Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

[SlappyTappy]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

The Pearly Gates is the *only* low output pickup that I've been able to get metal tones from. I got some *great* black metal tones out of it, but yes, you do have to have a high powered amp.

The 59 does metal great. The Mark Morton Dominion originally came stock with a pair of 59s. It's my B pickup of choice.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

Thanks for posting this because I went back and had another go with my stock Jackson RR5. It definitely can get a respectable thrash tone using just the JBs. But I still feel the tone leans more towards a general purpose metal tone whereas other pickups seem a little better for thrash. But you are right, it can still do thrash and sound decent at it as well.

Honestly, I find the JB to be pretty good at doing Thrash than some of the other pick-ups. That's just my opinion I guess. I personally like it better than an EMG 81, because in my experience, the JB is a bit more articulate. I get some extra gain in between notes with the EMG 81 that's just not for me, and especially for Thrash Metal. It may not have as much output as an EMG 81 and a number of other pick-ups, I find it to be a very balanced pick-up, but only in certain guitars.

The only thing that I would change on the JB is to tighten up the bottom end a little bit, and that's probably what you have experienced. In that case, I would definitely look towards getting a Distortion. A custom would be good too. I've not had much experience with that pick-up for me to have an opinion on it, but I think the tonal characteristics that have been described might be up your alley. The only thing would be that you would sacrifice the mids a little bit, but you can dial that in on the amp. You HAVE to have mids no matter what.

 

[dvanburen]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

Distortion and custom are great choices!
never played patb2 or black winters but I have faith in those too.

if you are into pickup modification. The DD/custom with big ceramic is f'ing awesome!
And if you take the custom pickup and pull out the little ceramic mag and put the big one in from the distortion, you will have a superior pickup as opposed to the stock custom.

did i mention the distortion is a great choice? :bigthumb:

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

Or are u tapking about just muting the strings from ringing because of high gain and hot bridge pickups?

To keep it tight and make sure every note was heard, I had to palm mute more than I was used to. I began doing the Kirk Hammett trick of taping my hand because it was so tough on my hand. I tried with a lot of different gain levels and when I finally tied the distortion in one of my uncle's guitars, I was really surprised at the clarity.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

not aware what pedals or amps you are using but also consider the other secret weapon of thrash... a multi band EQ rack or pedal.
in the pick-up department:
The JB has a more chewy organic tone but yes the lows are not the tightest you can get for chugga chugga...... an EQ can help.
The Invader looks the scariest and the chug is deep and dark.
SH5 Custom is tight and fully competent.
SH14 Custom 5..... don't like it, sound was very one dimensional in my explorer.
Distortion = haven't tried it:guilty:
don't forget about http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/high-output/black_winter/

 

[cmorris975]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

not aware what pedals or amps you are using but also consider the other secret weapon of thrash... a multi band EQ rack or pedal.
in the pick-up department:
The JB has a more chewy organic tone but yes the lows are not the tightest you can get for chugga chugga...... an EQ can help.
The Invader looks the scariest and the chug is deep and dark.
SH5 Custom is tight and fully competent.
SH14 Custom 5..... don't like it, sound was very one dimensional in my explorer.
Distortion = haven't tried it:guilty:
don't forget about http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/high-output/black_winter/

For thrash stuff the best amps I have are a Mesa Mini-rectifier and a Blackstar HT Club 50. Plus a ton of pedals, AMT E2, Electroharmonix Metal Muff, Boss Metal Core etc..

But I feel confident enough now to go ahead and get either a Distortion or Custom 5 and plop it in one of my guitars after talking with you all!

 

[dominus]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

For thrash stuff the best amps I have are a Mesa Mini-rectifier and a Blackstar HT Club 50. Plus a ton of pedals, AMT E2, Electroharmonix Metal Muff, Boss Metal Core etc..

But I feel confident enough now to go ahead and get either a Distortion or Custom 5 and plop it in one of my guitars after talking with you all!

TB-5. Duncan Custom.

Not TB-14 (Custom 5.)

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

TB-5. Duncan Custom. Ceramic magnet.

 

[ESPJB59JAZZ]

Re: Good passive SD pickup for thrash metal?

Scott ian and dave mustaine used the jb on all those classic thrash metal records. I can play convincing slayer and metallica covers with it too. Stephen carpenter had an amazing tone with his Marshall's and jb.


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