Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

[6stringerguy]

I’m looking at a pickup for a future custom build and have nailed it down to three main options by Seymour.
The Parallel Axis Original
The Parallel Axis Distortion
The Alternative 8 Trembucker
I require a tight but full low end with plenty of clarity without sounding too thin.
The guitar will be Equipped with a Double Locking Trem in D standard and be used primarily for Death/Thrash and Black Metal.
For the Neck Pickup I’m wanting a smooth round high end and not too much output so it can achieve a nice clean tone as well as being able to do smooth High Gain Leads.
I’m mainly looking at the Slash Pickup in the Neck Position.
Any and all insight is appreciated.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

One of my all time favorite combos for the type tones you are talking is the Alt 8 and the Sentient in the neck.
I want some sweetness and warmth but also aggressiveness and explosive harmonics in the bridge plus warmth and clarity in the neck with a singing solo tone and articulation.
I find the Alt / Sentient combo to be a bigger meaner tighter clearer more defined modern JB / Jazz set up.
The Alt is not as cutting and bright as a Distortion but is much bigger and warmer sounding and as aggressive and tight. The Sentient may well be my favorite neck pickup right now with a fantastic clean full tone that is very articulate and clear. It REALLY sings at high gain with a fluid articulate solo voice. Have one now in my KOA 1993 Carvin DC 127 and another that is going in my 02 Mahogany neck and body DC 400 with a Becker Perpetual Burn and using the Carvin Actives. Had an Alt in the bridge of the DC 127 for a while with the Sentient but because of how I use it I needed a lower output more mellow tone in the bridge of that particular guitar and went to a 59 Custom Hybrid. Really miss that explosive Alt tone and trying to decide where that pickup is going. Leaning to the 92 USA Wasburn MG 104 I have to replace a Custom Custom.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

A PATB-2/PATB-1n will fulfill your needs.

 

[Despair]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

PATB-2 is like a TB-6 Distortion, only with more growl and higher output. And crazy harmonics and reduced string pull from the polepiece design. My favorite gonzo metal pickup. Sadly underappreciated.

People fetishize tight pickups, but an EQ before hitting the preamp can easily fix that--and commonly does, that's the whole reason for using Tube Screamer variants in front of hot amps... You can't add what isn't there, though, and EQing out annoying treble spikes is harder.

Even without an EQ or bass cutting OD, I'd be happy with the PATB-2 for speed metal, riffs and leads. Some people prefer a pickup that is more sculpted for thrash/black metal rhythm out of the box, though. In which case maybe you should be looking at other options.

The Alt-8 might be a tighter punch, though, if that's what you need. I don't like the lead or riff tones as much, and personally would rather snip a bit of lower mids to tighten up fast gallops, than try to EQ in the right growl when I want it.

I have a PATB-1b in my RG570, it is a great pickup. It's tight on tight riffs, and feels loose when you are sloppy. You get out more than what you put in, in any direction, is my experience with Parallel Axis pickups. Terrific for a wide variety of leads, riffs and many styles of rhythm. PATB-1 wouldn't be my first choice for the heaviest metal, it's good for rock to metal, but maybe a bit less focused than you'd want for a dedicated metal axe.

Daemon Barbeque used to have some great PATB-2 samples, including comparisons with a conventional Distortion.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

One of my all time favorite combos for the type tones you are talking is the Alt 8 and the Sentient in the neck.
I want some sweetness and warmth but also aggressiveness and explosive harmonics in the bridge plus warmth and clarity in the neck with a singing solo tone and articulation.
I find the Alt / Sentient combo to be a bigger meaner tighter clearer more defined modern JB / Jazz set up.
The Alt is not as cutting and bright as a Distortion but is much bigger and warmer sounding and as aggressive and tight. The Sentient may well be my favorite neck pickup right now with a fantastic clean full tone that is very articulate and clear. It REALLY sings at high gain with a fluid articulate solo voice. Have one now in my KOA 1993 Carvin DC 127 and another that is going in my 02 Mahogany neck and body DC 400 with a Becker Perpetual Burn and using the Carvin Actives. Had an Alt in the bridge of the DC 127 for a while with the Sentient but because of how I use it I needed a lower output more mellow tone in the bridge of that particular guitar and went to a 59 Custom Hybrid. Really miss that explosive Alt tone and trying to decide where that pickup is going. Leaning to the 92 USA Wasburn MG 104 I have to replace a Custom Custom.

Thanks for the insight but I’ve got the Sentient,59 and Jazz Neck Pickups already assigned to future guitars or builds and want something different in each guitar.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

PATB-2 is like a TB-6 Distortion, only with more growl and higher output. And crazy harmonics and reduced string pull from the polepiece design. My favorite gonzo metal pickup. Sadly underappreciated.

People fetishize tight pickups, but an EQ before hitting the preamp can easily fix that--and commonly does, that's the whole reason for using Tube Screamer variants in front of hot amps... You can't add what isn't there, though, and EQing out annoying treble spikes is harder.

Even without an EQ or bass cutting OD, I'd be happy with the PATB-2 for speed metal, riffs and leads. Some people prefer a pickup that is more sculpted for thrash/black metal rhythm out of the box, though. In which case maybe you should be looking at other options.

The Alt-8 might be a tighter punch, though, if that's what you need. I don't like the lead or riff tones as much, and personally would rather snip a bit of lower mids to tighten up fast gallops, than try to EQ in the right growl when I want it.

I have a PATB-1b in my RG570, it is a great pickup. It's tight on tight riffs, and feels loose when you are sloppy. You get out more than what you put in, in any direction, is my experience with Parallel Axis pickups. Terrific for a wide variety of leads, riffs and many styles of rhythm. PATB-1 wouldn't be my first choice for the heaviest metal, it's good for rock to metal, but maybe a bit less focused than you'd want for a dedicated metal axe.

Daemon Barbeque used to have some great PATB-2 samples, including comparisons with a conventional Distortion.

Thanks I also should mention that I always use a tube screamer style boost on high gain tones.

 

[Despair]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

Thanks I also should mention that I always use a tube screamer style boost on high gain tones.

That widens the field!

Comes down to what sort of sound you want. The PATB-2 tends towards compressed, but weirdly articulate. With the hot wind, it's volume doesn't change as much with how hard you pick, but it still responds with changes in tone to pick articulation and harmonics. Very expressive, in a screaming over the top metal fashion. I don't tend to get along with the normal Distortion due to the ceramic high end, but the PATB-2 has similar high end without the ceramic presence that annoys my ear, instead it has extended smoother treble and presence. It sings and blazes for leads, roars for riffs and chunks for rhythm.

It's one of my favorite metal pickups. I may be biased, as a fan of Parallel Axis pickups... But I think everyone ought to try something Parallel Axis at least once. But I feel that way about A8 magnets too... :eyecrazy:

The Slash pickup is probably fine with any of the pickup options, as long as you are comfortable with the volume difference. Given a metal rig's gain, should be fine for neck leads. And for cleans, you probably want the lower output anyways. Hot pickups can sound weirdly punchy, overamped, even if the clean channel doesn't distort with them.

Hope my rambling helps, even if it's just to suggest what to listen for when comparing clips. At least there's a few more youtube videos up for the PATB-2 with more varied rigs than there were a few years ago...

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

I am very familiar with the PATB1b-it is a fantastic pickup, but maybe not hot enough for your application. The Alt 8 is quickly becoming my favorite Duncan of all time. Its got all the meat of a JB without the mush and upper mid spike. Its fat, articulate, and full sounding. The A8 mag is like a mix of A2 and A5-has the compression of an A5 with some of that sweetnes you get in an A2. Its quite awesome. I dont know why A8s haven't taken off more since their introduction.

I have a PATB2b in a guitar currently, but its in D standard with 10-46 gauge strings. It sounds a tad thin so i will revisit it with some 11's.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

Thanks for the insight but I’ve got the Sentient,59 and Jazz Neck Pickups already assigned to future guitars or builds and want something different in each guitar.

One thing about the Sentient is it really picks up the character of the guitar. Can sound much different in a different scale guitar or one with different woods. See the same thing with the Hybrid I have one in my 25 scale KOA Carvin DC 127 with an ebony board and another in my Pine body maple neck Modern Player 25.5 scale Tele. They sound completely differently!
Tell you one combo that would likely get you where your talking that is not Duncan. That would be the Liquifier neck and the Satcher8 bridge. Liquifier is a big round fat but articulate A5 that sings with gain and the Satcher8 is pretty tight explosive pickup also. I had a Liquifier/ Crunchlab in my 15 Carvin ST 300 when i got it you also might like that set up. For me the Crunch Lab was just not able to clean up well enough or expressive enough so went to the Vai Gravity Storm. That pickup is likely to traditional for what you are looking for though.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

One thing about the Sentient is it really picks up the character of the guitar. Can sound much different in a different scale guitar or one with different woods. See the same thing with the Hybrid I have one in my 25 scale KOA Carvin DC 127 with an ebony board and another in my Pine body maple neck Modern Player 25.5 scale Tele. They sound completely differently!
Tell you one combo that would likely get you where your talking that is not Duncan. That would be the Liquifier neck and the Satcher8 bridge. Liquifier is a big round fat but articulate A5 that sings with gain and the Satcher8 is pretty tight explosive pickup also. I had a Liquifier/ Crunchlab in my 15 Carvin ST 300 when i got it you also might like that set up. For me the Crunch Lab was just not able to clean up well enough or expressive enough so went to the Vai Gravity Storm. That pickup is likely to traditional for what you are looking for though.

I’m putting an X2N and Liquifire in my USA Jackson soon.

 

[devastone]

Re: Parallel Axis Original/Distortion vs Alternative 8

I have a PATB2b in a guitar currently, but its in D standard with 10-46 gauge strings. It sounds a tad thin so i will revisit it with some 11's.

I haven't used the PATB-2 in a long time, kinda thinking about trying it in a new build I'm toying with, but can't ever imagine it sounding thin, sure it's not a 3 instead of 2? (not trying to be a jerk, just asking)