New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

[mafmmx]

Hello! I just picked up a new 2012 ESP M-1 (Single bridge pickup, Single volume knob, No tone knob style )

For those not familiar with the guitar, The guitar has a alder body w a satin finish, Hardtail bridge, Maple neck with a Ebony fretboard. The guitar is setup to E flat and i use 10 gauge strings. The guitar comes stock with a single EMG 81 in the bridge.

I prefer a more organic, thicker, chunkier tone at times ( Yes, I know this guitar due to its style and woods might be hard to get that chunkiness from )

I played around with the EMG for awhile, Different amp settings ( Marshall DSL 50 head ) and i also tried the 18v mod. The EMG sounds good and tight, don't get me wrong.. but it just has that processed/digital sound to it that is always there.

I own a PRS SC245 that has 57/08 PRS pickups and a Gibson SG VOS w 57 Classics and i think BOTH these guitars and pickup combos sound PERFECT! They both sound VERY thick and organic.. I would like just a "little" more output from the PRS and SG but its really not a problem. I know that the some of that tone that i like comes from the Mahogany and rosewood woods on those 2 guitars.

I am looking for a thicker tone then what i get now. Very organic sounding and something that i could really hear each string ring when i play a chord with a good amount of gain. I would prefer a Med/High gain pickup. I play mainly Hard Rock

So with all that said, If i am correct on this, Am i seeking a pickup that is a little more dark sounding? Since the ESP uses brighter sounding woods, would a darker sounding pickup balance it out and give me that organic, thicker tone?

Can anyone suggest which pickup i should go with and why?

I know pickups are all a matter of taste but since i do not do my own pickup installs and i really don't have the option of trying them first, then buying.. I could really use a small list of what pickup would work from the details above.

Thanks guys!

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

If your unsure why not work with a real Seymour Duncan dealer that way you can take advantage of the 21 day exchange policy.

My thought from what you've said about your other guitars is that something like a Pearly gates or a Custom Custom would blow your skirt up.

I get the feeling that something with an A8 mag in it you would think is too much.

The new Hybrid 59 custom would also be a candidate to look at.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

I suggest the alt 8. Its hot, dynamic huge lows and mids and highs that are very present but never harsh or thin. Also despite its thickness it has a lot of clarity. I had one in a jackson sl1 and it rocked.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

I suggest the alt 8. Its hot, dynamic huge lows and mids and highs that are very present but never harsh or thin. Also despite its thickness it has a lot of clarity. I had one in a jackson sl1 and it rocked.

What makes me wonder there though is look at the pickups that he says are perfect for him. Alt8 is pretty opposite of those. Hence my suggestions.

 

[wolf5150]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

If you want a touch more than your faves, def try a JB mated to a 250k volume pot.
Absolute perfection in an Alder Strat style.
I set mine slightly lower than most and it really comes alive.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

What makes me wonder there though is look at the pickups that he says are perfect for him. Alt8 is pretty opposite of those. Hence my suggestions.

true. But from my experience guitar like this tend to want hotter pickups to beef the sound. Your recommendation of the custom custom would also be q great choice

 

[metalmachine]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

If you want a touch more than your faves, def try a JB mated to a 250k volume pot.
Absolute perfection in an Alder Strat style.
I set mine slightly lower than most and it really comes alive.

ahh yes. I forgot about the jb. They love those guitars

 

[mustaine-who?]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

Before you gut it...try a AHB-1 or AHB-3 neck in the bridge. Really thick...dynamic...and organic (A5 mag). I think you'll be surprised how much you dig it...

 

[dominus]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

EMG 85.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

Before you ditch the active, EMG 85, with 18V mod. Thicker and chunkier, and the 18V mod gives them a more lively character.

If you are set on passive, Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid, DiMarzio Tone Zone, and Railhammer Chisel bridge are all excellent options for a big chunky organic tone.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

The regular sh-5 also does great in these types of guitar. Especially with a 2xceramic he he. But the regular version is great if u want thick with lots of bite

 

[gman128]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

I suggest the alt 8. Its hot, dynamic huge lows and mids and highs that are very present but never harsh or thin. Also despite its thickness it has a lot of clarity. I had one in a jackson sl1 and it rocked.

Had it in a maple necked strat, and could not stand the attack. It felt slow to respond and i actually disliked the dynamic response of the alt 8. Had to pick really hard to bring out the power in it.

I think this ESP would do nicely with any of the customs except the c8, the distortion or jb with a 250k pot.

I'm also going to agree with whoever said try the emg85/AHB-1 neck model.
Really chunky in the bridge position.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

The regular sh-5 also does great in these types of guitar. Especially with a 2xceramic he he. But the regular version is great if u want thick with lots of bite

Do you mean like the ceramic from a Distortion? :scratchch I might have to try that. What about the ceramics from an invader? hrmmmm might have to do some swapping around for giggles this weekend.

 

[javimm]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

As it has been said, try a EMG 85. It's a very versatile pickups and totally different than the 81. The 85 is Alnico V, and it's way smoother than a 81. It kick ass when needed too.
If you didn't know, Mark Knopfler used a 85 on the bridge of his Pensa-Suhr on the "On the Night" tour. Just listen to that CD, tracks like Calling Elvis, Heavy Fuel, You and Your Friend. The are all EMG 85 in the bridge position. Awesome tone. Liquid, hot.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

Do you mean like the ceramic from a Distortion? :scratchch I might have to try that. What about the ceramics from an invader? hrmmmm might have to do some swapping around for giggles this weekend.

yes sir. Its wonderful. Really warms up the leads too. I haven't tried the triple mags on it but izzo has. Ask him about it

 

[tonello]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

I would try some SD Blackouts before you do a passive swap. The AHB-1 aren't just for metal, and have a pretty passive sound with a huge gain.

 

[gman128]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

I would try some SD Blackouts before you do a passive swap. The AHB-1 aren't just for metal, and have a pretty passive sound with a huge gain.

I'll second that, when you roll off the volume, they respond accordingly

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

I agree with the blackouts suggestion (AHB1). Buy a used blackout, it uses the exact same quick connect wire as your EMG so all you need is a screw driver to remove the pickup ring from the pickup. The blackout is ridiculously thick and has insane output and harmonics, but the volume knob will help tame it if that is too much for you.

If you don't want to go active, the JB is pretty solid in a longer scale alder guitar such as yours. It is not known for being warm though, cutting treble, screaming upper mids. Don't overlook the Duncan Parallel Axis series, the Blues Seraceno is medium output, the original is a bit hotter.

If you really want to get into warm pickups that do not have insane output, I think dimarzio has some great options too: Breed, Norton, Crunch Lab, Tone Zone

 

[crguti]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

You're new, so I'm telling you the #1 rule of this forum... Pics or it doesn't exist.

JB sounds great in alder. Another option is a Tone Zone.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: New ESP M-1, Looking to swap the stock EMG for something passive, Need advice....

You're new, so I'm telling you the #1 rule of this forum... Pics or it doesn't exist.

JB sounds great in alder. Another option is a Tone Zone.

Since when has that ever been a rule here? Unless hes icemanning us and posting a NGD I dont see the need for pics