New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

[Masta' C]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

Man I never decided on either the Dean baker act, BK painkiller, or dimarzio D acts. Nobody around me will take pickups back anymore, so im stuck with what I get. Not like the old days, when I could buy three at a time.

Those are 3 very different pickups!

I've owned the Baker Act (remember it very well) and currently have the D-Activators.

What are you looking for in a pickup?

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

Hey Joey, what are you looking for in a pickup?

The Illuminator is a little smoother/fuller sounding and a little less "clanky" in its response than the Satchur8. However, the Satchur8 is really unique and, in some ways, has more of its own character with a little more "rawness" and growl that I like. Nonetheless, there's a lot of overlap in terms of general output and what types of tones these two pickups can achieve.

I found the Illuminator softens up a tiny bit more than the Satchur8 with the volume rolled back, which I slightly prefer, since these are both really high output pickups.

I didn't attempt to split either of them, but I'm guessing both would yield some very believable "single coil" type tones, as well! In fact, if I were to try the Satchur8 again, I would make it a point to wire it with a coil split because I see a lot of potential there.

Harmonics on both are pretty incredible, with the Illuminator having a slightly more "bell" like quality and the Satchur8 yielding a little more bite and some more interesting overtones (similar to the DiMarzio Fred).

Didn't get a chance to A/B the Illuminator against the Axis bridge yet...I ended up swapping out the Illuminator out for a Chris Carter "Sounds of Sin" Axis bridge copy (which doesn't sound much like the actual Axis model to me) and I'm loving it!

I think I'm going to put the Illuminator in a Floyd-equipped Strat-style guitar soon. I'll report back once I do.

Well I do want something that will inevitably pair well with the liquifier neck model, and both models seem like they would do well. I like the idea of something a little different, and do generally like Al8 pickups, but I’m not so sure that an increased upper harmonic quality, or clankiness as you refer to it, is what I’m going for. I originally had plans to use the illuminator, but this one really grabbed my attention because of how different it is for their line. I do intend to own both at some point.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

I do intend to own both at some point.

Shot you a PM

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

Those are 3 very different pickups!

I've owned the Baker Act (remember it very well) and currently have the D-Activators.

What are you looking for in a pickup?

Good treble and high mids. I loved the Dimarzio EVO, but it was too screamy in my Strat. Something like it but better for Alder.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

Good treble and high mids. I loved the Dimarzio EVO, but it was too screamy in my Strat. Something like it but better for Alder.

EVO 2
Duncan Distortion
JB
Norton
Suhr SSH+

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

EVO 2
Duncan Distortion
JB
Norton
Suhr SSH+

I tried the first three, and currently use the Distortion. How do the Baker act etc compare to it?

 

[Top-L]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

I wonder if this pickup also represents and evolution in Joes playing.

I remember back around SBM, they released the MoJoe and I really disliked that pickup compared to the Fred (and Evolution). The MoJoe was like a beefier sounding fred without all the harmonic complexity. Sure enough joes tones in the SBM era started to get bigger and less distinct, less frenetic, more generic.

If Joe is finally using a higher output pickup, it might be a good time for him to work up some new phrases/technique. Its a different world out there for shredders these days.

 

[dave74]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

I love his tone on Crowd Chant. What was he using for the SC album?

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

I wonder if this pickup also represents and evolution in Joes playing.

I remember back around SBM, they released the MoJoe and I really disliked that pickup compared to the Fred (and Evolution). The MoJoe was like a beefier sounding fred without all the harmonic complexity. Sure enough joes tones in the SBM era started to get bigger and less distinct, less frenetic, more generic.

If Joe is finally using a higher output pickup, it might be a good time for him to work up some new phrases/technique. Its a different world out there for shredders these days.

Your right. The Fred rocked.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

I tried the first three, and currently use the Distortion. How do the Baker act etc compare to it?

The Baker Act is warmer than the Distortion and surprisingly hot for an A5-based pickup (hotter than the JB, for example). Great harmonic character and clear response on single note runs, but it has this "buzzsaw" quality from the compression that wore on me over time.

Closest pickup I can relate the Baker Act to is the Suhr Aldrich, but I think the Aldrich is a little more flexible/versatile, personally.

The old Dean "Spotlight" videos did a good job of showing what the Baker Act sounds like driven, even if the audio isn't that great...

 

[Gplayerzzz]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

The Baker Act is warmer than the Distortion and surprisingly hot for an A5-based pickup (hotter than the JB, for example). Great harmonic character and clear response on single note runs, but it has this "buzzsaw" quality from the compression that wore on me over time.

Closest pickup I can relate the Baker Act to is the Suhr Aldrich, but I think the Aldrich is a little more flexible/versatile, personally.

The old Dean "Spotlight" videos did a good job of showing what the Baker Act sounds like driven, even if the audio isn't that great...

Thanks man. Guess I'll just have to try some and see.

 

[Orville]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

Sorry to drag this back to life, but there still isn't a lot of info on the Satcher8 on the web. I have a basswood / 24 fret maple/ edge trem Ibanez RG that is about have the Fred moved from bridge to neck. I love the pickup but A) haven't been able to find a neck pup that I like and think the Fred is just the ticket for what I want, and B) I'd like a little less of that wah or "aw" vowel sound from the bridge. In the past Dimarzio support told me that would be less in the neck. Wasn't a deal breaker either way. I am considering the Mo Joe, Norton, and as of last night the Evo2 became interesting as a bridge choice to go with the Fred.
Could I ask how the Satcher8 would stack up with the above mentioned pick ups. I want something that balances decently with the Fred in the neck, but also is not going to blow it away either. Truth be told I'd like the output of the Mo Joe but not sure if it can hang with the Fred. I am ok if I need to look at evo2/ satcher8 levels as I am not afraid of my volume knob ! Amp is DSL40CR and my styles are classic hard rock ( ac/dc) to satch like levels of gain - thow in some hard blues too. Classic metal but nothing modern or death like.
Thanks !!!

 

[Guitarmusic]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

Sorry to drag this back to life, but there still isn't a lot of info on the Satcher8 on the web. I have a basswood / 24 fret maple/ edge trem Ibanez RG that is about have the Fred moved from bridge to neck. I love the pickup but A) haven't been able to find a neck pup that I like and think the Fred is just the ticket for what I want, and B) I'd like a little less of that wah or "aw" vowel sound from the bridge. In the past Dimarzio support told me that would be less in the neck. Wasn't a deal breaker either way. I am considering the Mo Joe, Norton, and as of last night the Evo2 became interesting as a bridge choice to go with the Fred.
Could I ask how the Satcher8 would stack up with the above mentioned pick ups. I want something that balances decently with the Fred in the neck, but also is not going to blow it away either. Truth be told I'd like the output of the Mo Joe but not sure if it can hang with the Fred. I am ok if I need to look at evo2/ satcher8 levels as I am not afraid of my volume knob ! Amp is DSL40CR and my styles are classic hard rock ( ac/dc) to satch like levels of gain - thow in some hard blues too. Classic metal but nothing modern or death like.
Thanks !!!

Do it dude, I feel all of Satch's pickups are very musical and well rounded. Alnico8 is awesome!

 

[Masta' C]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

Hi Orville!

The FRED in the neck is awesome, but you'll definitely want a slightly hotter bridge to keep up with it.

Tone Zone, Norton, Evo2, Illuminator, AT1 and Satchur8 are all great options, but I'd strongly steer you toward the Tone Zone, AT-1, Norton or Illuminator over the Evo2 and Satchur8. The Evo2/Satchur8 are killer, but might be a bit much for what you're after.

 

[Orville]

Re: New Satriani Pickup...the "Satchur8"!

I think I am down to a Norton, but curious about the AT-1. I have heard Andy Timmons live in a fairly small venue but I know his rig contributes to a lot of his tone so it's hard to judge the pickup. The Norton has from everything I have read and heard a great rude rock tone. The AT-1 is said to have great harmonics but is more polite sounding. Also the Mo Joe is listed as the same 320mV output, although less resistance, As I understand the less resistance the less compressed sounding, and mV is more of the indicator of output. If the AT-1 can balance with the Fred neck can the Mo Joe as well? And can someone also just give a brief idea of the general differences between the AT-1 and Mo Joe?

Thanks for your help. I'd love to get both and experiment but finances for my music gear have almost dried up so I am being careful with this decision as I may be stuck with it for a while