Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

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Birdman642

New member
I have a Jackson DK2M with a Dimarzio Crunch Lab in the bridge and a Liquifire in the neck. The Crunch Lab is good for really tight, snappy bass attack, but for everything else I feel it's a little lacking (Muddy is the word I'm looking for) It feels compressed to almost an EMG level. The Liquifire seems kind of weak and a bit too "clean" to be a neck pickup (If that makes any sense).

What I'm looking for in a bridge pickup is something that's a bit more on the trebly side, has good string separation, decent bass response and isn't compressed to hell. I'm trying to decide between the JB, Distortion or Black Winter. For a neck I want something that's warm and a bit bassy. I would go with either a '59 for the JB or a matched set from the latter two pickups. I play old school Thrash, Black Metal, Melodeath and various types of punky things.

My amp is a Jet City 1x12 combo and I'm running an Electro-Harmonix Metal muff, Digitech Whammy and a Dunlop Wah in front.

What does the forum think?
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

My initial recommendation for anyone coming from a Crunch Lab who wants a more organic sounding pickup with similar versatility is the JB. In your case, all 3 sets might do the job, but the Distortion and Black Winter sets are still going to have more of that note compression than the JB. The '59 is a great choice for something warm and a bit bassy, as is the Pearly Gates neck model. Although, if you prefer a neck pickup with greater output, the BW or the Distortion set might be the better combo overall.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

I don't quite understand why someone would want to play extreme metal styles and wouldn't want compression. I only play ceramics and I've never felt like I needed more dynamics or something. I would say take Black Winters for metal and use your volume pot for punky things. If you REALLY want less compression you need something like Custom 5, i.e. medium output.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

I've been thinking on this. While I still think the JB and something like a '59 neck offer the most versatility, I'd probably go with the Black Winter set if I were you.

The problem is that you want less compression, yet better note separation. It's also rare to hear the Crunch Lab described as "muddy", except when used with excessive down-tuning or in certain guitars, which may be the case here.

I think the Black Winters, being slightly more clearly voiced than the Distortion set, but very similar overall, will strike a nice balance for you.

Still, there are 3 things I'd try before buying new pickups:

1) Adjust the heights of the pickups

2) Flip the Crunch Lab around so the bar is facing the other direction

3) Swap the Liquifire to the bridge spot (yes it makes a great bridge pickup) and see what you think
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

FWIW, the JB (and its whole family of pickups, for that matter) is about as compressed as passives get in the Duncan realm. Not saying that's a bad thing, but that's my experience.

Then again, I'd take a JB over a Crunch Lab any day of the week. I actually did replace a Crunch Lab with a JB in one of my guitars.
 
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Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

There's been a lot of talk recently about the JB being versatile. Unless you're either running one series/parallel or series/split I strongly disagree about its versatility. It's extremely compressed and congested and I'm not enamored by its bass response as a metal pickup, personally.

For those curious, the guitar in my avatar* does in fact have a JB. ;)


(*) at the time of this post.
 
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Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

For bridge: Distortion or Mustaines new pickup maybe?

For neck: screamin demon.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

Distortion is fantastic, I have a JB in my jackson, you can't go wrong with any of those three, they are top notch
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

Black Winters seem like the best fit for what you're wanting IMO.

I really like Invaders in those Dinky-pros, but that's clearly not the direction you want to take this guitar.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

Birdman642 said:
I have a Jackson DK2M with a Dimarzio Crunch Lab in the bridge and a Liquifire in the neck. The Crunch Lab is good for really tight, snappy bass attack, but for everything else I feel it's a little lacking (Muddy is the word I'm looking for) It feels compressed to almost an EMG level. The Liquifire seems kind of weak and a bit too "clean" to be a neck pickup (If that makes any sense).

What I'm looking for in a bridge pickup is something that's a bit more on the trebly side, has good string separation, decent bass response and isn't compressed to hell. I'm trying to decide between the JB, Distortion or Black Winter. For a neck I want something that's warm and a bit bassy. I would go with either a '59 for the JB or a matched set from the latter two pickups. I play old school Thrash, Black Metal, Melodeath and various types of punky things.

My amp is a Jet City 1x12 combo and I'm running an Electro-Harmonix Metal muff, Digitech Whammy and a Dunlop Wah in front.

What does the forum think?
Click to expand...

I'd probably go for a Sentient neck. Tighter than '59 usually is, but a hair higher output. Very articulate.

A lot of people love the JB, and it does seem to be particularly popular in Jackson guitars.

I'd tend to go for a PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion. A hair less tight than the original distortion because it's bassier. Amazing all-around pickup for metal, terrific for leads and fat riffs. Less harsh high end than distortion. More compressed, though. Harmonics are simply insane. More sustain, not just due to hotter wind, but from the reduced string pull.

If you want nuance, I'd probably go for something more like a PATB-3 Blues Saraceno or PATB-1b Parallel Axis Original.

JB is an iconic pickup, and can be flexible enough in the right guitar, but the upper midrange focus [shared by the Distortion and PATB-2] limits dynamics.

If you want to move to an A5 magnet pickup, I'd also consider the Pegasus. Resonant peak moved up from JB, lower output, far more dynamic and flexible. But less screaming harmonics.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

I'd say Sentient neck and Parallel Axis Distortion would be a pretty rocking combo. Would look pretty cool too.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

TBH, the requirements in the original post (trebly, but still with some bass response, good string separation, less compressed) scream Full Shred to me.

Of the ones listed, Black Winter is the best bet.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

Wow! Thanks for all the responses guys! I'm still trying to make up my mind on which set to pick. I had an Invader in the bridge of my DK2M when I was in a punk band, I remember liking it (This was before I was a totally crazy about gear haha) I remember if I hit it hard enough I could get almost a "Kill 'Em All" tone haha. Before you all say it: Yes, I know Hetfield had an Invader in the bridge of his V during the "Kill 'Em All" days
I have a JB in the bridge of my Explorer and like that, so I was considering the JB/'59 combo again for the DK2M (Super strats and JB's, it's like Peanut Butter and Jelly, Right? haha). Everything I've seen about the Black Winters is good, but do they live up to the hype? Like can I get that really grainy, washy BM sound out of them, or are they pretty modern sounding?
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

FWIW, I'm not a super heavy down tuner. I generally stay in standard, and do drop D sometimes. I have started tuning a half step down: so it's low for me, but really high for the Djenty boys haha
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

Birdman642 said:
Everything I've seen about the Black Winters is good, but do they live up to the hype? Like can I get that really grainy, washy BM sound out of them, or are they pretty modern sounding?
Click to expand...
From my local metal scene, one of the guitarists in this band has switched to BWs, so I'm pretty sure the answer is yes.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

I think the Crunch Lab is one of the best PU's Dimarzio makes. I also remember jet city amps being on the flubby side of things. I might recommend changing your amp.

With your Jet city, you might want to try a set of the EMG Retro Actives. They should still give you the output and clean up better.
 
Re: Good metal pickups for Jackson DK2M

Hot Octopus said:
I think the Crunch Lab is one of the best PU's Dimarzio makes. I also remember jet city amps being on the flubby side of things. I might recommend changing your amp.
Click to expand...

I've been in the market for a new amp too. I was looking at the Harley Benton Vintage 2x12 cab and an Orange Micro Dark as a good, cheap starter head. What would you recommend?
 
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