Need help choosing pickup

[flyingstrauss]

Hey everybody, first time poster here. So the situation is like this, I play an Ibanez xp300fx through an Hughes&Kettner Switchblade 100W head into some Slash signature Marshall cabinet. These things are not likely to change soon, so I'm trying to make a solid gigging instrument out of this guitar. I'll change the tuning machines, and probably frets, and my question is what bridge pickup would you recommend? I play metal, both rhythm and solo, standard tuning. I'm looking for more sustain, and overall better pickup than the stock INF4. I was thinking Duncan Invader, but I really have no experience in this field. Distortion, JB maybe? I doesn't have to be Seymour Duncan, all options are more than welcome. Thanks :wave:

 

[Derpottsie]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

My more metal guitars I use the alternative 8's. One of them has a custom 8. Very very very good pickups for sustain and squeals amd harmonics and everything. Very hot and gritty. I just installed a 59/custom hybrid on another guitar and Im in love with that one too. All of mentioned pickups handle drop tunings very well also. Although I wouldnt take the hybrid lower than drop C. It has a big bodied sound as is so it might be too bassy lower than C

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[daenius]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Can't go wrong with the JB or the Custom! Tried and true pickups in the realm of hard rock and metal. Especially if you play mostly standard tuning, there are countless famous legendary metal records made with the JB.

You can also try some Dimarzios, I would highly recommend the Crunch Lab, Super Distortion, and Tone Zone. Crunch Lab is John Petrucci's model. Super Distortion is another famous pickup that's used on plenty of iconic metal records, and the Tone Zone used to be Paul Gilbert's personal favorite.

 

[dave74]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Distortion would be my pick for that specific guitar. (from SD),,,,,or maybe even the Dimebucker since you have the mahogany and rosewood in the mix, plus it works better IMO when used with lighter or light-medium string tension. DD is probably the safer bet though. Custom would also be a very good/safe fit.

From Dmz I'd go X2N. Just make sure it's installed/set with tons (1/4") of string-clearance.
You can get it a little closer than that, especially with near standard gauges, but that's the factory recommended starting-point for good reason.
Just don't use clipped height-adjustment springs or taller bezels, or else the pickup will be more prone to wiggle from not being cranked-up enough to make the springs get tight.

 

[Thundermtn]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Lace, Hammer Claws
SD, custom/'59 hybrid or distortion or Dimebag
BKP, Nailbomb or Warpig

 

[flyingstrauss]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Thanks for the answers guys! Wow, so many options... I noticed that you're all silent when it comes to Invader, any reason why?

 

[Emopunk]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Just to make you a bit more confused.. a custom 5 would sound great too.

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[flyingstrauss]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Gee, thanks!

Edited to add: I would like not to have to use a lot of pedals, or any pedals for that matter. Sort of guitar/cable/amp setting, if that helps...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Thanks for the answers guys! Wow, so many options... I noticed that you're all silent when it comes to Invader, any reason why?

I think that modern metal has more of a clarity than the Invader provides. The Invader certainly has the output for metal, but has lots of mids, which is a far cry from the clarity and tight bass that everyone thinks of when they hear the word 'metal' these days.

 

[flyingstrauss]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Oh I don't really play chuga chuga djent style metal. It's not oldscholl, but it's not super modern as well. I guess I just gotta bite the bullet and try one of those pickups you guys told me to try. I listened to some audio samples, and I really like the BKP Nailbomb, does a Seymour Duncan have anything similar?

 

[daenius]

Re: Need help choosing pickup

Oh I don't really play chuga chuga djent style metal. It's not oldscholl, but it's not super modern as well. I guess I just gotta bite the bullet and try one of those pickups you guys told me to try. I listened to some audio samples, and I really like the BKP Nailbomb, does a Seymour Duncan have anything similar?

I have a Nailbomb. What's weird is that there are 2 versions of it, the Ceramic version and the Alnico version...

Mine is Alnico, and it reminds me of a Dimarzio Tone Zone.

I could see the Custom being somewhat similar to the Nailbomb, I've never A/B'd them directly though, even though I own both pickups.