new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

[omgitsjustme]

What are the best pickups for a 98 Jackson RR1 with a floyd rose, alder body, maple neck, and ebony fretboard? I play leads and rhythm and use the bridge for solos while the neck for both riffs and solos. I want an articulate sound with balanced highs, mids and a good low end for palm muting on the neck. What would you recommend in the bridge for shredding? I need clarity, crunch, a really heavy sound, but nothing muddy or thin/shrill sounding. I'm looking at black winters but I'm worried They'll sound too bright. I've also been looking at the Dimarzio D Activators/D Activator X's. Or should i use a DA in the bridge and BW in the neck or BW in the bridge and DA in the neck?

Also, i play anything from death metal, thrash, to metalcore. I tune to D Standard and I plan on using a mesa cab if that helps. I'm open to other options. I'd go to a local music store, but they don't have these options so i can't compare. I've already asked seymour duncan and Dimarzio and they recommended the ones i named. please tell me which you would pick and why? Anyone's input would help a lot. Thank you!

 

[Demanic]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

To muddy things up a bit (as far as your choices, not the tone) , I'll throw in the Alternative 8 in the bridge paired with an Sentient neck. I play in D standard with my Alt 8 and it sounds massive and never shrill, but it cuts like a JB on steroids. I believe that the Sentient is supposed to be like a Jazz/59 hybrid, which, having used both in the neck position, I have to say can't be a bad thing.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

The Dactivators are brighter than the black winters.... though neither are particularly bright.

 

[omgitsjustme]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

I've looked up several videos of the alt 8 and I love the clarity, I'm just worried it won't be heavy enough but I'll keep that in mind. as for the sentient I love the tone it has, but more people seem to lean towards the black winters they just seem heavier. I'll probably end up getting one in the future though. thanks for the help

 

[omgitsjustme]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

The Dactivators are brighter than the black winters.... though neither are particularly bright.

Thats something i needed to hear thank you. which one would you say sounds warmer?

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

Thats something i needed to hear thank you. which one would you say sounds warmer?

I wouldnt say either are warm in the sense that like a A2Pro or CC are warm. The Black winter is pretty evenly toned. It has no real spikes in the EQ. But it still has enough highs that it cuts through.

The Dactivators have extended highs compared to the black winters. But arent really bright but have a glassy edge when you chug on them. If i was trying to avoid screechy highs that sound brittle I would go for black winter. If i wanted the sharp pick attack and crushed glass edge I would go dactivator.

 

[Demanic]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

I've looked up several videos of the alt 8 and I love the clarity, I'm just worried it won't be heavy enough but I'll keep that in mind. as for the sentient I love the tone it has, but more people seem to lean towards the black winters they just seem heavier. I'll probably end up getting one in the future though. thanks for the help

I have an Alt 8 in my mahogany Ibanez tuned to D standard. I use it for playing things like Kreator and Overkill. It seems heavy enough to me.

 

[omgitsjustme]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

I have an Alt 8 in my mahogany Ibanez tuned to D standard. I use it for playing things like Kreator and Overkill. It seems heavy enough to me.

i like the alt 8 due to its fullness and warmth probably from the alnico magnet,but i want the balance of the black winter at the same time I'm just afraid it won't sound warm enough in alder. I'll probably end up switching things up in the future and getting one in the bridge and seeing which ones i like better.

 

[omgitsjustme]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

I wouldnt say either are warm in the sense that like a A2Pro or CC are warm. The Black winter is pretty evenly toned. It has no real spikes in the EQ. But it still has enough highs that it cuts through.

The Dactivators have extended highs compared to the black winters. But arent really bright but have a glassy edge when you chug on them. If i was trying to avoid screechy highs that sound brittle I would go for black winter. If i wanted the sharp pick attack and crushed glass edge I would go dactivator.

From the way you described it i think i'll get the black winters and switch them out for the d activator set in a couple years and if i don't like them i'll keep them for another guitar. I do want to keep the warmth of the jazz/jb set though since i feel they add fullness to the alder body. do you think i should get custom black winters with alnico 5s? or do you think that'll take away its sharpness and the way they cut through?

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: new pickups for '98 Jackson RR1| Black Winter's or D-Activators/ DX's

Buy the black winters as is... You can change the mags to A5 for 5 bucks easily later if you want to. The other way around is harder the ceramic spacer mags that come stock on the black winters are hard to find.