better tone for your guitar and rig that may not exist?

 

[Mincer]

If you mean a Nazgul in the neck, I'd advise against it. I'd also advise against a JB unless it were wired in parallel. I think the Jazz is the one you want here.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

If you mean a Nazgul in the neck, I'd advise against it. I'd also advise against a JB unless it were wired in parallel. I think the Jazz is the one you want here.

Why? I don't mean this in a rude way, I'm genuinely curious.

The Nazgûl's specs don't seem far off from the BW-N or the SH-6N. That's why I thought it *could* work.

 

[Mincer]

The Nazgul's EQ is really harsh with the upper mids, and while it excels at being a vicious bridge pickup, I would think most people would want at least a little more versatility in the neck.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I went for the JB, LOL. Thanks, dudes.

I think I'll like it. I'm hoping the JB in the neck will be somewhat of a passive 85: fat, smooth, and hot with a good singing lead tone.

Not really worried about cleans, but it would sure be nice if they don't suck, LOL. I guess it's one thing or the other, though. Fat, smooth, liquid lead tone or sparkling cleans.

 

[Demanic]

With the JB in the neck you should definitely get thick. Wire up some sort of series/parallel switch for it and you could even get decent cleans.

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[Mincer]

I went for the JB, LOL. Thanks, dudes.

I think I'll like it. I'm hoping the JB in the neck will be somewhat of a passive 85: fat, smooth, and hot with a good singing lead tone.

Not really worried about cleans, but it would sure be nice if they don't suck, LOL. I guess it's one thing or the other, though. Fat, smooth, liquid lead tone or sparkling cleans.

Let us know how this turns out.

 

[Toejam]

The Super 2 is what you want for brighter in the neck.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Alright! The results are in! Finally got the JB in.

First impressions: Don't like it, LOL. Too dark. I like smooth neck pickups, but it's a bit too much for the neck. I'm going to try some allen screws to see if I can brighten it up a bit.

Also, not as hot as I was hoping. It's better at keeping up with the BW-B... but it still struggles a bit. Might have to try a ceramic magnet in it too.

 

[Mincer]

I think the issue is the power, not just the EQ.

 

[Dave Locher]

I had a JB in the neck of a guitar for about 5 minutes. It had a Super Distortion in the bridge. The JB was pure sludge in the neck. literally laughed out loud at how awful it was, in that guitar with my amp, then pulled it back out.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Second thoughts: It's not too bad under lots of gain. It's fat, smooth, and singing. It has none of that chirpy overly emphatic dry pick attack that I don't like from 7-8KOhm neck pickups. I did replace the poles for short hex screw, though.

I have two options on where to go next: 1 Meg pot to make the cleans more usable or push-pull pot to split it for cleans and leave it as is for leads.

What do you guys think?

 

[Hsb]

Not sure about pickups, but damn dude love that color.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Thanks! I love it too.