Best clear PU for a baritone

[Jeff Hilligan]

Title says it all. Tuned to drop C, Mahogany body with maple top and babic trem. All my typical pu choices sound muddy.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

DiMarzio FRED

 

[grooveHT]

Dimarzio Steve's special; the anti mud

 

[GJgo]

FWIW & IME, if a guitar sounds muddy, no pickup is going to change it. I'd try a different guitar. Good luck with it though.

That said the only low tuned guitar I've ever had that sounded really good & clear happened to have a Duncan Distortion in it.

 

[angelspade]

EMG 81 or 81X...best choice for mahogany bodied baritone in my opinion.

 

[Dale B]

EMG 81 @ 18 volts is what I liked, but I was tuned lower than that in either A or Ab.

 

[dave74]

Nazgul would be a great choice IMO.

 

[spguitar]

Railhammers seem to do very well on the Reverend baritones.

 

[Subsonic73]

So many potential options here......speaking from experience with what I've been using lately on my baritones, I currently have a set of SD Black Winter pickups in an LP style baritone with mahogany & maple. They're high output but they're very clear, they actually clean up really nicely too when needed. That particular guitar really benefits from the midrange boost from the Black Winters. In another guitar that is all mahogany I have a Duncan Custom in the bridge, I wanted a bit less output from that one but still something versatile enough to do what I needed and be fairly clear toned. Lately I'm really liking the Duncan Custom even more than the BW's. I'm tuned down to drop-A on that guitar and it doesn't sound muddy or boomy at all.

 

[scottosan]

You want to look for a humbucker with a higher resonant peak, avoid A2 magnets.

 

[anomaly]

Either EMG-81 & 60a or go with a Duncan JB, I find the JB very clear sounding in the mids, also the Duncan custom.

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

BKP Black Dog or Impulse

 

[CEG85]

If you want clarity go with Bareknuckle or Fishman Fluence.

 

[angelspade]

Either EMG-81 & 60a or go with a Duncan JB, I find the JB very clear sounding in the mids, also the Duncan custom.

For passives...The Custom holds up very well, as it leans in the "bright & tight" direction.