New Pick-Ups?

[RandyRhoads]

I want to change the pick-ups in two of my guitars... my RR3 and DK2 (both currently feature dual Duncan Design humbuckers).
The sound I'm aiming for is the whole 80's 'Hair Metal' sound but I don't know a great deal about the many different pick-ups out there so any help on which would get me closest to that sound would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

K.D!

[Szostak]

I'd say Dimarzio X2N or EMG 81. I'm not that reliable when it comes to pickup know-it-all, but I like the sounds those things give out

[Bengal65]

I've become a fan of the Dimarzio Super 3 lately having installed it in 4 guitars recently. They come stock in the PC1 in the bridge position. The SH1 Duncan Jazz sounds great in my RR1's in the neck position.

[CharvelRocker]

I've found a Seymour-Duncan JB in the bridge and a Jazz at the neck nails the 80's hair metal sound pretty well.

[Sunbane]

I really don't think EMGs or an X2N would be ideal if you're looking to do "hair metal". They are high output pickups.

I'd say even a Duncan Distortion may be too aggressive, but at least it has a ton of mids.

The one pickup I have tried that definitely does the hair metal thing to a T, is the Jackson J80C in my Model 6. It sounds rather close to the Duncan Distortion, but is lower output (I'd say medium-high), and brings out crazy harmonics all over.

[Szostak]

I really don't think EMGs or an X2N would be ideal if you're looking to do "hair metal". They are high output pickups.

I'd say even a Duncan Distortion may be too aggressive, but at least it has a ton of mids.

The one pickup I have tried that definitely does the hair metal thing to a T, is the Jackson J80C in my Model 6. It sounds rather close to the Duncan Distortion, but is lower output (I'd say medium-high), and brings out crazy harmonics all over.

I stand corrected, but I've been meaning to ask forever... where can you find Jackson pickups other than on eBay/Jackson axes?

[CharvelRocker]

I really don't think EMGs or an X2N would be ideal if you're looking to do "hair metal". They are high output pickups.

I'd say even a Duncan Distortion may be too aggressive, but at least it has a ton of mids.

The one pickup I have tried that definitely does the hair metal thing to a T, is the Jackson J80C in my Model 6. It sounds rather close to the Duncan Distortion, but is lower output (I'd say medium-high), and brings out crazy harmonics all over.

That being said, a USA Jackson J-90C may work as well.

[DonP]

That being said, a USA Jackson J-90C may work as well.

+1 Got one in an RR1 and a Charvel Fusion Deluxe.

[Junior]

I've found a Seymour-Duncan JB in the bridge and a Jazz at the neck nails the 80's hair metal sound pretty well.

+1, first thing I thought of when I saw this thread.