Dropped tuning pickup.

S

SCOTT502

New member
I've decided that my Jackson Solist is going to be my subterranean chunk machine.....I am looking for advise on a pickup....the tunings will be lower
than standard but will probably vary from plain dropped d to B. I want something tight and clear. I have absolutely no experience in this area so I really need some good suggestions. I have an EMG 81 in there now in standard tuning and really dont like it at all, way too clinical....hence it's relegation to the bench. (For sale by the way).

Also what gauge strings would you recommend? And I assume a full set-up would be required?

Thanks
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

duncan distortion, super distortion, EMG 81 (emg 81 being my favorite)
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

Go to the DiMarzio website and read about the D Sonic pickup. I bet that is exactly what you are looking for.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

Stick an 85 or Duncan Blackout Neck in there - it'll retain the tight, clean, defined tone of the 81, without the insanely clinical, metallic, harsh sound of it.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

If you plan to change tunings a lot, I would recommend choosing strings according to the highest tuning you plan to use with that guitar. Maybe a set of 11-52 would be a good in-betweener. If you plan to vary as much as going from drop-D to drop-B or B-standard, the intonation will probably be off somewhere along the way.

For pickups, it totally depends on the sound you are into. Some people prefer ceramic pickups to compensate for the low tones, but alnico magnet pickups have less string pull, which could be important if you are tuned really low, and the strings are floppy.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

Full Shred, EMG 81,85, Blackout, hell maybe even that D sonic will be nice. Dimebucker and L500XL will be pretty wicked too. Dunno how EVOs sound in drop tunnings though...
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

i agree with others asking for what tone you're searching, but i;d recommend the distortion.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

one thing i forgot, you're gonna need real thick if you plan on going b. the only time i ever had a b setup guitar i used 11-54's...my fingers wince at the thought of those things in standard....and for c i use 10-52, d and standard 9-46. 25.5 scale guitars. just figure out the tuning you'll use the most, and use your favorite set for that tuning.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

Wow, thanks for all the responses....

Yeah...what sound am I after...that's a big part of my problem as I don't actually listen to a lot of down-tuned stuff I don't have a good point of reference to direct you guys to. I was messing around in the basement and came accross and interesting idea or two when I tuned my guitar down so I decided to dedicate a guitar to that function.

I know that I want it to be clear...good note separation/definition for chords...not too worried about lead sounds. No mud but not sterile like the EMG 81 that's in it now...I do like the feel and character of passives better. It needs to have really good palm mute capabilities as well.

Thanks for the tips on string gauges as well guys!
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

Dimarzio Evolutions sound great tuned down real low. Ultra clarity and lots of character. Dimebucker can be great, Full Shred, D Sonic, D Activator. there are lots of pups to choose from.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

With low tunings, assuming you're playing metal, I prefer rails. Since the strings are detuned & large they vibrate harder & wider, & rails just work the best. I give very high regards to the Gibson Iommis, they are pushing 20k & rip. Never used EMGs, but I'm sure they'd be good. A Dimebucker would kick ass, but there's no good full-sized railed bucker in the neck, so I'd actually say Gibson Iommis.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

3nz said:
Full Shred, EMG 81,85, Blackout, hell maybe even that D sonic will be nice. Dimebucker and L500XL will be pretty wicked too. Dunno how EVOs sound in drop tunnings though...
Click to expand...

+1, if you already have active electronics in your guitar I suggest trying the blackouts. If you want passive, I recommend the full shred for really low stuff. Stay away from the dimebucker.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

Personally I've had gotten a very nice sound from Ernie Ball Skinny Top / Heavy bottoms. They run 10-52. It's a nice range if you solo much, but need to chunk too.

I have not tested best pups for this though. I use several guitars playing out. I only use this tuning on about 3 out of 30 songs so I've not really tested pickups in the drop C guitar. I actually have a JB in this drop C guitar...It's an old 80's oversees Kramer. I can't complain about the sound, even next to my les paul, it holds it's own.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

YEM said:
With low tunings, assuming you're playing metal, I prefer rails. Since the strings are detuned & large they vibrate harder & wider, & rails just work the best. I give very high regards to the Gibson Iommis, they are pushing 20k & rip. Never used EMGs, but I'm sure they'd be good. A Dimebucker would kick ass, but there's no good full-sized railed bucker in the neck, so I'd actually say Gibson Iommis.
Click to expand...

+1

I've got Gibson Iommi's in my faded SG and it was the only pup that sounded fat enough to handle 1 1/2 drop tuning. Very good a maintaining a fat sound without getting muddy.

But, if you've already got the active set up, go with an active pup. Try the Blackouts, I hear they're the next best thing since EMG.
 
Re: Dropped tuning pickup.

I love Gibson Iommi pickups too. They retain a lot of "tightness" in the tone like a fine tooth saw blade. The opposite of this type tone would be a coarse edge...and that I liken to a big ripping beer/soda belch. Iommis aren't particularly loud, just really focused.

The guitars I have used them with have been mahogany types, with a Randall solid state, and an all-tube Mesa head.
 
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