NGD and Dimarzio Titans or SD Nazgul/Sentient?

[Iron Dog]

I just picked up a used ESP M-II NTB to add to the collection, I'm very happy. I love my ESP's and all my other guitars .

I'm going to be taking out the EMG's and was originally planning on swapping in a set of Dimarzio Titans after reading some positive reviews, but after reading RJF's recent thread about his experience with some Bareknuckle Pick ups (viewtopic.php?f=3&t=176930) and the positive comments within about the SD Nazgul, it got me thinking about the Nazgul and Sentient again.

Originally when the Nazgul/Sentient was released I was interested as I use many of the other high output SD bridge pick ups in my various guitars along with the 59 or Jazz in the neck position. I was put off after reading an early review of the Nazgul that although positive likened it to an SD Black Winter, but better suited to drop tuning. I already have the Black Winter's in another guitar and don't drop tune currently.

- If anyone's played both the Black Winter's and Nazgul/Sentient how similar are they?

- The guitar's alder body, maple neck-through, & rosewood fretboard. I use the neck pick up mainly for cleans.

- I'm pretty much interested in Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio as I'm out in BC, Canada and with our $ sucking I'm sticking with what I can get locally.

Your opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

[RJF]

As far as the Black Winter goes, the first one I bought went into a big bodied Jackson Kelly and really like it. The 2nd one I bought went into a Soloist and I like it less. The thing about the BW is that it is super strong in the mids, and if it gets dropped into a mid happy guitar, it's almost honky. So, for the guitar shown above I personally would go with a Duncan Distortion over the BW. It's basically the same pickup with a more balanced EQ. The distortion is boring because it's been out for literally decades, but it is a great sounding pickup and probably one of my favorites. The Nazgul is really cool, heavy chunky down tuned palm mutes without a ton of output. It's also balanced well in the EQ.

 

[Iron Dog]

As far as the Black Winter goes, the first one I bought went into a big bodied Jackson Kelly and really like it. The 2nd one I bought went into a Soloist and I like it less. The thing about the BW is that it is super strong in the mids, and if it gets dropped into a mid happy guitar, it's almost honky. So, for the guitar shown above I personally would go with a Duncan Distortion over the BW. It's basically the same pickup with a more balanced EQ. The distortion is boring because it's been out for literally decades, but it is a great sounding pickup and probably one of my favorites. The Nazgul is really cool, heavy chunky down tuned palm mutes without a ton of output. It's also balanced well in the EQ.

Thanks RJF, I have the BW's in my BC Rich KKV and I have a Distortion in my old Kamikaze. I like to have different bridge pick ups in all my guitars, which is why I'm thinking either Titans or Nazgul/Sentient for this guitar.

 

[Avi8r2005]

I have a KH2 NTB, which other than the inlays and the extra volume pot, is the same guitar as yours, that I recently pulled the EMG's out of it and replaced with SD JB and 59. I know it's pretty clichéd but it's a tried and true comni nation that actually seemed to work well for this. If I do any more swapping out, I'd probably put an SD distortion in the bridge and call it a day. I think the Distortion may be a bit more aggressive sounding than the JB but all depends on what you are shooting for.

 

[Iron Dog]

I have a KH2 NTB, which other than the inlays and the extra volume pot, is the same guitar as yours, that I recently pulled the EMG's out of it and replaced with SD JB and 59. I know it's pretty clichéd but it's a tried and true comni nation that actually seemed to work well for this. If I do any more swapping out, I'd probably put an SD distortion in the bridge and call it a day. I think the Distortion may be a bit more aggressive sounding than the JB but all depends on what you are shooting for.

Thanks for the reply, I have the SD JB/59 combo in one of my Jackson DK2M's and am looking to try something new.

 

[cecilbag]

I have a nazgul in an alder body maple neck ebony board charvel and love it. I normally use Duncan distortion but tried a nazgul and love how balanced it is while still being super aggressive. I would try one out. I own a bolt on mii and have a parallel axis in it that you might wanna try as well

 

[Iron Dog]

I have a nazgul in an alder body maple neck ebony board charvel and love it. I normally use Duncan distortion but tried a nazgul and love how balanced it is while still being super aggressive. I would try one out. I own a bolt on mii and have a parallel axis in it that you might wanna try as well

Thanks Cecil, I think I've pretty much decided on the Nazgul/Sentient combo as I'm mainly a Duncan guy. If I decide to swap something else out in the future I may try the Dimarzio Titans or the Parallel Axis.