F*ck with a CS Star?

[leftykingv2]

The lower the pickup out put the more dynamics and nuances it can produce. I had a long conversation with one of Duncans CS guys when i ordered a custom filtertron. the higher the output the smaller the frequency response, as output goes up you tend to lose tone, overtones and harmonics. this is part of the reason high output pups seem to have a tone focused in a certain range, and why active pickups have a broader frequency range and that sound that you can't get from a passive.

This actually explains why I like the Demon and J.B. so much. I don't mind EMG 81 or 85 but they're def. not my first choice. I had a Duncan Invader in an old Peavey Nitro when I was 15 and it was just so hot that it's range was really really limited (at least to my ears) So I eventually swapped it out for a Demon and I've been using them since. If you go JB or Demon I don't think you'll be disappointed with either of them. Also anyone else on here ever been told or hear that an active pick up will sound the same in any wood it's put it? An old guitar teacher told me years ago that active pick ups don't let you hear the tone from the wood of the instrument like passives do. Any truth to that?

[BigE13]

I shouldn't be condemning BKP's because of one bad experience but truth is, it really soured me to using them. The Holy Diver didn't even arrive in good working order and rather than waste time and money sending it back over the big pond, I allowed my luthier, who is EXCEPTIONALLY knowledgeable about pickups, to effect the repair. Still, the pickup was weak and sounded anemic. It had a nice rhythm sound but was just blah for leads.

I still want to try a SD BMP 1 or an EMG preamp with a low output p'up like the Screamin' Demon. Just want tighter, defined lows but with the same response dynamics I get with the Gus G's.

Too bad you had a bad experience with them. I have purchased 4 of the pups from them and all 4 came in mint condition with no issues at all. They sound great and being high output have killer harmonics. Good luck on the tone search!

[Chad]

Also anyone else on here ever been told or hear that an active pick up will sound the same in any wood it's put it? An old guitar teacher told me years ago that active pick ups don't let you hear the tone from the wood of the instrument like passives do. Any truth to that?

Have read that on the internet several times. Absolute bologna. I have heard an EMG 81 in several guitars and have it sound clearly different. Yeah, the EMG character is there, but it's that way with any pickup.

[Ron Burgundy]

Have read that on the internet several times. Absolute bologna. I have heard an EMG 81 in several guitars and have it sound clearly different. Yeah, the EMG character is there, but it's that way with any pickup.

Yeah that's my experience with EMGs too, they sound absolutely killer in some guitars, not so good in some.

[BigE13]

I just put a set of Mick Thompson Blackouts in my DK2M. They sound really good. Cleans are amazing and of course the crushing distortion on the other end of the spectrum is awesome. These are some good pups! Anyone else try them? They might be a good fit for your Star!

[Ron Burgundy]

I just put a set of Mick Thompson Blackouts in my DK2M. They sound really good. Cleans are amazing and of course the crushing distortion on the other end of the spectrum is awesome. These are some good pups! Anyone else try them? They might be a good fit for your Star!

I use the regular Blackouts and I love them!