Charvel pickup recommendation for drop d

[maiden_fan]

Hi

Looking for a pickup recommendation for my Charvel san dimas. I have a Crunch Lab in there at the moment but I find it a bit bassy/flubby in drop d on the low strings, but the high strings sound great. It is mostly noticeable when switching live between my other Charvel with a BKP VHII which I love, my drop d charvel is noticeably louder and bassier.

I have been recommended the Super distortion in place of the Crunch Lab but on the Dimarzio site it says the SD has more bass than the crunch lab.

What would you guys recommend?

I mainly use a Marshall JVM and play classic heavy metal with a bit more modern tone.

I was thinking a Bareknuckle Black Hawk as it has similar specs and output to the VHII from the bareknuckle site:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/p ... black_hawk

Tony

 

[Dave L]

Well, if you go back down the family tree from the Crunch Lab you end up back at the Mega Drive... always sounded tight and defined when I used it.

 

[Chris O]

In my opinion, the lower the tuning, the less output I have needed, so I like mid-gain stuff in there of the PAF variety.

 

[Filter500]

The Evolution should be brighter and tighter the the CL.

 

[racerevlon]

Which way do you have the CL installed? Solid bar towards the bridge or towards the neck?

 

[maiden_fan]

I have it towards the neck.

What are the tonal differences with swapping it round?

 

[Filter500]

I have it towards the neck.

What are the tonal differences with swapping it round?

It should be brighter with the bar towards the bridge.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

What are the woods on the San Dimas?

The BKP VHII and Dimarzio Crunchlab are two very different pickups. Do you want a tighter high output pickup, or a slightly different lower output pickups such a the VHII?

The Black Hawk is a completely different pickup than the VHII...it's multi-blade design allows it to have a low DC resistance, while reacting like a much higher output pickup. No where near similar IMO.

Let us know, and I'm sure we can get you set up!

Eric

 

[maiden_fan]

What are the woods on the San Dimas?

The BKP VHII and Dimarzio Crunchlab are two very different pickups. Do you want a tighter high output pickup, or a slightly different lower output pickups such a the VHII?

The Black Hawk is a completely different pickup than the VHII...it's multi-blade design allows it to have a low DC resistance, while reacting like a much higher output pickup. No where near similar IMO.

Let us know, and I'm sure we can get you set up!

Eric

The body is Alder.

I want the VHII with a little more punch and tighter in the bass. I had a VHII in this particular guitar already and it felt a little thin in comparison.

 

[garey77]

Ever entertain the notion of a Bill Lawerence L500-XL

 

[Charvel_King]

From what i've heard of the Crunch Lab it seems very even EQ wise, not a lot of mids in the Crucnh Lab!

I wouldn't say its flubby or has a loose bass, baring in mind it is Petrucci's signature pickup and aren't boogies infamous for potential flub on the low end?

I think it just lacks the mid/high end that is so promenent on the majority of pickups.

I say the Super Distortion. More open sounding, brighter, plenty tight enough and has just the right amount of mids for your music. Adrian Smith loves it!.

And dont forget it is the favourite right now for the VH1 pickup, nails that first album tone IMO. just what you need, you can try mine and see how you like it

 

[maiden_fan]

Ever entertain the notion of a Bill Lawerence L500-XL

I have, but the guitar has no pickup rings. Does the Bill Lawrence need one?