Deciding on pickups is tough

DanTravis62 said:
I get why the X2N is popular, even if it's not a tone i enjoy at all - it started the "stupidly high output" craze since re-popularized by Patriot and a couple of other brands

but the super distortion, crunch lab, and the vast majority of their pickups have a nasal high mid thing that is impossible to dial out and i cannot physically stand playing it

it's like adding 80s solid state amp distortion EQ on top of whatever the rest of your rig is - I can literally pick out on albums when they are using a super distortion just based on the palm mute sound, it drives me actually insane
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I thought the X2N was especially awful even for a Dimarzio lol. Their pickups are nasal in a weird way. I get the appeal of Duncan’s and can enjoy them fine (just not my favorites), but Dimarzio’s are just a big no for me
 
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braintheory said:
I thought the X2N was especially awful even for a Dimarzio lol. Their pickups are nasal in a weird way. I get the appeal of Duncan’s and can enjoy them fine (just not my favorites), but Dimarzio’s are just a big no for me
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Lots of the death metal crowd pretend to like it because Chuck Shuldiner used it.
 
Funny for me is that I found the EMG85 is a better bridge pickup for me than the 81. The 81 just sounds thinner on lead playing, especially on the 7th fret area on the higher strings. The 81 is slightly tighter and maybe better for rhythm, but I found the 85 sounded great for open chords. Give it a try if you've never used the 85 as a bridge.
 
BABMusic said:
Funny for me is that I found the EMG85 is a better bridge pickup for me than the 81. The 81 just sounds thinner on lead playing, especially on the 7th fret area on the higher strings. The 81 is slightly tighter and maybe better for rhythm, but I found the 85 sounded great for open chords. Give it a try if you've never used the 85 as a bridge.
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I agree 1000%. I actually think the 85 sounds better for rhythm, too, it just requires a little more dialing in :dunno: Generally that means UN-boosting the mids and lows that you would normally have to boost with the 81.

Basically every guitar i've ever owned with the 81/85 set, i've flipped the neck and bridge pickups. I think a lot of people who "hate" emgs have basically only played the 81.

japetus said:
I really like the Roxy a lot too, it's just for some reason... the SS in this 90's MIJ Jackson just does it for me. If I were aiming for a thick one guitar heavy rock tone..Roxy just nails it.
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Yeah the Roxy is basically the perfect bridge pickup IMO - scott basically nailed the perfect combination of output, complexity, and tightness, which is really really sad because he doesn't have time to wind now
 
rsm said:
yes. It takes awhile. I'm looking for what I don't have, and what I think would work best for the guitar, and how I use that guitar. e.g., the PS-60 with super distortion & PAF for example, for '70s hard rock, early thrash.

I want something more smooth, prog metal for my Warrior, so considering the DiMarzio Petrucci set.
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The Dimarzio Mirage seems interesting
 
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My $.02.
Not a fan of any BKP I’ve tried.
I like the latest EMG Het Set. Actually like them a lot
Duncan Distortion has always been a winner but lately I like the Custom better
500t always works for me.
That being said. I also have no bolt on or Floyd Rose guitars. YMMV
 
headlessdeadguy said:
Pretty sure Trey from Morbid Angel used them too. I can’t stand em.
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Probably :dunno: I know in the 90s trey used the dimarzio blaze pickups, which IMO are even worse lol

It's funny, I love a bunch of US death metal bands, but i absolutely hate most of the tones - it's like the tones were specifically created to annoy me

I do love the VH140c tone, but most of the "rat boosted" sounds drive me up the wall. I feel like guitar tone took a step back when going from thrash to death metal as a whole
 
IIRC, Vivian Campbell used X2N on Holy Diver....but back to the hate...

IIRC, TGP hates the X2N as well.

just sayin'

are those tan pants permanent press, AND with elastic waistband? :D
 
skoora said:
Got a clip of it 😂
You know, for comparisons sake.
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You should create a couple threads belittling me for not posting a clip, attempting to shame me in front of the forum, and use every form of insult you can muster and see if you can get me to post one. :LOL:
 
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rsm said:
IIRC, Vivian Campbell used X2N on Holy Diver....but back to the hate...

IIRC, TGP hates the X2N as well.

just sayin'

are those tan pants permanent press, AND with elastic waistband? :D
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I don't think anyone thinks the holy diver tone is all that special, but using a high output pickup to boost a mid gain amp an 800 in 1982 is an entirely different animal than using it with modern high gain amps for the guitar forum "angry swarm of bees" signature sound
 
DanTravis62 said:
I don't think anyone thinks the holy diver tone is all that special, but using a high output pickup to boost a mid gain amp an 800 in 1982 is an entirely different animal than using it with modern high gain amps for the guitar forum "angry swarm of bees" signature sound
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I like some covers more than the OG song honestly lol
 
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