Pickup reccomendation

[Gibson 1964]

I have a basswood RG that I bought as my first guitar. Since I actually learned to play and have some appreciation that a digitech death metal into a crate amp is not the epitome of good tone, I have been dissatisfied with how it sounds.

I'll give pickups I have tried.

JB - Okay, but nothing special, probably the best I have used in here, but really not special sounding
Distortion - Sounded a bit woofy in this guitar because it has a huge low mid emphasis on all these pickups. This might have been the second worst with any gain for this guitar.
Invader - Like stuffing a feather duvet over the amp, except lean. Perfectly clean I liked the tone on this one, which makes no sense to me.
Wilde L500 - Sounds like 90s metal, not bad, but nothing special These are in there now. it is not inspiring to play.
Q-tuners - Sounded very, very generic

Honestly, I think it is a poor piece of wood, but this guitar literally kept me from taking my life a decade and a half ago so its a bit of an emotional attachment. I'd like to make it at least a niche guitar again as I played it exclusively for over a decade.

I am wondering if a full shred would be a good match. I have never played a full shred. It has never really appealed to me, but FS/ basswood seems to be a combo. The biggest problem is that this guitar has a guttural growl and no scream with most pickups I have tried. If I were a capable shredder playing legato tapping runs it would sound really good.

Other pickups I am considering are the black winter and possibly a screaming demon. Heck, I'd consider dimarzio even, though I have never owned a dimarzio equipped guitar for whatever reason. I know I like the BW, but the utter failure of the distortion in this particular guitar makes me doubt if that is a smart direction. Nazgul 6 or Pegasus would be other options I would consider.

 

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

Are you still playing thru a Digitech Death Metal and Crate? That coud be the problem

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

Are you still playing thru a Digitech Death Metal and Crate? That coud be the problem

Not for a good decade. I play through a selection of high end tube amps. I have a Frenzel HBWC30, A Soldano SLO 100, A Phaez dual high gain monster custom built for me, A Baron Snott Watt, A fender Bassman 50, 2 racks, and a pedal board that is downright awesome. I have a pretty darn nice collection of gear. The Death metal distortion left before the end of the 90s. The Crate hung around till 2005 or so, though I quit using it much in 2001.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

What tonal characteristics do you find are not likable about your guitar naturally? When you plug into an amp, what is the first thing you notice no matter what pick-up is in it that isn't pleasing?

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

A low mid range growl that is imbalanced, and a softer high end. I would say that there is an attenuation in the highs and high mids that I dislike. This does not impede tones from sounding harsh or brittle however at the same time. It is all growl, and a very distinctive sound.

 

[dominus]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

Full Shred, or Evo 2

 

[EDX]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

hmm maybe the dimebucker could give clear and even the tone, if not, at least it will not sound worst

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

Wilde l500R & XL are in there. That is what the dimebucker is based on. Its not bad, it also is just not that good in this particular guitar. I doubt it would be that big a change.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

I'm feeling the issue is the plank itself.

The other issue is possibly that you just don't jell with high outputs. Try a Pearly gates, or a Demon, or a 59.

 

[EDX]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

if youd had GAIN ENOUGH the 59's or the Pearly Gates had my vote (more the pearlys, they are way more agressive sounding)

and actually the dimebucker is based on the old L500L not the XL, so the difference is not so subtle

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

In general I do jell with high outputs. Huge Black Winter fan, like the Slug, etc. The issue is a subpar plank I am fairly sure. I'd just like to upgrade it to usable.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

if youd had GAIN ENOUGH the 59's or the Pearly Gates had my vote (more the pearlys, they are way more agressive sounding)

and actually the dimebucker is based on the old L500L not the XL, so the difference is not so subtle

Well, I actually own examples of l500s of all types except the c. The difference between an l and xl is not that big IME. (I actually have had both in that guitar. I prefer the xl in it actually)

 

[Demanic]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that you try the Custom 5

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

One pickup I haven't tried. Maybe I should get that and a full shred used. (Neither are pricey)

 

[jimijames]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

I hate to say it but it sounds like you'll want a pickup that doesn't really let much of the instrument come through... Something like one of dimarzo's ultra high output models.

As for stuff from the SD line, it seems like you've tried exclusively high output stuff in the guitar. Maybe try the screamin' demon? With ceramic? Alternatively the custom (instead of the c5) seems like it would work better. Or, if you really want to get crazy, maybe try a PAF like the pearly gates or the 59, but with A8

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

I would prefer a domineering pickup in this one.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

Custom shop full shred ordered off of ebay for cheap. Yeah, the colors are weird, but I am game for an orange and black pickup, I like Halloween.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

If you're going custom shop, how about suggest a Full Shred/Distortion hybrid? Something like a bassier version of the Demon. The Full Shred should reign in the "woofiness" of the Distortion while still having more beef than the Full Shred is known for.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

It was a cs one used on ebay, $79.99 shipped. For an MJ wound CS Full Shred it seemed like a no brainer.

I would, if I was going CS new, probably look at an el diablo. Or just describe what I wanted in detail and give them free reign

 

[Demanic]

Re: Pickup reccomendation

It was a cs one used on ebay, $79.99 shipped. For an MJ wound CS Full Shred it seemed like a no brainer.

I would, if I was going CS new, probably look at an el diablo. Or just describe what I wanted in detail and give them free reign

Sorry, I misread the part about getting it cheap from e-bay. I suppose that would make sense.