What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

[Mad-Max]

Hello everyone, I would just like to say that I'm a new member to the forum. I constantly read threads in here and so I figured I'd join the community. I've learned so much just by being a lurker here, It's pretty cool Please forgive me if I sound like a newbie at times while asking questions and such.

Anyways, I am soon going to be buying a new guitar. The problem is, I love everything about it except the EMG pick-ups in it. EMG's aren't bad per se, just not my preference. I'm more of a Passive guy.

In the current guitar that I play on the most (Jackson King V with Basswood body, bolt on maple neck, rosewood fretboard), I have a JB/59 humbucker combo that I had installed about 3 and a half years ago or so, and I've always loved that combo and it has kept it's luster. I thought about installing the same combo in the new one (Jackson King V with Alder Body w/ neck through, Maple Neck, Ebony Fretboard) but I'm wanting to try something different this time around. I'm definitely keeping the 59 in the neck as an option, but I'm torn on what I should get for the bridge position.

I play mostly Metal, but I like to get crunch tones and good cleans are definitely a must. So I'm basically looking for variety and a pick-up that achieve tons of ground. When it comes to high gain, I like a tight and articulate tone, a great midrange growl, but contains lots of clarity. I'm also not opposed to a little saturation, but not something too over the top.

When it comes to cleans I like them to be chimey, can blend notes together nicely and that sounds warm & smooth. With me playing on distortion as well, I still want to be able to achieve good clean tones. That is mandatory.

Sorry if this all seems complicated, but I feel like what I'm looking for is fairly simple. I basically want to be able to achieve a wide variety of tones, and not sacrificing one for the other.

So far these are the options I'm looking at (With current opinions on them):

SH-6 Duncan Distortion - I need insight about getting clean tones, other than that, I LOVE the amount of output and the distortion tone.
SH-4 JB ('ol faithful) - Should I go with what I know sounds good to me?
SH-5 Duncan Custom - This one interests me, and to me seems the most diverse of the group. I like the amount of pick attack you get from it. This is the one I'm considering the most
SH-10 Full Shred - I like the fact that it's very tight and articulate, but I've heard the lead tones are meh and that it can't achieve a clean tone very well. Insight would be helpful
SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid - I've loved the tone of this one since the day I heard about it. But I'm still torn on whether it will give me the amount of output I'm looking for. It could definitely get the cleans I'm after, but as far as Distortion goes, not so sure.

Any help would be much appreciated guys! I apologize in advance if I sound varied. I can further explain if need be.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

I revised the thread to make it shorter so that it makes it easier to read.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

Tell us about your guitars. Big difference between Fender and Gibson style guitars as tone base. So far can i say since i own all of these humbucker: i never got a decent clean out of a Distortion and you should take the Alt8 into consideration. The FS bridge is a one trick pony while the FS neck likewise the Screaming Demon are great neck pickups.
If you are into mag swapping, you can also create a JB8 (very similar with the Distortion but smoother cleans) or custom8 which is my favorite EVH tone creator.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

If your guitar currently has a Quik Connect wiring loom, it would be simple to try out a few other 9v active pickups. No need to solder anything.

With your stated preference for the JB/59 pairing, you might enjoy the SD Mustaine pair. My suggestion would be the Live Wire Classic II and Blackouts AH-2 (b). I would also change the capacitor value on the treble roll-off tone control. (If you have the newer VLPF tone control, consider replacing the whole thing.)

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

My current guitar is a Jackson King V with a Floyd (That I never use really because it's crap) with a Basswood body and a bolt on Maple neck with a Rosewood Fretboard.

The new one is another Jackson King V (I have a thing for V's haha) with an Actual Floyd in it, an Alder body that's neck through, Maple neck and an Ebony Fretboard. Also, this one has a coil tap on the volume pot, and I'd love to keep that. And yes, I am aware that you have to change pots going from Active to Passive.

Hope that helps!

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

Both of my friend's king v's have el diablo's in the bridge and they won't be leaving anytime soon, probably the perfect pickup for that guitar IMO....

 

[vinta9e]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

Don't go on about swapping pickups in a guitar you don't have yet.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

Don't go on about swapping pickups in a guitar you don't have yet.

So, I can't think about pick-ups when it comes with pick-ups I don't prefer? Yeah, that makes prefect sense.

So if you were looking into buying a guitar with stock brand name pickups, you wouldn't consider doing a pick-up swap? That's kinda ridiculous don't you think?

I'm mainly just doing this for ideas. I'm trying to see if I can achieve a tone that I like, while also charting into new territory with the pick-ups I'm interested in buying. I don't think there's anything wrong with that right?

 

[AlexR]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

What he's saying is its very hard to say what how a guitar you've never ever played will sound like. If you try the guitar with the emg's and for example say 'I like the crunch but its too sterile', then someone with emg experience will likely know what duncan to steer you towards.


And who knows, you might just like the green eggs and ham.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

What he's saying is its very hard to say what how a guitar you've never ever played will sound like. If you try the guitar with the emg's and for example say 'I like the crunch but its too sterile', then someone with emg experience will likely know what duncan to steer you towards.


And who knows, you might just like the green eggs and ham.

I don't know if this counts, but I've played guitars with very similar materials in it, built with similar construction, hardware, etc. with EMG's in it.

And even so, I've played tons of guitars with EMG's in them, and they just aren't my cup of tea. I have always preferred the sound of a passive pickup, SD's being my favorite, so I just figured maybe I'll toss some ideas around and narrow my search down.

 

[allstarrme]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

I like the recommendation for the Livewires classic 2 neck and blackouts metal AHB-2 bridge, if you like the distortion the blackouts metal is even better. clean tones from the neck only though. its worth a look at least.

That said for passives, the distortion can do it all, if you split it it has a good clean chimey tone that should fill your clean needs. The custom is also a great choice, not as clear and doesn't have the same midrange bump of a distortion but has deeper lows. The fullshred is based on the custom wind but with an A5 magnet and more articulation, with a double ceramic it really screams, again probably need to split for cleans to be good.

Currently I'm running a Distortion/full shred hybrid with double ceramic mag and it is awesome. it can take on even the blackout metal, just not as loud

 

[EET_FUK]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

First off, what amp do you have? Secondly, what are some bands that you play, or are a similar style to what you play? My first thought was a Full Shred set, but I don't know how you'd like it's clean tones.

 

[Grindspine]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

1) Since that guitar comes stock with EMGs, have you considered doing the 18 volt mod to open up the dynamics a bit? If that still does not quite fill the ground you're wanting, have you checked out the EMG 57/66 combo? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA2b5KIpC78

2) A friend of mine has a similar combo of guitars, A Kelly KE1 and a Kelly XL bolt-on. His Kelly KE1 is JB loaded, his XL just had a 59/custom installed at the neck, which sounds surprisingly good. It also has an Alt 8 at the bridge, which he loves, but I actually find it a bit too fizzy. For comparison, my guitars have Distortion, Dimebucker, EMG-81, and Ibanez V87 at the bridge positions.

3) If you dig the JB and 59, take into account that those are both Alnico V based pickups. If you're open to staying with actives, the above mentioned EMG 57/66, the Blackouts neck and Blackouts Metal bridge, the Mustaine Livewires set, and the Blackouts EMTY sets are all Alnico V based. There is also the option of putting an EMG 85 into the neck position.

4) If you want to switch over to passives for sure, the Duncan Custom might be more dynamic and open than the JB you're used to using. The Distortion is one of my favorites, but might be a touch on the crisp side. As mentioned above, my friend who loves his JB loves his Alt 8 even more, though I prefer the JB still.

The Keith Merrow Duncan metal pickup shootout should give you a really good idea about what your ears like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryzie8mham8

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

I like the recommendation for the Livewires classic 2 neck and blackouts metal AHB-2 bridge, if you like the distortion the blackouts metal is even better. clean tones from the neck only though. its worth a look at least.

That said for passives, the distortion can do it all, if you split it it has a good clean chimey tone that should fill your clean needs. The custom is also a great choice, not as clear and doesn't have the same midrange bump of a distortion but has deeper lows. The fullshred is based on the custom wind but with an A5 magnet and more articulation, with a double ceramic it really screams, again probably need to split for cleans to be good.

Currently I'm running a Distortion/full shred hybrid with double ceramic mag and it is awesome. it can take on even the blackout metal, just not as loud

I'm actually really considering getting a Distortion then. Since you say if I coil split it, it can clean up real nice, and the guitar has a coil split lift up pot feature. Although, since I'm most likely to go the passive route, I'm probably gonna have to purchase another coil split lift up 500k pot.

That was the thing about the Distortion that I was hesitant about was being able to get a good clean out of it.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

First off, what amp do you have? Secondly, what are some bands that you play, or are a similar style to what you play? My first thought was a Full Shred set, but I don't know how you'd like it's clean tones.

I have a Mesa Boogie Mark V, I play a variety of Metal styles, ranging from Thrash, Death,
Progressive, Power, and some Traditional Metal here and there. That should give you a general idea.

 

[EET_FUK]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

I think a Distortion might have too much high end in that guitar, but I don't know for sure. I say you try an Alt-8. If you dig it, but some qualities of it aren't doing it for ya, you can exchange it for a Custom, try it stock, and if you're still not digging it try swapping an A8 magnet in it, if you're open to that.

You say you love the 59/C hybrid too, and with that amp, you shouldn't have a problem with driving it enough. An A8 would beef that one up as well, just beware as swapping magnets voids the warranty on the pickup.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

I think a Distortion might have too much high end in that guitar, but I don't know for sure. I say you try an Alt-8. If you dig it, but some qualities of it aren't doing it for ya, you can exchange it for a Custom, try it stock, and if you're still not digging it try swapping an A8 magnet in it, if you're open to that.

You say you love the 59/C hybrid too, and with that amp, you shouldn't have a problem with driving it enough. An A8 would beef that one up as well, just beware as swapping magnets voids the warranty on the pickup.

Interesting post. I'll have to look more into the Alternative 8. I've always been unsure about that one. Maybe it's because it has 'Alternative' in the name? haha.

I know I saw a vid of Ola Englund demoing the 59/Custom and it sounded really smooth and tight. Plenty of midrange and also clarity. The cleans he had going were nice also.

So right now, I've boiled it down to a couple options for passive.

SH-6 Duncan Distortion
SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid

I may consider looking into the Blackouts and the Livewires.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

When I hear metal and floyded guitar I can't help but recommended a PATB-2. (Distortion model) You will not be disappointed. For the neck you could go a number of ways but for the bridge that pick up is simply awesome.

 

[Grindspine]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

I have a Mesa Boogie Mark V, I play a variety of Metal styles, ranging from Thrash, Death,
Progressive, Power, and some Traditional Metal here and there. That should give you a general idea.

Nice amp! I use a Triaxis on the Mark IV sounds most of the time, but definitely dug the Mark V I played while trying out my most recent guitar. It sounds like you go for similar tones for what I do overall.

I think my three top recommendations would be Duncan Blackouts or Livewires Mustaine if staying with actives, Duncan Distortion or JB if going passive. Either of the passives can be wired to coil-split.

For the neck, the 59 (neck, or bridge if you need a little more punch) will work with either of those, as will the Full Shred (neck).

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: What bridge pick-up should I get in my soon to be 'New gutar'?

Nice amp! I use a Triaxis on the Mark IV sounds most of the time, but definitely dug the Mark V I played while trying out my most recent guitar. It sounds like you go for similar tones for what I do overall.

I think my three top recommendations would be Duncan Blackouts or Livewires Mustaine if staying with actives, Duncan Distortion or JB if going passive. Either of the passives can be wired to coil-split.

For the neck, the 59 (neck, or bridge if you need a little more punch) will work with either of those, as will the Full Shred (neck).

Yeah, I love that amp to pieces. I did some hardcore research last year for what amp I was gonna get. I had the money, so I was trying out just about everything I got my hands on. And eventually I pulled the trigger on the Mark V and and I couldn't be happier with it. I can do pretty much anything I want with it.

I considered doing Blackouts but I need to do more research on them. I've heard mixed things about the Blackouts. I've played on them before, but not enough to have an opinion on them. The Mustaine livewires interest me, but I'm not so sure about going with signature pups, mainly because I'd like to create my own sound and not replicate someone else's, while Mustaine is a huge influence to me on guitar.

I'm really digging the distortion from clips I've heard, and I've heard a couple solutions as to what I can do to clean it up for cleans. I have the JB in my current guitar, so I pretty much know what I'm getting with that, and I do love the JB.

My main deal is to try something new and a little outside the box, while still retaining the tone I prefer, and maybe improve upon it, if possible.