I have a Duncan SH-6 and I'm looking for more clarity

[kylendm]

I love this pickup and it's great to play on but it is a little dark and I'd like something clearer sounding. It's currently installed in my RGD2127FX - 26.5" scale. I have a Warpig in my other 7 string so I'd like to brighten things up, get some more clarity while still having a decent amount of output. Any suggestions? I'd like to try the BKP Ragnarok but I think that might be a little too dark still but I've never used one so I'm open to suggestions.

I like the Dimarzio Titans I have in my 3120 but they seem a little lower output than I'm used to.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Painkiller

 

[Shask]

The Duncan Black Winter is kind of like a clearer Distortion.

 

[311boogieman]

SH-11

 

[stratjacket]

Painkiller

another vote for the Painkiller, especially if you're already liking BKP. The Blackwinter may be what you're looking for as well, although I tried a BW once and thought it'd be my perfect pickup but actually didn't care for it that much, thought it was too shrill but will try in a different guitar eventually.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Debate this..

Are Ceramic mags clearer than Alnico V's? Ceramics have more top end for sure, but does that make them clearer??

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

Look into the BKP Silo. Its somewhat based off the Warpig but with better clarity from what I understand. Had a few people tell me they are their favorite pickup now so it sounds legit.

 

[Detroit1973]

Motor City Nuke

 

[Speeddemon]

Debate this..

Are Ceramic mags clearer than Alnico V's? Ceramics have more top end for sure, but does that make them clearer??

Good point. I found ceramics to sometimes exhibit this sort of congested sound in the high-mids/highs. Pushed/thick, but not exactly Stratty/bell-like clear.
I had this 'issue' with a SH-6 DD in my Charvel So-Cal; really nice, but very 'pushed' sound. Excellent for thrash metal, but I wanted that guitar to be more versatile; I went with a DiMarzio Norton, which to me is clearer than the DD. Lots of harmonics, medium/high output (less than the DD of course), all courtesy of an Alnico V magnet and DiMarzio's 'magic'.

 

[napalmdeath]

Duncan Custom. It's lower output, but still pretty hot.

Besides, insane output usually translates to less clarity.

The Dimarzio Crunch Lab was a damn nice sounding pickup in the JP100D I had as well. I was actually pretty impressed with it.

 

[midnightlaundry]

Debate this..

Are Ceramic mags clearer than Alnico V's? Ceramics have more top end for sure, but does that make them clearer??

Good point. I found ceramics to sometimes exhibit this sort of congested sound in the high-mids/highs.

Well put. That's how I would describe the Duncan Distortion, which was the last Ceramic pickup I tried.. I much preferred the Duncan JB which is what I replaced it with. Now I have a Pegasus which is great.

 

[Speeddemon]

Debate this..

Are Ceramic mags clearer than Alnico V's? Ceramics have more top end for sure, but does that make them clearer??

Good point. I found ceramics to sometimes exhibit this sort of congested sound in the high-mids/highs.

Well put. That's how I would describe the Duncan Distortion, which was the last Ceramic pickup I tried.. I much preferred the Duncan JB which is what I replaced it with. Now I have a Pegasus which is great.

Thanks. The thing with the JB is IMO, it can absolutely do wonders in the right guitar, or sound loose and almost screechy in the wrong one.
The DiMarzio Norton (as well as the Duncan SH-14 Custom 5) fixes both these issues, while retaining a bit of the same character that makes the JB cool in the first place: awesome harmonics/clarity and a very useable split-tone.