Duncan Blackouts and all their varaiations

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nick Morris
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Nick Morris

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As an active pickup user for the last couple decades with EMG, I'm now trying to wrap my head around all the different models of the blackouts that duncan has made. I am getting the impression that maybe some models are just renamed older ones? How many unique models are there?
AH1
AH2
AH3
EMTY
Loomis
Alt.Metal
Metal
Retribution
Damocles

Are all these different?
 
Having tried most of those (in ERG formats, mostly), I would just stick to EMGs, tbh. They evolved from the livewires that were around since the 80s, but didn't seem to be very popular. Guessing it was more about the 18v requirement as I prefer them to most EMGs. Starting with the AH1 were the original livewire recipe, if I'm not mistaken, just with 9v and underwhelming, imo. The artist models are just because who really turns down an endorsement deal? Would probably recommend the AH3 or Dino Cazares if someone was adamant about it.
 
Yeah pulled them out of my Schecter in favor of EMGs. They were just way too hot and don't compress the same way EMGs do.
 
The AHB-3 EMTY was discontinued when Mike Thompson left. So it’s very likely the Alt. Metal is the same PU
 
Interesting. I was thinking some of these would be just renamed stuff but who knows really? So no fans of the Duncan active stuff here.
 
Nick Morris said:
Interesting. I was thinking some of these would be just renamed stuff but who knows really? So no fans of the Duncan active stuff here.
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I like the original Livewires, but they require two 9v. Have read differing opinions on 18v mods improving or doing nothing at all on blackouts. Haven't personally tried it, but maybe I should. Not sure where they shine, tbh. I play a lot of modern/erg stuff and haven't really been happy with them. Doesn't seem the standard players think they're anything to write home about, either. 🤷‍♀️
 
Devin said:
Thank youu 😘

Some of them are straight improv and it shows 😅
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They're awesome. Still listening. ❤️
In the moment improv can often be better than overthinking things, anyways.
 
Nick Morris said:
Interesting. I was thinking some of these would be just renamed stuff but who knows really? So no fans of the Duncan active stuff here.
Click to expand...
tried the AHB-1, 2 & 3
1 (std) : crazy high output. quite some lowend and low mids. they actually sound better to my ears (in some ways) than the EMG81 with their nasty upper mid, thinned out bass+low mids voice.
But then the blackouts sounded like a bloated mess with my setup (because of the fatness/throaty quality). EMGs don't have a nice EQ curve to my ears, but they give you that tight distortion!
Just have to tweek your amp EQ for the EMGs to compensate (as you would anyway).

2 (metal) : even more over the top output, even with the jumper. this is a crazy huge mid push.
harmonics jump right into your face! It's almost easier to get the harmonics, than to play without them. no clean or crunch tones possible with these. had them in for about half an hour...

3 (EMTY) : best of the bunch, YMMV. much tighter and still hot but not as crazy. i actually liked and had quite some fun with them, but sometimes i heard a bit of a cocked wah quality...
in the end i sold them, although i did hold on to the EMTYs for years, but i got too many PUs anyway...
 
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valve said:
tried the AHB-1, 2 & 3
1 (std) : crazy high output. quite some lowend and low mids. they actually sound better to my ears (in some ways) than the EMG81 with their nasty upper mid, thinned out bass+low mids voice.
But then the blackouts sounded like a bloated mess with my setup (because of the fatness/throaty quality). EMGs don't have a nice EQ curve to my ears, but they give you that tight distortion!
Just have to tweek your amp EQ for the EMGs to compensate (as you would anyway).

2 (metal) : even more over the top output, even with the jumper. this is a crazy huge mid push.
harmonics jump right into your face! It's almost easier to get the harmonics, than to play without them. no clean or crunch tones possible with these. had them in for about half an hour...

3 (EMTY) : best of the bunch, YMMV. much tighter and still hot but not as crazy. i actually liked and had quite some fun with them, but sometimes i heard a bit of a cocked wah quality...
in the end i sold them, although i did hold on to the EMTYs for years, but i got too many PUs anyway...
Click to expand...
appreciate this info. the 2 metal description makes them sound like a poor choice. Now I'm even more intrigued to test them all and see what the hell they are about
 
I have a Les Paul with the AHB2 in the bridge and AHB1 in the neck.

The neck cleans up beautifully. The bridge is mega hot. I find that rolling the volume knob down to 7 gets it down to EMG 81-ish output.

They're good pickups but I do prefer the 81/85 set.

Worth noting they're compatible with the EMG solderless setup. I actually bought an EMG kit for them to make installation simpler.
 
GreatRedDragon said:
I have a Les Paul with the AHB2 in the bridge and AHB1 in the neck.

The neck cleans up beautifully. The bridge is mega hot. I find that rolling the volume knob down to 7 gets it down to EMG 81-ish output.

They're good pickups but I do prefer the 81/85 set.

Worth noting they're compatible with the EMG solderless setup. I actually bought an EMG kit for them to make installation simpler.
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the idea that I can swap them in and out with my EMG is nice. I already have all the EMG pickups and swap them in and out for whatever I'm looking for at the moment. If these add more good sounds, great.
 
Nick Morris said:
appreciate this info. the 2 metal description makes them sound like a poor choice. Now I'm even more intrigued to test them all and see what the hell they are about
Click to expand...
Depends on what you're going for. They are very hot, the jumper mode is just excessive and pretty much useless. I suggest experimenting with your EQ's and gain levels before you dismiss them.

I find both the ahb1 and 2 to be much better balanced pickups than 81s which are too mid heavy and lacking bass IMO
 
Bad Brain said:
Depends on what you're going for. They are very hot, the jumper mode is just excessive and pretty much useless. I suggest experimenting with your EQ's and gain levels before you dismiss them.

I find both the ahb1 and 2 to be much better balanced pickups than 81s which are too mid heavy and lacking bass IMO
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I am on the fence for the 81 lacking bass. For some tones I would agree. But then, when I want high gain tight tones, I'm cutting low end with an overdrive or EQ anyway so the 81 puts it in that realm right away and it works well. I am always boosting mids so I'm definitely not afraid of heavy mids. It sure could be nicer for lower gain tones though. 81 can sound ugly thin and harsh as soon as the gain is lowered.
 
I hated the blackouts I had. They were too buzzy. I could never dial it out. I've stuck with EMG's.
 
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