Help me choose a pickup

[Dajdo]

Alright guys, I'm new to this forum, and I created an account for the sole purpose of this post. I figure this is the best place to ask.

Anyways, I've got a Epiphone 58' reissue Flying V, and I wanna change the stock pickups to something better. The Epi pickups are pretty okay, but I figure they can't beat a good aftermarket pickup.

So, for the tone I'm looking for. Some of my favourite album tones are: Kill 'Em All, So Far, So Good, So What, Killers by Iron Maiden, Killing Machine by Priest, Don't Break The Oath by Mercyful Fate etc.

So, I guess something crunchy, that can cut trough the mix nicely, without being too muddy, or too sterile-y clean.

So far I've narrowed it down to these pickups:

• DiMarzio Super Distortion
• DiMarzio X2N
• Seymour Duncan Invader

Tell me which one suits me the best, or perhaps suggest another option that would suit me better.

And lastly, here's some links to a few songs that can kinda describe the tone I'm looking for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6LL5iA6y9o (tone I'm looking for starts around 1:00)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xR-3jyHGfc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-3Ka8x4zvE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-8jaQ6f1XE


Alright, thanks guys, in advance!

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Help me choose a pickup

As far as I know Kill 'Em All is pure dirty finger sound, So Far, So Good, So What and Killers are SD sound. So I think, if you wanna get that sound a super distortion is a good choice, paired with a paf (the old version of DP103). If you wanna put in the guitar a reliable seymour duncan combo, a 59n and a custom are highly recommended.

 

[DonP]

Re: Help me choose a pickup

I never thought I'd like an X2N, but I bought a Charvel Pro Mod loaded with one, and I love it for thrash metal. I even bought another one.

I have Super D's and like the tone a lot, but for thrash metal, I'd pick the X2N or Invader. Super D is my choice for Maiden or old school Priest, but not for thrash metal.

I have a couple of Invaders, but none loaded at the moment. Last time I used one was 30 years ago.

 

[Semetery]

Re: Help me choose a pickup

I think the Invaders sound like they might suit what you're after but the DiMarzio SD is a classic, for sure. If it were me and that was my choices, I'd pick the Invader. I've never tried the X2n, so consider that.

I concur with EmiAba, the Custom/59 combo is fantastic, I ran that for a long time. It's mighty FAT though! In a great way but I felt more rhythmic with it. For thrashier stuff, lead and rhythm both, I'd pick the Nazgul for the driving cut it gives. I think it just rips through everything from my personal experience with it. I paired it with the 59 and in the middle position it could do no wrong for me when I got them balanced out by adjusting the heights. I'm a die-hard metal head. And the Black Winter's for the metal-do-it-all, they feel more rounded and aggressive, though they really are more versatile than just that.

But I don't want to complicate what you've got figured out. A lot of this stuff is so guitar dependent too. Good luck!

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Help me choose a pickup

My humble 2 cents worth for you to consider...

Gibson 500t, it just sounds perfect in a v

Duncan Distortion sh6, it just sounds perfect for nearly any application. From cleans to thrash.

The x2n will be a bit on the hot and squealing side, but can sound very good too

Invader might be too harsh and not bright enough for the tones you listed.

I have not used the super d.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Help me choose a pickup

The Mayhem set will fit the bill pretty well across all categories.

 

[Dajdo]

Re: Help me choose a pickup

Alright guys, I found a really cool looking Invader from the 80s near my area, so I might look into that. Pretty cheap aswell. It's made by Marciella Juarez, and I've read some good things about it.

BUT, I also found a Seymour Duncan DCL near me, so I'm thinking about that one aswell. People are giving it high praise, what do you guys think about the DCL?

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Help me choose a pickup

DCL is an 80s Duncan Custom wounded by Lidia Daniel.