I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

jacksonknox27

jacksonknox27

New member
ok, im new to the forum, and i came partly for advice on selecting pickups. I play high gain death metal thru a peavey 6505+ (5150 2) with a Jackson KE3 Kelly, and i hate my my invader style Duncan Detonators. They aren't clear and shoot out way too much bass thru my amp. My presence and treble are turned up, and i dont want to adjust my tone around how my pickups sound. What im looking for in my new pickups is clarity with high gain, great pinch harmonics, and a bit of scoop. I am open to any company, i just need peoples opinions. Thankyou.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

I'd go with a Custom, if you have a 5150. That thing has more than enough gain for any pickup, so you should stick with medium output pickups. They'll give you more clarity and dynamics.

And EMG 85 would also be great, if you want to go the active route.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

emg 81 hands down
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

LambofGod said:
emg 81 hands down
Click to expand...

I would've recommended the 81, but it's in an alder body, so it'll end up being somewhat shrill and/or icepicky. Also, the 85 will have alot more balls, and will be thicker, yet not as thick as the current detonators.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

what would the sound difference be between an emg active and a duncan passive pickup?
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

jacksonknox27 said:
what would the sound difference be between an emg active and a duncan passive pickup?
Click to expand...


The EMG will be tighter, and have more clarity under high gain. Basically, what you put in, it gives to the amp. It won't hide bad technique nearly as much as a Duncan would, if it did. Sounds say it can sound sterile, but with a tube amp, don't worry. I'd also run it at 18v, for increased headroom and dynamics.

The Duncan will hit your amp harder and probably produce a tad more gain/saturation on notes. It'll have a more vintage voicing, and will be a bit more dynamic.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

To expand on what DSS said, the Duncan won't just be a bit more dynamic than an EMG, IMO EMG's have no dynamics to speak of. That said, I think an 85 in the bridge would still suit you just fine.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

SwedeNuck said:
To expand on what DSS said, the Duncan won't just be a bit more dynamic than an EMG, IMO EMG's have no dynamics to speak of.
Click to expand...


To some extent, I can agree with you, but to quote a true metal god:

"for me, EMG's are accurate... what you play in, you get out.. clear and defined... you can't hide bad technique when you use an EMG.. and luckily at the same time they don't sound clinical at all.... i just get the true sound of my fingers, guitar, and amp." - James Murphy of Death, Obituary, Cancer, and Testament.

If your fingers and playing have no dynamics, neither will the EMG's.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
To some extent, I can agree with you, but to quote a true metal god:

"for me, EMG's are accurate... what you play in, you get out.. clear and defined... you can't hide bad technique when you use an EMG.. and luckily at the same time they don't sound clinical at all.... i just get the true sound of my fingers, guitar, and amp." - James Murphy of Death, Obituary, Cancer, and Testament.

If your fingers and playing have no dynamics, neither will the EMG's.
Click to expand...

All hail James Murphy!!

I'd go with a high output pup, if you want compression. If you have problems with noise, go active. Check the Duncan magnet descriptions to see what you like most. If you're having problems with definition, the EMGs will really clear you up. Passives may also be clear enough. I'd steer away from A2 magnets, in your case.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

jacksonknox27 said:
ok, im new to the forum, and i came partly for advice on selecting pickups. I play high gain death metal thru a peavey 6505+ (5150 2) with a Jackson KE3 Kelly, and i hate my my invader style Duncan Detonators. They aren't clear and shoot out way too much bass thru my amp. My presence and treble are turned up, and i dont want to adjust my tone around how my pickups sound. What im looking for in my new pickups is clarity with high gain, great pinch harmonics, and a bit of scoop. I am open to any company, i just need peoples opinions. Thankyou.
Click to expand...

Dont' buy a Seymour Duncan. I have a Duncan Distortion. It sounds just like a 59 but louder. Identical. but louder. :( AKA lots of mids. No scoop.

Make yourself happy and go buy an EMG 81. That's what I've got in my other guitar. I also heard that the Evolution sounds pretty good. I'll know in a week when I put it in my other guitar.

SD pickups are PAF on steroids. Not very modern sounding, but very good at what they do. I just with they'd advertise that.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

I met James Murphy when I was about 15. He was my idol. Saw him perform with Disincarnate right after he left Obituary. What a joy to watch him play. Even shook his hand. He must have thought it was cool seeing some young kids all doey eyed and stuttering when being face to face with their idol in the flesh.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
To some extent, I can agree with you, but to quote a true metal god:

"for me, EMG's are accurate... what you play in, you get out.. clear and defined... you can't hide bad technique when you use an EMG.. and luckily at the same time they don't sound clinical at all.... i just get the true sound of my fingers, guitar, and amp." - James Murphy of Death, Obituary, Cancer, and Testament.

If your fingers and playing have no dynamics, neither will the EMG's.
Click to expand...

Hell yeah!!!! I have been listening to Convergence and Feeding the Machine Murphy is the man! First time I heard him was off Obituarys cause of death.....later Deaths Spiritual healing. Murphy and Shuldiner two of my favorite guitar players ever. Murphys got me jonesing for one of these.

Murphy now uses Caparison.

http://www.ibanezregister.com/images/images-s/DSCN0007.jpg

I believe that is the same model on the cover of convergence.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

since i assume that you'll downtune pretty much when playing death metal i'd recommend the dimebucker. It's a bit to bright for me if used with standard tuning but dropped tunings make this pup tear you apart. I use it in C and b tuning and it's killer.Remains tight,lot's of dyanmics and great harmonics,no mud at all.
 
Re: I need help deciding on a death metal p-up

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
To some extent, I can agree with you, but to quote a true metal god:

"for me, EMG's are accurate... what you play in, you get out.. clear and defined... you can't hide bad technique when you use an EMG.. and luckily at the same time they don't sound clinical at all.... i just get the true sound of my fingers, guitar, and amp." - James Murphy of Death, Obituary, Cancer, and Testament.

If your fingers and playing have no dynamics, neither will the EMG's.
Click to expand...

what p'ups did James use in his Testament years
(i love his lead tone)
 
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