Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
- Thread starter HeftyMetalGuitar
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HeftyMetalGuitar
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
If you are speaking on your part then you would be correct. I think it's obvious that a lot of hot pickups have sprung up on the market lately. Obviously a substantial part of it is to accommodate 7 & 8 string guitars, but the fact that most 7 & 8 string guitars tend to have high output pickups clearly shows the trend. There are many interesting things about this trend since digital modelers are so popular and that there are also many, many high gain tube amps on the market now. I can understand hitting a vintage amp with high output pickups but it seems unnecessary if you are using solid state devices like profiling amps and modelers. High gain amps are already compressed and it seems unnecessary to compress the tone any more especially if you are using a boost.
SEYMOUR DUNCAN HUMBUCKERS
6 string - Sentient
6 string - Nazgul
6 string - Pegasus
Jason Becker - Perpetual Burn Humbucker
7 string - Sentient
8 string - Sentient
7 string - Nazgul
8 string - Nazgul
7 string - Pegasus
8 string - Pegasus
8 string - Duncan Distortion
7 string - Duncan Distortion
Black Winter
8 string - Invader
7 string - Invader
Mick Thomson Blackouts EMTY
Synyster Gates Invader
Blackouts 8-string
Gus G. FIRE Blackouts System
P-Rails
Full Shred
Dimebucker
Custom Five
JB Model
Duncan Custom
Duncan Distortion
Invader
Custom Custom
Alternative 8
Original Parallel Axis
Distortion Parallel Axis
Blues Saraceno Parallel Axis Model
Parallel Axis Single Coil Stack
Livewire Classic II Humbucker
Livewire Metal Humbucker
Dave Mustaine LiveWires
Blackouts
Blackouts Metal
DIMARZIO HUMBUCKERS
Titan
Transition
X2n
Super Distortion
Super 2
Super 3
Tone Zone
Steve's Special
Steve Morse
Illuminator
Evolution
Evo 2
D Sonic
Activator
Activator X
Crunch Lab
Dominion
Breed
BAREKNUCKLE HUMBUCKERS
VH II humbucker
Black Dog humbucker
Emerald humbucker
Abraxas humbucker
Black Hawk humbucker
Rebel Yell humbucker
Cold Sweat humbucker
Aftermath humbucker
Crawler humbucker
Nailbomb humbucker
Painkiller humbucker
Juggernaut humbucker
Holydiver humbucker
Miracle Man humbucker
Warpig humbucker
If you are speaking on your part then you would be correct. I think it's obvious that a lot of hot pickups have sprung up on the market lately. Obviously a substantial part of it is to accommodate 7 & 8 string guitars, but the fact that most 7 & 8 string guitars tend to have high output pickups clearly shows the trend. There are many interesting things about this trend since digital modelers are so popular and that there are also many, many high gain tube amps on the market now. I can understand hitting a vintage amp with high output pickups but it seems unnecessary if you are using solid state devices like profiling amps and modelers. High gain amps are already compressed and it seems unnecessary to compress the tone any more especially if you are using a boost.
SEYMOUR DUNCAN HUMBUCKERS
6 string - Sentient
6 string - Nazgul
6 string - Pegasus
Jason Becker - Perpetual Burn Humbucker
7 string - Sentient
8 string - Sentient
7 string - Nazgul
8 string - Nazgul
7 string - Pegasus
8 string - Pegasus
8 string - Duncan Distortion
7 string - Duncan Distortion
Black Winter
8 string - Invader
7 string - Invader
Mick Thomson Blackouts EMTY
Synyster Gates Invader
Blackouts 8-string
Gus G. FIRE Blackouts System
P-Rails
Full Shred
Dimebucker
Custom Five
JB Model
Duncan Custom
Duncan Distortion
Invader
Custom Custom
Alternative 8
Original Parallel Axis
Distortion Parallel Axis
Blues Saraceno Parallel Axis Model
Parallel Axis Single Coil Stack
Livewire Classic II Humbucker
Livewire Metal Humbucker
Dave Mustaine LiveWires
Blackouts
Blackouts Metal
DIMARZIO HUMBUCKERS
Titan
Transition
X2n
Super Distortion
Super 2
Super 3
Tone Zone
Steve's Special
Steve Morse
Illuminator
Evolution
Evo 2
D Sonic
Activator
Activator X
Crunch Lab
Dominion
Breed
BAREKNUCKLE HUMBUCKERS
VH II humbucker
Black Dog humbucker
Emerald humbucker
Abraxas humbucker
Black Hawk humbucker
Rebel Yell humbucker
Cold Sweat humbucker
Aftermath humbucker
Crawler humbucker
Nailbomb humbucker
Painkiller humbucker
Juggernaut humbucker
Holydiver humbucker
Miracle Man humbucker
Warpig humbucker
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Gibson 1964
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
I actually like the black winter because it is not very compressed.
There are a lot of medium heat pickups in that list.
I actually like the black winter because it is not very compressed.
DreX
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
I hadn't even observed anything.
7 and 8 string electrics are popular with djent and nu metal and other heavier types of music, so you wouldn't expect a lot of low output offerings there in the first place.
As others have stated, there's a difference between capturing information and what you do with that information, such is the difference between high output pickups and high gain amps. There are modelers that will make a single coil sound like a humbucker, and vice versa, but if it isn't a rough approximation, it's a needless hassle to have to incorporate trickery into your signal chain when you could as easily have the authentic article.
You included two pickup manufacturers known for their high output pickups, you left out their low output offerings, and included some that have been around for decades. No comparisons or trends can be drawn from this list because it lacks comprehensiveness.
I hadn't even observed anything.
7 and 8 string electrics are popular with djent and nu metal and other heavier types of music, so you wouldn't expect a lot of low output offerings there in the first place.
As others have stated, there's a difference between capturing information and what you do with that information, such is the difference between high output pickups and high gain amps. There are modelers that will make a single coil sound like a humbucker, and vice versa, but if it isn't a rough approximation, it's a needless hassle to have to incorporate trickery into your signal chain when you could as easily have the authentic article.
You included two pickup manufacturers known for their high output pickups, you left out their low output offerings, and included some that have been around for decades. No comparisons or trends can be drawn from this list because it lacks comprehensiveness.
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Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
All you are saying with this list is - for the section of the market that is high output, there are lots of high output pickups there......
Not to mention that you've got more than a couple of PAF clones in that list - but I'm sure you don't recognise that as they don't seem to be on your radar.
Needless to say, if you actually listed all the pickups about rather than picking and choosing (merely to suit your contention) then you'd spot a LOT of makers that only do vintage of all sorts, or those that only get to medium output.
All you are saying with this list is - for the section of the market that is high output, there are lots of high output pickups there......
Not to mention that you've got more than a couple of PAF clones in that list - but I'm sure you don't recognise that as they don't seem to be on your radar.
Needless to say, if you actually listed all the pickups about rather than picking and choosing (merely to suit your contention) then you'd spot a LOT of makers that only do vintage of all sorts, or those that only get to medium output.
Aasinsilta
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
Isn't the Sentient in the neighborhood of the 59 or Jazz output wise?
Isn't the Sentient in the neighborhood of the 59 or Jazz output wise?
VHTJay
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
I don't see a trend towards hot humbuckers, even though there are a plethora of offerings available from numerous companies that rock. If anything, looking at alot of the threads, guys seem more interested in moderate or low output offerings that remain defined and clear.....even though many of the good high output jobs do that as well.
For me, like Edgecrusher said, nothing duplicates the way a hot pickup like a Distortion hits the front end of your amp and sequentially, what happens after. More importantly than the eq curves of pickups like the jb or super distortion or Invader is the way it translates into FEEL. Something you'll only get with a hot pickup regardless of your amps gain.
Man, I like PAF'S and will use them for rock and metal....but there is just something about a Les Paul loaded with Distortions that you aren't going to get any other way.
I don't see a trend towards hot humbuckers, even though there are a plethora of offerings available from numerous companies that rock. If anything, looking at alot of the threads, guys seem more interested in moderate or low output offerings that remain defined and clear.....even though many of the good high output jobs do that as well.
For me, like Edgecrusher said, nothing duplicates the way a hot pickup like a Distortion hits the front end of your amp and sequentially, what happens after. More importantly than the eq curves of pickups like the jb or super distortion or Invader is the way it translates into FEEL. Something you'll only get with a hot pickup regardless of your amps gain.
Man, I like PAF'S and will use them for rock and metal....but there is just something about a Les Paul loaded with Distortions that you aren't going to get any other way.
koshikas
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
i see there is no single trend anymore, but countless ways of meeting different requirements. there is no generalization possible, even within same genres. all humans being different what/how we feel things happening is also different. I think that is why we all have our own ways of approaching what we need.
then there are times when you need alter egos from pickups that they were not originally capable of. some people want go from pristine cleans to wreak havoc distortion in the same song, others are too logistically mindful to turn up at gigs with multiple instruments, etc. that is when a compromise should be arrived at. and chances of making a healthy compromise is better than ever with countless pickups, amps with gimmicks, pedals, alternate wiring schemes available. pickups turn-up all the time capable of doing never before possible stuff. Black Winters boast good clean sounds, EMG 57/66 set has the dynamic range of PAFs while still being a high output active pickup.
i see there is no single trend anymore, but countless ways of meeting different requirements. there is no generalization possible, even within same genres. all humans being different what/how we feel things happening is also different. I think that is why we all have our own ways of approaching what we need.
then there are times when you need alter egos from pickups that they were not originally capable of. some people want go from pristine cleans to wreak havoc distortion in the same song, others are too logistically mindful to turn up at gigs with multiple instruments, etc. that is when a compromise should be arrived at. and chances of making a healthy compromise is better than ever with countless pickups, amps with gimmicks, pedals, alternate wiring schemes available. pickups turn-up all the time capable of doing never before possible stuff. Black Winters boast good clean sounds, EMG 57/66 set has the dynamic range of PAFs while still being a high output active pickup.
SirJackdeFuzz
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
I think i am lucky then . . . because the music i like to play most, sounds best (to my ears) with low output pu's and medium gain, but with massive walls of (((VOLUME))).
I get my sound/tone with the help of volume.
I think i am lucky then . . . because the music i like to play most, sounds best (to my ears) with low output pu's and medium gain, but with massive walls of (((VOLUME))).
I get my sound/tone with the help of volume.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
I play very clean as often as dirty . . . and use high output pickups to do this. My favourite guitar has a Dimarzio EVO neck and Tone Zone bridge . . . the EVO neck works well for jazzy sounds when you roll the volume back. Split, it does great Hendrixy single coil sounds. With both pickups split it does a passable imitation of the neck/mid in-between strat sounds, and with the TZ split it does a reasonable telecaster type sound. With gain, the Tone Zone is the nicest bridge humbucker I've played.
You just don't have the same options when using low output 'buckers. It's something I find myself missing when using my '59/Seth Lover equipped Dot.
I play very clean as often as dirty . . . and use high output pickups to do this. My favourite guitar has a Dimarzio EVO neck and Tone Zone bridge . . . the EVO neck works well for jazzy sounds when you roll the volume back. Split, it does great Hendrixy single coil sounds. With both pickups split it does a passable imitation of the neck/mid in-between strat sounds, and with the TZ split it does a reasonable telecaster type sound. With gain, the Tone Zone is the nicest bridge humbucker I've played.
You just don't have the same options when using low output 'buckers. It's something I find myself missing when using my '59/Seth Lover equipped Dot.
treyhaislip
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
I agree, I use my high outputs for both cleans and dirt. I always end up with either Alnico V or Ceramic magnets in my pickups...just what my ears like and really the output is just a secondary benefit to me.
I agree, I use my high outputs for both cleans and dirt. I always end up with either Alnico V or Ceramic magnets in my pickups...just what my ears like and really the output is just a secondary benefit to me.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
That is not how I see it. The high gain pickups I like create a very compact form of signal that is more easily controlled afterwards, and you didn't want the treble in the first place.
It is easy to get high enough gain out of light enough play. But how to you create that extra punch that sets you apart from all the other guys using the same rig?
FWFW, maybe I'm not metal enough but I prefer brighter pickups and a bit extra processing. Not always successful mind you
That is not how I see it. The high gain pickups I like create a very compact form of signal that is more easily controlled afterwards, and you didn't want the treble in the first place.
It is easy to get high enough gain out of light enough play. But how to you create that extra punch that sets you apart from all the other guys using the same rig?
FWFW, maybe I'm not metal enough but I prefer brighter pickups and a bit extra processing. Not always successful mind you
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
It's a matter of personal preference, but, in my case, I prefer the way that lower output pickups reacts, clean or under gain. When overdriven, I like the way the notes ring with lower output. I think that's why I never really fell in love with any variation of the Custom model in my guitars. As my playing evolves, I start to see my preferences clearly.
Just to explain, lower output doesn't necessarily means low output. Things can go from 7 to 9K, to me, of course.
It's a matter of personal preference, but, in my case, I prefer the way that lower output pickups reacts, clean or under gain. When overdriven, I like the way the notes ring with lower output. I think that's why I never really fell in love with any variation of the Custom model in my guitars. As my playing evolves, I start to see my preferences clearly.
Just to explain, lower output doesn't necessarily means low output. Things can go from 7 to 9K, to me, of course.
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
They are?
I ask as I put filtertrons in my guitar...
They are?
I ask as I put filtertrons in my guitar...
firebirdguy72
안전놀이터추천 『‰』ＫaＫa８３.ＣoＭ까톡: oxiz 『‰』 해외 베팅 업체
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
If hot pickups were the trend then a lower output humbucker based around a 59/jazz hybrid wouldn't be a finalist for the forum pickup...
If hot pickups were the trend then a lower output humbucker based around a 59/jazz hybrid wouldn't be a finalist for the forum pickup...
Gibson 1964
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
I also think it is a bit of a myth these days that high output pickups lack treble. I know that used to be the case, but the black winters for example have a lot of treble. They are not very compressed either and they are hot. Personally, I like them for their sound clean or dirty. The slug is compressed, but not lacking in treble, but it defies a lot of stereotypes anyway. IMO the new duncan models like nazgul, and black winter have really turned the tables on what a hot pickup sounds like. It isn't the treble-less bassy compression one expects from a pickup.
I am not really metal, but the black winter is just a really solid, versatile and balanced humbucker. They also are not real forgiving either as they have a detailed high end.
Oddly, if I want an absolute buzz saw tone, tv jones magna'trons are probably the most vicious buzz saw tone imaginable with a high gain amp. In general I can say I like a lot of different output levels. But to me, I like a lot of the newer high output models as they clean up well and I can actually use my volume and tone knobs to get good functional tones in a variety of amps.
That is not how I see it. The high gain pickups I like create a very compact form of signal that is more easily controlled afterwards, and you didn't want the treble in the first place.
It is easy to get high enough gain out of light enough play. But how to you create that extra punch that sets you apart from all the other guys using the same rig?
FWFW, maybe I'm not metal enough but I prefer brighter pickups and a bit extra processing. Not always successful mind you
I also think it is a bit of a myth these days that high output pickups lack treble. I know that used to be the case, but the black winters for example have a lot of treble. They are not very compressed either and they are hot. Personally, I like them for their sound clean or dirty. The slug is compressed, but not lacking in treble, but it defies a lot of stereotypes anyway. IMO the new duncan models like nazgul, and black winter have really turned the tables on what a hot pickup sounds like. It isn't the treble-less bassy compression one expects from a pickup.
I am not really metal, but the black winter is just a really solid, versatile and balanced humbucker. They also are not real forgiving either as they have a detailed high end.
Oddly, if I want an absolute buzz saw tone, tv jones magna'trons are probably the most vicious buzz saw tone imaginable with a high gain amp. In general I can say I like a lot of different output levels. But to me, I like a lot of the newer high output models as they clean up well and I can actually use my volume and tone knobs to get good functional tones in a variety of amps.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
Heh, a lot of traditional PAF style offerings are slop city for downtuning with high gain amps, and nearly all "metal" related guitarists are downtuning into high gain amps nowadays.
That said I'll contend there are twice as many PAF copies as there are high output distortion class pickups on the market.
Heh, a lot of traditional PAF style offerings are slop city for downtuning with high gain amps, and nearly all "metal" related guitarists are downtuning into high gain amps nowadays.
That said I'll contend there are twice as many PAF copies as there are high output distortion class pickups on the market.
Nacho8807
New member
Re: Why are hot pickups the trend these days?
Hot pickups are only a trend within the metal and hard rock community. It's pretty much always been this way, not just "these days". You may just be hearing more about it because bands and artists in those genres are gaining popularity. If you look into the blues, jazz, or country scenes, you'll find more players opting for low or vintage output pickups, as it's pretty much always been.
Hot pickups are only a trend within the metal and hard rock community. It's pretty much always been this way, not just "these days". You may just be hearing more about it because bands and artists in those genres are gaining popularity. If you look into the blues, jazz, or country scenes, you'll find more players opting for low or vintage output pickups, as it's pretty much always been.