What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

[Masta' C]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

I get the "boom" and "thump" thing...There's a percussiveness to the feel and response that gives the impression of "boom" or "thump". It's more of a thud in the chest type of thing, but you can definitely have that character without being "boomy" in the loose or undefined sense.

Some pickups feel tight because they really roll off the bass response, giving them a crunchier, mid-centric feel. Others still have good bass presence, but naturally deliver a thumpy, percussive response down low.

So hard to describe the impression of sound in words...ha ha!

Rex, I wasn't suggesting the Black Winter had "bloom", I was referring more to pickups like the Jazz Bridge, Screamin' Demon, etc.

Also, if you're interested (and in the U.S.), I do happen to have a Dimebucker I'd let go fairly cheap. PM me and I can give you more details about it

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

I'm not in the US, but thanks, man.

I personally find pickups that have both a tight AND big bottom-end usually have scooped lower mids to keep the low-end fast and clear. I'm just going by the clips, but I suspect that may be the case for the Dimebucker.

Then yeah, I agree, there's the pickups with a rolled off bass, and that's what's makes them tight. I think the EMG 81 is the best example. To me, the Black Winter and Dominion fall in that category too, but to a lesser extent.

I think lower mids are exactly why people think of the JB as loose. I love the JB, personally, but it can get a bit stuffy in the low mids without it even being boomy or thumpy in the lows.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

Man, this thread isn't helping my GAS for a Dimebucker.

Talk to Masta' C, I just traded him one!

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

Thought this would be an interesting topic. What has been the tightest, fastest-tracking passive pickup with the most controlled low-end response you've played?

I haven't found a passive that's as tight as the EMG 81. I don't think it's possible. Then again, tight is not always best, but I do enjoy the speed the 81 responds at, especially at lower tunings.

The DiMarzio Dominion has probably been the tightest, fastest passive I've tried, personally. It's dry, fast, clear, and tight almost to the point of thin. It shines (IMO) at lower tunings, but it can be very LOG-ish (slightly undergained and kinda thin) higher up.

The Black Winter is pretty tight, but the Dominion is tighter, IMO. Then again, the BW isn't as thin-sounding, which is a good thing in my Drop C (not uber-low) guitars.

I used to think the Duncan Distortion was very tight, but the BW is slightly tighter, and the Dominion is way tighter.

So what is you guys' experience?

Easy...LACE Drop n' Gain

Admittedly, the tone/EQ isn't for everyone, but it's tight as a rubberband around your mangoods

Other tight pickups: Evolution/Evo2, Black Winter, 500XL/Dimebucker, D-Activators

high output i'm yet to hear something that can produce a bigger thump while still being tight than the dimebucker, as tight as it is it can really give the thump and boom, there are tighter pickups once you go below B but none have as much boom.

for low output i can't point anything other than the pearly gates, great articulation, response, boom and fast bass but unforgiving.

If memory serves me, each coil of the EMG81 is in series with a capacitor acting like a high pass filter. On this basis, it seems possible to approximate its response with a series cap + a passive pickup with the same kind of "differential" architecture (like some DiMarzio "Dual Resonance" models) and a comparable inductance/stray capacitance...

More later maybe. FWIW (my 2 cents).

I would agree that the EMG 81 is overall the tightest-sounding pickup I've ever played. The Alpha/Omega set (which I have in both of my main guitars), Dimarzio Titans, and Black Winters aren't far behind, though. Oh, and the BKP Juggernauts, but I don't have quite as much experience with those.

Thump was more what he was saying I'm sure,,, having hit the dime myself in a few totally different guitars.
It thumps in the higher bass, and thunks in the lower mids, then scoops in the center-upper midrange.
Great (not harsh) treble and sparkle in the right guitar

edit: and yes, it's very tight and fast while not being so neutered in the lows, like many of today's "modern" designs

I have a related question that i am going to post in a spearate thread. I hope to hear from a few of you in that thread, cuz it seems you guys have experience in the kind of tones i am looking to achieve. Thanks.

This is the new thread: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...ement-recommendations-please&referrerid=19446

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

How about the Nazgul, guys? The way I hear it in the clips, it seems even more mid-focused with a rolled-off bass than the Black Winter. Is that you guys' experience?

 

[bloughlin16]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

How about the Nazgul, guys? The way I hear it in the clips, it seems even more mid-focused with a rolled-off bass than the Black Winter. Is that you guys' experience?

Its mid emphasis is overall broader, but I like where the mids are focused on the Black Winter better. I always felt like it was kind of congested-sounding, as though the mid emphasis was so broad that it actually robbed the pickup of some clarity.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

The Nazgul is plenty tight, but also pretty aggressive. The Black Winter is more versatile.

Opinions will differ, but in my experience, less bass response doesn't *always* equate to a "tighter" pickup.

If you claim to need something "tighter" than most of those pickups mentioned, I'm running out of ideas in the Duncan/DiMarzio realm. Several Bareknuckle pickups could fall into the "really tight" category, as well, but I think the list is pretty comprehensive so far.

 

[EDX]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

the only other thing besides the dimebucker that can mush your guts while being percusive and tight af is the lace deathbucker, which is hot enough to balance with a dimebucker on the neck...

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

A+ ..the Lace Deathbucker is really tight plus it's crunchy/spongy/sounds "organic" for lack of a better word. Not sterile at all.

The EMG 81 is a really tight pup..too tight for my liking without the 18V mod (love it with 18V)

The neodymium artec pup I had for a while was pretty damn tight & articulate too..but there was something about it I did'nt care for after a while..not enough mush/crunch maybe. I'm not really a fan of super tight pups..

In the neck..nothing touches the Dean HWS Michael Angelo Batio pups. Every note is super clear, well defined & "pops" off the fretboard like crazy, while still retaining warmth, a slight fuzziness & thick, fat awesomeness with every note. Very unique sounding pup & I love it :bigthumb:

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

If you claim to need something "tighter" than most of those pickups mentioned, I'm running out of ideas in the Duncan/DiMarzio realm. Several Bareknuckle pickups could fall into the "really tight" category, as well, but I think the list is pretty comprehensive so far.

I don't really claim to need something tighter. I'm just curious about what's out there that people consider tighter than or as tight as an 81.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

In my experience for tighter/compressed type bridge pups other than the 81 would be a DP-159F Evolution which is ceramic (The F having more winds, more compressed....in theory), L500XL from Bill/Becky which features an A5...
Sometimes even an 85 bridge will do it if youre still active... I also prefer a 9v over the 18 because it seems better suited and stays within its designed realm even though we all know they open up with an 18v and are advertised as handling up to 27v and each have their respective benefits.

For SD offerings Id have to go with a Dimebucker or SH6, having not ever tried a Black Winter...

 

[Masta' C]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

Definitely a theme here...Evo, Dimebucker/L500XL, Black Winter, etc

I will say that none of them are necessarily "tighter" than the 81. There's really a point where that term becomes completely and utterly subjective and completely down to perception (i.e. does "more bass" = "less tight"?), the guitar its in, the amp (a BIG contributor) etc.

 

[bloughlin16]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

Definitely a theme here...Evo, Dimebucker/L500XL, Black Winter, etc

I will say that none of them are necessarily "tighter" than the 81. There's really a point where that term becomes completely and utterly subjective and completely down to perception (i.e. does "more bass" = "less tight"?), the guitar its in, the amp (a BIG contributor) etc.

Bingo, especially on the amp part. Even a very tight-sounding pickup can sound a bit flubby if it has been run through a rig that isn't dialed in for it properly. The right boost pedal in front of the amp can make all the difference, too. My Horizon Devices Precision Drive can make just about any amp and pickup combo sound a lot tighter, but MAN does it sound even more aggressive and tight with the Omega.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

Dimarzio Titan, Dimarzio D activator, Seymour Duncan Alpha Omega.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

Bingo, especially on the amp part. Even a very tight-sounding pickup can sound a bit flubby if it has been run through a rig that isn't dialed in for it properly. The right boost pedal in front of the amp can make all the difference, too. My Horizon Devices Precision Drive can make just about any amp and pickup combo sound a lot tighter, but MAN does it sound even more aggressive and tight with the Omega.

I use that combo for drop c and it’s not airtight but it can Djent pretty hard and still remain chunky.

 

[bloughlin16]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

I use that combo for drop c and it’s not airtight but it can Djent pretty hard and still remain chunky.

That's fair, but as masta' c said, there's also still subjectivity to be considered (as there is in my opinion that those two are a great/tight combo: some people HATE the Alpha/Omega set and/or that pedal).

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

That's fair, but as masta' c said, there's also still subjectivity to be considered (as there is in my opinion that those two are a great/tight combo: some people HATE the Alpha/Omega set and/or that pedal).

Can see why some wouldn’t dig it, I use it conjunction with an Engl Lunchbox head and get a good sound, I use the Dimarzio titans for B standard, the Dimarzios are tighter.

 

[Coryd]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

EMG 81 is the tightest I’ve come across. I have a Duncan SH5 now and to me that pup is tight but not like the 81. I love the Custom in my Jim Root tele but I’d still like to a BW, Dominion, and maybe set of alpha/omegas.

 

[Mincer]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

I'd have to go with a Custom 5. I think it is tighter than a Custom, and I think tighter than a Dimebucker. A Pegasus is really up there, too.

 

[Coryd]

Re: What is IYO the tightest-sounding passive?

I'd have to go with a Custom 5. I think it is tighter than a Custom, and I think tighter than a Dimebucker. A Pegasus is really up there, too.

I need to give the Pegasus a shot too sometime. Forgot about that one.