Even toned high output humbucher

[RanchManSandy]

I found the Tone Zone too much of everything

see for me that's the Duncan Distortion

different strokes, eh

 

[gsammo79]

A good, balanced rock pickup is the A2P Slash. It's not high output, but it's (IMO) got a great EQ and pretty even.

 

[Mincer]

Really, the most 'balanced' would be a good set of actives with a good preamp.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Really, the most 'balanced' would be a good set of actives with a good preamp.

Depends on the active. The classic series EMG? Nah. They have a HUGE low and high end rolloff. Fluence Moderns have a very similar EQ curve.


This is what the EQ curve looks like on EMG's vs. some passives.

Then the original Blackouts are kinda the opposite EQ-wise, LOL.

I wouldn't say any of the actives I've tried have been very flat or transparent-sounding, TBH.

 

[Mincer]

Well, something like the Duality would work. The EQ they provide isn't right though. It is a lot more even. The Blackout Coil Pack System is also a good choice, as the preamp can even out any spikes in the pickup EQ.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Well, something like the Duality would work. The EQ they provide isn't right though. It is a lot more even. The Blackout Coil Pack System is also a good choice, as the preamp can even out any spikes in the pickup EQ.

Didn't consider the Duality. I was super curious about those pickups for a while.

 

[twannieguitar]

Didn't consider the Duality. I was super curious about those pickups for a while.

Me too reading the info

 

[Artie]

To my ears, the PATB-1 set is pretty balanced. Some people can't get past the cosmetics, though.

 

[AlexEvan]

Might have been the amp and the guitar I was playing through but the Marc Holcomb SD humbuckers sounded really smooth to me. The EQ says they are more high on the treble side but it did not seem to bother me.

 

[twannieguitar]

The 490 and 498 are, (to me) "Plain vanilla with just a hint of sizzle. " At about 14k

Smooth and well rounded and don't exaggerate any frequencies very much, I think they may work well for what you are describing.

I listened to comparisons on Youtube and I ordered a Gibson 498T yesterday.
I am going to trying tonight.

 

[twannieguitar]

Still not there with the Gibson 498T
Actually i like the mid spike to be somewhat lower in frequency (so upper mids shifted to mids (1-1.5K) and a tad lower in volume
This also will make the lows somewhat rounder sounding I would expect.
Actually the Ibanez V2 from the eighties sounds like that but looking for a modern version of that pickup.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

You might try a small cap to ground on the 498T. Reduces sizzle; it also shifts the resonance peak downwards a little and smooths it a bit.
Worth trying before you give up on the pickup.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Spike in the 1K-ish core mids sounds more like a DiMarzio thing with the "Aw" mids.

I don't love, that, personally. I don't like my pickups sounding vocal. But that's the kind of DiMarzio mids.

Maybe try the Dominion, then.

Or try boosting your pickups with a Klon-type. That would get you there as well.

 

[twannieguitar]

Spike in the 1K-ish core mids sounds more like a DiMarzio thing with the "Aw" mids.

I don't love, that, personally. I don't like my pickups sounding vocal. But that's the kind of DiMarzio mids.

Maybe try the Dominion, then.

Or try boosting your pickups with a Klon-type. That would get you there as well.

you might be right regarding my favorite is an Ibanez pickup from the 90s which might have been build by Dimarzio

 

[twannieguitar]

or maybe the Illuminator

 

[alwayssearching]

I was pretty sure the Abraxas come stock with A4?

Yes. It does come with an A4 magnet. I changed it to an A2 magnet and I preferred it with A2 in a Les Paul.