hottest pups for metal tone

[AmirH]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

Looked it up on google... is it alder or basswood? The lower end models all say basswood but there seems to be several different models with different wood combinations. Body shape looks similar to my schecter. Let me put it this way- how do the low mids sound to you unplugged? If it has a fairly full tone unplugged I think the 81 should sound just fine. The 85 will probably sound good either way cuz it probably won't have an excessive bottom end like a thicker mahogony guitar. It depends how you want it to sound too- the 81 is more aggressive sounding with a harsher high end and a cool open sounding bottom. The 85 has a more rounded tone with sweeter highs and a bigger yet smoother low end. Both sound great for metal but in their own way. The 60 would probably be good choice for the neck but like I said I've never played one. Tell me how it turns out .

Btw- here's a clip of the 81 and 85 respectively in my sg so you can hear what I was talking about.

http://s23.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1GM4EEEG510D33LYNHM11QLD0Z

http://s23.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=17PWRQPXM1UPG1HHE1VH9F2ZW8

keep in mind that's just an amp sim with the guitar straight to soundcard so it's not exactly how they sound irl.

 

[emilio]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

its a basswood body. i liked the 85 better because it has a fuller bottom end. were they both played on the bridge?

 

[AmirH]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

no, the 81 was in the neck. It sounds really bad in the bridge of that guitar. Sounds about how it would in the bridge of a meatier guitar though. Go for the 85 - just an all around sweeter/fuller pickup IMO. Hope you end up liking it

 

[emilio]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

thanx man. im aget the 85 for the bridge. now for the neck.....

 

[madguitar26]

tom anderson H3

tom anderson H3

between the emg actives and other passives IHMO anderson H3+ is the way to go(cross of an invader with emg 89)
they too have the clinical(associated to sterile like quality), retaining passive tone.
caint explain,just play em.gtrheaven has loads of em in stock.
Just for confusion´s sake,for tone to the bone nothing(again IHMO) beats the JB.:fingersx:

 

[slash857]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

60 in the neck. great p'up. heard good guitarists play it before, not me good shredding tone.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

I like dual 81s :3

 

[vinterland]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

I can't believe this thread is still going.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

Well the EMGs were designed in the late 70s and they're still banging around so I'm not surprised.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

My experiences say

JB
Custom
Custom 5
Custom Custom
EMG 81 / 85
Tone Zone
Air Zone
Air Norton
Super Distortion

My top choices are the Custom 5 and Air Zone

and of course a good amp - Framus, Mesa, Engl, Rivera, or Bogner

 

[frehley]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

60 in the neck for sure. Finest possible pup with a 81 or 85 in the bridge.
A bright guitar would benefit from the 85 but if the guitar is well balanced, then the 81 will give you all the gain & edgy tone one could possibly want.
The 81/60 combo is my favorite except for REALLY bright guitars like Alder
or Ash, I prefer the 85/60 combo for those.

 

[emilio]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

yea i think im going for 60/81 for sure cuz the showmaster has basswood. thanx. ill let u kno how it went.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: hottest pups for metal tone

I would like to be an advocate for the 60 in the neck. I have it in my SZ and it's a great pickup! The tone is fat but not muddy and it does have a great sound for soloing and shredding, whatever your heart desires. Cleans are pretty nice too.