What percussive humbuckers have you played?

[Hamer95USA]

Bill & Becky L-500 L pickup that I once had. That pickup had some output, was percussive for my playing style, and the tone was killer. I might buy another used one again.

Guitar George

 

[fearhk213]

I’m curious what bridge humbuckers you all have played that you’d consider percussive. I know you can get that sort of tone with right boost and amp even if the pickup isn’t especially percussive. I’m talking about the pickups that have those percussive characteristics prior to boosting.

A few that I own/owned that I’d consider percussive:
WCR Icebucker
Lundgren M6
Motor City T-Wreck
Motor City Double D
EMG 81

What about you all?

The Icebucker's are some of the best pickups I've used!

What Aspect did you like about the IceBuckers?

It’s very balanced tonally. It has good clarity and top end chime with just enough low end chunk. Despite being lower output, it doesn’t feel undergained and it has the tight focus and pick response you want for most styles of metal.

 

[fearhk213]

Am I the only 500t lover? Percussive AF for me.

I like them too. They're like a fiercer Duncan Distortion.

Most definitely. Balls and bite!

The 500t and Black Winter are two I’ve been quite curious about lately.

 

[311boogieman]

Didn't see it mentioned but I find my Duncan Custom Custom TB-11 to be pretty percussive. I also like the Super Distortion.

 

[Bad.Seed]

Am I the only 500t lover? Percussive AF for me.

I like them too. They're like a fiercer Duncan Distortion.

Most definitely. Balls and bite!

I dig it for sure, but find it very similar to the 500t in that it can be real bright and punchy in one guitar and can be a mushy mess in another. They're lucky, but they rip in guitars suited towards them.

 

[fearhk213]

BK Nailbomb, Especially the Ceramic
Duncan Omega
Wolfetone Marshallhead
Duncan Black Winter and Distortion
Gibson 498t in the right guitars
Lace Dissonant Aggressor


That being said, I think the guitar plays a large part in this as well. I had my Marshallhead in a Gibson SG 61 Reissue, and it sounded flubby and dull no matter what I did. Switched it over to my LP traditional, Boom. All the punch and chime was there. No matter what pickup I put in that Sg, it just had a soft mellow sound that didn't jive with me.

Totally agree with this. I had one of the first PRS Miras. It was a fantastic feeling and playing guitar, but it was overly dark. The stock pickups sounded great, but they didn’t cut it for high gain metal. I tried a few “better” suited pickups and it was a crash and burn each time. I just couldn’t get the proper bite and pick response and anything too hot just turned to mud. So yes, the guitar definitely plays role.