Pick up change for my Rhoads

[KBRR]

I have been using EMG 81 in all my guitars forever because playing metal it to me has sounded better than any other passive i have tried. I just bought my second Kevin bond rhoads and i dont really like the duncan in it but before i swap it out for an EMG 81 i want to try some passives first . I need some suggestions on what u guys like in the mahogany KBR. I play metal and i didn't really like the JB either. so HElp!! Thanks

[AfterForever]

Dimarzio X2N is a great passive metal pickup

[KBRR]

i was looking into that one.. i have never played dimarzio but have heard good things about that pickup.

[toejam]

Fuck the 81. Go with an 85. Or an X2N would be a great choice as well.

[XxKilgannonxX]

Not many people have heard. But Lace Drop and Gains. Passive, loud as a mofo and got a hint of JB mix with EMG sound (if that's possible)..

Huge in-your-face pickup. It has become my humbucker of choice in any "metal" guitar

[KBRR]

i have always thought of the 81 as the "metal" pickup. but i have seen alot of guys using the 85 on here .... but i wanna try a passive

[XxKilgannonxX]

81 is too harsh and bright. 85 would be better in Alder

[AfterForever]

I hate the 85.. it doesn't have the clarity of razorlike sound of the 81, which I love

[S.O.A.F]

try Bill Lawrence L-500XL (both bridge and neck!) I think it's the best in alder body, but mahogany is great too!

[DonP]

try Bill Lawrence L-500XL (both bridge and neck!) I think it's the best in alder body, but mahogany is great too!

They were the OEM pickups for Jackson in 1995 and sound pretty damn good in a RR1, depending on what type of tone you like.

[KBRR]

The guitar im putting it in is mahogany not alder

[memphiskat]

I'm going through the same thing with my SLSMG which is also mahogany.
I have 81's in several other guitars (they sound awesome) and wanted to try something different. So far I've installed a SD Distortion. I don't think it will be staying. It's cool for some things but doesn't seem to have the clarity and precission of the 81. I'm thinking of trying the DiMarzio D-Activator. And possibly the SD Blackout. As someone else posted there's a video revue of the D-Activator here.....

http://www.guitarworld.com/article/dimarzio_d_activator_dp220_and_dp219_pickups

[toejam]

try Bill Lawrence L-500XL (both bridge and neck!) I think it's the best in alder body, but mahogany is great too!

They were the OEM pickups for Jackson in 1995 and sound pretty damn good in a RR1, depending on what type of tone you like.

I believe they were the Bill Lawrence USA (Bill's former business partner) and not the true Bill Lawrence made by Bill and his wife Becky.

[KBRR]

Bill lawrence xl500 < EMG 81

[RodCannon]

I have a Bill Lawrence USA and tried to put it in my KVX10 and it didn't fit worth a crap. It was shorter and fatter then SD's and it has to use the ring that comes with it. I wasn't into re-drilling so I put it in a Washburn I have. It could just be me or my guitar but I didn't like the way it fit. I haven't tried the Bill and Becky pups, but I think if I ever get new ones I will try those. I have a DiMarzio Evo in one of my V's and a SD Invader in my other V. I like the sound of both pretty good, but havn't really tried any others. I really don't see much reason to have the same pups in all my guitars. I want each one to sound different. It gives me a reason to have more than I need if they don't sound the same.