Is the SL2H Brutal enough?

[Wiberg]

Hello evryone I'm new here this is my first post. I would like som help about the SL2s.

I need a new guitar and the SL2H MAH looks killer. The question is; is it brutal enough? I play metal, tuned down to drop C and I wonder if pickups can handle that sort of music. Or do I need to change them the first thing I do?

What do you think?


/ Fredrik

https://www.myspace.com/0infinity

[Sunbane]

I think you are likely to get 20 different answers. Some guys use low output pickups with high gain amps, while others use high output pickups with lower gain settings. Then there is the "passive vs active" gangs. If you're looking to achieve a certain sound, I suspect you will change pickups numerous times before you're fully satisfied anyway. What guitar/pickups have you been using previously?

As for my answer; No, you can tell from its pseudo strat shape, that the SL2H is a sissy's guitar. Only a KV-1 or an XTRR will do if you're looking for brutal.

[texasfury]

I would suspect that players of "brutal" music probably use pickups that run the gamut from shrill/no bass to bassy/no high end, and you don't realize it.

[Mr Metal]

Have never tuned that low with a Floyd.....Will it work?

[Sunbane]

Drop C is just a D tuning with the 6th string dropped one step further down. And yes, you can tune a Floyd that low. There may be problems after intonation though, with the string lock screw of the 6th string overshooting the trem route.

[ozzuk1]

I tuned my Ran to drop C fora while all you should really do is get a higher guage string set like a 10-52 and get it setup and re intonated for that tuning...

It should be brootalz enough you migt want to try different pickups active emgs different duncans....

[Wiberg]

Thx for all the replies!

Right now I play a Charvel Model A Pro with Seymour Duncan Live Wire Metals in it. I think they are a bit to much. I can't get no clean sounds at all (yes I know that's not what they are meant for) and the distortion sounds just a bit to distorted, no body, like playing a synthguitar. I guess that's what active pickups do. Have anyone compared theese to pickups to the EMGs?


As you say it's a jungle out there and I'll probobly will try a bunch of pickups before I feel satisfied. But whats your experience with the SL2H? Have you change the pickups? How does it feel with EMGs?

/ Fredrik


www.myspace.com/0infinity

[Rich#6]

Right now I play a Charvel Model A Pro with Seymour Duncan Live Wire Metals in it. I think they are a bit to much. I can't get no clean sounds at all (yes I know that's not what they are meant for) and the distortion sounds just a bit to distorted, no body, like playing a synthguitar. I guess that's what active pickups do. Have anyone compared theese to pickups to the EMGs?

EMGs are way different than those pickups. I love my 81/85 set but really hated the livewires. I had a model A that I sold because of the pickups. great for pinch harmonics and NOTHING else. best playing guitar I ever owned but needed money or else I would have changed them out.

[Sinistas]

If you're worried about "brutal" you might as well go with Moser. That'll get you scene points, alright.

[Spivonious]

If you like it, get it. If it turns out the pickups aren't what you thought, it's easy to change them out for under $200 US.

[Sunbane]

If you think the Livewires are too much, then I think you'll be right at home with EMGs. They are still high output, but not nearly as insane as the LWs.

I usually slag the EMG-81 for being sterile and dead soundning, but for brutal death metal, where you strive for a rather scooped, tight sound with plenty of distortion, it might be just what you need. The EMG-85 has a lot more balls than the 81 IMO (much more mids and bass), but you will probably not notice the difference until you turn the gain down a bit. For cleans though, avoid the EMG-81 like the plague! Use an 85 in the neck position (or a 58 if you can find one), and you will have a nice round tone that also works great for shreddy solos.

Oh, and make sure to run them on 18 volts (two batteries in series)! You will not get more output from that, but you'll squeeze more mojo out of the pickups.

For passive alternatives, I'd recommend a Duncan Distortion if you like a sound with bite and plenty of midrange. If you on the other hand prefer a mid-scooped sound, try the DiMarzio X2N. Both those are distortion class pickups, but you will also be able to coil split them for a cleaner sound.

Btw, the SL2H comes with a JB, doesn't it? You may find it a little too weak for your rig if you've been running LiveWires previously.

I have not yet had a passive neck humbucker that knocks my socks off for boths cleans and leads - that is an ongoing quest for me. I have a Duncan Full Shred Neck in my 750XL, but it's a little too bright and tired sounding for me. I wish I could find the passive equivalent of the EMG-58. That would be perfect.

[Mr Metal]

Thx for all the replies!

Right now I play a Charvel Model A Pro with Seymour Duncan Live Wire Metals in it. I think they are a bit to much. I can't get no clean sounds at all (yes I know that's not what they are meant for) and the distortion sounds just a bit to distorted, no body, like playing a synthguitar. I guess that's what active pickups do. Have anyone compared theese to pickups to the EMGs?

Agreed with Sunbane and Rich#6.......If you think Livewire Metals are way over the top, but still want something "Brutal", you should try EMGs.....I would think they'd be right up your alley. You will need to decide whether you want the 85 or the 81, or 1 of each (and then which one in the bridge and which one in the neck).....I like an 85 (or the 89 which is the 85 and an EMG SA in one humbucker sized housing) in the bridge and an 81 in the neck, but I've heard the opposite from many people too (including the honorable Mr. Zakk Wylde! ). Some people (such as Kirk Hammett) use two 81s. etc. etc.

[ADR]

Jacksons will hold up, ie: Death Angel still use Jacksons. Some guy named Marty Friedman uses Jacksons for 20yrs.
Jackson is the "Metal Guitar" and started an entire new genre. Sounds like you want a neck thru. Go for it!

[toejam]

Right now I play a Charvel Model A Pro with Seymour Duncan Live Wire Metals in it. I think they are a bit to much. I can't get no clean sounds at all (yes I know that's not what they are meant for) and the distortion sounds just a bit to distorted, no body, like playing a synthguitar.

Too distorted? Turning down the gain on your amp will help.

[Rich#6]

Too distorted? Turning down the gain on your amp will help.

It doesn't help with those. even on the clean channel they were distorted with mine.