Help me decide on which pickups for my EC-1000

[Rex_Rocker]

I recently got an LTD EC-1000. It's a cool guitar. I really like the EMG 81 that is currently in it, and initially, I wanted to get a chrome EMG 81/66 set for it, but I've already got my EX-401 with Fluence Moderns covering my active needs.

I want something more passive-like here, but I don't want to swap the whole wiring. I play metal, and as far as passives, I really like the Duncan Black Winter set, the Distortion Mayhem set, and the JB but not the Jazz. But I also like the passive voice on the Fluence Moderns, so I'm sure I can get passive-like tones with actual active pickups.

I'm looking at the Fishman Will Adlers, but I think the worn gold finish would look like crap in a silverburst with shiny chrome hardware. Those would be my number ones if it weren't for the finish.

I think I'd also like Voice 2 on the Fluence Classics, but I had my phase with PAF-types for metal, and I'm kind of over that. I prefer loud, powerful pickups. However, Voice 2 does seem promising. I just fear Voice 1 would be wasted. But they have also got the option of a single coil sound, so maybe I can use that.

How about the EMG Retroactives? And the Daemonums? Anyone have experience with those?

What other options do I have? What else would you guys recommend?

 

[misterwhizzy]

I'd love for you to do us all a favor and consider a Blackfire Proteus set.

I'm dying to hear what someone thinks about these. Admittedly, I'm a bit of a Gus G. fanboy, though.

 

[chris effect]

I recently got an LTD EC-1000. It's a cool guitar. I really like the EMG 81 that is currently in it, and initially, I wanted to get a chrome EMG 81/66 set for it, but I've already got my EX-401 with Fluence Moderns covering my active needs.

I want something more passive-like here, but I don't want to swap the whole wiring. I play metal, and as far as passives, I really like the Duncan Black Winter set, the Distortion Mayhem set, and the JB but not the Jazz. But I also like the passive voice on the Fluence Moderns, so I'm sure I can get passive-like tones with actual active pickups.

I'm looking at the Fishman Will Adlers, but I think the worn gold finish would look like crap in a silverburst with shiny chrome hardware. Those would be my number ones if it weren't for the finish.

I think I'd also like Voice 2 on the Fluence Classics, but I had my phase with PAF-types for metal, and I'm kind of over that. I prefer loud, powerful pickups. However, Voice 2 does seem promising. I just fear Voice 1 would be wasted. But they have also got the option of a single coil sound, so maybe I can use that.

How about the EMG Retroactives? And the Daemonums? Anyone have experience with those?

What other options do I have? What else would you guys recommend?

I know you don't want o switch the wiring but I thought I'd chime in anyway. I have the EC-1000 Koa & the EC-Black Metal. IN the Koa, I swapped the Custom 5 / Jazz out for a shop floor custom sh-6 set (Matte Bobbins & Double row hex screws) And they sound so good. The 'Blackened Winter' also sounds really good in EC- Black Metal. If I had to choose, I'd say the Sh-6 set are my favorite out of the two.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'd love for you to do us all a favor and consider a Blackfire Proteus set.

I'm dying to hear what someone thinks about these. Admittedly, I'm a bit of a Gus G. fanboy, though.

Do those have the quick connect system? If so, color me interested!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I know you don't want o switch the wiring but I thought I'd chime in anyway. I have the EC-1000 Koa & the EC-Black Metal. IN the Koa, I swapped the Custom 5 / Jazz out for a shop floor custom sh-6 set (Matte Bobbins & Double row hex screws) And they sound so good. The 'Blackened Winter' also sounds really good in EC- Black Metal. If I had to choose, I'd say the Sh-6 set are my favorite out of the two.

I already have the SH-6 in my Ibby RG570. I love it! But I really want to stay active this time so that I can plug and un plug the pickups (and maybe add a little toggle switch to switch the voicings if I go for Fluences).

 

[Hsb]

How bout the Duality, has the quick connects, active pickups with a passive sound, A2 magnet. Thats something different

Side note, loved the Distortion I had in my 570, it just screamed.

 

[Aceman]

So, what exact sound do you want? How about we start there?

 

[PFDarkside]

Super 77 seems like a candidate. Hot enough to not be drastically different from the Fluence Modern, but a lot of the passive flair.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

So, what exact sound do you want? How about we start there?

Sort of along the lines of the Distortion, Black Winter, or maybe even JB, but in active form (with a passive feel) and with quick connect terminals.

So sort of like a hot, grindy ceramic (or maybe Alnico 5) pickup set that keeps up with EMG's and Fishman Fluences.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Do those have the quick connect system? If so, color me interested!

Unfortunately, based on the wiring diagram, it looks like they probably do not.

Come to think of it, that's a really lousy diagram. It doesn't even show expected pot or cap values.

 

[Masta' C]

That diagram looks like they're using a Duncan Liberator-style connection for easy swapping, but the pickups themselves still have traditional leads. Funny that they didn't opt for a proper 3-prong quick connect, which should be a standard at this point.

Moving on...a JB in active form = Fluence Classic. Period.

I will say, from lots of experience, that looking for the "passive qualities" of pickups like the Black Winter or Distortion in an active feels like a sort of oxymoron. Once you get to true "distortion class" pickups, you've lost most of the subtle nuance and dynamics that historically defined the distinction between "passive" and "active" pickups in most peoples' minds.

Pretty much any of the current generation of actives on the market are going to have a reasonable amount of "passive-like" qualities. Whether you'd be happy with something a little flubbier and classic sounding like the Duality or something more crunchy modern like the Fluence Will Adler set, only you can know.

On a side note...I keep hearing good things about the Fluence Abasi set from a variety of players. Maybe something to check out?

 

[Meanderthal]

The Duality set is definitely an odd duck. I've been test-driving a set for a week now and sadly I think I'll be returning them. The primary issue I have with this pickup set is that by striving to create an active set that covers all the bases from passive vintage to modern active tones, what they've ended up with is a pickup that doesn't really excel at anything in particular. The neck does have a lovely clean sound, incredibly articulate, but it kind of falls flat when trying to coax a warm blues tone out of it. Then there's the issue that despite all the clarity, there's really not much high end going on, the treble basically falls off a cliff at 6k and I keep finding myself reaching for the EQ to try and coax some sparkle out of it (my guitar is very dark sounding naturally).

Then there's the bridge pickup for distorted tones. For some things it sounds really good (classic hard rock, 80s hair metal, punky riffs) and it even coaxes that low-mid growl that I associate with pickups like the Full Shred, but at the same time I can still hear some of that active-sound EMG harshness that comes out at certain times. Then there's the fact that you'll be spending quite a bit of time taming all the low-end to get a useable tone.

All in all, I've spent far more time struggling to get the sound I want than actually playing the guitar they're in.

 

[PFDarkside]

Did you pick one yet? I’d definitely try the Retro Actives since they can drop right in with quick connects. On the flip side a set of Fluence Classics and Moderns would be cool.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Did you pick one yet? I’d definitely try the Retro Actives since they can drop right in with quick connects. On the flip side a set of Fluence Classics and Moderns would be cool.

I did. I had Fluence Moderns in it for a while. I now have Fluence Classic Open Cores. I realized I dig the more passive-like voicing of those. Still not sold on keeping them in, though. Not that I don't like them. They're actually my favorite pickups right now. I just have them in two other guitars already, LOL.