Help choosing pickups?

[Flightoficarus]

Hola all. A n00b to the forum here

Anywho, I've been long contemplating new pickups to try out in my guitars, but just haven't got around to it (other gear purchases, not being sure what to get, etc. etc.). But if work picks up and I can make good gear money later this spring/summer, I'm looking into either selling a guitar I don't play much, and using money from that to fund a Warmoth build, or if not that, then I've thought about trying new pickups in my Jackson DK2M.

Regardless of what guitar they go in, they will be similar/the same specs, which are..

Alder body (If the custom build happens, maybe walnut)
Maple neck w/maple fretboard
2 humbuckers
bolt-on neck
Floyd-rose style locking tremolo

I've had a tough time deciding what to buy though with all the options out there, and these are the pickups I've considered..(Note that I'm specifically after passive pickups)

Duncan Distortion/Invader/Custom Custom
DiMarzio Super Distortion/Super3/Tone Zone
Bill Lawrence XL500

And for neck pickups, I've thought about the DMZ Air Norton, and the PAF Pro. Not sure about other options because I haven't done as much research.

Going off what is currently in the Jackson I have (Duncan JB/Jazz), The JB, while nice, espeically for 80's metal, might not be quite what I'm after. The bass response can be a bit loose for me, and the highs a bit shrill. I'm also wanting slightly more output. The Jazz pickup, while I find it great for cleans, I don't like it for lead work. I'm looking for more warmth, output, and sustain. Oddly enough, it's not trem-spaced, as the JB is, which might have something to do with that.

As far as my styles go, I primarily play various types of metal as you may have guessed (Thrash, 80's, power, melodic death, metalcore), but also some punk, classic rock, and a little bit of other stuff. I'm looking for a raw, aggressive tone for rhythm work, and screaming leads, not too muddy or too bright. Cleans don't need to be amazing (I can always use a chorus pedal to help), but I don't want distortion on my clean channel at low volumes either, lol.

If it helps, I play through a Mesa Boogie F-50 head into a 2x12 cab (w/V30 and G12H30 clones going into it soon).

Thanks!

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Help choosing pickups?

I like lower output pickups with high gain amps sometimes. Getting a '59 to do metal is easy, and sounds great. On that note a Screamin demon could be good. Not as bright but still defined, and more mids than a 59 is what I understand.

I've used the CC a lot and the cleans are certainly not amazing but they will do. The loose bass response leaves something to be desired as far as chunkyness and "feeling" but at the same time it just blends into the distortion is this smooth way that sounds really full.

The super distortion has a rather unique sound. It's been too long since I used it so I can't comment on it besides saying I liked it. It had great output.

I really liked the DMZ D-activator. Clean, balanced, tight, and powerfull! sometimes it sounded sterile but it depends on how you use it. I used it with a maple board and liked it. Sounded decent split. Really nice, bright attack.

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Help choosing pickups?

from what i'm getting is that you want something tighter and with a bit less output/smoother highs in the bridge, and something with a little more oompfh in the neck? i'd also say a '59 in the neck may be what you're looking for, though don't consider it the end-all-be-all neck pickup.

as for the bridge, a C5 or duncan custom could get you what you want, depending on which type of magnet you prefer(C5 is the alnico 5 version of the duncan custom, which is ceramic). the custom wind is a medium output pickup, often described as a hot PAF with slightly more compression. the C5 has a more scooped character to it, and the custom is more aggressive and has more mids.

 

[DonP]

Re: Help choosing pickups?

Oddly enough, it's not trem-spaced, as the JB is, which might have something to do with that.

Only bridge pickups at trem-spaced. Necks are regular spaced.

I'd go for the Super Distortion / PAF Pro, considering your screen name.

 

[Flightoficarus]

Re: Help choosing pickups?

Really? Originally, I thought only the bridge pup needed to be trem-spaced like you say, but then I heard something about the way the pole pieces are supposed to line up and then began to wonder.

Super rad ska: Definitely more oomph in the neck, but a bit more in the bridge as well without going overkill. Basically, a bit thicker and hotter tone all around, but without getting too muddy sounding.

 

[Flightoficarus]

Re: Help choosing pickups?

bump?

 

[Invader09]

Re: Help choosing pickups?

Invader !