Mahogany RGT

[Mitochondria9]

So I recently acquired a 2008 RGT42FXQM at a ridiculously cheap price and want to do a passive setup.

I do drop tune, but I dont go lower than drop C, usually it stays in Drop D, and I do play alot of metal/hardcore.

I was looking at the DiMarzio D-Activators, or a D-Sonic/PAF Pro setup, but I was curious as to what Duncan offers in a similar pickup that's clear and solid when drop tuned.

Thanks

 

[apj]

Re: Mahogany RGT

I can tell you that I've tried the D-sonic and was completely un-impressed by it. It was dead a lifeless, maybe it needed more gain thrown at it, I don't know. I have a les paul in Drop B with a C5, I find it great for everything from doing clean stuff, moderate gain, and stays quite clear under high gain. It's definitely one of the more versatile passives I've played. The main thing that I look for when taking low tunings into account is making sure you don't turn everything to mud. A mahogany guitar with a dark pickup (super 3) is going to mud city when you start getting low in tuning unless you have a bright guitar.

 

[Mitochondria9]

Re: Mahogany RGT

Good to know, by C5 you mean the Custom 5 set, right?

Whats the difference between the SH-14 and the TB-14?

Im actually looking at the Custom, Im kinda leaning toward that one at the moment. (The SH-5)

Whats a good neck to pair with them?

 

[JOEBACCA]

Re: Mahogany RGT

So I recently acquired a 2008 RGT42FXQM at a ridiculously cheap price and want to do a passive setup.

I do drop tune, but I dont go lower than drop C, usually it stays in Drop D, and I do play alot of metal/hardcore.

I was looking at the DiMarzio D-Activators, or a D-Sonic/PAF Pro setup, but I was curious as to what Duncan offers in a similar pickup that's clear and solid when drop tuned.

Thanks

I have an Ibanez Iceman ICT700 which came stock with the Dimarzio D-Activators and I have that particular axe tuned in Drop C. Now mind you I am a Duncan Guy through and through but if your playing metal/hardcore and are tuned low then the D-Activators are very solid for that style. I can rip Killswitch Engage all night long with those pickups and get equally good pinch harmonics from the neck pickup as I can the bridge pickup which is pretty f***ing sweet. But as for Duncans the SH-6 Distortion is Fantastic for drop tunings. I have one in a Washburn PT3 Flying V tuned to Drop C# and its pure brutality. Another good Duncan for Drop tunings is the SH-5 Duncan Custom.... although I have yet to try one, alot of guys on the forum love it.

 

[Mitochondria9]

Re: Mahogany RGT

Hrm.. I guess its a decision between the D-Activators and the Duncan Custom. Would you recommend a '59 or a Jazz for the neck?

 

[JOEBACCA]

Re: Mahogany RGT

If you go for the Custom then I would definately go for the 59 in the neck so you have traditional PAF tone in the neck with the "PAF on steroids" tone in the bridge. I wouldn't rule out the Duncan Distortion in the Bridge either, it excels at Drop Tunings like I said before... and I have my Duncan Distortion in the bridge paired with a Jazz in the neck. The Jazz neck sounds really good in high gain because the pickup is more articulate and trebly than most neck humbuckers it won't mush up the lows in Drop Tunings.