I have always used the distortion pickup on all of my guitars. I want one like the distortion, but does not have the buzzy or gritty sound on the high end. My description of what I would like is the distortion power, but more creamer or wetter sounding. Are there any suggestions out there?
Pick up recomendation. Similar to a distortion
- Thread starter danab
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Re: Pick up recomendation. Similar to a distortion
Maybe the JB?
They are said to be somewhat similar in terms of winding, just that the Distortion has a giant ceramic magnet and JB has Alnico 5.
Or what you can do is do a magnet swap to an Alnico magnet. Alnico 2 would be most creamy, 5 should give you something close to a JB, and you can do one of those Unoriented A5 which is said to have the A5 kind of power and clarity but with some of the creaminess of the A2.
Maybe the JB?
They are said to be somewhat similar in terms of winding, just that the Distortion has a giant ceramic magnet and JB has Alnico 5.
Or what you can do is do a magnet swap to an Alnico magnet. Alnico 2 would be most creamy, 5 should give you something close to a JB, and you can do one of those Unoriented A5 which is said to have the A5 kind of power and clarity but with some of the creaminess of the A2.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Pick up recomendation. Similar to a distortion
That "buzzy or gritty" sound is, to me, the sound of a ceramic magnet humbucker. I think of it as lacking a natural or organic sound, and instead, sounding somewhat artificial.
So an Alnico pickup might be a good place to start.
I prefer Alnico 2 or 5 pickups wound to no more than 9K...more along the lines of an old PAF.
Sounds like you want a hot, more modern rock pickup.
Not my thing.
But it sounds like you want Alnico...not Ceramic.
So maybe the JB. It's pretty much a Distortion with an Alnico 5 magnet.
Or vice versa: the Distortion is pretty much a JB with a Ceramic magnet.
That "buzzy or gritty" sound is, to me, the sound of a ceramic magnet humbucker. I think of it as lacking a natural or organic sound, and instead, sounding somewhat artificial.
So an Alnico pickup might be a good place to start.
I prefer Alnico 2 or 5 pickups wound to no more than 9K...more along the lines of an old PAF.
Sounds like you want a hot, more modern rock pickup.
Not my thing.
But it sounds like you want Alnico...not Ceramic.
So maybe the JB. It's pretty much a Distortion with an Alnico 5 magnet.
Or vice versa: the Distortion is pretty much a JB with a Ceramic magnet.
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Pick up recomendation. Similar to a distortion
Suhr Aldrich or Alternative 8!
Suhr Aldrich or Alternative 8!
Re: Pick up recomendation. Similar to a distortion
PATB-2b Parallel Axis Trembucker Distortion bridge . It tames the ceramic edge a bit, and has a thicker sound. Seems like exactly what you are describing. It's even higher output, ridiculous sustain [and not just from compression, polepiece structure is supposed to reduce string pull], harmonics scream out [but sound a little broader, because of the different polepiece structure]. All out metal monster. I don't get along with most ceramic pickups, the biting presence sounds glitchy and extremely unpleasant to me. PATB-2b sounds like the parts I like about a ceramic pickup, without the [unwanted] ugliness.
With some guitar/amp combos it can get a bit woolly for some tastes, but I'd solve that with a parametric EQ, if it can't be fixed with the amp's bass control.
Another TB-6 Distortion alternative/relative is the Invader. But it's even less likely to be mistaken for a stock pickup. Some people complain they sound muddy. Wouldn't be a likely choice for me, but I have heard a few guitarists get very unexpected sounds out of them.
If you can't cope with the different looks of the Parallel Axis pickup [which audience can't really make out, most noticable thing from a distance is the squarer coil form, not the polepieces], I'd look into something Alnico 8. A8 has most of ceramic's attack, with a rolled off high end.
I prefer the Custom 8 to the Alternative 8, but anything A8 is unlikely to have a harsh presence. Insane upper mids, sure. Ugly presence, not so much. If you are considering A8 pickups, I would check out sound samples of both pickups. I find the Custom 8 has this funny mix of vintage roar and modern attitude. The Alternative 8 doesn't have the open roar, but it tends to sound more modern.
I'm not familiar enough with the newer high output/metal-oriented pickups from Seymour Duncan to comment on how they might compare.
But your description of what you want just screams PATB-2b to me.
PATB-2b Parallel Axis Trembucker Distortion bridge . It tames the ceramic edge a bit, and has a thicker sound. Seems like exactly what you are describing. It's even higher output, ridiculous sustain [and not just from compression, polepiece structure is supposed to reduce string pull], harmonics scream out [but sound a little broader, because of the different polepiece structure]. All out metal monster. I don't get along with most ceramic pickups, the biting presence sounds glitchy and extremely unpleasant to me. PATB-2b sounds like the parts I like about a ceramic pickup, without the [unwanted] ugliness.
With some guitar/amp combos it can get a bit woolly for some tastes, but I'd solve that with a parametric EQ, if it can't be fixed with the amp's bass control.
Another TB-6 Distortion alternative/relative is the Invader. But it's even less likely to be mistaken for a stock pickup. Some people complain they sound muddy. Wouldn't be a likely choice for me, but I have heard a few guitarists get very unexpected sounds out of them.
If you can't cope with the different looks of the Parallel Axis pickup [which audience can't really make out, most noticable thing from a distance is the squarer coil form, not the polepieces], I'd look into something Alnico 8. A8 has most of ceramic's attack, with a rolled off high end.
I prefer the Custom 8 to the Alternative 8, but anything A8 is unlikely to have a harsh presence. Insane upper mids, sure. Ugly presence, not so much. If you are considering A8 pickups, I would check out sound samples of both pickups. I find the Custom 8 has this funny mix of vintage roar and modern attitude. The Alternative 8 doesn't have the open roar, but it tends to sound more modern.
I'm not familiar enough with the newer high output/metal-oriented pickups from Seymour Duncan to comment on how they might compare.
But your description of what you want just screams PATB-2b to me.
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