Hellbaby vs. Afwayu

[fearhk213]

I'd like to hear from those that have experience with both. I have a Hellbaby in one of my guitars. I got to say it is a really killer pickup. While being aggressive it's still very clean and maintains an overall smoothness to the tone. Tonally it's pretty balanced, but it seems like it would excel at sweetening a brighter guitar. Also, it is a wider, thicker sounding pickup so it would probably do wonders for thickening a thinner sounding guitar as well. It has a killer feel too. It's a tight responding pickup, but it still has a juicy feel. All that said, I'm curious how the Afwayu is similar/different.

-How are their eq cures different?
-Which is tighter?
-Which is more aggressive?
-Which is punchier & more in your face?
-Which is more dynamic?
-Which has more low end?

 

[Devilinside]

Yeah someone please reply as I'm about to place an order, so I'm curious as well.

 

[MichaelG]

I'll attempt to answer this but keep in mind my afwayu is in an alder superstrat and the hellbaby is in a mahogany explorer.

With the hellbaby there is real grindier mids happening, and this definitely makes it sound more aggresive. Tightness is about the same but I think the afwayu has a bigger and more pronounced bottom end. The hellbaby gets the award for dynamics in my guitars but I am wondering if the difference in dynamics is not also within the guitars and their woods as well? Overall I like playing the hellbaby better, but keep in mind that the afwayu was designed with coil-splitting and volume cleanup in mind, and these things it does *very* well.

 

[Devilinside]

I'll attempt to answer this but keep in mind my afwayu is in an alder superstrat and the hellbaby is in a mahogany explorer.

With the hellbaby there is real grindier mids happening, and this definitely makes it sound more aggresive. Tightness is about the same but I think the afwayu has a bigger and more pronounced bottom end. The hellbaby gets the award for dynamics in my guitars but I am wondering if the difference in dynamics is not also within the guitars and their woods as well? Overall I like playing the hellbaby better, but keep in mind that the afwayu was designed with coil-splitting and volume cleanup in mind, and these things it does *very* well.

With that said, if the afwayu sounds beefier in the bottom and its in a alder body vs hellbaby/mahogany then I'm thinking the afwayu is for me. I'm trying to find the right bridge pickup for my SG. its mahogany but really thin so I'm thinking the afwayu will work well.

 

[fearhk213]

MichaelG,
Thanks for the input. After hearing the comparison I think the Afwayu may be perfect for one of my other axes.

 

[RoidRage]

With that said, if the afwayu sounds beefier in the bottom and its in a alder body vs hellbaby/mahogany then I'm thinking the afwayu is for me. I'm trying to find the right bridge pickup for my SG. its mahogany but really thin so I'm thinking the afwayu will work well.

ABSOLUTLEY....

Mahagony is Very Middy So that accounts for the Stronger mids Of the Hellbaby.

The Afwayu is My Ultimate P/U. And Yes Very Beefy and Resonant, Perfect for a Bright SG. You Could Also consider an Gibson Tony Iommi.

Best,

Roid RAGE

 

[Devilinside]

With that said, if the afwayu sounds beefier in the bottom and its in a alder body vs hellbaby/mahogany then I'm thinking the afwayu is for me. I'm trying to find the right bridge pickup for my SG. its mahogany but really thin so I'm thinking the afwayu will work well.

ABSOLUTLEY....

Mahagony is Very Middy So that accounts for the Stronger mids Of the Hellbaby.

The Afwayu is My Ultimate P/U. And Yes Very Beefy and Resonant, Perfect for a Bright SG. You Could Also consider an Gibson Tony Iommi.

Best,
Thanks RoidRage, fuck it, I'm placing an order!


Roid RAGE

 

[Lord Toneking]

Im finding the afwayu to be very very tight and dry in my wolfgang. Im thinking that it would sound better through a more modern sounding amp with more sag and saturation than my Quickrod. Although I love it's tightness and clarity I'm struggling with it's dryness

I just cant see how it would be good in a bright guitar Imo its a pretty bright sounding pup

 

[RoidRage]

With that said, if the afwayu sounds beefier in the bottom and its in a alder body vs hellbaby/mahogany then I'm thinking the afwayu is for me. I'm trying to find the right bridge pickup for my SG. its mahogany but really thin so I'm thinking the afwayu will work well.

ABSOLUTLEY....

Mahagony is Very Middy So that accounts for the Stronger mids Of the Hellbaby.

The Afwayu is My Ultimate P/U. And Yes Very Beefy and Resonant, Perfect for a Bright SG. You Could Also consider an Gibson Tony Iommi.

Best,

Roid RAGE

Thanks RoidRage, fuck it, I'm placing an order!

No Problem Man! I'm Faithfull you will be happy with it! I've tried over 15 pickups in the last year... And My search ended with this... It just does everything!

RR