Duality vs JL Blackouts for the most "passive" feel?

[jco5055]

Hey guys!

Like maybe a few of you, I definitely like the definitive pros of active pickups- clarity, string separation, no hum- but I've noticed the feel is just not 100% there compared to passives, at least when I compare traditional actives like EMG 81/60 combos etc. It's kinda like using autotune, or quantizing drums/music- it's just a tad too perfect and not "human" enough.

Looking at the SD site, it seems like the Duality and JL Blackouts would be the too most passive-like actives to choose from. Does anyone have experience with either, and have thoughts if one is the most passive in feel? Or if both/neither have this feel? Unfortunately I don't know of any guitars that come stock with either to try.

To reiterate, I'm talking feel, not tone per-say.

Thanks!

 

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!

The Duality is the closest to the feel of passives. They are the closest with dynamics, for sure. They still sound like actives to me, but they are about as close to passives as you can get with a battery. I'd still choose passives for blues or jazz if I was doing that. But for heavier styles, I dig the Duality.

 

[jco5055]

Thank you!!