Low Output pups for shredding?

[ShotinDenial]

So when running a super hi gain amp like a 5150 and you only do like bridge pup shredding on a neck thru alder body guitar do lower ouput pups help keep your tone clearer?
Thanks for the help
Sean

[toejam]

Yes. If you've got a really high gain amp, there's no need for high output pickups. High output pickups work better in an amp that's lower in gain. If you're using your 5150 with pickups with a higher output, you're better off keeping the amp's gain down a little.

[ShotinDenial]

Reply to Thread

Awesome thanks Toejam any possible pup ideas for an alder neck thru body guitar?

[thetroy]

Mine is bolt-on but I think the PAF Pro sounds fantastic

[DonP]

Even though it's a hated pickup, I absolutely love the J50B in my Fusion.

[ShotinDenial]

Re:

So should I go for either a J-50B or a J-50BC?

[Szostak]

Duncan JB?

[thetroy]

The JB is pretty high output. If I were to go duncan I'd try maybe a 59

[emperor_black]

why not start with lowering the pup height a lil further away from the strings and see if that helps?

[straycat]

J-50 n&b are so smooth with high gain and creamy with the gain down, they are just a fantastic pickup IMO.
Case in point just a while ago I plugged my maple bodied 87 Jackson with the J-50s in my rack set up and cranked the gain on the amp and gain on my distortion unit and wow it was as clear as a bell with lots of OD but articulate not muddy at all.Turned the gain on both down to 1/2 and mellow and creamy but still over driven and fat and still clear and defined.
Love the J-50s.Next I will do the same with a Mahogony fusion H-H with the J-50 N&B when the neighbors are gone.
A nice combo in basswood is a J50N and J-90c in the bridge bridge.Smooth and creamy and hot and nasty.

[straycat]

I agree with Toejam getting back to the original question sorry.
Some guitars really sound great when you mix alnico and ceramic magnet pickups.I think a J-50N and J50BC would work well together and an alder/neck thru guitar.
The only way to find out is do it.
I've done some odd combinations not all sounded good but some did.

[Spivonious]

I'd say the JB too. It may be classified as high output, but it has a very articulate sound to my ears and has a nice bite that helps leads cut through.

[mustaine-who?]

SD

SD Full Shred > Thread

[Sunbane]

why not start with lowering the pup height a lil further away from the strings and see if that helps?

+1. Lowering the pickup sometimes does a lot. A nice and uncomplicated way of taming an otherwise wild pickup.

[shredmonster]

WB Pickups makes some really good stuff. Might want to check his website out. Hell of a guy and fantastic pick ups. I have 2 different sets of his.