I've tried all that. I always kinda found them iffy but when I plugged in with a soloist with EMGs and then my friend plugged in some cheap Amazon guitar with cheap Amazon pickups and at least for metal, it blew the EMGs out of the water even. I'm not hearing what I guess most(not all, as sterile and thin is a comment I hear from others I find accurate) are hearing. Unfortunately it seems like these HB105s are far too close to sterile sounding EMGs than real blackouts which sound full.
Duncan Designed Blackouts HB105b/n
- Thread starter jeffb1979
- Start date
I've tried all that. I always kinda found them iffy but when I plugged in with a soloist with EMGs and then my friend plugged in some cheap Amazon guitar with cheap Amazon pickups and at least for metal, it blew the EMGs out of the water even. I'm not hearing what I guess most(not all, as sterile and thin is a comment I hear from others I find accurate) are hearing. Unfortunately it seems like these HB105s are far too close to sterile sounding EMGs than real blackouts which sound full.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Yeah, I do think EMG's can sound thin and sterile, but that's kinda the point.
I personally find standard Blackouts too bass heavy and too fizzy for my taste. There are many other Duncans that I prefer.
But I'm not gonna defend EMG's. I remember I got a new 57/66 set and an 85 around 2020 that I thought sounded horrible. I sold it, found a beat up scratched set from 2017, and that one did sound "right". I hate to be an "old is better" corksniffer, but those newer EMG's did leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I personally find standard Blackouts too bass heavy and too fizzy for my taste. There are many other Duncans that I prefer.
But I'm not gonna defend EMG's. I remember I got a new 57/66 set and an 85 around 2020 that I thought sounded horrible. I sold it, found a beat up scratched set from 2017, and that one did sound "right". I hate to be an "old is better" corksniffer, but those newer EMG's did leave a bad taste in my mouth.
hamerfan
Well-known member
Surely not a fan, only one time experience 40 years ago. A strat player with lots of fx into a Marshall. We opted for a set of SA‘s and it was the best choice: good sound thru the fx, no hum, no light induced noise.
I've had pretty good luck with the sets I've had. But generally, my go to are Distortions. For metal they never disappoint for me. Doesn't matter if it's a Duncan Distortion or HB103, both are great. I think going forward if I want to get pickups on a budget I'll seek out HB103s. A set can be as cheap as $40-$50 bucks and already have them in 2 guitars. The Duncan Design Invader is pretty good as well but only have one Invader guitar in standard to go by.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Yeah, I like the Distortion better too. I really like the Distortion, Black Winter, and the Nazgul, but I think the JB pulls of Metal as well. I mean, Arch Enemy, right?
It's been ages since I've tried the Invader, but I don't think it'd be my kind of pickup. I don't gel with dark and/or bassy pickups, personally.
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Masta' C
Well-known member
SOOOOO much great metal has been made with the JB at this point, it's not even funny.
The Distortion is really just a hotter, tighter, extra sizzly JB for the most part.
There's just something about a wind with 44 AWG in the 16.4K-17K range that really works, regardless of the magnet.
Even the Invader can be charming in the right guitar!
The Distortion is really just a hotter, tighter, extra sizzly JB for the most part.
There's just something about a wind with 44 AWG in the 16.4K-17K range that really works, regardless of the magnet.
Even the Invader can be charming in the right guitar!
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