Hi gang. I'm new to the forum, and I'm here because I like Duncan, but am not sure what I need. I play a Kawai Moonsault from the mid 80's (here's one http://guitarsjapan.com/1980s_KAWAI_MoonSault_Night_Sky.html). Its a solid body guitar, most likely mahogany neck and body, with an ebony fretboard. And while the pickups it had when I bought it were great, they've run down over the course of 20 years or so, and I've never been able to find the specs on the originals. A guitar tech friend of mine recommended I pick up a George Lynch for the bridge, and that has served me fairly well, so far.
I play in a two piece metal band (we think of ourselves as garage-tech), with some jazz, black metal, thrash, Krautrock, post-punk and blues (and whatever else) influences. I handle the basslines, the rhythm and the melody (such as they are), and I'm lucky enough to have an amazing drummer who makes it all sound very full. Lots of open chords, harmonic and dissonant, lots of pinch harmonics, lots of sustained low notes ringing out over riffing, lots of palm muted notes played along with notes that are not, lots of thrashing powerchords, lots of circular high note riffing. Lots of squeals. No solos. I use the built-in distortion on my Marshall amp, run thru my Crate cab. No pedals, no setting changes, I found my sweet spot and I control from the guitar. Bottom line, I guess I'm expecting a lot from my pickups, but I'm not well enough versed in gear or music to use the proper terminology, much less to figure out what I'm looking for without help. I was raised on Black Sabbath, King Crimson and Queen, I like to be able to find that dirty riffing roar, and those crisp chiming high notes. I cut my teeth on 80's metal like King Diamond, Overkill, and Vendetta, and in later years I'm most excited by bands like Agalloch, Panopticon, and Gorguts.
So, with apologies for the long post, and thanks for anyone who read this far - can anyone suggest a set of pickups that I should look into? I'd be very grateful for any guidance. Cheers!
I play in a two piece metal band (we think of ourselves as garage-tech), with some jazz, black metal, thrash, Krautrock, post-punk and blues (and whatever else) influences. I handle the basslines, the rhythm and the melody (such as they are), and I'm lucky enough to have an amazing drummer who makes it all sound very full. Lots of open chords, harmonic and dissonant, lots of pinch harmonics, lots of sustained low notes ringing out over riffing, lots of palm muted notes played along with notes that are not, lots of thrashing powerchords, lots of circular high note riffing. Lots of squeals. No solos. I use the built-in distortion on my Marshall amp, run thru my Crate cab. No pedals, no setting changes, I found my sweet spot and I control from the guitar. Bottom line, I guess I'm expecting a lot from my pickups, but I'm not well enough versed in gear or music to use the proper terminology, much less to figure out what I'm looking for without help. I was raised on Black Sabbath, King Crimson and Queen, I like to be able to find that dirty riffing roar, and those crisp chiming high notes. I cut my teeth on 80's metal like King Diamond, Overkill, and Vendetta, and in later years I'm most excited by bands like Agalloch, Panopticon, and Gorguts.
So, with apologies for the long post, and thanks for anyone who read this far - can anyone suggest a set of pickups that I should look into? I'd be very grateful for any guidance. Cheers!
