Whats the right rock pickup for me?

[norconick]

I'm getting more serious about guitar and I want to get my guitar sounding better so I need some new pickups. I'm rather torn though, because even though my favorite tones are HUGE metal tones (Zakk Wylde) I also like to venture in to country and more toned down rock (Brian Adams, etc) so I need a versatile pick up. Right now, my main consern is my lead sound. Its sounding pretty harsh and stings the ears a bit and I'm looking for something smoother and tighter.

I had originally decided on the Duncan Custom because on the website it seemed to be a bit thicker yet crisper than the distortion, invader and parrallel axis pickups that I listened to. But that was until I read the post on the livewire metal and started drooling over the idea of sounding like i was coming through a Marshall full stack. What are some opinions on how I can get that nice, wide, full-on but clear old metal sound without compromising country and soft rock styles?

Also, what's a good neck humbucker that doesn't get all sloppy and muddy on me? As of right now, I NEVER use my neck pick up. On my first guitar -- a strat with a single coil for the neck, I used it once in a while playing on my clean channel. Idealy I'd like to have a neck pick up that sounded pretty close to my bridge pick up but had a little less bite but still a nice sizzle. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

 

[Christobevii3]

Re: Whats the right rock pickup for me?

Pearly gates might be a compromise for something that is slightly hotter but could kinda do country too, i have one in the bridge of a jackson and i think it can do metal with a high gain pedal pretty well.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Whats the right rock pickup for me?

Get the custom. It is great for metal but versitile. If you amp is really high gain a '59 would work great. Make your amp work.

 

[theodie]

Re: Whats the right rock pickup for me?

I'm getting more serious about guitar and I want to get my guitar sounding better so I need some new pickups. I'm rather torn though, because even though my favorite tones are HUGE metal tones (Zakk Wylde) I also like to venture in to country and more toned down rock (Brian Adams, etc) so I need a versatile pick up. Right now, my main consern is my lead sound. Its sounding pretty harsh and stings the ears a bit and I'm looking for something smoother and tighter.

I had originally decided on the Duncan Custom because on the website it seemed to be a bit thicker yet crisper than the distortion, invader and parrallel axis pickups that I listened to. But that was until I read the post on the livewire metal and started drooling over the idea of sounding like i was coming through a Marshall full stack. What are some opinions on how I can get that nice, wide, full-on but clear old metal sound without compromising country and soft rock styles?

Also, what's a good neck humbucker that doesn't get all sloppy and muddy on me? As of right now, I NEVER use my neck pick up. On my first guitar -- a strat with a single coil for the neck, I used it once in a while playing on my clean channel. Idealy I'd like to have a neck pick up that sounded pretty close to my bridge pick up but had a little less bite but still a nice sizzle. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

The live wire would be great for all the metal tones your heart desires but, it wont be th emost versatile thing in the world. If you decide to go with the Live wire heavy metal in the bridge go for the Live wire classic in the neck. The Custom will be great in terms of being versatile and IMO the Peraly gates neck is its best match bar none!