PAF output pickup for metal

[gsammo79]

Mojotone and Seth Lover are unpotted, so It doesnt work for me. I like high gain with tight low end.
From this comparison (16 pickups) i like Pearly Gates and Dimarzio 36 anniversary.
Although pearly Gates more. I've read that it's great for metal and has a tight bottom.
I was also thinking about 59 but I heard the low end likes to be sloppy.

The '59 has more low end than the PG. Your root6 power chords and chugging will have more balls with the '59, imo

 

[Rex_Rocker]

If the 36 anniversary has a looser low end, I reject it.
So what will give me more dynamics and tighter low end 59 or pearly gates? Maybe similar?

They're probably close. Pick and choose.

The '59 will probably be tighter and more immediate because of the Alnico 5, I would think. But I doubt it would be a night and day difference as it would be when comparing a '59 and an Invader.

 

[IMENATOR]

If Van Halen is still considered metal then why not a 78 ? I bet it will sound good from E std to drop C# at least.

 

[esandes]

For metal the A5 is naturally more scooped generally and has a fat, tight bottom end. Maybe the mid scoop defines the bottom end more.

That said, my metal playing friend loved my A2P bridge guitar I lent him for a couple of years. That's alnico 2.

If your tone always has high gain, I'd go with the A5. The brobucker has a bit more output, I think, than you're looking for but I'd recommend it as a contender. I also recommend 300-500k pots for HBs to open them up but if you like dark, 250k is good.

 

[xxxplorer]

59, PG, Motor City Black Belt series. Wagner Godwood. All work well for me for that flavor of pickup.

 

[soulforger]

I'd probably give the Dimarzio Fortitude a look, that's exactly what it is, a PAF type designed specifically for metal. Vivian Campbell in his Last in Line band, is using a '59 set in his black "Dio" Les Paul and it sounds incredible. I used to use Jackson Dominions, the original Japan models which came with '59 neck and bridge, and they were cool but in that particular guitar with it's ebony board and chambered body the '59s were too bright and edgy for leads on the top strings.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

59B with a ceramic in place of the stock A5 is a metal monster.

 

[Securb]

The only PAF I have had success using for metal is the WLH. But is it really a "PAF" seeing it started life as a PAF then Seymour rewound it? Nevertheless, I used one in both my hardcore and metal bands and it is an awesome pickup.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I'd probably give the Dimarzio Fortitude a look, that's exactly what it is, a PAF type designed specifically for metal. Vivian Campbell in his Last in Line band, is using a '59 set in his black "Dio" Les Paul and it sounds incredible. I used to use Jackson Dominions, the original Japan models which came with '59 neck and bridge, and they were cool but in that particular guitar with it's ebony board and chambered body the '59s were too bright and edgy for leads on the top strings.

Yeah, the Fortitude might be a good idea.

Based on what they say on the blurb, they actually "tightened" the bass response by decreasing low mid mud, but they also increased actual low-end.

 

[uOpt]

Could also try a DD neck in the bridge. That's a ceramic PAF-class pickup.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Could also try a DD neck in the bridge. That's a ceramic PAF-class pickup.

It's not really. It's 13K, probably wound with 43 gauge wire, and with an oversized Ceramic.

I have one. I've tried it. It just sounds like an underwound Duncan Distortion or a tweaked Custom, not like a PAF. At least IME/IMO.

 

[uOpt]

It's not really. It's 13K, probably wound with 43 gauge wire, and with an oversized Ceramic.

I have one. I've tried it. It just sounds like an underwound Duncan Distortion or a tweaked Custom, not like a PAF. At least IME/IMO.

Hm. I must have mixed it up with another ceramic neck pickup.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Hm. I must have mixed it up with another ceramic neck pickup.

The Gibson 496R is an 8K-ish pickup, but with a regular-sized Ceramic magnet. Maybe that one?

A few 8K-ish ceramic pickups come to mind. The DiMarzio Super 2. The Mighty Mite 1400. The Duncan Alpha. The Invader Neck. The Dominion Neck.