I Need Help With A Pickup

[Shredder]

My 14-year-old son just saved up and bought himself a double fat Strat. I told him that I would set him up with some good pickups after he got the guitar. He plays mostly metal(Metallica, etc.). I was leaning towards the TB-12 Screamin' Demon for the bridge but I haven't even thought of what to put in the neck. Does anyone here have any suggestions on a good combination? Will I notice a substantial difference in the Duncans over the stock pickups(Mexican)? Is the Screamin' Demon a good choice? By the way, he plays through a Marshall MG100 combo amp. Thanks for any help. :smack:

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: I Need Help With A Pickup

I'd say a Distortion (SH-6) in the bridge, it's the best metal riffing pickup ever, IMO. Expecially in alder. For the neck, If he plays leads, I'd say a Full Shred (SH-10). It'll stay super clear and defined even under the highest of gains, and it gets good cleans as well. If he doesn't play that much leads, or wants a more PAF output neck pickup, or wants better cleans, a Jazz (SH-2) would be the ticket with the Distortion.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: I Need Help With A Pickup

I would also sasy a Duncan Distortion or a JB in the bridge and either a Jazz or a 59 in the bridge...

 

[Travis]

Re: I Need Help With A Pickup

Gets no better than a Distortion in the bridge. One in the neck would be awesome as well.

 

[Shredder]

Re: I Need Help With A Pickup

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go with the SH-6 in the neck. Two more questions...

He has a tremelo. Do I need to get the TB model?

Will this pickup line up with the holes of the original(I plan to install it myself)?

Thanks again.

 

[JoeBoogie]

Re: I Need Help With A Pickup

I would suggest EMG 81 & 85 if he is looking for the Metallica sound, it's what they play.

 

[italic zero]

Re: I Need Help With A Pickup

I think the Screaming Demon might be a little bright in a strat... a Distortion set or Full Shred neck are good suggestions.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: I Need Help With A Pickup

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go with the SH-6 in the neck. Two more questions...

He has a tremelo. Do I need to get the TB model?

Will this pickup line up with the holes of the original(I plan to install it myself)?

Thanks again.

Did you mean SH-6 In the bridge?

No, you don't necessarily need a TB. If you don't get a TB, the poles won't line up exactly, but it doesn't really affect the sound at all.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: I Need Help With A Pickup

With that amp it may not matter. Get a metal zone or a Ibanez smash box.