ESP M II PU suggestion

E

ednet

New member
Hi guys, really need your advice...
I have an ESP M II / love it/: maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, alder body, bolt-on construction, Floyd Rose original bridge.

Love 80's hair metal stuff, but also Bullet For My Valentine, Killswitch Engage etc.

I have a problem with the Bridge PU.
Long story in short:
First it was JB - was not 100% satisfied / lacks some rhytm parts/...gone
Then come Bare Knuckle HOLYDIVER - great for solo work and not so for the rhytm parts...gone
The next was Bare Knuckle COLD SWEAT - the guitar become extremly bright...gone
At last there were Seymour Duncan Dave Mustaine livewires - I ended up with the actives...gone.

Now i'm disappointed, I was thinking selling the guitar, WHEN I read about the SD Warren DeMartini RTM signature PU.

What do you think about it - it is good for that kind of music and for the ESP's specifications.
I read here on the forum, that RTM is good for a solid maple bodied guitars...
The Warren DeMartini's signature guitar have the same specifications as the ESP, except the maple fingerboard...

Really need your help so thank you in advance.
Also I'm ready for other opinions.

Best regards to all!
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

I have the M-II Deluxe with the same specs. it's a solid guitar that's well-built and it's been my test-subject for the past year or so as I go through many different types of pickups. everything I've put in it has been great... JB, 59/C Hybrid, JB/C Hybrid, and there's a Suhr Aldrich in there right now and about to test a DMT Baker Act in there this week.

I also have 3 RTMs, and at this point I've been pimping them enough to start to wonder when they'll send me one for my efforts. lol! (zebra, f-spaced, 4-con, with the black box... hint, hint... no, for real... Scott? Evan? hello?).

my experience with the RTM is that the wood in the body will do more than the wood of the board. it really shines and sparkles in a solid maple guitar, there is no denying it. it's also fine in alder, but alder is where you might just think of a JB with a smidge more grunt in the lows (not muddy) and sweeter highs (not weakened). and no, it is not like a JB with an A2. it does have an A2, but it's not wound the same as the JB, although the JB is what DiMartini used to use. it's like using the JB as the basis and then taking it to the next level, so to speak. the upper mids and highs are what really got me about the RTM, especially the highs...they will pierce, but not be shrill... sweet, but still just a touch of rude.

I remember not being sure about spending that much on a CS pickup and I had to think about it. I think the RTM is worth it.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

Thank you for the input guys...
Other opinion...PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion, TB6...
Thanks.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

First off, a lot of pickups should sound great in that guitar, I'm surprised you've had this much trouble. Maybe something else in the rig is what you're not getting on with.

I'd stay away from a C5 for sure, and if you didn't like the Cold Sweat because it was too bright you probably won't like a Custom either.

Quick question, on the Holydiver, did you raise it fairly high? I've notced with the two BK pickups I've messed with that they seem to like being closer to the strings than I would normally put a pickup. When you find the right height they sound really, really good, but they seem to be finicky about it. Maybe try that again (if you didn't) before you buy more pickups.

The PATB-2 would be awesome in there, but it's darker and thicker than what you're used to, although that may be what you're looking for.

DD can do those all sounds, but might be too hard/bright again.

Everything I've seen about the RTM sounds like what you want, but I've not used one myself, so I can't really comment, but I can say an Aldrich might do it for you.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

@ King IzzO))), thank you very much.
When I had the Holydiver I played with the PU's height /until I hit it with the strings lol/. The Holydiver was perfect lead PU, but there was not enough...heat for the rhytm parts. BTW many people on the BKP forum think the same / they also suggest, that the best PU will be those with Holydiver leads and the Nailbomb rhytm...hehe/.
Also thank you for your comments on PATB, DD,RTM & Aldrich.
Also I will think about the rest of my rig.
Best regards.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

yeah, for what you are talking about the Aldrich might actually be a good idea. like I said, it's what I have in my M-II right now. it falls into that same arena as the JB and the AT-1 as a definite rocker, but it might be a little more on the AT-1 side of things in as much as it has a little more grunt/thickness to it than the JB.

I'd agree with Izzo on the DD. based on your other experiences, it might have a bit too much hair for what you are looking for.

have also tried the C5 and aside from not liking it personally, it's also something that might not be in the direction that you are heading.

if you are not quite ready to drop that much scratch on the RTM, have you considered trying the JB with an alnico 2 or with an unoriented A5? that might bridge the gap between the JB and the RTM and if it's in the right direction you can tell from there if you should make the full jump to the Darth side with the RTM. while we're at it, maybe they should just put an UOA5 in the RTM and call it the BMF on my behalf. lol!
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

I have just installed the AT-1 in a mahogany/maple les paul copy last night. It's probably the most inspiring pickup change in my life so far lol. It's really, really good.
It must sound godlike in bright alder/maple guitar.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

darthphineas, thank you for the Aldrich suggestion.
darthphineas & Dr.J4ckal is the AT-1 DiMarzio® AT-1™, or...
Thanks.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

I wouldn't go with the AT1 if you're having issues with the JB and the cold sweat and holydiver. No... I say...


patb2 with an alnico8. Or if you really want to go 'safe' and have 150 dollars or so to spend, ask MJ to make you a PATB1 PATB2 hybrid alnico8. Fluidity of a JB, roar of the distortion, tightness of the fullshred, singing quality of the invader. Really it's amazing. in any guitar. I'm surprised they never tried it before.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

ednet said:
darthphineas, thank you for the Aldrich suggestion.
darthphineas & Dr.J4ckal is the AT-1 DiMarzio® AT-1™, or...
Thanks.
Click to expand...

yes, the AT-1 is the DiMarzio Andy Timmons model. but I'd agree that if you didn't like the rhythm of the JB, the AT-1 is going to be too similar in that respect. the main difference is the highs are a little softer than the JB. I only brought it up as a reference point and not really as a suggestion.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

BTW darthphineas, I believe your RTM/JB/Aldrich comparison will be very, very interesting.
Please keep us informed when you finish with the Aldrich.
Thanks.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

Virtual Kevorkian said:
Custom or EMG89.
Click to expand...

The ESP M-II just screams "EMG" all over it. I second the vote for the 89. You should easily be able to get in the realm of Killswitch and Bullet for my Valentine as long as you're using a decent high-gain amp. To get close to the sound those bands hits, a 5150 II, Peavy 6505+, or EVH 5150 III would be optimum--A Mesa Dual Recto would get you close with some careful EQ tweaking.

It is no surprise you didn't like the Mustaine Livewires--those are basically an active JB/Jazz set.

The EMG-89 would definitely be a good choice. An EMG-81x would also be a good fit IMO.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

ednet said:
BTW darthphineas, I believe your RTM/JB/Aldrich comparison will be very, very interesting.
Please keep us informed when you finish with the Aldrich.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

I won't be putting all those in the same guitar, so I cannot speak to a genuine apples-to-apples comparison. I just know how they are in certain guitars I have based on how they react based on comparisons to previous pickups.

of those suggesting EMGs, I have had positive experiences with the 85 or 89 in the bridge with the 81 in the neck. nothing wrong with EMGs at all, if that's your thing.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

Virtual Kevorkian, grumptruck, Grindspine thank you for the input.:thanks:
I had in the past hi end ESP LTD Jeff Hanemann... I think I ended up with the actives...

So, darthphineas, what about the Aldrich in the M II?
Isn't it sound good in the LP mahogany-bodies guitars / for what is created for...?:scratchch

Thanks and best regards to all.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

ednet said:
So, darthphineas, what about the Aldrich in the M II?
Isn't it sound good in the LP mahogany-bodies guitars / for what is created for...?:scratchch
Click to expand...

as to what the Aldrich was made for, yes, I believe Doug Aldrich is typically playing a LP, which are mahogany w/ maple top.

I can see where the Aldrich would sound better in a brighter wood, at least to my ears. but I'm more into the JB to begin with. I was originally going to try it in the EBMM Axis (basswood w/maple top), but it has a nickel cover and won't fit into the Axis bridge slot. but if the JB isn't working for you in the M-II, the Aldrich could work if you want something heavier/thicker-sounding and the RTM could work if you like the JB but want a little more.

what is it about the rhythm parts you were having trouble with when it came to the JB? also, are you in a band setting, jamming at home, etc.?
 
ESP M II PU suggestion

I had an Aldrich in the bridge of one of my Suhr customs. It was too bright for my tastes so I sent the guitar back and had the DSH+ installed and I'm far happier. The guitar has an alder body with a maple cap, roasted maple neck with a bleached maple fretboard.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1355791735.005507.jpg
This is the Suhr I'm talking about.

JT
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

My Warmoth strat is like that except the fretboard which is maple. The Custom and the Miracle Man sounded great in it. Especially the custom was very well balanced and aggressive and the feel was overall very bouncy if that make sense. Very nice feel to it. The Holydiver sounded a bit weak for rhythm and I agree with you on that. The Diver needs brighter guitars like my MH400 for example in which it sounded amazing, crisp and crunchy. The WCR Fillmore is also cool although it has less low end (low mids and lows) than the Custom, closer to a JB but with a PAF tone.

PAF Pro maybe... but it would be weak for heavier stuff. I agree about the PATB suggestions given by the guys above too.
 
Re: ESP M II PU suggestion

Thanks again for all the inputs .

I know this is SD forum, but I was told DiMarzio Air Zone is excellent choice in alder bodied guitars. Any experience? Someone?

BTW, I've decided to give a JB second chance, played with the PU hight...well it doesn't work for me.

Thanks!
 
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