Need help on a pickup choice

E

EGEDE

New member
Hey all, this is my first post.
I have found a ton of usefull information here, so i figured I would ask my question here. I am going to be changing the pickups in my h/s mutt. It has a 22 fret all maple 25.5 inch scale, an ash body with a maple top, and a Floyd Rose. I am changing the pickups because I need a heavier sound. I play Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Sepultura, Pantera, Machine Head, Dream Theater, ect. For the neck I was thinking a Hot Rails or Classic Stack plus, and for the Bridge a Distortion, Custom, or Alternative 8. I play through a vox vt50, which is basicly just a 50 wat modeling amp, and a peavey 6505+ half stack. Can anyone give opinion or make suggestions on this? All help is greatly appreciated, so thanks in advance :)
 
Re: Need help on a pickup choice

I don't use neck pickups, but I do use a Vox Tonelab ST, so it should sound great through the VT50.
 
Re: Need help on a pickup choice

Could go with a PA-STK1 Parallel Axis Stack. They're a bit on the large side, though, so you might need a larger route for the pickup slot.

If not that, I'd probably go for something more like an STK-S6 Custom Stack Plus or STK-S7 Vintage Hot Stack Plus, for a better volume balance between the pickups.

Some guitarists love huge volume differences between neck & bridge, for switching between dirty & clean sounds on the same channel/patch. In that case, going for the Classic Stack Plus makes great sense.

If you want volume match and don't care about sparkly fender cleans at all, the Hot Rails or Hot Stack Plus make great sense.
 
Re: Need help on a pickup choice

I have no experience with the Alt-8, but I do with the Distortion and Custom. I chose the Custom over the Distortion due to the fact that I didn't like the lead tone of the Distortion. Both have very tight, aggressive, bottom ends which are good for the intricate Thrash stuff that you play. (and I do too) The Custom is very aggressive, so when you hit that low E power chord, it roars. I also prefer the PAFish vibe of the Custom over the JBish vibe of the Distortion. Either will work though. The Distortion will be hotter and will drive your amp harder if that's what your looking for.
 
Re: Need help on a pickup choice

78 for the bridge - more than enough gain with 6505+ for metal
I'd go with A2 pickup in ash+maple!
 
Re: Need help on a pickup choice

The PATB-2 Distortion is a very different pickup from the TB-6 Distortion. The gritty, ceramic bite is much more controllable. There if you want it, readily dialed out when you don't.

I like almost every clip of the PATB-2 I've heard. I can't say that for the conventional Distortion, even on professionally produced albums. (Or maybe especially there...) The PATB-2 is a bit bassier, has a far more interesting lead tone. Unusual but very usable clean tones, too.

Listen here --daemon barbeque has a lot of great instrumentals, "Flagolated demon cookies" displays a lot of different PATB-2 tones.
 
Re: Need help on a pickup choice

EGEDE said:
Hey all, this is my first post.
I have found a ton of usefull information here, so i figured I would ask my question here. I am going to be changing the pickups in my h/s mutt. It has a 22 fret all maple 25.5 inch scale, an ash body with a maple top, and a Floyd Rose. I am changing the pickups because I need a heavier sound. I play Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Sepultura, Pantera, Machine Head, Dream Theater, ect. For the neck I was thinking a Hot Rails or Classic Stack plus, and for the Bridge a Distortion, Custom, or Alternative 8. I play through a vox vt50, which is basicly just a 50 wat modeling amp, and a peavey 6505+ half stack. Can anyone give opinion or make suggestions on this? All help is greatly appreciated, so thanks in advance :)
Click to expand...

I have a Tele pretty close to this construction description witht he exception of the trem block and it can do metal.... I have a Dimarzio Air Norton T on the bridge. Sounds very balanced. Great dirty pup... Must note that the cleans are a little.... blahhh but I have a neck pup for that anyway.
 
Re: Need help on a pickup choice

Thanks guys, this helped out a ton. Well I do like a volume drop when switching betwwen pickups, and what I've heard of the custom I like so I ordered a classic stack plus and a custom this morning from my local dealer. Again thanks you guys, I really appreciate all the help. As soon as i get them in the guitar I'll post a review. Long live SD! :yourock:
 
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