Dean Vendetta XM Pickup Suggestions

[earcher0]

Hello everyone, just purchased a dean XM a few weeks ago, despite some bad reviews. Suffice to say, I was on a budget and like it better than a squier (i've owned those before as well as bottom line ibanezes.) I run it through a line 6 spider III and just like a lot of people have stated, the pickups sound rather muddy, not crunchy at all. For the bridge I have ordered a duncan detonator (invader knockoff) but i was wondering as to what would be a good pickup combo for when i do have some cash on hand. I would like to be able to have a clean bluesy sound in the neck pickup, but yet have the bridge pickup be capable of playing deathcore/metalcore style things (i.e trivium, as i lay dying, gojira and veil of maya) I usually tune to drop C, B, or a#. I do however, go back to standard for blues. Any suggestions for this noob would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Dean Vendetta XM Pickup Suggestions

Duncan distortion, or duncan custom8 for the bridge. Neck: Duncan jazz, or '59. Maybe pearly gates.

 

[earcher0]

Re: Dean Vendetta XM Pickup Suggestions

duncan distortion is the sh-6 correct? Does it matter that the xm is that funky Paulownia wood? Thanks for the response man!

 

[Sodom616]

Re: Dean Vendetta XM Pickup Suggestions

yes DD=sh-6. Im not really sure if it would sound good in that wood, because i never heard of it. Can u pls tell me the sound(bright,or dark) of the wood? then it would be alot easier for us to suggest u a pickup.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Dean Vendetta XM Pickup Suggestions

The detonator that you ordered is a great start. I put one in a garbage plywood guitar with great results, the detonator cares not about tone wood (or lack thereof). It looks like an invader, but you should know that it is actually a duncan distortion made overseas with big invader hex poles. If you end up loving it but wish it packed a little more treble and clarity you can get the actual duncan distortion. The usa distortion does not have the thumping bass of the detonator though.

You mentioned blues so I must steer you towards a 59 in the neck, which you can acquire used for a good price. If you want a more nuanced and versatile bridge pickup that is not always screaming (like the distortion) but will still crank out the metal you should go with a Custom. Modding the Custom with an A8 is the gold standard in my opinion, but one step at a time.

 

[earcher0]

Re: Dean Vendetta XM Pickup Suggestions

It has come to my attention that paulowina is similar in tone as to ash.

 

[earcher0]

Re: Dean Vendetta XM Pickup Suggestions

update : I have decided to cancel my order with musicians friend since they are backordered and are major ******s for being unaccommodating. Went with GFS Crunchy Rails in the bridge and GFS vintage '59 in the bridge. We will see how it goes as soon as they come.

 

[earcher0]

Re: Dean Vendetta XM Pickup Suggestions

Update : GFS Vintage '59 pickup came in today, installed in guitar. I am pleasantly surprised. They sound quite smooth and with no feedback to be expected with a pickup of this price range. Played a les paul with a duncan pearly gates and this pickup does not have that kind of oomph, but at half the price, to be expected. I would say that it is comparable to a dimarzio air norton. Will let you know when the crunchy rails finally show up.