Pickups for metal?

[Rob Panciera]

Whether you've got a Jackson or any other kind of guitar, what kind of pickups would you use for getting a metal rhythm tone? I lean toward passive myself because the things I've heard about actives aren't too great. Too trebly and compressed and I hear passives can give you a more organic and natural sound.

So if you had to choose passive pickups, would you choose Seymour Duncans for metal, or Dimarzio? Or do you prefer actives over everything for metal? I have Dimarzios myself and something's telling me that Seymour Duncans are better-suited for metal. There's this crunchiness and brightness that I remember getting from a Duncan compared to a Dimarzio...

[P I K A]

I used emgs a while then went to duncans. Tried dimarzios too and recently bought a dk1 with emgs. Now Im back to emgs I forgot how metal sounding they are. Changing pups in my others back to emgs. For metal emg is the clear winner for me.

[MartinBarre]

If it's just for metal rythm, the Duncan Invader is great. Generally I like the Duncan Distortion or JB though.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

EMG 85 is a great metal rhythm sound.

The Duncan JB works in the right guitar, too.

Also the Duncan Custom and Custom Custom, depending on the guitar.

[Charlz]

EMG. No contest.

[KBRR]

Can't go wrong with EMG's either 85 or 81 both are great.

Duncan has a few options, invader , distortion , custom, alt8, and JB in the right guitar, even the PAT2 is great i hear.

Dimarzio's main metal pickup is the X2N but they also have some other cool choices like d activators , super distortions, super 3 and the new crunch lab sounds awesome.

everyone is going to give you a different answer pickups are all about personal taste and the guitar you're going to put them in , good luck

[Slik_Karl]

I use Duncan Distortions in all my guitars. Never been happier!

[guitarsjb]

DiMarzio X2N

[Bengal65]

A choice in pickups for metal is a huge variance and it depends on what type of gear your running it through and the type of guitar, woods etc. On A neutral playing field I prefer the EMG's, 81 and 85. They present a blank canvas or palate so to speak and are very articulate and clear. I use my amp and effects to get the rest. Both Duncan's and Dimarzio's are great also and each on has their own tone characteristcs depending on the guitar your installing them in. I have many guitars with Duncans and DiMarzios is them, and most of the models they make.

Probably the most popular Duncan is the JB and most likely why they are on so many Jackson guitars. Most likely the most recorded DiMarzio would be the Super Distortion.

[sean1197]

i use duncan livewire mustaines but i play a whole step down so the treble kinda helps depends on the guitar in my basswood rx10d i got a dimebucker that thing screams sounds similar to a emg 81 in my guitar at least

[wilkinsi]

How does an 85 compare to an 81 in the bridge position? I'm thinking of an 85 and 60 config.

[Jacksons Shred]

Depends on what sort of metal you're playing.

I'd say for the 80's rock/metal the Tone Zone cannot be beat.

For death metal and other sorts of extreme metal the X2N cannot be beat

But if you want a completely neutered and sterile tone, the EMG cannot be beat.

[horns666]

IMO..It doesn't really matter how metal a pickup sounds...but how metal you sound!

[wilkinsi]

Well being as I use a Boss GT-10 and no amp, I figured the EMG's would be my best bet. I'm still wondering whether Duncans Blackouts would be a good substitute.

[atdguitars]

But if you want a completely neutered and sterile tone, the EMG cannot be beat.

:ROTF::ROTF: