Vincent Vespa
New member
WOW!
That's all I really have to say.
Thanks for listening.
That's all I really have to say.
Thanks for listening.
I just installed a Blackout Metal...
- Thread starter Vincent Vespa
- Start date
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
Alrighty, now that I've had a couple days to play with it, I can say a bit more about it.
It has a lot of pluses and a lot of draw backs. It's tough to tell what I really think about it. Then again, it might also be tough because it's in an ESP F-50.
First of all, it has a GREAT metal tone... As long as you stick to single notes and power chords. The second I switch from simple power chords to seventh chords or something of that nature, the sound becomes undefined and loses the pickups amazing punch and clarity. If there was some way to fix that, it would truly be a perfect pickup.
The high notes are searing and the low notes are punchy, but the chords are undefined. I will give the pup credit. It does metalcore and melodeath styles really well.
Another problem I have is that, when strumming chords, the lower note is always the dominant note... No matter what. I even tried raising the high end of the pickup all the way up and the low end all the way down, but the bass side still won. In itself, that's kind of a phenomenal engineering feat, but it's not something I enjoy. I even tried turning the bass down to 0, but it still over powered the high note (granted, my Orange does not have the best EQ).
To sum my thoughts up:
Pros - Singing (or screaming) lead tones, balls to the wall palm mutes, super rich harmonics, single note clarity.
Cons - Indistinct chords and bass emphasized sound.
If anyone has any idea on how to resolve that chord clarity issue, I would love to hear it.
Alrighty, now that I've had a couple days to play with it, I can say a bit more about it.
It has a lot of pluses and a lot of draw backs. It's tough to tell what I really think about it. Then again, it might also be tough because it's in an ESP F-50.
First of all, it has a GREAT metal tone... As long as you stick to single notes and power chords. The second I switch from simple power chords to seventh chords or something of that nature, the sound becomes undefined and loses the pickups amazing punch and clarity. If there was some way to fix that, it would truly be a perfect pickup.
The high notes are searing and the low notes are punchy, but the chords are undefined. I will give the pup credit. It does metalcore and melodeath styles really well.
Another problem I have is that, when strumming chords, the lower note is always the dominant note... No matter what. I even tried raising the high end of the pickup all the way up and the low end all the way down, but the bass side still won. In itself, that's kind of a phenomenal engineering feat, but it's not something I enjoy. I even tried turning the bass down to 0, but it still over powered the high note (granted, my Orange does not have the best EQ).
To sum my thoughts up:
Pros - Singing (or screaming) lead tones, balls to the wall palm mutes, super rich harmonics, single note clarity.
Cons - Indistinct chords and bass emphasized sound.
If anyone has any idea on how to resolve that chord clarity issue, I would love to hear it.
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
I'll really be able to delve in to this a bit more when I get my Maple/Mahogany bodied baritone in a month or so. Then I'll be able to compare it with an original blackout and see if it's the AHB-2 that's causing the problem or the guitar.
I always thought so, too. It just seems really lacking for me, though. I can't hear every note as I strum a chord unless it's an upstroke. Again, that comes back to the bass note always being louder. I think it might something to do with being in a $250 LTD with a basswood body and dried up neck, though. I've tried the LiveWire Heavy Metal and I didn't have this problem with that, but that was in a much higher quality LTD.
I'll really be able to delve in to this a bit more when I get my Maple/Mahogany bodied baritone in a month or so. Then I'll be able to compare it with an original blackout and see if it's the AHB-2 that's causing the problem or the guitar.
BrockSamson
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
I can't say I have experienced those issues. I have my Blackout Metal on the high-output jumper setting in my Jackson Soloist and it's leaps and bounds over the EMG81 it replaced.
Maybe try a high-quality guitar?
I can't say I have experienced those issues. I have my Blackout Metal on the high-output jumper setting in my Jackson Soloist and it's leaps and bounds over the EMG81 it replaced.
Maybe try a high-quality guitar?
Franknfilms
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
Vincent, have you played with an EMG81 for comparison? I'm curious about trying a blackout but I'm pretty happy with the EMG81 sound so far. Overall do you still prefer the blackout even with the bass issue?
Vincent, have you played with an EMG81 for comparison? I'm curious about trying a blackout but I'm pretty happy with the EMG81 sound so far. Overall do you still prefer the blackout even with the bass issue?
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
I would say they both have their advantages, but I would probably still keep the Blackouts Metal. I might opt for an original blackouts, but I'll have to wait to A/B the two pickups before I make an ultimate decision as to which version is better.
That's a tough call, actually. If you remove the bass issue, it's leaps and bounds ahead of the 81, but only for heavily distorted tones. The 81 sounds better on the clean channel but not as pristine with most distorted sounds.
I would say they both have their advantages, but I would probably still keep the Blackouts Metal. I might opt for an original blackouts, but I'll have to wait to A/B the two pickups before I make an ultimate decision as to which version is better.
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
I'll be back in 30 minutes after I swap the two.
It could be that I just got a bad pup. These things happen from time to time. Luckily, I have another one that just arrived in the mail that I can try out to check. Woo.
I'll be back in 30 minutes after I swap the two.
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
Much better. Still a bit to be desired in the clarity, but much better.
I guess I have to send the old one back, eh?
Much better. Still a bit to be desired in the clarity, but much better.
I guess I have to send the old one back, eh?
Franknfilms
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
WOOHOO! Just won a blackout bridge (normal, not metal) on ebay for $57 including shipping. If I ever get my shure mic in the mail I'll try and record and a/b with the EMG81. If I don't like the blackout I have a feeling it won't be hard to re-sell for $60 or so. If I do like it I will probably have trouble selling the EMG81, everyone is selling those these days, I wonder why
WOOHOO! Just won a blackout bridge (normal, not metal) on ebay for $57 including shipping. If I ever get my shure mic in the mail I'll try and record and a/b with the EMG81. If I don't like the blackout I have a feeling it won't be hard to re-sell for $60 or so. If I do like it I will probably have trouble selling the EMG81, everyone is selling those these days, I wonder why
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
In other news, now that the clarity problem is solved, this is my new favorite pickup.
Sweet! When you get that done, I'll do an A/B with the Blackouts Metal and the Original Blackouts.WOOHOO! Just won a blackout bridge (normal, not metal) on ebay for $57 including shipping. If I ever get my shure mic in the mail I'll try and record and a/b with the EMG81. If I don't like the blackout I have a feeling it won't be hard to re-sell for $60 or so. If I do like it I will probably have trouble selling the EMG81, everyone is selling those these days, I wonder why
In other news, now that the clarity problem is solved, this is my new favorite pickup.
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
For the record... The AHB-2 (that sounds right) blows the EMG 81 out of the water, in to an active blender located in to a nuclear testing facility that is subsequently demolished by an atomic warhead.
For the record... The AHB-2 (that sounds right) blows the EMG 81 out of the water, in to an active blender located in to a nuclear testing facility that is subsequently demolished by an atomic warhead.
Binnerscot
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
I have a pair of Heavy Metal Live Wires in a Charvel, your description is pretty good. The best description I have ever read, possibly from this forum, a few years back:
OP asks "How do I know if I have the Heavy Metal Live Wires or regular Live Wires?"
Respondant: "If your amp starts on fire when you plug in, those are Heavy Metal Live Wires".
For those that don't know, the Blackout Metal is the latest version of what was the Heavy Metal Live Wire.
I have a pair of Heavy Metal Live Wires in a Charvel, your description is pretty good. The best description I have ever read, possibly from this forum, a few years back:
OP asks "How do I know if I have the Heavy Metal Live Wires or regular Live Wires?"
Respondant: "If your amp starts on fire when you plug in, those are Heavy Metal Live Wires".
For those that don't know, the Blackout Metal is the latest version of what was the Heavy Metal Live Wire.
alex1fly
Well-known member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
active pickups can be brutally honest in displaying the tone of your guitar and your playing. spend some more time playing them with less of a critical ear, and i bet you'll find how to get that clarity you seek.
active pickups can be brutally honest in displaying the tone of your guitar and your playing. spend some more time playing them with less of a critical ear, and i bet you'll find how to get that clarity you seek.
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
The other one is just fine. Crisp and clear. Just the way I like it. It's still a little bit bass heavy, but that should be easy to fix with a little bit of height adjustment.
It's a truly amazing pickup. It's like someone took a passive alnico V pickup, put it on a high protein diet and physical training regimen, signed it up for a fight club, and put it in a nice, sleek black cover for being the reigning champ.
I don't think I'll ever be able to enjoy an EMG or maybe even passive pickups again. I should probably give it a few weeks for the giddiness and delight to wear off before I make such a bold statement, though.
Or I have a broken pickup. :-\
The other one is just fine. Crisp and clear. Just the way I like it. It's still a little bit bass heavy, but that should be easy to fix with a little bit of height adjustment.
It's a truly amazing pickup. It's like someone took a passive alnico V pickup, put it on a high protein diet and physical training regimen, signed it up for a fight club, and put it in a nice, sleek black cover for being the reigning champ.
I don't think I'll ever be able to enjoy an EMG or maybe even passive pickups again. I should probably give it a few weeks for the giddiness and delight to wear off before I make such a bold statement, though.
Franknfilms
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
Good to hear. i've been so skeptical, I'm very excited to find out once and for all if emg can be beat. I didn't realize how different the blackout metal is from the normal one. Alnico V vs. Ceramic. The eqs are much different too, I'm looking forward to your comparison of these two models.
Good to hear. i've been so skeptical, I'm very excited to find out once and for all if emg can be beat. I didn't realize how different the blackout metal is from the normal one. Alnico V vs. Ceramic. The eqs are much different too, I'm looking forward to your comparison of these two models.
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
We just have to wait a month or so for my baritone to get here. *sits by the door with a block of wood and a knife*
We just have to wait a month or so for my baritone to get here. *sits by the door with a block of wood and a knife*
BrockSamson
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
Vincent,
So you replaced the Blackout Metal with another Blackout Metal or regular Blackout?
And have you tried to switch the jumper to the lower-output mode? I'm interested in what they sound like (I never did, I can never go back now... LOL).
Vincent,
So you replaced the Blackout Metal with another Blackout Metal or regular Blackout?
And have you tried to switch the jumper to the lower-output mode? I'm interested in what they sound like (I never did, I can never go back now... LOL).
Vincent Vespa
New member
Re: I just installed a Blackout Metal...
These things happen, though.
Anyway, now that I have the new one in, I think this pickup is perfect. I don't think I'll ever need a different bridge pickup.
Edit: As long as I'm doing some recording, I'll make a clip of the Metal with the jumper off for you as well.
Another Blackouts Metal. I did try the first one with the jumper off, but it didn't really make much of a difference. It was a bit more passive feeling, but other than that, it didn't help with the problem I was having with it. I also tried lowering the pickup level to the mounting ring. It made it a bit clearer, but still not very clear. It's clearly a defective pickup.
These things happen, though.
Anyway, now that I have the new one in, I think this pickup is perfect. I don't think I'll ever need a different bridge pickup.
Edit: As long as I'm doing some recording, I'll make a clip of the Metal with the jumper off for you as well.