My pickups are too dull and low output

[AustinS]

I've recently bought a PureSalem Mendiola and the Kent Armstrong pickups it came with are less than satisfactory for me. They sound pretty dull and they don't handle gain very well for the grunge type stuff I like to play. What would be a good mid-high output pickup with a good amount of low end for the bridge position? I'm trying to get the sound of most of Local H's early stuff or Been a Son by Nirvana, I was thinking maybe Dimarzio Super Distortion or the Tone Zone but I'm worried they'll be muddy. Any recommendations?

 

[jeremy]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

welcome to the forum!

i think either of those pups would suit you although i prefer the super distortion over the tone zone. its also what cobain used in the bridge position of some of his guitars. a duncan distortion or duncan custom would also be good options. there are lots of good pups out there. what kind of amp are you using?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

I just listened to the music you listed. The tone sounds more like something you would get from a Super Distortion than a Tone Zone. Depending on the amp, you could get that sound from lower output pickups as well.

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

I love the Super D. It's the only bridge I've ever stuck with. The custom custom is a good bet from duncan. I'd say the crunch lab or D-sonic can also be good choices for high clarity with low end thump.

 

[baritone]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

Scott Lucas's gear has been kind of varied & weird over the years. Likewise, Kurt Cobain used a variety of instruments & amps aside from the stuff he was known for. Either way, a high output humbucker with lots of midrange is quite necessary for a satisfying grunge sound. The SD JB & Distortion are fine choices, as are the DiM Super distortion, Evolution, &X2N. I have a JBJr in my Strat & a Dimebucker in my Les Paul.

 

[TNTales]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

If you want that Nirvana sound don't forget your Boss DS-1 pedal.

 

[AustinS]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

Thank you for the welcome Jeremy!
I was leaning towards the SD tbh. My amp is a Bugera V22 Infinium. I like the openness of the JB but I'm looking for something warmer for this guitar so that's why I was looking at those pickups but I'm just a little worried they'll be too compressed sounding or muddy

 

[AustinS]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

Yeah I fit a full sized JB in my strat and I love it, I'm just looking for something a little chunkier and bassier for this guitar so I can have more variety between my guitars, the pickups I have in it right now just don't cut it. They're very weak sounding, probably because of their vintage output and I think the nickel covers might have something to do with the dullness of them as well

 

[EDX]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

well, you could try a duncan distortion or if you want a chunkier sound maybe a black winter or a parallel axis distortion

 

[TNTales]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

Black Winters are tight but I prefer the Custom for a lot of things. I'm not sure which version of the Custom would work best for you. The Distortion is of course a classic in its own right.

 

[Mincer]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

I'd think a JB and a distortion pedal (even a cheap one) would get you there. It is a really easy sound to get.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

Alt 8.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: My pickups are too dull and low output

Or Custom 8.