Nazgul/Sentient

[undeadstrife]

So I am looking at replacing my pups in my Schecter C6 plus. The ones I really like are the Nazgul/Sentient set but my budget is only going to be about $600 USd for the pups and an amp. Do you guys have any suggestions on something that is close but may be a little cheaper. Or should I try to find a cheaper amp and spend the $200 on the pick ups?

EDIT: I mainly play anything from rock to metal with some bluesy stuff thrown in, if that helps any.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

When you say that you play "anything from rock to metal with some bluesy stuff thrown in", it does not sound like the Nazgul/Sentient would be your best bet. You can get used Duncans on eBay for a lot less if you are patient. I wouldn't skimp too much on the amp either.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

I'd suggest a used Hughes and Kettner Tubemeiser 18 for ~$400 and then a used Jazz/JB set, which can be found for sub $100. I'd also invest a dollar for a 250k volume pot if you want this setup in that guitar.

You need a cab to go with the Tubemeister, if you don't already have one.

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

I do not have a cab as of right now. That is something I would need to throw into the budget as well, unless I can get a good solid state. As far as the Jazz/JB set, would they be able to get the sound I want? Something close to Avenged Sevenfold or bands similar. I know I need to find my own sound but i'm just trying to get a good base to start off of.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

I was recommending a good all around set, for Avenged Sevenfold you want an Invader set, or Distortions if you want a less overzealous tone. The Invader and Distortion bridge both have the same wind, the only difference is the Invader has massive Allen screws and triple ceramic magnets and the Distortion has slugs/screws and a double thick ceramic. The necks are completely different, but I'll let someone with more experience with them chime in on that.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

The JB/Jazz combo is incredibly versatile. Blues, Punk, Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Metal...that set does it all. Zacky Vengeance used the JB for years in Avenged Sevenfold. Synyster Gates used the Invader neck and bridge, but that's a less versatile combo, in my opinion.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

You didn't say whether you needed an amp for a specific purpose (gigging etc). If you only need something to play at home, you could use one of the mid sized modeling amps with all the effects you need built in. That would not eat up too much of your budget.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

Start out with the Jazz/JB with 250k pots for versatility, they can do almost anything. If you are extremely set on an Avenged Sevenfold tone, go with Invaders.

But a good thing to remember is how friendly the JB is to mag swaps. Some people believe it is the same wind as the Distortion (and therefore the Invader as well), but it accepts most magnets very well. Put a A2 in it and you have a Warren DeMartini RTM, a ceramic gives you a Dokkenbucker, a double ceramic gives you a Distortion (or at least very close to one, depending on if they actually are the same wind), triple ceramics will give you a less bass heavy Invader, and A8 is a popular mag swap that is like a JB without the midspike on steroids.

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

Right now, I have a line 6 spider 5 25 watt. For now I am just playing at home, but me and a friend are looking into starting to try and gig. So I would like something that could do both. I was using a invader bridge and dimarzio air norton neck at one point in a liner guitar. I really liked that combo but I want to branch out a bit and try something new that I have not used before.

I would really like something that can do both cleans and heavily distorted/drop tuning.

Sorry for being so new to pick ups. I've generally only used stock, due to money and having never soldered before.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

no worries, we all need to learn about new things. its not like we are born with this knowledge.

if i were you, id keep the guitar stock and go find and amp that you love and will be able to gig with. do that first, get used to the new amp then worry about pups sometime in the future. getting a new amp may change what you want from the guitar so its best to spend a decent amount of time with the guitar and amp before making any other tone influencing decisions. its not as much fun as getting new toys but its a smarter way to get gear that suits you well

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

Yeah, put your funds into a better amp setup to start. Then work on the pickups.

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

Anything you would recommend?

I was looking at the vox head available in the trading post but I would need a cab as well.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

that head is badass and you should totally buy it. not joking. a good cab is important too but that head is a good start. if i didnt have so many amps, i would have bought it already

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

I already posted in that thread and told him if it's still available around income tax I will get it. Any ideas on a good but cheapish cab?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

How cheap is cheapish? You can get a Marshall 1960 for about $400, that was my first budget cab and it was a excellent unit.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

the best used cab you can find locally that fits your budget. shipping gets expensive quickly on big heavy things.

 

[undeadstrife]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

Well if I get that vox, my budget would be around $300. I just checked craigslist in my area and saw a marshall 1960 4x12 for about $350. I'll probably go after it, if it is still avaialble when I have the money.

 

[BleedingFingertips]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

I would also not recommend Nazgul for the "bluesy stuff" applications. It's no allrounder. I have Nazgul (1 hum guitar, therefore no opinion on Sentient) and I think if I wanted to I would get more classic metal tone out of it. Overall, I'm happy with power chords and palm mutes but I think its best application is metalcore or melodic death. I think also progressive metal and some djent, but I don't do this stuff.

For AX7 kinda musik and downwards on the gain spectrum, you can take JB paired with Jazz or another option in the neck. Would save you some money for the amp. I've never played a true JB, but I have Duncan Designed HB102 installed in one of my mahogany guitars, which is basically a JB made in Korea or somewhere in that part of the world. And I can't complain about how it sounds in the D tuning. Punchy and cutting.

 

[JCM]

Re: Nazgul/Sentient

Out of the older SD bridge pups I'd go with the SH-6 Distortion in place of a Nazgul. I play mostly metal, and the JB didn't cut it for me(too flubby). The Sentient is a great neck pickup, and I currently have it paired with an SH-6, and it's metal heaven.