Talk to me about the Nazgul
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allstarrme
New member
The nazgul has some similarities to the distortion but has a moved mid peak. I also feel it’s a bit more aggressive, but that may just be where the peak hits.
I’ve been using it in D standard or drop C and it cuts pretty good. I took a Pegasus out because it was too polite and rounded.
The nazgul has good bottom end, tighter than the jb but not as big or loose as the custom.
I’ve been using it in D standard or drop C and it cuts pretty good. I took a Pegasus out because it was too polite and rounded.
The nazgul has good bottom end, tighter than the jb but not as big or loose as the custom.
nexion218
New member
Imagine the love child of a JB and an EMG 81. At least this is what comes to mind. Very modern sounding, sizzling hot, cuts through anything, but never thin sounding, extremely tight lows. But forget about cleans and creamy leads. 
I'd say it hits the preamp pretty hard. Didn't compare on "real"(=tube) amp, but on my Clarett 2Pre I barely move the gain from zero on the instrument di. Anything more and it would already clip.
I'd say it hits the preamp pretty hard. Didn't compare on "real"(=tube) amp, but on my Clarett 2Pre I barely move the gain from zero on the instrument di. Anything more and it would already clip.
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It is a palm muting, chug dream. It is probably not given the versatility credit it is due but by no means would I say it is a versatile pickup. It is not good for cleans. It is not for anything other than heavier, tighter, faster response, articulate type tones and playing in all of those styles. It will riff like a champ and it also does the single string death metal lines wonderfully. Heavy tones with room to breathe sound great as well (Think Evanescence style).
I have been able to get good results (to me) by using it with amps that bring the big rock amp, (clearer gain, less saturated) sounds as well. I have used my Sound City, Wizard, Roccaforte, Suhr SH-100, Mako-plex and got great tones. While I could get the rhythm tones in those applications, the lead tones were lacking. If I adjusted for lead tones then the rhythm tones were not to my liking. Now if you did all your leads on the neck pickup and all your riffs on the bridge I could see it working with a lot of options. Its a fantastic pickup, just fantastic only at a couple of things...but if those things are you thing, you are in business.
I have been able to get good results (to me) by using it with amps that bring the big rock amp, (clearer gain, less saturated) sounds as well. I have used my Sound City, Wizard, Roccaforte, Suhr SH-100, Mako-plex and got great tones. While I could get the rhythm tones in those applications, the lead tones were lacking. If I adjusted for lead tones then the rhythm tones were not to my liking. Now if you did all your leads on the neck pickup and all your riffs on the bridge I could see it working with a lot of options. Its a fantastic pickup, just fantastic only at a couple of things...but if those things are you thing, you are in business.
weepingminotaur
Well-known member
It's a great pickup: tighter in the bass than the Custom but still full, modern, hot, with its own particular "grind" when it comes to palm-muted riffing. The mid spike is off-putting to some, but not to me. I've had it in E flat and currently D standard. Sounds great in both. It will do a handful of things super-well, but it is not particularly versatile. I don't use it for cleans unless they're of the ultra-bright "intro to thrash tune" variety. 
ColeJustesen
New member
My only experience was in an alder body E-II 7 string. I have tried a multitude of passive 7 string pickups, and it is by far the best responding passive 7 string I have tried. The post about it being a cross between an EMG 81 and a JB is a good description. I don't think it sounds as fizzy as a Distortion, but it is considerably tighter for palm muting. I felt like it had quite a bit of push too; it definitely competes with an EMG 81 (as that is what I replaced it with). I highly recommend it for 7 string guitars, but I could also see it being awesome in any down tuned 6 string guitar.
Cole
Cole
UnderTheFlame83
New member
The Nazgul is one of my favorite modern Duncan pickups. It can handle all the gain you throw at it and still remains very clear and articulate. Every note comes through. Adjusting your tone pot changes the sound more so than most pickups and volume swells are quite good. Even the cleans are great through my rig. Very loud pickup, too. Just sounds mean. And a great 7 string pickup as well for those that love low tunings and palm mutes.
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The Nazgul is one of those really polarizing pickups. The people who love it..love it! The haters really hate. I am not the target audience, so I am not the person to go to about advice here, but it should certainly be under consideration if you use multiple gain stages, and you never play clean.
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