Suggest some metal pups for basswood

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Spaceboy

Spaceboy

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I've got an Ibanez JS100 that could use some better passive pickups than the stock Ibanez AH1/2. It's downtuned to C# standard and used for music similar to grind and thrash, or some death metal. I've got another guitar with BKPs, but I would like something different, although still may stay within the brand if I can't find anything that strikes me. I would like something relatively low-cost since this isn't my primary guitar, which is another reason not to get BKPs (about 300 a set). I need both a bridge and neck pickup, something with tremendous output on the bridge and something a bit more clear for the neck, which is just occasionally used for solos. I was thinking maybe DiMarzio X2N and Air Norton neck, but really I'm open to anything at the moment. What are some more uncommon brands or pickup combinations that could be interesting? DiMarzios are solid, but common and predictable. I would like to find something that's fresh rather than relying on old faithful.
 
I didn't like the X2N in my RG550. It was too bright and lacked "oomph." The EMG I ran for a bit set was very Arsis-esque. You could try the new Crunch Lab/LiquiFire set; they seem to be fairly popular. If you want to go Duncan, I'd look into the Duncan Distortion and either a 59 or Jazz in the neck.
 
I definitely want something with loads of 'oomph', but I'm sort of wanting to sway away from popular choices for something that has more character. The X2N/Air Norton combo is an affordable backup option that I could be content with, if it sounds fine in basswood.
 
metal in basswood = Anderson H3 bridge and H1 neck! :rock:


buy them from Mesa Boogie Hollywood! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
My first thought

Bridge: JB
Neck: Duncan Custom Custom


Something comparable but NOT as common

Bridge: Duncan Distortion
Neck: DiMarzio PAF Pro
 
The only pickups I've ever used that I liked in basswood were the Anderson H2+ and Suhr Aldrich.
 
There Anderson pickups look great. What about the H3+ over the H3? I'm keeping an eye open for other uncommon or handmade companies like this, instead of going with the SD/DiMarzio/etc options. If I stay within large brands, I'm probably set on the X2N/Air Norton combo.
 
I should probably list the planned sound and gear. I'm using the JS100 (basswood body) through a Boss HM-2 used as a boost into an Ampeg VH140C, into Vader cabinets. The tone I'm wanting is gravely and not a 'good' sound according to traditional standards, but it's a sound that my band is trying to emulate, although our style is very different from bands who've popularized the Swedish "Sunlight Sound".

Example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjHuU9Im8gY

I'm all ears about any other suggestions to get that tone, other than higher-output pickups.
 
The HM-2 is such a ridiculous pedal that just about any pickup combination should work. The controls on it are sensitive as hell, and it pretty much only has 1 tone. I found putting an EQ before or after (can't remember what I did) really helps for getting the Bloodbath tone.
 
Breeds, or if you want really compressed a Super 3 in the bridge with the Breed neck model.
 
I'm kinda in the same boat with my RG550. I have a new Dimarzio Crunchlab and a BG Hellabucker I'm trying to decide between...
 
Code001":1exfvart said:
The HM-2 is such a ridiculous pedal that just about any pickup combination should work. The controls on it are sensitive as hell, and it pretty much only has 1 tone. I found putting an EQ before or after (can't remember what I did) really helps for getting the Bloodbath tone.
Click to expand...
I use an EQ in the loop, seems to have more control than in the chain before the amp.
 
Dehumanize":1fune7vd said:
Code001":1fune7vd said:
The HM-2 is such a ridiculous pedal that just about any pickup combination should work. The controls on it are sensitive as hell, and it pretty much only has 1 tone. I found putting an EQ before or after (can't remember what I did) really helps for getting the Bloodbath tone.
Click to expand...
I use an EQ in the loop, seems to have more control than in the chain before the amp.
Click to expand...

Depends if you want to tone shape the amp or tone shape the signal going into the amp. In my case, I didn't want to tone shape the amp. I just wanted to tighten things up.
 
I've got a basswood RG that I have loaded with Blackouts and it sounds nice and fat. Have that guitar typically tuned down to drop B and it stays real articulate and sounds perfect for metal. You might not want to spend that much though....I think I paid like $200 or so for the set.
 
blackouts are freakin sweet sounding pickups. i bought a set but sadly dont have any use for them since i sold the guitar they were going in. they really are great sounding pickups, and would get my vote for which ones to get
 
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