EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

[Metalman_666]

I've got a question about pickups. I wanna replace the stock humbuckers in my Ibanez sz520qm with mahogany body w/ quilted maple top, and mahogany/rosewood neck/fretboard. I'm looking for a neck pup that has increased highs, because I find that the neck pups are always thick, but dont have enough high end crunch. For example the old metallica sound (AJFA era) has awesome tone, but they only use neck pups on the album. And in terms of the bridge pup, good harmonics and high end, but also increased bass, because most bridge pups dont seem to have enough in my opinion (I'm not a pup expert btw :duh: ). So which brand/model should I go for out of the 3: EMG, SD, or Dimarzio? Thanks.

 

[killswitch_19]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

I don't think metallica used only the neck pickup on that album. They used emg 81's in the bridge for the rythym tracks on that album. I believe that's the first album that James used the emg 81/60 combo. Maybe look at those or possible an 81/81 combo which is what Kirk uses.

 

[Neeradj]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

Well I can't really speak for the Metallica-kinda-highs, but you need clarity and a good crunch right? I think a Jazz might nail that, though the sound is more dynamic and versatile compared to the Metallica-kind. Think Megadeth cleans! I think you might wanna look into the Custom for the bridge. It's got plenty of bass, highs and mids with great harmonics and lots of output. I had an EMG81 a month ago, but I didn't like the cleans at all, it was kinda trebly in the bridge though but you wouldn't want me to review it because I didn't like it.

 

[ranalli]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

You want the Metallica sound it's an 81 in the bridge and a 60 in the neck. Very simple. And who told you that they only used neck pickups on that album and what were they smoking???

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

ok... so after speaking with some of my other pup buddies, and reading these.... it looks like a Duncan Custom in the bridge is a good idea. But what about a neck pup?? I'll drop the EMG idea since I've heard from several that they arent the absolute best idea. What can I get that has increased highs and harmonics in a neck pup? AND WHY DO NECK MODELS NEVER HAVE ENOUGH HIGH END!!! :wall:

 

[Neeradj]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

I'd recommend a Full Shred for a lot of high end, but I just keep hearing it's got a little too much "over the top" high end. But if that's what you want, get it man! I know it's got good harmonics, maybe it'll balance out in the SZ. The SZ520 wasn't a very heavy/bassy axe IMO, at least not the one that I played. So it might be risky putting a very trebly pick up in there. Anywho, you've got the Custom to compensate for that and you could try trading it if you don't like it.

 

[ranalli]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

I wouldn't use Duncans or Dimarzios for "the" metallica sound...it's EMG end of story. Other pickups have more detail in the sound but they don't have that compressed punch like the EMG's

 

[Mattt]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

I don't agree with the criticisms of EMG's... i feel Metallica put them to 'selective' use.

Listen to a bit of Symphony X for a better idea of the 81 sound...

Or Dave Gilmour from pink floyd if you wanna hear the SA... i know you're not interested in that pup, but it's proof EMG's aren't sterile sounding.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

I'd recommend a Full Shred for a lot of high end, but I just keep hearing it's got a little too much "over the top" high end.

It's a common misconception and if anyone doubt me you can listen to the soundclips at my soundclick site. It's more along the lines of less bass (think Liposuction for bass) than over the top mids.

Everytime I've encountered that statement it's from people that tried it for 3 seconds without readjusting their EQ, or else it's people just looking at the soundcharts and going by those.

Neera ... if it seems like I'm mad at ya ... I'm not and am glad you added that 'keep hearing' part. But I see this all the time and want to dispell this myth ... that's all (plus I'm naturally a little aggresive)

 

[Neeradj]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

Haha, I think I'm not the only one benifiting from that comment Prophet. I actually put that "keep hearing" part there just because I might've be wrong. I'd like to try it, but it seems I have more pick ups than axes to put them in .

Glad to pardoned, won't happen again

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

hmmmm... Why does choosing pups have to be so complicated.... lol.... so I hear some stuff about the full shred...but will it give me cleans? would a Jazz be better for that high-end crunch in the neck?

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

They almost sound the same in a poor and in a high quality guitar

I strongly disagree. I've used EMG's in my Gibsons, ESP as well as some cheaper stuff like Ltd and I find the quality of the wood very much makes a difference. EMG's do color the tone a bit, but the quality of that tone is subject to the quality of the guitar making the tone. Pickups are microphones for your guitar, they will reflect the tone of the wood be it cheap or nice. Duncans generally sound a little more open and organic, EMG's more compressed and processed. But that doesn't make them bad. I use both, I like both.

I'll drop the EMG idea since I've heard from several that they arent the absolute best idea.

I'm curious to the logic there, you feel using EMG's to get the Metallica tone from the AJFA era isn't a good idea, yet that's what Metallica used. It's a better idea to get their EMG tone with something other than the EMG's they used? That's like saying you know coke is the main ingrediant in a recipie, but you heard that was a bad idea and are going to try and get that coke taste with sprite instead. :smack:

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

Now I understand what ur saying, but I dont wanna be stuck with just metallica-style tones, see? and I've heard that EMG's, while somewhat versatile, maybe aren't the best choice. It's possible to get a metallica tone without EMG's I'm sure, seeing a with the right EQ tweaks I can get very close to AJFA. But what about the Jazz vs Full Shred??

oh btw, only an idiot would use sprite to get a coke flavour! YOU WOULD USE PEPSI OR RC OR ANY OTHER COLA! No offence but if ur gonna shoot down my judgement, do it right :32::duh:

 

[ranalli]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

You can get other tone with EMGs as well it's not hard at all but no other will get you closer to the Metallica sound IMO.

If you want to trade off a slight bit of the Metallica sound for a little more versatility and organic-ness get a Duncan Distortion. It's very close to what I would call the passive equivalent of the EMG.

 

[take2]

Re: EMG's/Seymour Duncan/Dimarzio??

Ah Yes RC cola - that gets my vote. :dance:
Welll this probably isn't going to be the most productive input you'll read 'cause I'm not really much of a Metalica fan but you keep asking about the Jazz or the full shred. Well I have no experience with the full shred but the jazz is an absolutely incredible pup - it is very versitile and is at home clean, crunchy, or 'get after it'. Food for thought! Good luck!