hottest pups for metal tone

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

That's a tough call, but if you just want the hottest pickups and you don't care about the tone I would say the LiveWire Heavy Metal models would be perfect.
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

Either that or get the custom shop to wire you something at about 30k.
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

Funny that you are talkin bout a bridge in the neck, because i've gone the other way - a jazz neck in the bridge. It rocks! (and doesnt overpower the other 2 single coils which is good)
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

metal said:
if you have a high gain amp you dont need a hot pup!

Not always true. Sometimes a hot pickup can aid the high gain to give you even higher gain! YES!!
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

Stupid thread. You can play metal with anything.

IMO, it'll sound better with EMG's and a tubescreamer.
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
Stupid thread. You can play metal with anything.

IMO, it'll sound better with EMG's and a tubescreamer.

LOL!!!!!!! I know you are going to disagree but, it will sound very sterile with the EMG! Different strokes for different folks I guess???:) :)
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

emilio said:
wat do u think?
What kind of hot are you looking for? Dark, bright, balanced, or what? Describe the tone your after! If you just go with the highest output pickup you can get, you will probally be disapointed if you dont have the right tone!
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

im looking for a metallica tone without having to use EMG's. but i also want it to handle Dimebag's tone.
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

Duncan Distortion is a great place to start! You dont need an excessive amount of output for those tones! The Distortion has plenty on tap though!

The Custom is also a good choice.
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

theodie said:
LOL!!!!!!! I know you are going to disagree but, it will sound very sterile with the EMG! Different strokes for different folks I guess???:) :)


Dude... I'm sorry, but I can't take this **** anymore. EMG's are NOT STERILE. I guess if clean and more defined = sterile... but Jesus Christ on a crotch rocket. If your fingers have no dynamics for the pickups to put out, then of course it won't be dynamic. After playing with EMG's for so long, it's as if I have to try harder with passive pickups. They change the way you play, clean up your technique, make you use your fingers more. There's more player going through the signal.

But honestly, do Steve Lukather or James Murphy sound sterile to you? Those are two of the most emotive players I can think of, and they swear by EMG's.


metal said:
if you have a high gain amp you dont need a hot pup!


If you don't want it to be saggy and undefined.
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

Hey man, different strokes for different folks. I think EMG's have an awesome rhythm tone, really tight yet thick, but when it comes to leads I just prefer passives. They just feel more organic to my ears. Can't really describe it effectively.
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

My 81-equipped V-250 tuned to drop-A definitely rips corpses apart when I play, so if you want some freaking amazing, get those, but if you want something a little bassier get the 85, but keep the 81 in the neck (I only have a bridge pup in it).
 
Re: hottest pups for metal tone

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
Dude... I'm sorry, but I can't take this **** anymore. EMG's are NOT STERILE. I guess if clean and more defined = sterile... but Jesus Christ on a crotch rocket. If your fingers have no dynamics for the pickups to put out, then of course it won't be dynamic. After playing with EMG's for so long, it's as if I have to try harder with passive pickups. They change the way you play, clean up your technique, make you use your fingers more. There's more player going through the signal.

But honestly, do Steve Lukather or James Murphy sound sterile to you? Those are two of the most emotive players I can think of, and they swear by EMG's.




If you don't want it to be saggy and undefined.

Well, I guess my fingers and 3/4 of the other peoples fingers on here have no dynamics like you say???????? IMO, still sterile as hell!!!!!!! Kirk Hammet, Zakk Wylde both play EMG's and I dont like their tone! So what, Vai and satch play Dimarzios, does that mean we all should think they are golden sounding pickups becasue they play them????? Also, I dont mean all EMG's, the 81 is the one most in question! I have played the 85 in the neck but, didnt like it in the neck maybe in the bridge its OK??? The SA's and the DG20 setup is really cool IMO! The 81 is sterile to me though????

Got a question, you play through a 5150 dont you? Also, do you down tune?
 
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Re: hottest pups for metal tone

theodie said:
Well, I guess my fingers and 3/4 of the other peoples fingers on here have no dynamics like you say???????? IMO, still sterile as hell!!!!!!! Kirk Hammet, Zakk Wylde both play EMG's and I dont like their tone! So what, Vai and satch play Dimarzios, does that mean we all should think they are golden sounding pickups becasue they play them????? Also, I dont mean all EMG's, the 81 is the one most in question! I have played the 85 in the neck but, didnt like it in the neck maybe in the bridge its OK??? The SA's and the DG20 setup is really cool IMO! The 81 is sterile to me though????

Got a question, you play through a 5150 dont you? Also, do you down tune?


Well, we're on the Duncan board, so I'd expect this type of response...

I can't stand their tones either, but those are horrible examples, IMO.

81 is a bit more sterile than the 85, because of its more clinical, clean sound.

SA's are the best single coils I've played, but I don't play Blues.


7 strings exclusively, through a Single Recto. Picking up another 5150 this summer, tho.
 
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