Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

[LesPaulRules]

Looking to setup an Alder Flying V in C tuning for a metal project.

The guitar isn't very big sounding and isn't very tight. For a V, it has a resonant, acoustic quality. Great guitar for blues, but I would like to use it for the brutal stuff, as it looks so cool. :cool2:

I've tried a few pickups that I had lying around. A Custom, Duncan Distortion, Screaming Demon and DiMarzio Air Zone.

-The Air Zone was not bright enough and lacked a tight bottom end.
-The Demon was tight and bright, but lacked output and oomph.
-The Custom was cool, but this guitar just needs more of everything.
-The Distortion was the best of the bunch, but it still sounded more like a guitar for lighter styles. I could almost live with it, but still not sure.

I'm close to not using the guitar for this project, but would love any input on a pickup that has a huge, tight sound with great output. I almost need to change the sound of the guitar, and even thinking of going active. Blackouts or even the "metal" version might be what this guitar needs?

HELP

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

Invader?

If the Distortion is too weak, you might want to investigate your amp.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

The Full Shred is great for low tuning. I also have Mighty Might motherbuckers and Kent Armstrong M215's in my baritone with 1 meg pots.

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

Invader?

If the Distortion is too weak, you might want to investigate your amp.

For the project, I'm using my modded JCM 800 with KT-88 Tubes. This thing makes a VHT Pittbull or ENGL Powerball sound like a Line 6 spider valve. (Also have a Dual Rectifier for double tracking on a few things). My Les Paul (see avatar) can do Pantera with ease on these amps. Problem is, I need to setup the V for heavy strings, 12-56 most likely. Nut needs to be filed, intonation gone over, etc.

Can't/won't use a Les Paul for this project.

 

[Despair]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

How's the bass on the guitar? Would a thick but tight pickup work? I'd check out the PATB-2 in that case (riffs like an Invader with more highs, thrashes like a gutsier Distortion, sings on leads like a thicker JB). Amazing gonzo metal pickup.

It's not quite as tight as the Distortion, but it's a lot bigger sounding, great growl in the lower mids. Much hotter, tends towards more compression. Very dynamic and articulate in spite of that. Insane harmonics. [Also low string pull for a thick ceramic pickup, which wont hurt an acoustically resonant guitar.]


Another option might be a Blackout Modular Preamp, that'd tighten things up and give you more power.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

I'd recommend a Full Shred. They're not quite as bass heavy as an Invader and to my ears, sound a little tighter with a bit more articulation. Probably the magnets. Anyway, I've got a FS in one of my Vs, and it's terrifying (my string guages on Vs start at .052.). If money's no object, the alternative for me would be EMGs. The third alternative would be to hunt down a Fender Subsonic.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

Try an Invader or an Alt 8, if you want to venture away from Duncans try an X2N or even the Gibson Iommi pup......

 

[Stef]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

l500xl

 

[TSE]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

Custom with 2x thick ceramic or DD with hex poles works for me. You can get the materials from ibanez INF3 or 4 pups on ebay.

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: Need pickup recommendations for C tuned guitar

Thanks to all. I will do a search on some of these recommendations.