Ok, so I am going to try a passive pickup...which one???

[Ventura]

Oh ya, BKP's all the way... Check out the descriptions and speak with Tim, he'll square something right out for you

V.

 

[glpg80]

suhr aldrich for you mark

and this is coming from a dimarzio fanboy who uses SD's as well.

 

[Deleted member 8761]

I would stay away form the SD distortion, I don't think you'll find that pickup hot and tight enough (compared to the EMG or other active). Perhaps the Dimarzio D activator or the D activator x?

Ps In that clip above, the super v does sound powerful and tight. Never heard that one before and I wish I had tried it out before I switched back to EMG's.

 

[racerevlon]

Since you don't want the "vowel" sound, stay away from Dimarzio. I'd recommend SD JB, Suhr Alrdidge... again, nothing wrong with your tone, though...

 

[XSSIVE]

i think the Aldrich may be your only hope but $20 says your back to EMGs after a few months. they just seem to work for you and if it ain't broke...

 

[steve_k]

Suhr Aldrich and don't look back....

 

[thiswaythatway]

I don't know if it's the guitars or the pickup, but anything with an Anderson H2+ has sounded GREAT. My friend Amplifire loaded one into a GMW superstrat and it made that guitar sound ballsy and fat.

 

[Motorpud]

I don't know if it's the guitars or the pickup, but anything with an Anderson H2+ has sounded GREAT. My friend Amplifire loaded one into a GMW superstrat and it made that guitar sound ballsy and fat.

I recently borrowed an H2+ from a fellow forumite and I have to agree, its a great sounding pickup with balls. Mind you I had it in an alder superstrat not an LP so YMMV.

 

[Neeklaus]

Dimarzio Crunch Lab

 

[rupe]

The tones you mention are the same type that I go for. I have yet to find a pickup better than the Anderson H2+...try it and thank me later

In fact, try it and if you don't like it, I'll buy it...I could use a few more.

 

[gibson5413]

If you are going to change try an Anderson pickup. They are seriously awesome. I just posted a Satriani cover (viewtopic.php?f=3&t=85908) and used an Anderson H2+. I think it sounds great. Throw a boost in front (like I know you do) and you are right in your gain zone.

Ultimately, just be happy. I don't have a problem with your clips or active pickups. Your tone is killer and the gain sounds great to my ears.

 

[Shask]

A lot of people recommending the Duncan Distortion. I dunno. My favorite pickups are the EMG 707 and 85. I have a DD in one guitar, and while it is a good pickup, I find it blurry on the low end and has that typical upper mid scrape sound many passives have. It is kind of the anti-EMG 85

I am not sure what to recommend though. I REALLY want to try a Duncan Invader. I know it looks bassier on paper, but many say it is punchy and tighter even thought it has more bass. Plus, they say no scraping sound. I will try one before 2011 is over

I also would like to try a Crunch Lab...

 

[snowdog]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[glpg80]

A lot of people recommending the Duncan Distortion. I dunno. My favorite pickups are the EMG 707 and 85. I have a DD in one guitar, and while it is a good pickup, I find it blurry on the low end and has that typical upper mid scrape sound many passives have. It is kind of the anti-EMG 85

I am not sure what to recommend though. I REALLY want to try a Duncan Invader. I know it looks bassier on paper, but many say it is punchy and tighter even thought it has more bass. Plus, they say no scraping sound. I will try one before 2001 is over

I also would like to try a Crunch Lab...

if you hate passive upper mids, you'll despise the invader. but as the saying goes theres no substitute for experience

 

[Shask]

A lot of people recommending the Duncan Distortion. I dunno. My favorite pickups are the EMG 707 and 85. I have a DD in one guitar, and while it is a good pickup, I find it blurry on the low end and has that typical upper mid scrape sound many passives have. It is kind of the anti-EMG 85

I am not sure what to recommend though. I REALLY want to try a Duncan Invader. I know it looks bassier on paper, but many say it is punchy and tighter even thought it has more bass. Plus, they say no scraping sound. I will try one before 2001 is over

I also would like to try a Crunch Lab...

if you hate passive upper mids, you'll despise the invader. but as the saying goes theres no substitute for experience

I am not sure I hate it, I am just enjoying something different after years of the EMG81, which is all upper mid scrape. Many people have said it is more lower mids than upper mids. I figure it is worth a try

 

[glpg80]

i literally had the invader in like a day. not even 3 hours. i refuse to even describe it, i hate that pickup

 

[Shask]

i literally had the invader in like a day. not even 3 hours. i refuse to even describe it, i hate that pickup

What did you hate about it?

I am VERY gradual with gear, lol. I had a Dactivator in a guitar for like the last 2 years, never did like it much, and finally took it out today

 

[Greazygeo]

A lot of people recommending the Duncan Distortion. I dunno. My favorite pickups are the EMG 707 and 85. I have a DD in one guitar, and while it is a good pickup, I find it blurry on the low end and has that typical upper mid scrape sound many passives have. It is kind of the anti-EMG 85

I am not sure what to recommend though. I REALLY want to try a Duncan Invader. I know it looks bassier on paper, but many say it is punchy and tighter even thought it has more bass. Plus, they say no scraping sound. I will try one before 2011 is over

I also would like to try a Crunch Lab...

Have you tried a Custom?

 

[Shask]

A lot of people recommending the Duncan Distortion. I dunno. My favorite pickups are the EMG 707 and 85. I have a DD in one guitar, and while it is a good pickup, I find it blurry on the low end and has that typical upper mid scrape sound many passives have. It is kind of the anti-EMG 85

I am not sure what to recommend though. I REALLY want to try a Duncan Invader. I know it looks bassier on paper, but many say it is punchy and tighter even thought it has more bass. Plus, they say no scraping sound. I will try one before 2011 is over

I also would like to try a Crunch Lab...

Have you tried a Custom?

No, I'd actually like to try one of those also. The only thing that scares me off is that people say it sits between the JB and Distortion. I HATE the JB, and the Distortion is marginal, so I am not sure...

 

[JakeAC5253]

A lot of people recommending the Duncan Distortion. I dunno. My favorite pickups are the EMG 707 and 85. I have a DD in one guitar, and while it is a good pickup, I find it blurry on the low end and has that typical upper mid scrape sound many passives have. It is kind of the anti-EMG 85

I am not sure what to recommend though. I REALLY want to try a Duncan Invader. I know it looks bassier on paper, but many say it is punchy and tighter even thought it has more bass. Plus, they say no scraping sound. I will try one before 2011 is over

I also would like to try a Crunch Lab...

Have you tried a Custom?

No, I'd actually like to try one of those also. The only thing that scares me off is that people say it sits between the JB and Distortion. I HATE the JB, and the Distortion is marginal, so I am not sure...

I've owned all three pickups and I'd say that comparison is anything but accurate. The JB is gummy, the Distortion is grunty, the Custom is balanced. It's utterly perfect in every way possible.