Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

[cschneider154]

I bought a B.C. Rich Bich NJ made in 84. I cant seem to find a whole lot of information about the specs of this guitar, other than that it was made in Japan in 1984. I dont know what wood the body is, but i want to replace the pickups since i just replaced the strings. I found a Chrome PRS JUNIOR Tune-O-Matic Bridge on ebay and im thinking of buying that to replace the bridge. I definitely DO NOT want a floyd rose. I want to put pickups that are good for metal (metalica, led zepellin, slayer, korn, etc..) but can also play jazz, blues, pop etc... I know that sounds like im asking for a perfect pickup but i did not list EMG 81-85's on here because i feel they are more geared towards metal and not much versatility. I am leaning towards the EMG 81/60 set. I have been reading around and heard the following are good pickup sets. i would prefer if people suggested sets:

1- SD JB in the bridge but idk what in the neck? maybe SD Jazz?
2- EMG 81/60 set
3- SD blackout AHB-1 in the bridge but idk what in the neck?
4- Bareknuckle holydiver in the bridge but idk what in the neck?
5- Dimarzio Liquifire/Crunchlab



P.S- The amp i plan on using is a VOX VALVETRONIX AD30VT 30 WATT GUITAR AMPLIFIER

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

Any pickup is good for Metal.
Tony Iommi used P90s in ye early days when he was inventing Metal.
Jimmy Page mostly used a Tele for the first 4 albums.

The 81 has been considered the quintessential Metal pickup for about 20 years.

If you're looking for versatility from EMG, you want the 85 or 89, or maybe try using those knob things on the top of the guitar. I think they're called Volume and Tone controls? I hear that if they're wired properly, they change how your pickups react with your amp by tweaking the amount of signal that passes to it.

Ignore the burning desire for a pickup that will get you convincing Metallica, Slayer, AND Led Zeppelin tones. Forget the notion of even having one guitar dedicated to Zeppelin. I know everyone sees Page with the LP, but he used far more than that. IIRC an interview I read many years ago he said he didn't even record with one until Houses of the Holy? Kashmir was done on a Dano with lipsticks.

For myself, I get Metal tones I am pleased with by using a Duncan PATB-2 in the bridge and either a JB, 59, or Jazz in the neck.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

If you want versatility I would take a long hard look at Duncan Custom or Custom/59 hybrid for the bridge, Pearly Gates in the neck would pair nicely as well....

If you go with the Holydiver bridge get the Coldsweat neck....

 

[Big Flannel]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

Definitely consider the custom. I play everything from Corrosion of Conformity to Zeppelin on mine.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

I would consider the Custom or a Distortion in the bridge of your guitar and a 59 in the neck.

Side note: info@bcrich.com email that address with a couple pictures of your guitar and the serial number (it's a BC Rich address) and they will give you all the information on the guitar, and they can sometimes tell you the number that it was made.

 

[crguti]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

If you want versatility from EMG, try the 81TW & 89R. Both pickups in humbucker mode are the regular 81 & 89. Tons of reviews on the web. The single coil sounds are pretty good. Less gain than the humbucker and close enough sounding as a single coil.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

Black Winter.

Here's the main thread on them: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?262447-Black-Winter-owner-Feedback-so-far . There's several Metal demos throughout the thread, and the last couple pages has a link for my YouTube vid where I'm playing a stuff that's a little more old school, such as Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Soundgarden, ect, and there's some Soundcloud clips that Nsatke made ofhis Black Winters in split mode (they could be easily mistaken for a Strat).

They are about the most versatile pickups out there at the moment, imho.

 

[Big Flannel]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

I am still putting my Gibson Tony Iommi through the ringer again.

I Like what it does. The clean are good, the compression and tightness are awesome. It can handle Djenty stuff and my style of power prog.

The pickups That will be on my GAS list if I grow tired of it are: Custom/59 hybrid, Perpetual Burn, Full Shred, a Zhang pup, Wilde USA 500xl, Dimarzio AT-1, Dimarzio Titan, and Bare Knuckle Aftermath.

I want am Iommi pickup so badly but I can't justify the price yet.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

If you are looking for a high out put pickup to play metal with - Black Winters all day long.

If you are looking for a great low output pickup that will make your amp work harder - Any Alnico II (might as well go with the slash)


The versatility of the Black Winter is second to none because of the responsiveness to the tone and volume controls. You can lower the volume and not lose anything characteristically.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

JB



Sent from my armored battle station using Tapatalk

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

Black Winter set. Or, Black Winter bridge, '59 neck.

I've played a bunch of Duncan's high output pickups, and I've yet to find a more versatile bridge pickup then the Black Winter.

What ever you do, don't get EMGs. That's not brand loyalty talking, either. Dimarzio's are alright, but EMG 81/60 is not what you are looking for IMO.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

Honestly I think versatility comes more from what amp you have but thats just me, as for you wanting a versatile pup for metal it sounds like Metal is the top priority. So with that being known i'd suggest something hot in the bridge and something low output in the neck and also have a coil split wired.

I'd suggest in the bridge either a Custom, Distortion, Black winter, or a PATB-1. In the neck i'd say either a 59, Alnico 2 pro, Jazz, or the PATBn-1.

Now my personal suggestion of what I would do is use a Bill Lawrence L-90 in the neck and a L-500 in the bridge.

 

[cschneider154]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

i posted on an other website too and im getting a lot of "put black winters in the bridge". What about the neck? Im suggested pairing the black winter with a 59 in the neck. Thoughts? or the full black winter set? Also does anyone have any experience with the bareknuckles?

 

[El Supremo]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

I bought a B.C. Rich Bich NJ made in 84. I cant seem to find a whole lot of information about the specs of this guitar, other than that it was made in Japan in 1984. I dont know what wood the body is, but i want to replace the pickups since i just replaced the strings. I found a Chrome PRS JUNIOR Tune-O-Matic Bridge on ebay and im thinking of buying that to replace the bridge. I definitely DO NOT want a floyd rose. I want to put pickups that are good for metal (metalica, led zepellin, slayer, korn, etc..) but can also play jazz, blues, pop etc... I know that sounds like im asking for a perfect pickup but i did not list EMG 81-85's on here because i feel they are more geared towards metal and not much versatility. I am leaning towards the EMG 81/60 set. I have been reading around and heard the following are good pickup sets. i would prefer if people suggested sets:

1- SD JB in the bridge but idk what in the neck? maybe SD Jazz?
2- EMG 81/60 set
3- SD blackout AHB-1 in the bridge but idk what in the neck?
4- Bareknuckle holydiver in the bridge but idk what in the neck?
5- Dimarzio Liquifire/Crunchlab



P.S- The amp i plan on using is a VOX VALVETRONIX AD30VT 30 WATT GUITAR AMPLIFIER

For EMG's, I would go 85/60
Duncan: Screamin' Demon/'59
Dimarzio: Super Distortion/Air Classic

These combo's have done very well for me. Played schlager to death metal gigs with 'em. Pretty surprised how well the EMG's mixed with accordeon .
When it comes to Bare Knuckle, I only have experience with the Riff Raff and the neck. Vintagy yet articulate under gain. People have been raving about their VHII and Cold Sweat neck models though.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

The Black Winter neck pickup is an amazing one too, don't discount it. If you set up your guitar to at the very least split the bridge and neck you'll have a crazy versatile guitar. Parallel the neck and even better.

 

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

Black Winter.

Here's the main thread on them: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?262447-Black-Winter-owner-Feedback-so-far . There's several Metal demos throughout the thread, and the last couple pages has a link for my YouTube vid where I'm playing a stuff that's a little more old school, such as Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Soundgarden, ect, and there's some Soundcloud clips that Nsatke made ofhis Black Winters in split mode (they could be easily mistaken for a Strat).

They are about the most versatile pickups out there at the moment, imho.

This. Black Winter is a very versatile pickup, and actually has solid cleans and mid level distortion. I think it handles pretty much anything you could throw at it. It is a truly peculiar pickup to me, in that it can be much harder edged and harsh if you want it to be or mellow and calm if you so desire, and that is before you start playing with volume and tone.

I would go with a Black Winter Set.

 

[EDX]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

versatility not alway is your friend, you had to have a "MAIN" sound to develop from, when you had it there are the knobs on the guitar and amp to dail in the other thing you want, better think what you want as main tone the rest of the work is for the knobs, since Metallica, Slayer and Korn in the same line, dude, you had a problem, metallica and salyer tone is more a percussive dark thing with a bunch of highs, korn....... not even talk about zeppelin, you needs something with a full but plain response to can modify by amp eq and the knobs on the guitar.

forgetting some of versatility that you don't! need, and metal on the main aim, on the bridge, pickups of the same sound line as the Duncan JB Duncan Distortion, Duncan Black Winter, Dimebucker, El Diablo (from duncan custom shop, i there is one on the trade forum) L500xl (wilde/bill n' becky has bit more midrange than the Lawrence USA, about that the rest is the same thing) L90 (8.0H, yeah why not a bit more vintage tone?) Gibson 500T, Gibson Dirty Fingers (not as hot as invader and is more "plain" balanced" than it) Lace Alumitone Deathbucker, lace Finger Burners (lace's take over dirty fingers sound with more vintage feel) BK Black Hawks, Guitar Heads MegaMetal.

yeah i mentioned a lot of passives for the bridge, on actives the ones i suggest are Blackouts AH1, Gus G blackouts, EMG 57

neck, hell, the neck is more tricky, a Pearly Gates (bridge or the neck model, both are great) Duncan Distortion Neck, Black winter Neck, L500c, L90 (4.0H), lace Finger Burners Neck, Emg 60 or 66, blackouts ah1 neck

are a lot of Pup's but they are on the "balance" that will get you a kind of main tone and enough range to can dail in the rock, blues, jazz, pop, country and why not salsa or flamenco stuff

 

[El Supremo]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

Ampwise, if you wanna do metal, you'll need something that can keep it together. Vox is not exactly known for delivering crunching tight metal tones.
In my experience, you can do jazz/blues/whatever on an amp aimed at the heavier player easy. Though certainly not the most authentic to the style, doing it the other way around will prove a lot trickier though and no pickup is gonna fix that.
Wonder what Slayer would sound like with Antiquity pickups and a wall of AC30's behind them :headbang:.

 

[Jermo3178]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

JB/Jazz

 

[Demanic]

Re: Versatile "metal" pickup(s)?

First time I've ever heard someone mention Deathbuckers. I put a set in an Epiphone Korina Explorer a few years back and they rule!