Motor City Hellbaby clip

[fearhk213]

The past few months I've been on a pickup swap rampage revisiting ones I have in my stash that I haven't played in a while. The most recent one has been the Motor City Hellbaby. It's such a great pickup.

Tonally it's a very balanced pickup with lots of clarity and string separation for a hot pickup. I've had it in a few different guitars and it has performed well in them all. It has a good mid range snarl. The lows sit in the right spot - they’re present and warm with no excessive sub-lows. The highs are clear without any ice picks.

They're pretty tight as well. It doesn't have a surgical or overly percussive feel resulting in more of a wall of sound sort of presentation vs being in your face, but it’s plenty tight enough for metal riffing. It hits decently hard. Maybe not as much as some other over-the-top passives, but I can't imagine someone finding these feeling underpowered. The attack is on the dry side, but its sustain keeps it from feeing too stiff. The clarity and dry attack do make for a very revealing sound since there isn’t a lot of “gel” between the notes if that makes sense.

Here's a short clip I did with it through my Natas with a single SM57 on a V30. There is no post-processing on the guitars. It has the solo'd double-tracked guitars followed by the same take with bass (bass has high & low pass filters) and drums.

https://soundcloud.com/user-602073996/m ... rtin-natas

 

[Detroit1973]

I wanna try some MCP but can never seem to pull the trigger.

 

[fearhk213]

I wanna try some MCP but can never seem to pull the trigger.

He makes some nice stuff.

 

[Bardagh]

Sounds good, definitely hear the sort of dry/tight aspect and I can see it working well with a more saturated sounding amp. I've thought about trying MCP but his website hasn't been updated in years, with some pickup models listed but with no order form. I've heard here and there that he isn't super responsive to email either, but I've never tried to hit him up. He has pretty recent posts on Facebook though.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

I had a few of these, let all go but my first set from 2006 or so. Shouldn’t have.

Will never sell them. They are unique as can be and awesome.

 

[fearhk213]

Sounds good, definitely hear the sort of dry/tight aspect and I can see it working well with a more saturated sounding amp. I've thought about trying MCP but his website hasn't been updated in years, with some pickup models listed but with no order form. I've heard here and there that he isn't super responsive to email either, but I've never tried to hit him up. He has pretty recent posts on Facebook though.

Thanks man. I've had good luck through email. Sometimes I hear back the same day while sometimes it may be a few. He's a one man show, so I'm laid back about that stuff since he's never not gotten back to me.

I had a few of these, let all go but my first set from 2006 or so. Shouldn’t have.

Will never sell them. They are unique as can be and awesome.

Wow they were around further back than I was aware. I don't remember exactly when I got mine, but I got it second hand right around the time I think he stopped making them. They definitely have their own thing going on.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've had a Garuda, Detroiter, and currently own an Angel Dust(in my 84 Charvel) and Afwayu(in my 09 USA Charvel). No other pickup in my experience has the growl that MCPs do. Fantastic pups and my choice over any other boutique pup maker.

 

[errrrrl]

Dang those sound great man. I've never tried MCP but am looking for something for tight thrash type stuff for a Les Paul. Which MCP's would you guys recommend?

 

[Bardagh]

I’m in the same boat, I have a Les Paul I want something growly and maybe medium-hot output that can do rock through to thrash/speed metal. I’ve thought about the Icebucker but that’s a lot of scratch for some pickups. The MCP Angel Dust and a couple others have definitely piqued my curiosity in that direction.

 

[fusedbrain]

Sounds good, definitely hear the sort of dry/tight aspect and I can see it working well with a more saturated sounding amp. I've thought about trying MCP but his website hasn't been updated in years, with some pickup models listed but with no order form. I've heard here and there that he isn't super responsive to email either, but I've never tried to hit him up. He has pretty recent posts on Facebook though.

Thanks man. I've had good luck through email. Sometimes I hear back the same day while sometimes it may be a few. He's a one man show, so I'm laid back about that stuff since he's never not gotten back to me.

Yeah, it's been like this for years with Wade. He's a one man shop and spends most of his time winding pickups vs dealing with email. He's a good dude and makes un-f'n-believable pickups. Just be patient, and he'll get back to you.
You can still purchase pickups through his website via PayPal, but it's best to talk to him first and see what he's making these days. Typically, he'll tell you to order "x" set on the web page, but then put in the notes what you decided on for your order. Some of the models on that old web page aren't made any more for various reasons including the magnet or screw material be un-obtainium at this time.

Also, my experience has been that when you tell him what guitar and what you're looking for, his recommendations are 100% bang on!

I think I have 12 MCP pickups, so here's my take on the models I own and use:

MCP Trainwreck - Wades take on T-Tops. They do that low output, vintage type tone. These kill for Allman Bros, AC/DC type classic rock in both SG's and LP's. Neck is low 7k, Bridge is high 7k. Sound great into high gain amps as well, but they aren't what I'd call fat sounding pu's. Still killer for what they are though.

MCP 2nd Degree Black Belts - Lower output classic rock type humbucker. If Duncan 59's, A2pro's, Gibson 57 Classics or Burstbucker type pu's are your wheelhouse, than this is your pickup. High end is not too bright ( unlike the 59), but has more pick attack than a typical A2 mag, and these sound really good with high gain amps because they maintain the string to string definition. Neck around 7.6k, bridge in the 8.5k zone.

MCP Detroiter - My favourite pickup EVER A hotter 2nd degree with more mids ( vintage style A5 pu's can be a bit scooped in the mids). These really hit the sweet spot for output and clarity, and can basically do it all. Neck is around 8k, Bridge is mid 9k. The 9k+ output will drive your amp, but still maintain the string to string definition even under extreme gain. Growlly and tight. These flat out f'n rock!!

MCP Afwayu - These are higher output pickups with the Neck around 10k and the bridge around 14.5k. This is my go to for bright guitars like super strats with Floyds etc. Think JB without that mid honk thing. Not as bright as an Aldridge, but in the same ballpark. Smooth top end and pinch harmonics for days. Big low end though, so if the guitar is boomy or really thick to start with, maybe not the best choice. Cantrel has these in his LP Customs, and G&L put them in the Jerry sig Rampage. They also are great at keeping it all together under extreme gain. When I owned an EVH 100w Stealth 6L6, these were the best pickups in my LP's with that amp.

Hope that helps!!

 

[fearhk213]

Yeah there are a number of MCP's that can do the thrash thing.

The Double D is one that comes to mind. It's a med-hot ceramic pickup. It's a very detailed & tight pickup with a good ceramic kerrang to the tone. Not an overly bassy pickup. I currently have one in a neck through super strat. I dig it in there quite a bit. It also worked well in my Les Paul style guitar. It works with the gain of your pedals & amp, so it doesn't bring a lot of it's own saturation to the plate, but it has a great detailed & aggressive tone that loves gain and feel great under the fingers. Good choice for balanced to warm guitars.

The Detroiter is another great option. I had these in one of my gigging guitars for a while. Dave Linsk from Overkill uses them, so that ought to give you an idea of what it's capable of on the thrash front. It has really snarly mids. I do find that its tightness is a little guitar dependent. They have a little bounce to them, so they wouldn't be my choice in an overly warm or bloomy guitar. Slap them in something balanced or on the tighter side and it should rip with plenty of tightness.

For more of an all-arounder that, the Hot Heads are hard to beat. One of my favorite Les Paul bridge pickups. It can do pretty much anything and sound killer doing it. They are perhaps on the warmer side and not as aggressive in the mids as the Detroiter or as cutting as the Double D, but they have tight open sound with a voicing that sits well in the mix.

I've never played the Solution, but I imagine it would be worth looking into that one for thrash tones.

 

[Bardagh]

I think i would either go Angel Dust or Detroiter - probably Detroiter since the Angel Dust I imagine might be too close to the Nailbomb and 498T I have already tried in this guitar. Both were good but just not quite what I want. I actually didn't hate the BB Pros that came in the guitar but wasn't happy with them either. The bridge is kind of piercing and muddy at the same time. It isn't a super clean sounding pickup but also doesn't have much in the way of harmonic overtones and growl. Something just a bit hotter, tighter, grindier, with less upper mid ice pick and more openness, detail and bite in the right spot would in theory be perfect to me. Seems like the Detroiter could be IT.

 

[fearhk213]

I think i would either go Angel Dust or Detroiter - probably Detroiter since the Angel Dust I imagine might be too close to the Nailbomb and 498T I have already tried in this guitar. Both were good but just not quite what I want. I actually didn't hate the BB Pros that came in the guitar but wasn't happy with them either. The bridge is kind of piercing and muddy at the same time. It isn't a super clean sounding pickup but also doesn't have much in the way of harmonic overtones and growl. Something just a bit hotter, tighter, grindier, with less upper mid ice pick and more openness, detail and bite in the right spot would in theory be perfect to me. Seems like the Detroiter could be IT.

I bet the Detroiter would do that well. I have a clip I did with it into my Fortin Meshuggah where it’s not boosted or gained out, and I think it shows what it brings to the table well. It’s not on my Soundcloud page, but I’ll upload it later and link it so you can hear it.

 

[Detroit1973]

The Afwayu interests me, The Solution Interest me as well. I have been using EMG 81's for 25 years & i want to make the switch to something warmer but still with good pick attack & fast response. I'm planning right now to switch one of my 81's for an 85 in the bridge of my LP & in another LP I have a set of Aldrich Pickups waiting to be installed.

I'm from Detroit & Wade's stuff has always interested me as a Nod to my hometown.

 

[maddnotez]

I wanna try some MCP but can never seem to pull the trigger.

Do it, some of the best money can buy.

 

[maddnotez]

Sounds like old SOD guitar.

I have to be honest these pickups are really some of the best I have ever played. Been thinking about trying to get a 7 string hothead to replace my KM Fishmans.

 

[fearhk213]

I think i would either go Angel Dust or Detroiter - probably Detroiter since the Angel Dust I imagine might be too close to the Nailbomb and 498T I have already tried in this guitar. Both were good but just not quite what I want. I actually didn't hate the BB Pros that came in the guitar but wasn't happy with them either. The bridge is kind of piercing and muddy at the same time. It isn't a super clean sounding pickup but also doesn't have much in the way of harmonic overtones and growl. Something just a bit hotter, tighter, grindier, with less upper mid ice pick and more openness, detail and bite in the right spot would in theory be perfect to me. Seems like the Detroiter could be IT.

Here you go. Detroiter loaded guitar straight in the Meshuggah.
https://soundcloud.com/user-602073996/m ... -meshuggah

Sounds like old SOD guitar.

I have to be honest these pickups are really some of the best I have ever played. Been thinking about trying to get a 7 string hothead to replace my KM Fishmans.

Thanks man. I'll take it.

A 7 hothead could be cool. I've only played mine down to D standard, so I've never experienced it on the lower tuned stuff. Speaking of FIshman, I want to try the Modern or Classic set one of these days.

 

[Detroit1973]

I hate to sound like a Moron but does the Hell Baby Clip sound a Little bit too Tight or is it the fact that i'm listening on an IPhone Speaker?

 

[Bardagh]

It doesn’t sound too tight to me, it’s a matter of taste. Into an amp with a lot of saturation and some bottom like a 5150/6505 I bet that dry/tight/percussive sound would kill. Into something like a Fryette? Maaaaybe a bit too much.

 

[Detroit1973]

It doesn’t sound too tight to me, it’s a matter of taste. Into an amp with a lot of saturation and some bottom like a 5150/6505 I bet that dry/tight/percussive sound would kill. Into something like a Fryette? Maaaaybe a bit too much.

True. The Bottom end on Anything Pickups & Amps always sound a little off to me cause i'm always listening on my phone. i'm playing a Soldano Avenger & a Peavey Ultra Plus 120....I Bet MCP would sound great through them. My Ideal Pickup would be Medium to High Output,Fat, Warm, Chunky, Aggressive, Not Overly Bright(Like my Exwife) Good Mids, NO Ice pick Highs, I like Tight but not so tight that it has Zero Bloom (The Aldrich has bloom) I Love the Bloom of a Pickup which I know that sounds nuts but i just enjoy that bit of Overtone or oomph When Palm Muting.

I've been considering MCP & the Mojotobe Dusty Waring Set cause I know Dustie's Pickup has the Highs Dialed back a bit. The Mojotone is also a combo Magnet of Alnico & Ceramic....Which I found interesting.


Deep Down I REALLY want to Try Wades Pickups but i'm afraid to spend the Money on something that I've only heard a handful of clips(of the Afwayu & Solution) If there were some more High Gain Clips/Videos of his Afwayu & Solution....I probably would of pulled the trigger by now.