What compares to the MCP Angel Dust

Aristocat · Jun 26, 2016

I have a 2nd Degree BB in my mockingbird and while I love it, I need some more oomph from the pup. I was thinking about the Angel Dust but they look like they're hard to come by used.

Any commercial pups that compare to them?

charvelstrat81 · Jun 26, 2016

Back when the AD first came out a LOT of guys over at metro amp forums(VH forum) were saying it sounded kind of like a duncan Custom-custom or the EVH frankenstein pickup

14K alnico II
I would go EVH frankenstein of those two. :thumbsup:

Bloodrock · Jun 26, 2016

I had one for a while. Very good mid gain pickup. To me it sounded like a clearer less harsh Gibson 498t. Only slightly hotter. Wish I had kept that pup.

Aristocat · Jun 26, 2016

charvelstrat81":328yq6ss said:
Back when the AD first came out a LOT of guys over at metro amp forums(VH forum) were saying it sounded kind of like a duncan Custom-custom or the EVH frankenstein pickup
14K alnico II
I would go EVH frankenstein of those two.

Is that the same as what's coming in his guitars these days? Or is that closer to the 78/Franky type of thing?

metalmaniac93 · Jun 27, 2016

Nothing sounds like the Angel Dust. My favorite pickup and have them in most of my guitars. Maybe an underwound Afwayu would get you kind of close as it still has that dry/raw tone with added low end and not as strident highs.

Aristocat · Jun 27, 2016

metalmaniac93":qguuddxv said:
Nothing sounds like the Angel Dust. My favorite pickup and have them in most of my guitars. Maybe an underwound Afwayu would get you kind of close as it still has that dry/raw tone with added low end and not as strident highs.

Do you know what it would give me aside from added output compared to the 2nd Degree BB?

Chester Nimitz · Jun 27, 2016

Duncan SH-5 for Mahogany.

Bronco · Jun 27, 2016

charvelstrat81":3kc9mkq5 said:
Back when the AD first came out a LOT of guys over at metro amp forums(VH forum) were saying it sounded kind of like a duncan Custom-custom or the EVH frankenstein pickup
14K alnico II
I would go EVH frankenstein of those two.

Partly true, but that has to be qualified with they were talking about the AD w/A2 magnet, which was at the time called the Blister Bucker, later renamed to Black Iron. The traditional AD is an A5 magnet. So I would agree with your recommendation if you were trying to replace a BB (Black Iron), but definitely not a stock AD...to the OP, I'd look at a Duncan Custom 5?

metalmaniac93 · Jun 29, 2016

Aristocat":kgt0nnpa said:
metalmaniac93":kgt0nnpa said:

Nothing sounds like the Angel Dust. My favorite pickup and have them in most of my guitars. Maybe an underwound Afwayu would get you kind of close as it still has that dry/raw tone with added low end and not as strident highs.

Click to expand...

Do you know what it would give me aside from added output compared to the 2nd Degree BB?

It is a thicker with a pronounced lower end and balanced mids. The mids are flat and the top end is just above that. I do not have the underwound Afwayu anymore, but ironically I am buying my buddies Jackson RR guitar and it has my underwound Afwayu set that I sold him. It kills in the maple neck thru. There is plenty of information on here about the Afwayu. It is more of a modern sounding pickup though and very different than the 2nd Degree BB. You might want to try the Detroiter. It has less bass than the 2nd degree and more mids. The 2nd degree has a softer bigger low end and a strong upper mid presence. Detroiter is faster on the lows and a small increase in the mids which are pretty clear and the top end is just right . A more pissed off pickup.

Hey_bert_whtcha_doin_bert · Jun 29, 2016

I kinda miss the War Cry

metalmaniac93 · Jul 1, 2016

A real bummer is that Wade is not making the Angel Dust anymore.

hopkinWFG · Jul 2, 2016

Any idea if MCP were to do 8 string afwayu or between afwayu and angel dust pickup ?

Mr. Willy · Jul 2, 2016

metalmaniac93":ug9pn314 said:
A real bummer is that Wade is not making the Angel Dust anymore.

The AD is still listed on his website. He really needs to revamp his site. It's been terrible for a long time. His descriptions are terrible, and there isn't much in the way of specs on the pickups. The only way you can get accurate info on him or his products is through forums like this. I'm interested in his products, but factors like what I've mentioned make me nervous to send him money.

Jayy · Jul 2, 2016

Mr. Willy":airgm8rm said:
metalmaniac93":airgm8rm said:

A real bummer is that Wade is not making the Angel Dust anymore.

Click to expand...

The AD is still listed on his website. He really needs to revamp his site. It's been terrible for a long time. His descriptions are terrible, and there isn't much in the way of specs on the pickups. The only way you can get accurate info on him or his products is through forums like this. I'm interested in his products, but factors like what I've mentioned make me nervous to send him money.

I agree. I've had the urge to try a Detroiter, but his website and descriptions make me nervous too.

Aristocat · Jul 2, 2016

Yeah, his site is shady. The only reason I'll buy used MCPs.

I don't mind coughing up the money, but the lack of info is suspect.

I love my black belt. I just need more oomph/sizzle in the mids. The Detroiter and Angel Dust are the two in really digging.

metalmaniac93 · Jul 2, 2016

Aristocat":1k8b8atz said:
Yeah, his site is shady. The only reason I'll buy used MCPs.

I don't mind coughing up the money, but the lack of info is suspect.

I love my black belt. I just need more oomph/sizzle in the mids. The Detroiter and Angel Dust are the two in really digging.

Wade is fine and you will get your pickup. Just email him. Of course he does not make the AD anymore, but you can get a Detroiter or something else.

metalmaniac93 · Jul 2, 2016

Mr. Willy":2c6ddbbf said:
metalmaniac93":2c6ddbbf said:

A real bummer is that Wade is not making the Angel Dust anymore.

Click to expand...

The AD is still listed on his website. He really needs to revamp his site. It's been terrible for a long time. His descriptions are terrible, and there isn't much in the way of specs on the pickups. The only way you can get accurate info on him or his products is through forums like this. I'm interested in his products, but factors like what I've mentioned make me nervous to send him money.

I have a bunch of his pickups and while the info is lacking on his website and he does need to update it most of his pickups deliver for me!!! Killer pickups!!!

drewiv · Jul 2, 2016

metalmaniac93":2i5rh8m0 said:
Aristocat":2i5rh8m0 said:

Yeah, his site is shady. The only reason I'll buy used MCPs.

I don't mind coughing up the money, but the lack of info is suspect.

I love my black belt. I just need more oomph/sizzle in the mids. The Detroiter and Angel Dust are the two in really digging.

Click to expand...

Wade is fine and you will get your pickup. Just email him. Of course he does not make the AD anymore, but you can get a Detroiter or something else.

Doesn't make the Angel Dust anymore, you say? I happen to have an uninstalled, unwrapped pair from Wade.

I was thinking... One. Million. Dollars. :lol:

BTW, Wade's a good dude. You'll get your pups.

metalmaniac93 · Jul 2, 2016

drewiv":3lhztqst said:
metalmaniac93":3lhztqst said:

Aristocat":3lhztqst said:

Yeah, his site is shady. The only reason I'll buy used MCPs.

I don't mind coughing up the money, but the lack of info is suspect.

I love my black belt. I just need more oomph/sizzle in the mids. The Detroiter and Angel Dust are the two in really digging.

Click to expand...

Wade is fine and you will get your pickup. Just email him. Of course he does not make the AD anymore, but you can get a Detroiter or something else.

Click to expand...

Doesn't make the Angel Dust anymore, you say? I happen to have an uninstalled, unwrapped pair from Wade.

I was thinking... One. Million. Dollars.

BTW, Wade's a good dude. You'll get your pups.