New Alternative 8 Demo

J

joegore

Tone Fiend in Residence
Hi folks — I've just posted a new Alternative 8 demo over at tonefiend.com:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/tonefiend/pickups/what-the-deal-with-alnico-viii-magnets/

It was inspired by a recent conversation with some of the SD pickup gurus. We were discussing pickups that deserved greater public recognition, and all the guys were quite vocal in their praise for this alnico VIII beast. I'm really struck by how much note definition it maintains even at high-gain settings, and how nicely "sculpted" its frequencies are in that treacherous 100-200Hz range. Have a listen! :)
 
Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

'Braveheart' has an Alt8 in it. To be honest, at the time I picked that one, I knew nothing about it at all, much less the high gain nature of it, but it seems to suit this guitar perfectly. Plenty of body, plenty of bite, just like you'd expect from an LP



^^ Braveheart
 
Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

My guess is that it's underappreciated because of the name.

Nobody plays "Alternative" anymore. When i first came across the model name, I thought it was for Alternative music. It doesn't really say anything that characterizes the pickup's actual characteristics.
 
Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

It really is a great pickup. It gets some bad demos sometimes. I feel it's like the jb in that's its a bit picky on the guitar its in. It also doesn't do the scooped thing very well
 
Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

ConvoysToNothingness said:
My guess is that it's underappreciated because of the name.

Nobody plays "Alternative" anymore. When i first came across the model name, I thought it was for Alternative music. It doesn't really say anything that characterizes the pickup's actual characteristics.
Click to expand...

You may be right! But speaking as a player who remembers the ’90s a little too well, the "alternative" tag makes sense insofar as it's an aggressive, heavy pickup that doesn't sound especially "metal." So I can see why it acquired that label.
 
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Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

This is one of the few decent demos of the pickup I have seen, I personally have stayed away from the pickup because most of the demos I have seen of the pickup have been pretty bad. I may have to give this a shot.
 
Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

jimman said:
This is one of the few decent demos of the pickup I have seen, I personally have stayed away from the pickup because most of the demos I have seen of the pickup have been pretty bad. I may have to give this a shot.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words!

After playing with it for a few days, I'd summarize the sound like this: Super-aggressive high-gain, but not stereotypically metal-sounding. There's something unique about the timbre — something almost a bit synth-like, though not in any sort of bad way. Note attack is clear and strong — really strong! — without getting too "icepick." But the pickup's best trick is probably the way it delivers super-saturated sounds without getting sloppy on the lows. They did a real nice job voicing this one!

Also, I recored the demo through a low-wattage combo amp. It's a bright, aggressive one (a Divided by 13 CJ11), but definitely something from the old Fender galaxy. I imagine most players who'd use this pickup would probably pair it with a larger, higher-gain amp. But my take is, if the lows are so clear and defined through the small combo, they will sound like they're sculpted in marble through, say, a 50- or 100-watt amp with a closed-back cab.
 
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Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

Chris of Arabia said:
'Braveheart' has an Alt8 in it. To be honest, at the time I picked that one, I knew nothing about it at all, much less the high gain nature of it, but it seems to suit this guitar perfectly. Plenty of body, plenty of bite, just like you'd expect from an LP



^^ Braveheart
Click to expand...

Wow — cool-lookin' guitar! :)
 
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Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

thats an awesome looking LP man!

Ive said this before but the Alt8 seems like it would be the perfect pickup for me. (i play aggressive styles) but every single demo ive heard makes that pickup sound terrible to me. The demo on this thread is nice. Its good to hear the tone. I still want to see a good high gain demo that does this pickup justice. Until then, i just cant commit. I want to like it though..
 
Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

Great demo.

I just ordered one a few days ago, should be trying it out pretty soon.

Just a note...I also got a Distortion, (as many may remember, I was asking about the DD and the Alt 8 a week or two ago). Tried it out, sounded good but maybe a bit too much high end for what I want. Put in an A8 = sounds terrific. It'll be interesting to compare the Dist 8 with the Alt 8.
 
Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

GuitarDoc said:
Great demo.

I just ordered one a few days ago, should be trying it out pretty soon.

Just a note...I also got a Distortion, (as many may remember, I was asking about the DD and the Alt 8 a week or two ago). Tried it out, sounded good but maybe a bit too much high end for what I want. Put in an A8 = sounds terrific. It'll be interesting to compare the Dist 8 with the Alt 8.
Click to expand...

I was actually comparing the dd8 and alt8 last night. They are not really all that similar. I think u will dig the alt 8 more

IF you dig in hard the alt 8 is huge. Sounds like every thing is on 10. That said.... I have used the jb,distortion,custom, and invader and it is way more dynamic than any of thoseplay light with you fingers and u can go dream death metal to pushed tube distortion with touching your volume knob
 
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Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

GuitarDoc said:
Great demo.

I just ordered one a few days ago, should be trying it out pretty soon.

Just a note...I also got a Distortion, (as many may remember, I was asking about the DD and the Alt 8 a week or two ago). Tried it out, sounded good but maybe a bit too much high end for what I want. Put in an A8 = sounds terrific. It'll be interesting to compare the Dist 8 with the Alt 8.
Click to expand...

I am anxious to hear your review
 
Re: New Alternative 8 Demo

thanks,
in all of the metal demos ive heard online. the alt8 always seems like the thinnest of everything being demoed. why is this?
 
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