Nazgul Questions

[SFW]

In terms of hotness, where does the Nazgul fit in with the Custom, JB or Distortion? As far as how hard it hits the front of the amp... what other Duncan would have a similar output level? I'm looking at getting a multiscale guitar that come with the Nazgul stock. Just trying to get a understanding of how it will compare to other guitars that I won. Thanks guys!

 

[Mincer]

To me, it sounds louder than all 3 of those because the EQ is pretty harsh, as it must be to get the distortion to sound that way. It certainly sounds louder, but it might just be the EQ change that makes it sound that way. It has a harsher EQ curve that any of those 3.

 

[nexion218]

The Naz spews out 666 mV, no kidding. But according to the sticky thread atop the Pickup Lounge channel, the JB is 737 mV and the DD 792... Still, the Nazgul sounds waaaaaay hotter to me than those two (no experience with the Custom). I guess Mincer is right that it is a percieved hotness due to the EQ. If you want palatable leads, make sure to have a matching pup (eg Sentient) in your neck position!

Since it's a multiscale guitar I'm guessing you're tuning below standard. You'll like the Nazgul. It'll be hot and tight like an active but with much more 'girth' than an 81. Btw, I wouldn't put my Distortion in low tuned guitars and I'd think twice before putting in a JB. But that's just my opinion.

 

[SFW]

The guitar in question in a 26.6 to 25.5 scale. So not too radical. My band kinda lives in the Drop C# world and sometimes we dabble in Drop C. I mainly want to get a set of 10s to tension correctly. When down that half step with the low string down even further, it tends to be the string that flubs out. This drives me crazy. lol. So I thought that this might be a good way to resolve my personal issue. Seeing as how the pickups are slanted on the baseplate, I wanted to get a understand what I might be getting into.

 

[nexion218]

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding sg, but if the string is physically flubby, that won't be solved by the pickup. You might need to go up a gauge. Not a direct comparison, but my 25,5 inch 7 strings are in B std and I needed a 10-59 set to have proper tension and intonation on the low B. But if the "flubbyness" is meant to describe to sound of the low frequencies, then the tight bass respone of the Naz will definitely be an improvement!

 

[Demanic]

I have a Distortion in the bridge position of my 7 string that's tuned to A and it sounds fantastic.

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[Artie]

I also perceived the Nazgul as super hot. It's the only Duncan pickup I didn't like, since I mostly play clean. Great pup though for hard hittin' rock.

 

[SFW]

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding sg, but if the string is physically flubby, that won't be solved by the pickup. You might need to go up a gauge. Not a direct comparison, but my 25,5 inch 7 strings are in B std and I needed a 10-59 set to have proper tension and intonation on the low B. But if the "flubbyness" is meant to describe to sound of the low frequencies, then the tight bass respone of the Naz will definitely be an improvement!

I was referring to the tension of the string. I have a friend that has a 26.5 scale guitar, and he runs 10-46 in Drop C and the Tension feels great. The longer scale length adds tension to the strings. Its a feel thing for me.

 

[Mincer]

I would certainly think that 10s down to C# would be almost impossible, no matter what pickup. Tuning stability would be a problem that a pickup won't fix. I'd say that the Nazgul is probably a great pickup for that, but you'd have to go up to 12s I'd thing to get the stability you need.

 

[Demanic]

I would certainly think that 10s down to C# would be almost impossible, no matter what pickup. Tuning stability would be a problem that a pickup won't fix. I'd say that the Nazgul is probably a great pickup for that, but you'd have to go up to 12s I'd thing to get the stability you need.

Use a hybrid set of 10's that has wound strings that go to 52.

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[nexion218]

I have a Distortion in the bridge position of my 7 string that's tuned to A and it sounds fantastic.

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Note taken! I thought that pup would be a bit too bass heavy for lower tunings...

 

[SFW]

I would certainly think that 10s down to C# would be almost impossible, no matter what pickup. Tuning stability would be a problem that a pickup won't fix. I'd say that the Nazgul is probably a great pickup for that, but you'd have to go up to 12s I'd thing to get the stability you need.

I'm currently using 10-46 on my N4 in Drop Db (C#). The only string giving me any issues in the low D. The longer 26.5 scale length on the bottom side of the neck provide more string tension. Similar to how 10s feel tighter on a strat than a Les Paul.

Guitar I'm looking at. My main question is the tone and feel of the Nazgul. As I have never played with this pickup.

 

[nexion218]

I'm currently using 10-46 on my N4 in Drop Db (C#). The only string giving me any issues in the low D. The longer 26.5 scale length on the bottom side of the neck provide more string tension. Similar to how 10s feel tighter on a strat than a Les Paul.

Guitar I'm looking at. My main question is the tone and feel of the Nazgul. As I have never played with this pickup.

Hah, that looks like a sick axe! If that is the kind of music you like/play, I think you'll love the Naz. It is very tight and very immediate, if that makes any sense. Not versatile at all, but you'll get the Sentient too, which makes up for everything the Nazgul lacks in clean and lead department. I can't say I've tried 'em all, but I think the Nazgul is second to none when it comes to modern extreme metal. It even surpasses the EMG81 in my book, which has pretty much been the undisputed master of the modern metal genres for a couple of decades.

 

[SFW]

We’re not quite that extreme, lol. I like heavy, thick and articulate.


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[Demanic]

Note taken! I thought that pup would be a bit too bass heavy for lower tunings...

You do have to dial back the bass on the pre-amp if you're using a pedal, or the amp if you're going straight in. Unless you are playing it into a bi-amped rig.

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[SFW]

Well, the Nazgul I ordered came in this afternoon. Tried it out in my Les Paul, but it was too much in that guitar. Tried it in my PRS SE Baritone and holy crushing guitar Batman! The bottom end is extremely tight, but still punches you in the chest. The mids are forward and aggressive. The highs are rolled back a bit, but they still cut. My bari is tuned to drop B at the moment. So I think drop C will be perfect with this pickup.


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[Mincer]

Awesome! I knew it would work well here. Congrats on a successful transplant!

 

[Demanic]

Well, the Nazgul I ordered came in this afternoon. Tried it out in my Les Paul, but it was too much in that guitar. Tried it in my PRS SE Baritone and holy crushing guitar Batman! The bottom end is extremely tight, but still punches you in the chest. The mids are forward and aggressive. The highs are rolled back a bit, but they still cut. My bari is tuned to drop B at the moment. So I think drop C will be perfect with this pickup.


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How about A standard?

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[chris effect]

I was referring to the tension of the string. I have a friend that has a 26.5 scale guitar, and he runs 10-46 in Drop C and the Tension feels great. The longer scale length adds tension to the strings. Its a feel thing for me.

I use 10-52 on my LTD multiscale with that same 25.5-26.5 scale and they're perfect for drop C. The Nazgul in that guitar sounds different than my other Nazgul equipped guitars. I don't know if it's just different guitars or if it is because the pickup is made differently to sit at an angle in the multiscale. But anyway. The nazgul in my multiscale seems about as hot as a distortion or black winter. My regular stock Nazgul isn't as hot as my distortions & black winters. It's close, But it doesn't get quite as saturated with the same amp settings.