San Dimas build - which pickups? SD, BKP?

[robothive]

Hey all,

Wow, I haven’t posted here in many years! I still get the gear itch and am currently piecing together a San Dimas copy.

I have a quarter sawn maple neck / board coming from All Parts and will use a Warmoth body.

I’m looking for a huge sounding pickup set to get 80s metal, into 90s thrash-esque tones.

I’ve been out of the game for a while, but my thoughts were: JB, Custom 5, Holy Diver, Rebel Yell.

I’m also open to any and all suggestions! I have a set of Afwayus in my Les Paul but I hear his wait time is kinda nuts nowadays.

Thanks!

 

[robothive]

I’m also considering a Duncan PATB-1.

 

[raakaribul]

Just a regular custom maybe?

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

Only one pickup?

I've got a small fleet of SD Charvels.

For Founding Fathers '80s Metal/Thrash, I don't think you can beat the BKP Nailbomb (C). It's like a more disciplined version of the Distortion, although the Distortion itself is still rock solid.

Only time I've played a PATB-1 was years ago in a nice Hamer Chapparal, although I thought it could use a bit more juice. The PATB-2 has plenty of that, and is not merely a Distortion with funny pole pieces. It can have a somewhat wooly sound with high gain, which has to be tamed with EQ. But once you do that's it's a great pickup, especially for lead playing.

I'm sure a Duncan RTM must kick based on the description/clips, although I haven't played one yet.

The Custom 5 is an improvement over the OG Custom or Custom Custom in my book, although still a bit scooped for my taste.

Definitely check out the D Activator, my favorite Dimarzio. It's hot, but doesn't feel overly hot when playing, just tite and very healthy. And although it's far too old to be trendy, the Super D never went out of style, because it works.

 

[robothive]

Only one pickup?

I've got a small fleet of SD Charvels.

For Founding Fathers '80s Metal/Thrash, I don't think you can beat the BKP Nailbomb (C). It's like a more disciplined version of the Distortion, although the Distortion itself s still rock solid.

Only time I've played a PATB-1 was years ago in a nice Hamer Chapparal, although I thought it could use a bit more juice. The PATB-2 has plenty of that, and is not merely a Distortion with funny pole pieces. It can have a somewhat wooly sound with high gain, which has to be tamed with EQ. But once you do that's it's a great pickup, especially for lead playing.

I'm sure a Duncan RTM must kick based pm the description, although I haven't played one yet.

The Custom 5 is an improvement over the OG Custom or Custom Custom in my book, although still a bit scooped for my taste.

Definitely check out the D Activator, my favorite Dimarzio. It's hot, but doesn't feel overly hot when playing, just tite and very healthy. And although it's far too old to be trendy, the Super D never went out of style, because it works.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Haven’t decided yet but will probably go HH configuration. So many choices!

Definitely open to neck pickup suggestions also!

The clips of the RTM sound glorious.

 

[napalmdeath]

What's the body wood? That could play a role in the right fit, thought the Duncan Custom suggestion is rarely a bad choice, regardless.

I have the Full Shred in my San Dimas. The Wes Hauch Jupiter 6 is another great pickup.

 

[robothive]

What's the body wood?

Alder body.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

DD or Lundgren Black Heaven for a a slightly more modern vibe. They're both thrash heaven. DD would give more of that 80s vibe though.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Haven’t decided yet but will probably go HH configuration. So many choices!

Definitely open to neck pickup suggestions also!

The clips of the RTM sound glorious.

HH is my foundation. And I almost always do push/pull coil-splitting for the all-important both inner coils/middle position cleans, or you could use a mini-togglez.

The '59N is always a winner for me at the neck, especially with a Distortion. If you want something a little different, the Wilde L500XL at the bridge, perfect with a '59 N.

ESP Horizons currently come with the Custom 5/Jazz, which is an amazing and very precise combo. No flub anywhere.

The full D Activator set is awesome, and the neck model likewise has unusually high power, but doesn't feel overpowered.

 

[chrisgr]

Hard to beat the Duncan JB/59 set, or maybe the Duncan thrash factor Mustaine set. Not sure if you considered active pups but the EMG 57/66, het set, or the classic 81/85. Also Fishman or Duncan livewires. Any of those will definitely do the job.

 

[Speeddemon]

HH is my foundation. And I almost always do push/pull coil-splitting for the all-important both inner coils/middle position cleans, or you could use a mini-togglez.

Agreed. Added versatility wins, especially for cleans.

The '59N is always a winner for me at the neck, especially with a Distortion.

To me the '59n is ok-ish, but especially for tight metal stuff, a Distortion neck (SH6n), a Screaming Demon (SH-12) or a DiMarzio Evo Neck would give you less low mid mud and more clarity. Or...and I still need to install mine- throw an A4 magnet in that '59n.

ESP Horizons currently come with the Custom 5/Jazz, which is an amazing and very precise combo. No flub anywhere.

My Horizon (2010 model) came with the JB/'59n set. Long before it became the new standard, I threw in a Custom 5... Maybe ESP copied *me*.
And the neck pickup became a Screaming Demon. Great set. But... Purely for aggressive thrash metal, the Custom 5 may be a pinch on the tamer side of things; great punchy lows. Not loose like the JB in the lows.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

Agreed. Added versatility wins, especially for cleans.

To me the '59n is ok-ish, but especially for tight metal stuff, a Distortion neck (SH6n), a Screaming Demon (SH-12) or a DiMarzio Evo Neck would give you less low mid mud and more clarity. Or...and I still need to install mine- throw an A4 magnet in that '59n.

My Horizon (2010 model) came with the JB/'59n set. Long before it became the new standard, I threw in a Custom 5... Maybe ESP copied *me*.
And the neck pickup became a Screaming Demon. Great set. But... Purely for aggressive thrash metal, the Custom 5 may be a pinch on the tamer side of things; great punchy lows. Not loose like the JB in the lows.

I need to finally try a Screamin Demon at the neck. Most inappropriately named pickup I can think of, but it said to be at its best at neck + looks cool.

I already have an original Evo set and that rocks. I think the Evo Neck is one of the most underrated/forgotten pickups ever.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I’m also open to any and all suggestions! I have a set of Afwayus in my Les Paul but I hear his wait time is kinda nuts nowadays.

I ordered a set about three months a go and they arrived. O got an email about a delay but they came in the time frame they always do. No complaints here.

 

[SonVolt]

JB, Super Distortion or Tone Zone.

 

[Racerxrated]

I've had countless USA 2008/9 Charvels, and 8 or so OG 83-87 Charvel/Jackson USA Strats. Still have a few here. JBs are picky IMO with these guitars. Tone Zones, I ripped every one out of the SoCals I bought. Too bass heavy for me.
If you're going with a non boutique pup I'd go SD Custom. They always sound great every time in these guitars. For Boutique, I'd go MCP or Wagner Iron Man. First choice though would be Tone Nerd (Scott here on RT) if you can find one or if he starts winding again. The only pickups that are maybe better, are the vintage ones I have here like a Shaw Dirty Fingers. And, as killer as that pup is it will feedback if you're not careful. So advantage Tone Nerd.

 

[cobrahead1030]

I have a JB/59 in mine that I like ok, I’ve been wanting to try the ‘78 in the bridge slot though.

 

[SonVolt]

I have a JB/59 in mine that I like ok, I’ve been wanting to try the ‘78 in the bridge slot though.

I just put a 78 in the bridge of my strat. It’s way hotter than I thought it was gonna be, which was a pleasant surprise. It has that “amp is about to explode“ sound to it.

 

[Speeddemon]

I've had countless USA 2008/9 Charvels... ...JBs are picky IMO with these guitars. Tone Zones, I ripped every one out of the SoCals I bought. Too bass heavy for me.

Agreed. My So Call came with the Tone Zone (b), Evo Neck combo stock. While the Evo was cool and clear, I wanted a bit more juicy bounce there, so I settled after a few tries on an Air Norton.

Like you said, the TZ, very meh. I maybe wouldn't call it bass heavy, but bass-flubby. The harmonics were nice, hence I went for a regular Norton in there for years...

If you're going with a non boutique pup I'd go SD Custom.

... I'll add the SD Distortion, Custom 5, Custom/59 Hybrid, Dimarzio Norton and Super Distortion to that list.
The Distortion made it a bona fine thrash machine; tight, punchy, high output.
The Norton does the tight and harmonics rich 80's thing, with a bit less compression and output; making it more versatile than the Distortion IMO, but more in an 80's flashy lead than thrash rhythm way. More Lynch/DeMartini than Mustaine/Ian basically.

The Custom 5 goes to the rhythm side again, but with way less mids and compression and more bold, still tight lows than the Distortion. More 'flavour' too, due to the Alnico magnet.

After years with the Norton, I settled on the Super Distortion for now, since it's my Adrian Smith guitar for a Maiden tribute.
The Super D is a classic for a reason: chunky lows, but not as loose as a JB; good mid grind and top end less screechy. And unlike what you'd expect from a ceramic magnet vs Alnico, the cleans are clearer and less muffled/stuffed than a JB in HB mode.

But you can't go wrong with any of these in a Dimas/So-Cal build.
I'd just be wary with a JB; *if* it matches, it'll match gloriously, but you may find yourself especially wanting tighter lows for thrash stuff; hence the Norton and the (Super)Distortion recommendations.

The Custom 5 and C/59 Hybrid are maybe more hardrock/metal oriented and very versatile, but a bit lower output as comparison.

@Uzi Nein Millimetah DO EEET!!!
I never cared for the Jazz -too scooped and clinical-, found the '59n not always great with high gain (bass heavy and a bit scooped), but the Screamin' Demon in the neck behaves almost like a beefy, high output single coil in terms of character and clarity. It handles gain so well. Comparable to the Evo Neck probably, but less 'dry' or stiff if that makes sense.

 

[BlueParfait]

JB/59 or Super Distortion/PAF

 

[Rackman]

I'm a big fan of the Holy Diver. Just really easy to work with in terms of how it sits in a mix.