Pickups for metal in mahogany guitar?

[vultures]

Got my RGA121 now, stock pickups sound fine, but I think I want something more special out of this guitar. Never owned a mahogany bodied guitar, so not sure what to go with. Dimarzio X2N and SD SH-5 were my go to in basswood/alder, but my X2N doesn't sound right in this guitar I imagine the SH-5 won't either. Looking for a bridge that's got clarity with thickness, no mud. And looking for a neck that's not immensely 'glassy'. I'm playing through a 5150, trying for that In Flames tone.

Anyone got any ideas? Keeping them both the same company is a plus. And I don't know if I'm comfortable spending an arm and a leg on boutique type pickups.

 

[Zachman]

Got my RGA121 now, stock pickups sound fine, but I think I want something more special out of this guitar. Never owned a mahogany bodied guitar, so not sure what to go with. Dimarzio X2N and SD SH-5 were my go to in basswood/alder, but my X2N doesn't sound right in this guitar I imagine the SH-5 won't either. Looking for a bridge that's got clarity with thickness, no mud. And looking for a neck that's not immensely 'glassy'. I'm playing through a 5150, trying for that In Flames tone.

Anyone got any ideas? Keeping them both the same company is a plus. And I don't know if I'm comfortable spending an arm and a leg on boutique type pickups.

Fan of the Duncan EVH, for most rock applications

 

[Motorpud]

I'm pretty sure the dude from In Flames uses EMG 81/85. Are you against going the active route?

 

[JakeAC5253]

Duncan Distortion should go nicely with the 5150 if you don't want to go active.

 

[D-Rock]

I really like the Dimarzio D-activators my friend has in his mahogany PRS. Clear, crisp, thick and hot without being too hot.

 

[Mailman1971]

I got a Suhr Aldrich in my Mahogany guitar.
Play mostly metal and it sounds AWESOME!
No flubbing....plenty of bite and growl.
Chugging sounds great with this pickup.

 

[vchizzle]

Give that Duncan a shot, Duncan Custom, right? I have a Custom 5 in a mahogany guitar that sounds really good. Duncan Jazz neck pickup all the way....one of the few neck pickups I like.

 

[RaceU4her]

i have GFS alinco II's or whatever in my SG which are only like 8k or something and they have become my favorite as lame as it sounds. super tight and chunky when boosting

 

[glpg80]

having owned a wolfgang and like the EVH winds - i highly recommend you give the JB a try in the bridge.

i have a solid mahogany prestige with a rosewood fretboard and that pickup balances great with the dark tonality of the guitar. i was never a fan of the JB before, but now it has its place in dark guitars to me. it will stay in there for a while i think

 

[Code001]

Got my RGA121 now, stock pickups sound fine, but I think I want something more special out of this guitar. Never owned a mahogany bodied guitar, so not sure what to go with. Dimarzio X2N and SD SH-5 were my go to in basswood/alder, but my X2N doesn't sound right in this guitar I imagine the SH-5 won't either. Looking for a bridge that's got clarity with thickness, no mud. And looking for a neck that's not immensely 'glassy'. I'm playing through a 5150, trying for that In Flames tone.

Anyone got any ideas? Keeping them both the same company is a plus. And I don't know if I'm comfortable spending an arm and a leg on boutique type pickups.

I'll send you my Duncan Distortion to try out when I get one.

 

[rupe]

Duncan Distortion should go nicely with the 5150 if you don't want to go active.

 

[vultures]

I'm pretty sure the dude from In Flames uses EMG 81/85. Are you against going the active route?

I've got a 85/61, they don't fit in the pickup route I don't want to mess with with any of it. So I guess I'm gonna sell/trade those off


Thanks for the suggestion dudes, I'll be sure to make a list up and try em all out. Anything other good suggestions for neck position?

 

[xxxplorer]

For that kind of amp you can use a P.A.F. style and get a nice saggy chugga chugga going on... if you want super tight and retain clarity with high output the Wilde Pickups L500XL is great... very open and sounds great clean.

WCR also makes the Ironman... brutal and full of tone, but 5150 already has too much gain lol.

I speak from experience with all above. Had a 5150 and the L500XL was great.

 

[overthemountain]

Just put a JB in my Dean ML and it sounds great! The Duncan Distortion would also be a good choice.

 

[rupe]

Thanks for the suggestion dudes, I'll be sure to make a list up and try em all out. Anything other good suggestions for neck position?

If you go with a Duncan Distortion, the Jazz, '59, or Pearly Gates all make great for a great partner in the neck.

 

[some dude]

I use PAF style pickups. 57 Classics in my SG and Lollar Imperials in my Les Paul. I usually back the tone pot off to 7 or 8 to tame the treble and bring out the mids a bit more.

Prior to PAFs my favourite setup was an EMG 60n/81b.