Looking for an aggressive pickup...

PFDarkside

PFDarkside

of the Forum
Is there a pickup out there with the overall tone of the Custom, but with better harmonics a la Dimebag and Zakk Wylde? I really like the way the Custom responds in the LP, it's fat but tight, never muddy, always clear but not harsh. I seem to have a difficult time getting good harmincs with it though, natural, pinch, artificial/tap... The JB was much better at them, but it obviously sounds quite a bit different than the Custom. ;)

Any suggestions from any PU manufacturer?
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

What you could try is reverse it so the slugs are near the bridge and put some short allen head screws a la Screaming Demon ; it would do the trick .
A lot tighter with more bite and awfull harmonics !

Oh yeah that could be something to try !
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

Yeah man something about that JB, it gets harmonics like crazy. I have a tone zone now, which I like better, but I wish it had the sizzled harmonic response a JB gets. Maybe try putting an alnico 8 in your custom? Other than mods you might have to look elsewhere than Seymour for what you want.
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

Bill Lawrence L500XL. Order it from Bill and Becky. Thank me later.
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

^
:laugh2:

Nice, Evan. Totally forgot about those. Sorry.
In my defense, I'm not an active pickup user. :fingersx:
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

I don't mind going to someone else. I know the L500XL was Dime's pickup, but does it sound like the Custom? I always thought it was more 'Hi-Fi'. Also, how does the Dimebucker compare?

Again Evan, the Blackouts have that same thick bass as the Custom? I thought the bridge was modeled after the EMG 81 which is kind of bright, isn't it?

How about the Bareknuckle Miracle Man or Warpig?

(I've been happy with my Duncans, I'll use them again if they fit the bill, but I'm looking for a pretty specific pickup I think)
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

PFDarkside said:
I don't mind going to someone else. I know the L500XL was Dime's pickup, but does it sound like the Custom? I always thought it was more 'Hi-Fi'. Also, how does the Dimebucker compare?

Again Evan, the Blackouts have that same thick bass as the Custom? I thought the bridge was modeled after the EMG 81 which is kind of bright, isn't it?

How about the Bareknuckle Miracle Man or Warpig?

(I've been happy with my Duncans, I'll use them again if they fit the bill, but I'm looking for a pretty specific pickup I think)
Click to expand...

The L-500XL is a great pup and it's like a chameleon. You shape it. It responds to EQ very much.

I haven't use BKs (only heard) but people say the MM is like an EMG 81 with more low-end, low-mids, less high mids or something like that. I've heard its low-end is very deep (almost subsonic). You know super tight, clear and all that. A little surgical sounding. Keep in mind that these are only reviews I've read....I don't have one.

The Warpig on the other hand seems to be very different BEAST. Fat, huge, darker than the other one, fairly tight and clear.

Someone gave an idea of the two sounds as:

MM -> Pornograffitti - Extreme
Warpig -> Hatebreed

Just trying to help...maybe someone who used them can make better, more accurate comments.
 
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Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

I have custom wound SH-4 JB in the bridge position... The harmonics literally jump out of this thing.. It is amazing. I picked up a TS9 this weekend and the harmonics have literally doubled... They are so easy to hit it is sick.

Originally when I got this pickup, I thought it was a bit mid-dy, but it really shines when you pour on the distortion. I've also get some really interesting clean tones with the tone rolled all the way back to 1.
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

Well I do have an A2, A5 and A8 magnet here... I just figured that ceramic would be better for harmonics, is that not true?

I do need to try a DD too, someday.
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

I don't think I would recommend a BL L500XL in this case. If you're wanting to stick w/ the overall characteristics of a Custom w/ better harmonics. The 500XL is tight, aggressive and articulate, but in no way sounds like an overwound PAF type pickup. More along the lines of a more aggressive EMG 81 that's passive and more organic.

I would try modding your custom w/ another small cermic bar mag like the invader or trying out a Distortion. The Dimarzio Evolution also comes to mind.
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

dimarzio x2n in a lp sounds pretty fat and has pinch harmonics out the @$$. other than that, it seems like generally the brighter the pickup the better the harmonics.
 
Re: Looking for an aggressive pickup...

There is no alternative to the custom.

I played that pickup for many years. It is awesome. It just doesn't quite sound like anything else. I agree harmonics weren't as easy to pull out of it as some other pickups. But man, it has an original vibe
 
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