Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

[Tizzer]

Hey guys, first post here! So I want to replace my dull stock pickups with some medium to high output humbuckers. My gear is as follows:

LTD MH-250NT - Agathis body, maple top, maple neck, rosewood fretboard.
Orange Rockerverb 100
Orange 2x12 closed back cab

My tone is mostly great, but I find it hard to get a real crisp crunch sometimes, especially when I record. I play mostly hard rock and metal. Mostly rhythm and everything from chunky power chords and palm mutes to fast single note progressive licks. I'm looking to get a big in-your-face classic hard rock/metal sound like these guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7sIqyoRFiU but still be able to articulate some drop tuned chugs once in a while. I don't need razor sharp attack like the guys in Periphery or similar bands, but something between there and classic rock I guess. The main thing is that I want to avoid pickups that emphasize lots of warmth, dark tone, or lots of mids, because my amp does that for me. My initial thoughts were the duncan distortion or maybe Bill Kelliher's signature Lace pickups, but since then people have told me to check out Duncan's Custom 5 SH-14 and Custom Custom SH-11. I have little experience with pickups, so help is appreciated.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

I think you're instincts to go with the Distortions is right on the money my friend...

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

I have an Orange.
Not the RV 100, but the TV50.

But an Orange non-the-less

My amp and me, love the SD A2P's in my SG.

I also recently got a Duncan WLH-set.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/vintage-output/whole_lotta_hum/

Can NOT wait to put it in a Les Paul.

 

[Tizzer]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

I'm a bit torn between the Duncan Distortion and Custom SH-5. I found these videos from Keith Merrow and those are the two that stick out to me the most. I like that the Custom SH-5 is supposed to be a classic '59 style thing but beefed up with more output power. Someone on another forum told me they played a Distortion through their Jim Root Orange head and it sounded too honky, but it sounds great in every video I've seen through all sorts of different amps. Here are the pickup comparison videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFO9phrDBig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryzie8mham8

SirJackdeFuzz The description of the WLH set on the Seymour Duncan website sounds great, but I'm worried it might not be hot enough for my liking. I need something that can easily do metal and drop tunings without getting sloppy.

Anyway right now I'm torn between the Duncan Distortion and the Custom SH-5. I'd still like to hear more about the Bill Kelliher signature Lace's, but they're still pretty new so people might not have much experience with them.

 

[Progbusters]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

I no jukebox hero but here's a TB-6 duncan distortion in a basswood RG on my Jim Root

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

Keep in mind that many people get new pickups for a guitar, toss them in the mix and can be unhappy because they neglect to alter the eq on their amp....it's really important to realize the same settings might not work as great with a different guitar or different pickup...many neglect this.....

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

I think the Distortion or Custom would give you what you want.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

Maybe another option, from a diff brand :


http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/humbuckers/high-power/gravity-storm-bridge



I always thought this pick up will be great with an Orange . . . just an idea i had.

 

[Tizzer]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

Thanks for the input guys ^_^ After countless demo videos, online reviews, and forum posts, I think I'll probably end up going with the SH-6 Distortion or SH-5 Custom. If I'm lucky I'll find someone with one of those pickups that I can try with my amp. I'm sure replacing my stock pickups with either of these will do a world of difference.

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

Give the Black Winter a look. It's more versatile than you might think.
Also, dare I suggest EMG 81-85 combo?

Thanks for the input guys ^_^ After countless demo videos, online reviews, and forum posts, I think I'll probably end up going with the SH-6 Distortion or SH-5 Custom. If I'm lucky I'll find someone with one of those pickups that I can try with my amp. I'm sure replacing my stock pickups with either of these will do a world of difference.

 

[Tizzer]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

Give the Black Winter a look. It's more versatile than you might think.
Also, dare I suggest EMG 81-85 combo?

I hadn't considered the Black Winter set, looks like a contender actually. As far as the EMGs, I don't mind high-output, but I'm trying to stay away from actives. Don't want batteries and I just prefer passives in general. Thanks for your suggestions though!

 

[dominus]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

I'd recommend the TB-5 Duncan Custom.

 

[Tizzer]

Re: Need pickup suggestions for Orange rig

I'd recommend the TB-5 Duncan Custom.

This is what I'm leaning towards. Just to be sure, the TB vs SH thing is just a difference in spacing right? Wouldn't my guitar take an SH?