Pickups for my Hellraiser

Pickups for my Hellraiser

  • Dimarzio Virtual PAF/Virtual Hot PAF

    Votes: 6 54.5%

  • Dimarzio PAF Joe/Mo' Joe

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Bill & Becky Lawrence L500C/L500L

    Votes: 2 18.2%

  • EMG 60A/85

    Votes: 3 27.3%
  • Total voters
    11
ParameterMan

ParameterMan

New member
Well, it's happened. I've got a Schecter Hellraiser hardtail, which as you may know comes stock with EMG 85 and 81 pickups. As I figured, I'm not getting along with the 81 in the bridge. Almost toxic levels of hard-edged upper midrange grittiness like most ceramic magnet pickups I've tried. And the 85 makes too thick of a neck pickup. I really like it as a bridge pickup, though. Wildstar has a 60A he's willing to sell me that I could put in the neck and then move the 85 to the bridge.

This guitar resonates a bit like a PRS- kind of a tight but dark "lead guitar" sound. The EMGs seem to be a bit cold sounding in this guitar. So, I'm thinking maybe I need some passive pickups that contribute more of their own organic warmth and compression to the sound. Don't get me wrong- I really like EMGs and I don't really play metal- more classic rock, blues, psychedelic rock, etc.

Anyway, vote! Or suggest something else.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Yeah my bud has that guitar. The 81 has alot of feedback on his rig and too much treble, but again that could be poor EQ'ing. He has one of those line6 LIVE floor setups. I believe someone on here has a hellraiser with a JB? and has said good things. Thats what I'd suggest if you're not a fan of ceramic magnets. It should mix well with the mahogany neck.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

You're right about that- I can EQ my amp to play nice with the 81, but then there's no switching to the neck, which I do quite a bit. Even if I get it dialed in, it's still leaning too hard towards thrash. Good tone, just not quite my thing.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

I noticed that too, I like EMGs but in THAT guitar they REALLY REALLY sounded sterile! felt like rubber playing. I really liked mine, it was my main axe for a while, but i just don't like those x-jumbo frets they are just HUGE and buzz too much. I sold it and got a c-1 classic which fits me much better. It has a slightly smaller neck and regular jumbo frets that don't buzz at all (CRAZY LOW ACTION!)

In my hellraiser i had a JB/Jazz, Distortion bridge and neck, Custom bridge with distortion neck. I think the Custom sounded overall the best for the bridge and the jazz overall the best for the neck (actually VERY VERY GOOD). The guitar is extremely dark sounding, and very HUGE sounding. So you really need tighter pickups in it, otherwise pickups like the JB can sound too flubby in the bass. IN my classic its perfect but the classic is a snappy brighter sounding guitar so the JB is tight in it.

The distortion sounded really great for metal but the lack of dynamics and the amount of compression is just too much, i could deal with those at all. PLenty of tight end and top end clarity for the hellraiser though. The Custom was even clearer and had a bigger but tight bottom and LOTS OF CRUNCH!

Just from what i've tried in it i would go with a custom/jazz i know thats not one of your choices though.

I LOVE my schecters though! I have an exotic and classic now and they are by far my favorite guitars i've ever owned.
 
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Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

1 more thing the JB is INCREDIBLE for leads in that guitar, if you are a lead player put the JB in there, it sings something amazing in that guitar.

Also no more EMGs man i tried the 85 in the bridge still didn't like it, muddier and less tight sounding.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Hey, I'll consider the JB. I tried it in someone's strat style guitar and it didn't really speak to me, but in this case, who knows? Might be just what the doctor ordered.

Boy, are you right about the rubber feeling EMGs. It must be the guitar, because I've never had that happen before.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Hey stangme how would you compare the JB to the Custom in that guitar? My ESP is nearly identical to the hellraiser but with maple neck and set thru construction instead of set in. I love the JB but I'm curious about the custom, and I've had bad experiences with ceramic magnets( distortion, dimebucker etc) . I want a JB but with a bit more low mids, bass is good on the JB but I want the punch a neck pickup delivers but with the crunch and characteristics the JB brings to the table.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

I voted for the Dimarzio Virtual PAF/Virtual Hot PAF combo. I would also suggest the DiMarzio Air Zone/Air Norton combo as well asthe CC/A2P combo.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Butch, those sound like some really cool combos as well. Now I'm never going to be able to decide. :smack:
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Rio Grande Genuine Texas in the neck spot and a Rio Grande BBQ in the bridge, most certain would make a nice combo for you as well.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

ParameterMan said:
Well, it's happened. I've got a Schecter Hellraiser hardtail, which as you may know comes stock with EMG 85 and 81 pickups. As I figured, I'm not getting along with the 81 in the bridge. Almost toxic levels of hard-edged upper midrange grittiness like most ceramic magnet pickups I've tried. And the 85 makes too thick of a neck pickup. I really like it as a bridge pickup, though. Wildstar has a 60A he's willing to sell me that I could put in the neck and then move the 85 to the bridge.
Click to expand...

Hey dude, just following up on your last PM and just now reading this thread. I don't think you'll like my 60a for your guitar, if the 85 was too thick. I've found the 60a to be really smooth, very much like an APH2, except active of course.

I'd suggest a 59, JB, or CC bridge. If the 85 was too thick in the neck, try a SD 59, or Full Shred, in the neck. Don't let the name fool you - the Full Shred neck is not just for shredders!

Cheers
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Well, revolting developments on the home front. Maybe. I swapped the 81 and 85 around, and surprise! the 81 is a great neck pickup. And it really is lower output than the 85, which is what I suspected. It's still too metal for me, though. Would be the perfect neck pickup to go with another 81. Preferably a slightly fatter higher output version. EMG? Are you listening? The 82, maybe?

The 85 has a mean low and high end crunch that sounds absolutely huge in the bridge, but this guitar brings out the schnazzle in it, too. The jury's still out on this one.

I do know that if I stick with EMG one of them has got to go. To my ear they don't belong on the same guitar.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

ParameterMan said:
Well, revolting developments on the home front. Maybe. I swapped the 81 and 85 around, and surprise! the 81 is a great neck pickup. And it really is lower output than the 85, which is what I suspected. It's still too metal for me, though. Would be the perfect neck pickup to go with another 81. Preferably a slightly fatter higher output version. EMG? Are you listening? The 82, maybe?

The 85 has a mean low and high end crunch that sounds absolutely huge in the bridge, but this guitar brings out the schnazzle in it, too. The jury's still out on this one.

I do know that if I stick with EMG one of them has got to go. To my ear they don't belong on the same guitar.
Click to expand...

I think a lot of people like the 81 in the neck, IIRC. And I agree about the 85 in the bridge. i had an 89 (very similar tone) and I loved the wicked crunch, and gorgeous cleans, but it had some kind of "schnazzle" that came through in recording that didn't work for me.

As i wrote in a PM to you, if you go Dimarzio:

From what you're describing, I think VPAF Hot Bridge, and VPAF Neck will fit the styles you want to cover really well. If they end up being too bright or jangly (they won't sound harsh, that's for sure) then you'd want to try the Air Zone/Air Norton combo. With Dimazio's exchange policy, you'll be OK. assuming you buy new!

Both sets have that unique Dimarzio 3D / airbucker tone. It's very cool, very organic. You just need to figure out where your guitar fits into the bright-versus-fat scale.

cheers
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

If you keep the 85 in the bridge get a REGULAR 60 in the neck, its 10000000000 times better than the 85 or 81 in the neck. The 60a is okay but the regular 60 is one of my favorite neck pickups ever.

As for the JB compared to the custom, JB has a flubby bottom end in the hellraiser, and is very dark, there is alot of string separation with the JB, but for some reason its so complex in the midrange that there is so much going on that it almost sounds muddy.

The custom was much clearer, had a tightet but slightly less defined bottom end, more presence and true treble, and had a much more ac/dc crunch going on to it. REAL mean metal sound. Definitely has the best rhythm sound of the 2. Has noticeably less output, at least i should say it seems to need quite a bit more gain to get saturated.

JB has the best leads for sure, this pickup just sings like no other for leads. Higher output and more complex sounding.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

I didn't like the 81 in the neck at all. But i also don't like the 85 in the neck either but i think i like it better than the 81 in the neck. The 81 is too metal for a neck pickup
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

If you like the tight feel of the EMGs but need an organic sound without fuzz try the Lawrences. Compleptely balanced. You'll hear high-mids and low-mids/lows working together like no other and the highs are very crisp and chimey. Never harsh or piercing, very glassy. They're very loud pups too.

The second combo I'd choose is the VPAF/VHPAF. Very different in feel but not so different in tone. Less tight but still tight and less attack. But more PAF-like and with outstanding cleans. It's a mean PAF pup.;) Just the fast leads are more defined with the Lawrences. I'd say that the VHPAF is the PAF for metal or the 80's PAF.

Haha all the PAFs are from 50s and 60s. Lets have one for the 80's then.;)

Edit: Here I need to say that all of my reviews/opinions etc are based on high gain only. I rarely use overdrive....
 
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Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Cool, guys, thanks for the input. I think I may be looking at a Dimarzio VPAF/VHPAF set.

All this has reminded me that I really like the Hellraiser, but my only beef with the guitar is the Strat-style blade switch. How hard is it for Schecter to just use an LP style toggle on all their guitars? I find it much harder to use in the heat of the moment. And it's one of those things that I can't do a little woodwork and retrofit. That slot's gonna be there 'till the end of time.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

I agree i like the Gibson switches much better, they got it right on the c-1 exotic though! mine has the Gibson switch! On my classic its the blade and it works good though because i get split coil on position 4 and 2. But on the Hellraiser there is no 2/4 positions and a gibson switch would be better and would look BAD ASS on that guitar!
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Keep the EMGs... but put the 85 in the bridge with either an 81 or 60 in the neck. It sounds better thay way, IMO. :) The warmer 85 seems to work better in the bridge with the brighter 81 or 60 in the neck.
The 85 actually has slightly more output than the 81 anyway, contrary to popular belief.
 
Re: Pickups for my Hellraiser

Toejam said:
Keep the EMGs... but put the 85 in the bridge with either an 81 or 60 in the neck. It sounds better thay way, IMO. :) The warmer 85 seems to work better in the bridge with the brighter 81 or 60 in the neck.
The 85 actually has slightly more output than the 81 anyway, contrary to popular belief.
Click to expand...

I did this and still..........i just don't think EMGs sound good in this guitar, the only guitar i didn't like them in.

Go with passives :smokin: Or get some dave mustaine active duncans i had those in mine also and they sounded awesome too!!!

Also you may want to try the 18v mod, it sounded 10 times better with 18v and actually now that i think of it, i really liked them in there with 18v, that rubber feeling was gone and they sounded much more aggressive and less compressed
 
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