Thinking of making the jump to passive from EMGs. Help!

[Blitzie]

Hey guys-

So I've had EMGs in my guitars for a long time. I found that I really enjoyed the Hetset. I like that it had more body compared to the 81 and wasn't so tight. Tons of output too. Lately, I've been itching for something else. I've tried most of, if not all EMGs (aside from the "x" series) and I've had some Blackouts in the past. I think I might be time to switch to passives and try some new stuff.

To give you an idea of what I'm looking for;

I like brighter tones. I play through a Tremoverb and it's a little dark, so something to open it up a little is welcome. I'm playing through a Splawn cab with V30s and H30s in an X-pattern.
I love to jam on Tool, I love Adam Jones' sound. I also like over-the-top metal like Devin Townsend. Need something with enough output to do both with minimal amp tweaking.

it's important to note, that while I do like brighter tones, I want my sound to have some thump as well, without losing note-to-note definition. Dynamics are very important as well.

The guitar I'm using is a full thickness ESP Eclipse. Ebony board. Mahogany body. Maple cap. Not sure what the neck is made of, actually. I play in standard or Drop D 99% of the time.

I'm open to suggestions! Price doesn't really matter. Any ideas?

 

[mchn13]

Duncan sh-6

 

[RJF]

Duncan sh-6

This, except I would go with the Black Winter. Yeah, it's like $15 dollars more and it's basically the same as a distortion, but it does have a bit more highs to it and the black screws/poles look pretty cool.

 

[abbath78]

Sounds like you might enjoy trying Bare Knuckle pickups. Maybe a Painkiller or Cold Sweat?

 

[MichaelG]

A lot of folks sure like the bareknuckles pickups. Here is a thread that might help you out: https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=27050.0

If you play with a boost in front of the tremoverb, then a set of lower-output pickups will reward you with a more open sound, clarity and dynamics. Motor City Pickups (MCP) Detroiter, Second Degree Blackbelt come to mind here and are my personal faves, but there are lots of other choices from WCR, Arcane, wolfetone, etc. An icebucker (http://www.jimwagnerpickups.com/IceBucker.html) from WCR pickups might be an interesting choice for you as well. Edit: I need to mention that the reason that the custom handwound lower-output pickups can work in your application is that they are wound so that the bottom end is big and tight... my lespaul with MCP SecondDegree Blackbelts into a boosted amp can easily keep up with higher output pickups in the metal chugging department... no flub on the bottom end and lots of definition

The Solution from MCP was aimed at being an active pickup replacement. It handles my metal duties well, but I also tend to play with just a little bit of clean boost with it as well.

Good luck... Lots of choices out there. An email to wade from MCP, or Jim from Bareknuckes, or Jim at WCR with your requirements will usually result in a good suggestion. Wade hasn't steered me wrong yet...

 

[Blitzie]

I'm definitely not opposed to a lower output pickup, I just don't want it to be too low or too close to a "vintage" sound. I was considering a medium output solution anyways.

Isn't the Black Winter kind of a one trick pony? I know it does metal fairly well but that's all its good for, right? I want something that can do metal but can also do a progressive Adam Jones like tone if I back the gain off on the amp.

Oh and I am boosting the Tremoverb.

 

[jlb32]

I've always heard great things about the Motor City Afwayu and 2nd degree black belt pickups. Never personally tried them though.

Personally I'm a big fan of the Gibson 500T for hard rock and metal. There's just so many choices out there.

 

[RJF]

Isn't the Black Winter kind of a one trick pony? I know it does metal fairly well but that's all its good for, right? I want something that can do metal but can also do a progressive Adam Jones like tone if I back the gain off on the amp.

Oh and I am boosting the Tremoverb.

An EMG81 isn't?

Just adjust your gain on your amp, or turn the boost off.

The blackwinter sounds basically identical to a Distortion, to me, with a touch more highs.

 

[Blitzie]

Isn't the Black Winter kind of a one trick pony? I know it does metal fairly well but that's all its good for, right? I want something that can do metal but can also do a progressive Adam Jones like tone if I back the gain off on the amp.

Oh and I am boosting the Tremoverb.

An EMG81 isn't?

Just adjust your gain on your amp, or turn the boost off.

The blackwinter sounds basically identical to a Distortion, to me, with a touch more highs.

It is, thus this thread asking for something more dynamic.

 

[RJF]

Isn't the Black Winter kind of a one trick pony? I know it does metal fairly well but that's all its good for, right? I want something that can do metal but can also do a progressive Adam Jones like tone if I back the gain off on the amp.

Oh and I am boosting the Tremoverb.

An EMG81 isn't?

Just adjust your gain on your amp, or turn the boost off.

The blackwinter sounds basically identical to a Distortion, to me, with a touch more highs.

It is, thus this thread asking for something more dynamic.

I would consider most high quality hot passives to be extremely dynamic. I just turn my gain up or down, or roll the volume off for what I want.

 

[Blitzie]

Oh yeah, absolutely. I do mean the ability to clean up with the volume down is good, but dynamics meaning picking harder making notes jump out louder and things like that. As well as note-to-note clarity.

 

[1meanplexi]

A lot of folks sure like the bareknuckles pickups. Here is a thread that might help you out: https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=27050.0

If you play with a boost in front of the tremoverb, then a set of lower-output pickups will reward you with a more open sound, clarity and dynamics. Motor City Pickups (MCP) Detroiter, Second Degree Blackbelt come to mind here and are my personal faves, but there are lots of other choices from WCR, Arcane, wolfetone, etc. An icebucker (http://www.jimwagnerpickups.com/IceBucker.html) from WCR pickups might be an interesting choice for you as well. Edit: I need to mention that the reason that the custom handwound lower-output pickups can work in your application is that they are wound so that the bottom end is big and tight... my lespaul with MCP SecondDegree Blackbelts into a boosted amp can easily keep up with higher output pickups in the metal chugging department... no flub on the bottom end and lots of definition

The Solution from MCP was aimed at being an active pickup replacement. It handles my metal duties well, but I also tend to play with just a little bit of clean boost with it as well.

Good luck... Lots of choices out there. An email to wade from MCP, or Jim from Bareknuckes, or Jim at WCR with your requirements will usually result in a good suggestion. Wade hasn't steered me wrong yet...

This^^^^^^^^

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

Passives + Boost FTW

 

[blackie13]

I had a bunch of passive boutiques for my guitars(mainly alder superstrats)...
-BK Miracle man,VHII,nailbomb
-Lunndgren M6

and some more casual stuff

SD Custom,custom-custom,59
DMZ SuperD
Suhr SSH+,Aldridge

From all this stuff my favorite was the Seymour Duncan Custom(I use the volume knob A LOT)

When I first tested the EMGs I was shocked by the results!!!
Especially the 81...
The pickup had an awsome tone and great dynamics!!!
with a 9V battery...

I play classic metal and 80's metal and I always recommend this pickup for these tones...

 

[sytharnia1560]

the new dimarzio PAF masters might be worth a look ... I will be checking them out for sure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq5EH0AcQBo

 

[moronmountain]

Duncan sh-6

This, except I would go with the Black Winter. Yeah, it's like $15 dollars more and it's basically the same as a distortion, but it does have a bit more highs to it and the black screws/poles look pretty cool.

I have both, and I personally think the Distortion has more highs, and by a decent amount. The BW is supposed to have a flat eq sound, hence the 6/6/6 thing on the Duncan website. I like both pickups, but I am digging the BW right now personally.

 

[RJF]

Duncan sh-6

This, except I would go with the Black Winter. Yeah, it's like $15 dollars more and it's basically the same as a distortion, but it does have a bit more highs to it and the black screws/poles look pretty cool.

I have both, and I personally think the Distortion has more highs, and by a decent amount. The BW is supposed to have a flat eq sound, hence the 6/6/6 thing on the Duncan website. I like both pickups, but I am digging the BW right now personally.

I see that seymour has the tone chart like that, I don't know why. Most reviews of the BW that I've read, including my own findings, is that the BW has more sizzle on the upper end. I talked to the guys at Seymour Duncan asking them about the BW and Nazgul. He told me the BW was very close to the Distortion, but with more highs and high mids. He referred to the T500 gibson as similar.

 

[the rossness]

Bright Pups include

Duncan Dimebucker, Screamin' Demon', JB

DMZ- Super 2, Gravity Storm, Humbucker From Hell

Gibson 500T