Pickup Suggestions

[Electric]

I recently got a new Jackson SLS3, and it came with dual Duncan SH-1 '59's. The clean sound is excellent, but I am looking to swap out at least the bridge for something with some more clarity and possibly higher output. The '59's sounded great with the stock 9-42 strings, but I plan on using this guitar in D Standard and Drop C. When I changed the strings for my normal 10-52 set, playing heavy rhythm stuff just gets muddy and doesn't have enough oomph. I would like the sound to remain clear even tuning down to C Standard on occasion.

I'm considering the SH-6 Distortion as I have it in my Schecter C-1 and it sounds great, but was looking for some other suggestions. I'm also considering the DiMarzio Dominion bridge. I've seen some pretty good reviews on other forums with that pickup in a mahogany guitar. I've also seen a lot of positive feedback for the Duncan Custom and the DiMarzio D-Activator. I don't have much experience with DiMarzio but would be willing to try them.

Examples of some tones that I like - Arch Enemy, Lamb of God, In Flames, Gojira. I play through a Peavey 6505+

Any other feedback or suggestions are welcome.

[jacksonkellyfreak]

Dimarzio d-sonic and x2n are both concentrated to the frequencies of drop tuning. great sound for that, and sound good in standard too. but for drop tune, they give the thing a huge hairy swingin pair. x2n is a lil higher output. d sonic has a lil more vintage flavor to it, while still being heavy as shit

[jacksonkellyfreak]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/dimarzio-dimarzio-dp207-w-d-sonic-hum-pu-wht

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/dimarzio-dp102-x2n-pickup

plus dig all the colors you can get

EDIT: also look into the D activator

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/dimarzio-dp222-d-activator-x-humbucker-bridge-pickup/340012000001275

[Grim]

You may like an Alternative 8.

[Dreamland_Rebel]

Leave the 59b and get an OD pedal. That's what Lamb of God uses. 59b and MXR GT-OD.

[Electric]

I have an MXR Classic overdrive (exact same board as the GT-OD). The '59 sounds fine in Standard tuning or drop d but gets muddy really quick any lower than that. As far as LoG goes, Mark hasn't used the '59 for about three years. He's using the DiMarzio Dominion (modified Breed). Willie has used the JB and Custom pretty consistently.

After reading some more reviews and looking at specs I ordered a set of DiMarzio Dominions. I should have them by the end of the week. I'll post a review once I get them installed. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

[horns666]

All these are great pups..adust your amps and playing.

My tone is in my hands..no matter what guitars...what pups. I sound the same with an LP or Strat with a HB. These are facts.

[Electric]

The '59 bridge was perfect when in standard tuning. Problems with muddiness only started with thicker strings and lower tunings (all of my other guitars do not sound muddy at those tunings and with heavier strings). The main difference between the SLS3 and my other guitars was the '59 in the bridge.

I definitely agree that tone is more in the hands than the gear, and with the '59 I still sound like me, just way muddier. With the lower tuning no matter what settings I use it just doesn't sound as clear as my others.

[horns666]

The '59 bridge was perfect when in standard tuning. Problems the muddiness only started with thicker strings and lower tunings (all of my other guitars do not sound muddy at those tunings and with heavier strings. The main difference between the SLS3 and my other guitars was the '59 in the bridge.

I definitely agree that tone is more in the hands than the gear, and with the '59 I still sound like me, just way muddier. With the lower tuning no matter what settings I use it just doesn't sound as clear as my others.

Yessums. What's up? All my guitars have various pups. All DiMarzios except the SD in my RR-1. My 2nd main guitar is my '95 Fender "Floys Rose Classic" with a PAF pro and maple board. It came with a factory TBX treble boost. It's actually the noisiest player I have, and the brightest by far. All my stuff is set up/tuned to D standard. The Strat sounds amazing through both the Marshall..but I have to back off the highs and keep the TBX treble tone knob at flat..it has a notch at the center. But with my Bogner I turn the knob all the way up and it's perfect.

What I mean by adjusting your playing is heavier/lighter attack, and just a tiny hair forward or backward while palming is a world of difference. I'm sure you know this. Personally I like the XN2..to me it had the perfect balance of lows and articulation no matter what amp I played. I had that is a HRR strat w/ Floyd. It was so much darker and fuller-sounding than my USA FRC. But like a dick..I had that mental, "import" thing, and had to have a REAL USA Strat. Well I sold the HRR import to get my main strat..and discovered what I stated above. I LOVE the custom Dimarzios in '96 Peavey trans purple wolf, but in that guitar. It is by far the best sounding guitar I ever played to date. I wasn't that fond of the looks or the color at that time. But I played about 8 of them when new and kept going back to this one..ya'know..that whole mojo thing.

John, and his old friend LOVED the custom Dimarzio's in my '95 Charvel SD-1 Koa. He searched and hunted down what it was. I think a Super 3, or something. Installed it in one of his guitars and hated it. But it sounds amazing in the SD-1s.

[horns666]

Oh, Here's a 10 year old demo of my Peavey Wolf in D standard thru John's CAE+3. Just a random "off the cuff" riff in drop C w/ D-tuna. Like I said I love the sound of this guitar! hahaa..http://www.clevelandmetalzone.com/mp3/billberschall.mp3

[chuckbat]

I thought that Morton had a JB in the bridge and a '59 in the neck of his Dominion..Wrong again, dual '59s. Maybe Willie is using a JB? I'm confused. I love their sound, especially on Ashes, and the new one.

[Electric]

Morton's sig model has dual '59's but he hasn't actually used that pup combo in at least 3 years. He is currently using DiMarzio Dominion's (his signature pickup) and has been for the last 2 years. He used Breeds for about a year prior and began working with DiMarzio to develop his own signature pickup. Before that he experimented with the Duncan Custom and Duncan Invader, as well as EMG 81's briefly.

Willie's signature ESP has a '59 in the neck and a 'JB in the bridge. He has also experimented with various Duncan pickups over the years. I don't know what he's using currently.

[Grim]

While I have heard a Dominion and love it, I wouldn't say it is particularly like any of the tones you listed other than Lamb of God. YMMV and I hope you like it.

[Electric]

Just got the Dominions installed and they sound fantastic. I also swapped the 3 way blade switch for a 5 way and in positions 2 and 4 have it set up for coil tapping. These are my favorite pickups at the moment. They remain clear no matter how much gain I dial in and never get muddy. The clean tones are great, and the split coli sounds pull off convincing Strat-like tones. I ordered them in white and I think they look much better than the cream/black Duncans the SLS3 comes with stock.

Here are some pics after the pickup swap:

[jacksonkellyfreak]

I like it! I wasnt aware of the dominion models, but Im not a LoG fan.