Inflames626
New member
Re: Good gainy pickup
Agreed, but their amps back then used less gain as well.
I've had a lot more success since I got off the EMG/Mesa train in my 30s and started going with lower output pups run through boosted mid gain amps. I didn't need a ton of gain stages and 4 channel heads when all I needed was something pushing the amp up front. For that reason I usually prefer pups in the 12-14k resistance range and not 16 like the JB/Distortion, although all of them sound good when dialed in right.
An EMG really gets the tone close to Maiden to my ear and especially Slayer. I've looked at it in a software frequency analyzer and it seems to peak around 2khz but loses highs and lows. The Distortion is way fuzzier with more high end. I like tracking solos with it but for general stuff it's a bit tiring on the ears in the highs.
Which brings me back to why I like the FS. Power, clarity, and enough gain all in one. If it just had a firmer bottom like the Demon it would be my ideal bridge pup.
Back to Maiden, more recently they've been using Hot Rails. I'm not a 3 singles player but every time I hear that pup, even online, it sounds good.
I just really don't like the JB for lots of reasons. Mushy bottom, notched mids, boxy sounding. Okay in a mix but not my cup of tea in the bridge.
Agreed, but their amps back then used less gain as well.
I've had a lot more success since I got off the EMG/Mesa train in my 30s and started going with lower output pups run through boosted mid gain amps. I didn't need a ton of gain stages and 4 channel heads when all I needed was something pushing the amp up front. For that reason I usually prefer pups in the 12-14k resistance range and not 16 like the JB/Distortion, although all of them sound good when dialed in right.
An EMG really gets the tone close to Maiden to my ear and especially Slayer. I've looked at it in a software frequency analyzer and it seems to peak around 2khz but loses highs and lows. The Distortion is way fuzzier with more high end. I like tracking solos with it but for general stuff it's a bit tiring on the ears in the highs.
Which brings me back to why I like the FS. Power, clarity, and enough gain all in one. If it just had a firmer bottom like the Demon it would be my ideal bridge pup.
Back to Maiden, more recently they've been using Hot Rails. I'm not a 3 singles player but every time I hear that pup, even online, it sounds good.
I just really don't like the JB for lots of reasons. Mushy bottom, notched mids, boxy sounding. Okay in a mix but not my cup of tea in the bridge.
