:oilpit: Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I sorta got into a dicussion about this in another thread and it got me wondering. Is there anyone out there who uses really hot pickups in your Paul? If so, what do you like about them. I've only tried a few, and didn't like them at all. I'm not tryin' to hate, just interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolff Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 In my Gibson USA LP Standard I installed Seymour Duncan SH6 'Distortion Mayhem' pickups. For heavy rock/metal/downtuning I think they are absolutely fantastic. They also have a nice clean sound. I do like the sound of regular stock Gibson pups like the Burstbuckers and '57 Classic, but for hi-gain metal I'm convinced the SDs(and other high output pups) sound better. In 'other' guitars I have, I use the EMG 81/85 actives and I have a Bill Lawrence XL500 in another. Really, it depends on the music you play. There has to be a reason why Dime and many other metal guitarists use high output or active pups. I saw an article recently that I wished I had saved that explained that there are 2 ways to achieve the desired distortion - either by using high output pups or doing the adjustments on your amp. They compared Slash and Dime as guys who do it different ways. Dime with the pups and Slash with the amp. No doubt there are many other guys here much more qualified to explain the technical aspects of pickup output. All I am saying is that there is a time when high output pups can be useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlekenny Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 I'd rather get the gain from the amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I have nothing positive to add to this discussion, so I'll be brief. I've found I prefer lower and lower output pickups once I was able to play through nice tube amps. I hated the ceramics that came in my Les Paul Classic. I had a Flying V with Duncans, a JB in the bridge. It sounded pretty damned good, excellent for Scorpions, but was really past my threshhold for gain. I have so much more appreciation for the guys in AC/DC and yes, even Slash, for their "vintage" approach to tone. Pantera was a band I never cared for, though many of my friends and fellow players loved 'em. The thin, shrill, overly processed sound he used did nothing but make me reach for the volume - to turn 'em DOWN. I've never felt the need to modify an amp for more distortion, all of mine are capable of way more than I use. I would spend money on pedals to boost the signal before I opened a can of worms in a good tube amp. There's one opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I have a pair of DiMarzio 'Dual-Sounds' in an old (well, '76) Gold-top which was the very first guitar I bought new and, in the stupidity of my youth, didn't mind drilling holes between the control-knobs for the micro-switches which operate the coil-taps..... Of course, at the time, I thought they sounded fine and, because of their versatility, were often useful to have in a gigging situation, but nowadays I only ever use my 1995 '60 re-issue which has the '57 Classics. My musical 'playlist' has become more focussed over the years and for what I play now it is, unarguably, the best guitar I've ever heard or played - which is why I bought it. I brought the Gold-top out for a comparison when I first got the '95 home and, sad to say, the Goldie hasn't been out of the cupboard since. IMHO the increase in power comes at the expense of poorer tone. I could try swapping the pups between the guitars to see how they sound in different bodies but I doubt I will. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvansickle Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 It's funny how we all go through our phases. When I was younger and playing a lot of metal, I thought the hotter the better when it came to pickups. Once you get exposed to really good tube amps, you realize that pickups are only part of the equation. Most "hot" pickups emphasize the highs and lows, and scoop the mids. If you really want to drive your amp, you need midrange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonejonez Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I sorta got into a dicussion about this in another thread and it got me wondering.Is there anyone out there who uses really hot pickups in your Paul? If so, what do you like about them. I've only tried a few, and didn't like them at all. I'm not tryin' to hate, just interested. Quote: Yah, absolutely I've used an assortment of pickups throughout the years in all 4 of my Les Pauls, my 70's Ibanez V, and in my Fender Tele & Strat as well. I've used hot-ceramics which I really like a lot when I'm playing Heavier Music. They seem to have a little more bit & fluidness to them for that particular style. However, I have all of my guitars set up completely different so I can switch between a variety of styles and TONES when I'm playing out, or more importantly, when I'm writing music at home. I know can only speak for myself--obviously--but I think it's really important to experiment with all of your equiptment when we're financially able to do so...it gives us an appreciation for unexpected TONES to work with, which not only keeps things fresh and interesting but it keeps the creative juices alive & well if we find ourselves in a creative slump. So by all means, try new pickups whenever you feel the desire to do so. The quest for that, "ever-ellusive-TONE" is a beautiful jouney that will hopefully continue to last a life time. It still does for me. Having that been said, Rock-On And Play Your Heart Out. Always, In All-Ways!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elessar820 Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I really like a hot pickup in the bridge and something lower output in the neck. I do like the sound out lower output pickups in the bridge too, but I do have a preference for hotter pickups. I find that the Seymour Duncan Screamin' Demon is a nice compromise between high and medium output and it's one of my favorite pickups, I have one with an Alnico II Pron in my Ibanez SZ, I put one in my BFG for a little while, but it took away from the SZ and I'd rather get completely different sounds from my guitars. I also have a set of Fender Hot Noiseless in my Highway One Strat and to me, the tone is perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 everyone needs a guitar with hot Pups to mess around with, i , like most people, learned that better tone comes from the distortion from the amp but there is nothing funner then turning the gain all the way up, and going pinch harmonic crazy on a guitar with hot Pups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolff Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 but there is nothing funner then turning the gain all the way up' date=' and going pinch harmonic crazy on a guitar with hot Pups[/quote'] +100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 but seriously, check this out right here I always was disapointed by the bridge Pup in gibsons, it was never hot enough. I have learned though, like the action, and intonation, Pup hights need adjusting just like anything else. here i am a year older and wiser, the trick isnt the Pups, (well it is, but for arguements sake) its the hight of the Pup, i just got done re-installing a PAF type Pup into my les paul studio, and after messing with the Pup highth, not only does the mellow Pup sound better then the old-hotter Pup, it sounds hotter too! goes ta show ya its the hight of the Pup too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolff Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 You just figured that out now? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolff Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 For all my bluster about high output and high gain, my other Gibsons have Burstbucker Pros, '57 Classic+ and P.90s. I've come to appreciate these more since I have been a member here. Rather than 'rocking out' 99% of the time with high gain and scooped mids, I now at times really enjoy playing clean or with just a bit of gain. I have a Seymour Duncan pickup booster and using that with a completely clean amp tone produces a very nice crunch. I guess you guys have mellowed me out a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myspace.com/jessenoah Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 yes you have been gain neutered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
:oilpit: Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 I think I'm gonna get a duncan custom 5 (a hotter version of the 59) for my bridge and an alnico 2 for the neck. Now I jut need money... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolff Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 yesyou have been gain neutered Let's not go overboard now! I still love the hi-gain, pinch harmonics style too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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