cardinal
Well-known member
Another "bullshit" vote for the Duncan Custom.
Most versatile passive high output bridge humbucker from cleans to brutal death metal?
DanTravis62
Moderator
MY FAVORITE VERSATILE PICKUP FROM CLEANS TO DEATH METAL IS THE TEISCO GOLD FOIL
Especially with my grab n go deluxe reverb combo, it really screams for death metal.
Especially with my grab n go deluxe reverb combo, it really screams for death metal.
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower
Well-known member
DanTravis62
Moderator
Single coil Lace Sensor gold in a squier bullet strat gets pretty close to death metal tone perfection as well. Especially plugged straight into a music man HD130 combo. death metal tone personified. But so versatile.
Beyond Black
Well-known member
The SD Invader can do anything from crappy cleans to diarrhea like DM tonez.
buller
New member
Lol I created the post because I was taking a look at the LTD M Black Metal with its single Black Winter, considering whether it would be a good choice for my C standard death metal guitar that would still get used for other types of music, or if it could be an even better option with a pickup swap. I think I'll go with some HH Jackson instead though, probably MJ or American series.
My only guitar right now is a MIJ Epi Elitist LP in D standard. My bridge pickup journey has been Black Winter to Duncan Custom to WCR Ironman, which is definitely a keeper. Didn't care for the Black Winter in that guitar, there was something in the mids that felt harsh and scratchy, but maybe a lower tuning would help. Really liked the Custom but no doubting the Ironman is better, and I use the Darkburst neck pickup for cleans and edge of breakup anyway.
From the comments here it seems like maybe a single humbucker guitar would be too much of a compromise for me. My decision now is whether to go with a Jackson that has a JB, DD, or Super Distortion. DD seems like a great all rounder for metal, I really like the character of the JB and don't like extremely modern sounding pickups so the fact that it's looser than the other two doesn't worry me too much, and the Super Distortion is tempting mostly just since I'm a fan of Terrance Hobbs and Suffocation.
My only guitar right now is a MIJ Epi Elitist LP in D standard. My bridge pickup journey has been Black Winter to Duncan Custom to WCR Ironman, which is definitely a keeper. Didn't care for the Black Winter in that guitar, there was something in the mids that felt harsh and scratchy, but maybe a lower tuning would help. Really liked the Custom but no doubting the Ironman is better, and I use the Darkburst neck pickup for cleans and edge of breakup anyway.
From the comments here it seems like maybe a single humbucker guitar would be too much of a compromise for me. My decision now is whether to go with a Jackson that has a JB, DD, or Super Distortion. DD seems like a great all rounder for metal, I really like the character of the JB and don't like extremely modern sounding pickups so the fact that it's looser than the other two doesn't worry me too much, and the Super Distortion is tempting mostly just since I'm a fan of Terrance Hobbs and Suffocation.
Speeddemon
Well-known member
Come on dude, it kinda is....
a Super Distortion, especially with a treble bleed circuit does WAAAAY better cleans than any JB (way darker and murky when played clean), Invader, X2N or whatever insane high output ceramic pickup you have.
Now...if you ask me for versatility, this inherently means some level of a compromise...but, that being said, 3 pickups come to mind:
Duncan SH-14 Custom 5
DiMarzio DP160 Norton
Duncan SH-16 Custom/59 Hybrid
These will do pretty darn good cleans, especially when you can coil-split them with a push/pull pot or something...AND they will remain big, bold and tight sounding for high gain stuff, instead of screechily wimping out under insane gain.
JackBootedThug
MURDERATOR
Custom 5 here….
DanTravis62
Moderator
You're definitely going to get more mileage with another HB equipped guitar.
The ironman is a fantastic pickup, but isn't the most versatile thing on earth.
I believe LTD has a new single pickup eclipse with a unique DD? The EC-01? Might wanna check out one of those for a single pickup.
I'm sure an HH jackson would always be a great choice though, especially compared to the prices of the LTD ec-01 and black metal series, which are great guitars that are super overpriced for what they are
DanTravis62
Moderator
I think the JB and SD are pretty equally bad at both cleans and super high gain, although people definitely use them for both. Honestly I think they both excel at 80s style shred or glam, and aren't fantastic for anything else
I think it's telling that 2 of the models you mentioned, the sh-14 and sh-16 are both alnico 5 magnets
I don't know much about the dp160, but A5 magnet humbuckers generally have the best versatility as far as clean and gain in my experience, so that checks out.
I think it's a little silly to tell someone that any ceramic pickup is going to sound fantastic for cleans though. Can they sound decent? sure, but it's not going to excel.
Speeddemon
Well-known member
Agreed. Not a fan of ceramics in most cases myself. And the one time I had a above decent guitar with actives (EMG81/85) I tried to improve it with 24V power, but it lacked any of the musicality and character that a good Alnico magnet brings.
Agreed.
I never claimed such thing. I actually believe most ceramics will suck for cleans, but for some reason, the Super D doesn't sound as stiff and dark as its EQ chart would suggest and it actually seems to provide more high-end 'zing' than a JB.
Same for neck pickups by the way; the one time I *do* like a ceramic neck pickup (SH6N Duncan Distortion), it's NOT for cleans!
DanTravis62
Moderator
Yeah I wasn't insinuating you were saying that, just in general with the thread all the ceramic pickup reccs for versatility and cleans made me want to pull my hair out.
I agree, ceramic necks sound great for high gain leads - they just don't sound anywhere near as good as alnicos for clean stuff
ZEEGLER
Well-known member
Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom
angelspade
RT Kimg
Just for the record, the Duncan Custom is not my "favorite" pickup by any stretch. That said, if you are looking for a bridge position pup that is great for cleans, mid-gain rock sounds and is great for tight and bright metal tones...the Custom is very solid.
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M
MetalThrasher
Well-known member
I have to agree with this! Only thing is if the OP wants to tune to C standard, I don't think would work that well. D standard is fine, but I think anything lower might not work. It's pretty hard to find a decent comprise for what the OP is asking for. I see you mentioned a JB, no offense but if you're going after brutal death metal with a JB that's not going to happen. Call me crazy but what about a good old EMG 81.
angelspade
RT Kimg
81 is an amazing pickup in my opinion, but not particularly versatile.
M
MetalThrasher
Well-known member
Completely agree on this! But if the OP wants a brutal death metal pickup tuned to C standard the 81 will do the job!
angelspade
RT Kimg
If that's the goal...81 may be the best option.
M
MetalThrasher
Well-known member
What amp is the OP using? That may help a little.
G
gritstogroats
Active member
You know ive been pleasantly surprised with seymour duncan sentient in the neck.
I don't play neck pickups. But now I do. Great blues. Good clean. And holds together uniquely well with gain.
I don't play neck pickups. But now I do. Great blues. Good clean. And holds together uniquely well with gain.