Pups

[b0nkersx]

I made a post about this a long time ago, but I was only interested in actives for a new guitar I bought.

I'm looking to put in some new passives into my LP Standard. It's an early 90s/late 80s model (I don't have it in front of me, I'm out of town). I use that guitar to play things ranging from classic rock/early metal (Zeppelin, Dio, Iron Maiden) to some newer prog (Tool, Opeth, DT).

A few I was looking at: Dimarzio X2N, Super 2 (dunno what I would put in the neck with these); Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz; Bareknuckle Pickups Painkiller set

Anybody got any recommendations? I play through an RKII, and I have a guitar with EMGs, so I'm keeping my LP passive.

 

[fluff191]

The X2N's are great pickups, very loud and warm.

But if you have the money, go for any of the Bare Knuckle pups. All of them just sound really nice. Even the super high output War Pig is awesome. My buddy has a Rebel Yell and a Nailbomb and they sound spectacular.

 

[Moby1]

I play mainly classic rock and 80's metal

I use a Bareknuckle Nailbomb in the bridge and Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck (in Gibson Les Paul & Epi LP)

The nailbomb has lovely rich harmonics and sustain (isnt as 'mental' as the name suggests) Jazz has nice articulated cleans.

Call Tim at Bareknuckle, really nice guy. will have no problems talking you through his range and deciding what suits you.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

For rectifier amps, my favorite passive pup is the PRS Tremonti, BY FAR. Versatile, and just really gels with the amp.

Another cool one is the Suhr Aldrich....a little more versatile, but not as fat.

Up to you!

 

[fluff191]

Anyone try any Motor City pickups? Cantrell switched to them after using Duncan JB's for many many years.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

I've been thinking about it, but to be honest, I'm taking a more 'if it ain't broken, don't mess with it' stance....my tone is sooo good right now with the PRS Tremonti that I don't want to lose it :lol:

 

[ibanezrocker720]

I totally agree with Eric. I have the PRS Tremonti Treble in my Ibanez SZ720 and it sounds fantastic with my Dual Rec. It's a bit more aggressive than the Duncan Custom Custom in my Hollywood Classic and I think both have a really nice smooth sound but I def prefer the PRS!

 

[c.t.d-nicke]

I just did a mag-swap and put a A8 magnet in a JB. Sounds awesome!

The JB and DD is pretty similar pups, but instead of a ceramic mag in the DD there's a A5 in JB

nicke

 

[fluff191]

I've been thinking about it, but to be honest, I'm taking a more 'if it ain't broken, don't mess with it' stance....

Yeah I kind of feel the same way with my Duncan Blackouts.

 

[Old BF Shred]

I seem to be "stuck" on the JB....It came with my Hamer Centaur and I liked it.

When I wanted new p/u's for my Jackson, the JB was readily available and it sounds great in that guitar. I tried to order the JB "custom custom", but it was apparently unavailable, even from Seymour Duncan directly, at the time, so I defaulted to the JB. I am not sorry I did.

When I wanted to tame the brightness of the original p/u's in my new Carvin, the only cream and black colored p/u (to match the stock p/u's) available was, again, the JB! Fortunately it sounds real good in the axe, too!

It seems I try to get away and try other p/u's, but they always "pull me back in"! :lol:

So by default, I am a JB fan....they are readily available, not too expensive and I really do like the sound...more "character" than the Dimarzios I have tried in the past, IMHO.
But I know what a pain it is to install a p/u and find you do not like it. Even with the guarantees to allow swapping for a different model (quite sure both SD and DImarzio do this), what a pain to wait with the guitar unusable waiting for another p/u!!! :evil:

I'm guessing you would also like the JB, but YMMV! :lol: :wink:
I feel your pain and wish you...
Good luck!

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

^Whenever I get a guitar with JBs, you'll be the first on my list to get rid of them... :lol:

 

[derekjason]

I've been thinking about it, but to be honest, I'm taking a more 'if it ain't broken, don't mess with it' stance....

Yeah I kind of feel the same way with my Duncan Blackouts.

add me on too for SD Blackouts love.

 

[droptrd]

Anyone try any Motor City pickups? Cantrell switched to them after using Duncan JB's for many many years.

I have a set of Motor City Afwayu's in my McCarty. Absolutely ******* huge! I was a long time JB user and I also switched. The JB was deffinately better than the stock McCarty pup but the Afwayu's hit it out of the park. The bottom end on these pups is amazing. Search Rig-Talk for MCP reviews. Lots of guys over there using them.

Wade ( motor city owner) was very knowledgable and helpful in pointing me towards the right pup for the sound i was after.

Give him a call. he's not that good with returning emails but a phone call gets him every time.

Strongly recommended

 

[Holy Diver]

i've got a calibrated set of BKP painkillers in one of my rgs and they are SWEET

they are quite heavy on the mids and have a really tight bass response. if you are into smoldering leads and tight metal rhythm i would say you would be doing well to find better.

btw i play a roadster boosted by a OD808

also i play thrash, death & heavy metal so i don't really aim for a "modern" sound. They are a nice match for the roadster for a really ballsy tight sound