Deciding on pickups is tough

  • Thread starter Thread starter sandman
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'Played EMGs for a long time. Always a 707s or 85-7. Switched to a Pegasus and haven't looked back.
 
Naw, its not that hard.

Gimme a Duncan Custom, Custom 5, JB, 59, '78, Distortion. It's all good. One day I'd like to play a Screamin' Demon.
 
SoooRad said:
Naw, its not that hard.

Gimme a Duncan Custom, Custom 5, JB, 59, '78, Distortion. It's all good. One day I'd like to play a Screamin' Demon.
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The Demon comes up over and over again and for just about everyone, the report is the same... under powered, weak. Like using a dimarzio HS-3 for the first time in the strat. These type of pickups work best if you have the rest of the sauce the artist uses/used. In Lynch's case, who knows what era that demon made a brief appearance in.
 
sandman said:
So many brands, so many models. Many overlap and sound similar. Analysis paralysis is easily achieved for me and I end up not knowing what I want. Options are good but also frustrating sometimes lol
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I’m in the same boat. I’m looking for something that captures Warren dimartimi and George lynch tones. There are so many options, so I am eager to see what this thread reveals
 
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Kapo_Polenton said:
The Demon comes up over and over again and for just about everyone, the report is the same... under powered, weak. Like using a dimarzio HS-3 for the first time in the strat. These type of pickups work best if you have the rest of the sauce the artist uses/used. In Lynch's case, who knows what era that demon made a brief appearance in.
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That sounds about right. That being said, amps can pump out so much thickness and gain these days that I don't think it would really be a problem.
 
SoooRad said:
That sounds about right. That being said, amps can pump out so much thickness and gain these days that I don't think it would really be a problem.
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this!
great results with diezels. (bright and clear with a nice thudding low end)

i think it's from his Soldano SLO days, doesn't really work with your typical marshall
 
valve said:
this!
great results with diezels. (bright and clear with a nice thudding low end)

i think it's from his Soldano SLO days, doesn't really work with your typical marshall
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Yeah I bet it would kill with my Morris. Plenty of gain and girth that make it nice to have a pickup with some twang.
 
Philosophy prof said:
I’m in the same boat. I’m looking for something that captures Warren dimartimi and George lynch tones. There are so many options, so I am eager to see what this thread reveals
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My 2 cents worth..........

I have a single humbucker/single volume strat that has had tons of pups. It is my test guitar since it is easy to swap. Right now, my favorite for those tones is the modern production Mighty Mite 16k Motherbucker. I honestly think its perfection for 80's tones. Packaging says designed by Seymour Duncan.........but I've yet to try a Duncan in the same guitar that is as satisfying as the Motherbucker.

As reference, some notable pups I've had in there to compare:

Custom Shop Frankenstein
JB (with both A2 and A2 mag)
Custom Shop RTM
Alex Skolnick sig
Thrash Factor
Tonenerd Roxy
Tonenerd Sunset Strip
Pariah Destruction 70's
Wolfetone Fenris
Wagner Murkat
Manlius A2 Hot Rod 59'
Gibson/Kramer Eruption..........also REALLY good
 
sandman said:
So many brands, so many models. Many overlap and sound similar. Analysis paralysis is easily achieved for me and I end up not knowing what I want. Options are good but also frustrating sometimes lol
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I have about 30 humbuckers in the drawer, need to sell what I dont like lol
 
I got a Gibson LPC recently with SD Alnico Pro ii(PAF vintage style), I wanted to switch PUs because I mostly play Metal. Plugged the guitar into my Amp and it sounds great. 😀 I guess I will eventually get a Distortion of the bridge.
 
Philosophy prof said:
I’m in the same boat. I’m looking for something that captures Warren dimartimi and George lynch tones. There are so many options, so I am eager to see what this thread reveals
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Jb was what warren used with a cranked super lead. At some point started using soldanos. Dancing under cover and before is for sure jb an 1959
 
midnightlaundry said:
'Played EMGs for a long time. Always a 707s or 85-7. Switched to a Pegasus and haven't looked back.
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I'm seriously considering the Pegasus. I am a little nervous though, as I can barely describe the tone of what I want. I don't want a tone like the Duncan Pearly Gates -- nothing wrong with it, but it's too "crispy" sounding. I don't want something like my Friedman Classic Plus, as it's too low gain and is missing some of the bite I'm seeking.
 
BABMusic said:
I'm seriously considering the Pegasus. I am a little nervous though, as I can barely describe the tone of what I want. I don't want a tone like the Duncan Pearly Gates -- nothing wrong with it, but it's too "crispy" sounding. I don't want something like my Friedman Classic Plus, as it's too low gain and is missing some of the bite I'm seeking.
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Ceramics tend to have a lot of hair on them. Alnico V's (Pegasus) don't
 
For the longest time, and in a way I still do believe that amps have enough gain, so use a pickup that can clean up well and let the amp and your fingers do the screaming.
But damn if I’m not recently sold on fishman Fluence pickups. I don’t like all of them, but the sound is there and the versatility is just awesome.
I still don’t have any passives over 10k, but Fishmans have been my go to the last year or so. I particularly like the classics and the Tim Henson ones.
 
midnightlaundry said:
Ceramics tend to have a lot of hair on them. Alnico V's (Pegasus) don't
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Thanks for the response. I think you may be right about my problem. I've been clinging to Alnico humbuckers because I had a bad experience with the EMG 81. I liked the 85, so I always thought alinco was my best bet. I'll need to figure out which ceramic humbuckers are right for me.
 
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