An inevitable prerequisite of very high-output passive (not active) pickups is a very strong magnetic field. Being music makers ourselves, we love geeking out on all things gear. With over 28,000 articles and counting, inSync is your FREE resource for breaking news, reviews, demos, interviews, and more. Paul Reed Smith is no stranger when it comes to producing punishing, high-gain pickups — his popular HFS (Hot, Fat, Screaming) humbucker has been around for ages. It was built to fit into his solid body guitars. It is also dynamic and articulate, making single notes stand out and open chords ring out “very nicely,” according to Jake. DiMarzio DP186 Cruiser Neck Pickup … Buy DiMarzio DP152 Super 3 Guitar Pickup Black F-Spaced: Pickups & Pickup Covers ... A heavy metal workhorse! Both great pups, but not really designed for the 80s metal sound. With this entry, we enter into the realm of active pickups. Thanks to DiMarzio’s patented dual-resonant coils, the Tone Zone also kicks out some nice harmonic overtones as a bonus. Guilty as charged! The first three pickups we’ve looked at all boast ceramic magnets. PO Box 100387 DiMarzio is the originator of the first replacement pickup. He has since worked at Marshall amps (for over 2 decades) & Jackson/Charvel/EVH. As always, if you’re in any doubt, just ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer. DiMarzio’s secret recipe for this punishing pickup includes: Sheer power aside, one of the things that makes the Super Distortion such a staple is its thick midrange and fat bass. While the 15 pickups we’re looking at here are all considered “high output,” please don’t think that high-output options are the only way to go. Edge.” So, it definitely covers three of Dime’s essential food groups! Aside from that, they have several advantages that will be great for you: For heavy metal and hard rock genres, DiMarzio and Seymour Duncan are at the top of the industry. It is also available for 7 stringers as the Titan 7. In 1981, the company unveiled the EMG 81 and EMG 85, and it wasn’t long before metal giants such as Metallica and Slayer were (ab)using these pickups, due to their tremendous output and clarity coupled with minimal noise. 4 out of 5 stars (1) Total Ratings 1, $129.99 New. Detour over, back to the plot. Magnetic electric guitar pickups fall into two main camps: active or passive. Best Pickups for Metal Top Value: DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion Humbucker. Ballsy, aggressive tone has plenty of drive in all the right frequencies, abundant gain to push preamps and power amps, and sensitivity to pick attack that gets the most out of any style from metal to blues. But BareKnuckles was the brand most pointed me to. Make sense? I mean, you can’t double a guitar’s output or put a peak in its sound at say 650Hz by changing the bridge, but you can do both with a pickup.”. This blazing, twin-blade, ceramic cauldron is about as subtle as the proverbial bull in a china shop and is not for the faint of heart. DiMarzio review / Pickups / Unbiased reviews of guitar equipment, CD and DVD music at Ultimate-Guitar.Com Please refer back to the details page of each pickup for complete information to further help you make a decision. Proudly made in the USA. In keeping with his progressive metal band’s signature “djent” (pronounced “gent”) sound, Bowen’s Titan delivers tight, aggressive, palm-muted crunch that cuts without getting abrasively harsh. What does it sound like? If you can’t decide whether to opt for a powerful passive pickup or an aggressive active one, the Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic could well be the one for you. Popular DiMarzio P90 pickups include the Fantom P90, the Vintage P90, and the DP210 Tone Zone. There’s a bunch more brands and pickups to consider. Lace Alumitone Deathbar. HUMBUCKER refers to a full-size pickup with 2 coils like the drawing on the left. DiMarzio Pickups. Described by some as having “an overwound PAF vibe,” the Frankenstein retains a vintage-like Alnico smoothness and warmth while being aggressive at the same time. 1388 Richmond Terrace The following 15 high-output* bridge pickup choices from the vast Sweetwater menu cover a pretty wide variety of metal styles and should give you a pretty good idea of what’s out there. While the title of this article boldly proclaims that these are the “15 best,” there’s really no such thing. To learn more about our cookie policy, please check our Privacy Policy. The Pickup Lounge; Talk with your fellow tone freaks on the web's liveliest (and friendliest!) Dedicated Sales Engineer. The reason for the former? JB Trivia: Although many people believe that JB stands for Jeff Beck, according to the fine folk at Duncan, it’s actually an acronym for Jazz/Blues. Because it offers two switchable voices — active and passive! 2) we’re talking about James Hetfield here! Good hunting, my friend! John Petrucci of Dream Theater worked closely on the design and performance of this DiMarzio pickup. The pivotal importance of the pickup’s role in the signal chain cannot be overstated. The game-changing Marshall 2203 didn’t hit until 1975), so the extra drive the aptly named Super Distortion added was an instant hit with hard rock guitarists such as early adopter Ace Frehley of Kiss. Free Tech Support. Now is the perfect time to get the gear you want with simple, promotional financing. Both Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio have long been associated with rock and metal sounds and in more recent years we’ve seen acoustic giant Fishman step into the market with their Fluence range – a bold reinvention of the electric guitar pickup, arguably the most revolutionary of … 5 DiMarzio Sonic Ecstasy Bridge Humbucker Pickup – Best Metal DiMarzio Pickup. They were looking for a combination of big, clean lows and fat highs, in addition to a wide dynamic range. The Black Winter guitar pickup by Seymour Duncan is not for the faint of heart.... Load your guitar with a Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1 active humbucker and find out just what your axe is capable of! One definite pro to active pickups, though, is that they are easily capable of extremely high output with minimal noise — making them perfect pickups for metal mayhem. Strat Relief: If your favorite axe is a Strat with a single-coil bridge pickup but you lust for a Super Distortion, don’t stress — you don’t have to have your axe re-routed or your scratchplate recut. Zakk has always used EMG Active Pickups to achieve his signature sound, and now, you can get the same... PRS designed m (Metal) guitar pickups for heavier music styles. Contact Us; DiMarzio, Inc. 1388 Richmond Terrace PO Box 100387 Staten Island, NY 10310 USA. As one might expect, there’s an impressive number of pickups aimed specifically at us metal-loving guitarists. The resulting powerful, detailed drive has made the Blackouts a favorite with many metalheads, including the ever-growing down-tuning tribe. “Unchained” indeed…. JB Mega-Note: If you’re a fan of Dave Mustaine’s thrashing tone on Megadeth’s acclaimed Rust in Peace album, read on. Increasing the number of winds on the coil (a process commonly called “overwinding”), thus increasing the pickup’s output. It produces an aggressive, high-gain crunch that cuts through any mix, thanks to its full-bodied sound bristling with extra upper midrange. While the EMG 81/85 pairing is indeed the bridge/neck pickup of choice for many modern metal guitar heroes, the 85 also happens to be a fine bridge pickup too, and some prefer it, as it has more lows and less highs than the 81. This popular, punchy, and percussive pickup was designed and voiced with Mark Holcomb from the band. Refine Your Search Category. Give us a call at (800) 222-4700. Staten Island, NY 10310 USA, Tech Support: (718) 816-8112General: (718) 981-9286Toll Free: (800) 221-6468Fax: (718) 720-5296. In addition to being totally at home with the lowest of tunings, the Omega is also available for 7-string and 8-string axes. For the metalhead, the ceramic version is the way to go, due to the magnet’s rich, high-gain heritage. Having played the ESP LTD James Hetfield Iron Cross SW, which features the “Het” Set, all I can really say is “Seek and Destroy? And, the influence of both his playing and his sound on the metal community is equally huge. Our metalheads are standing by to help. So, as your guitar strings are ferromagnetic (i.e., highly susceptible to magnetism), it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that when a strong magnetic field gets too close to them, it’ll definitely interfere with your string’s vibration… and not in a good way! Of all the things you can do to your favorite electric guitar, the most effective way you can dramatically impact its intrinsic tonal personality is this: change the darned pickups! There are many other top-rated active pickups here like the Seymour Duncan AHB-1b and the EMG 60-7X 7-String Active Guitar Pickup. James Hetfield wondered, "Why can't I get the clarity and punch of a passive pickup - and the fat wall of sound of an active '81?" It is vacuum wax potted to ensure it is squeal-free even on the loudest stage. Ceramic. After all, the pickup is the device that captures the magical vibrations of the strings and then transforms them into the electric signal that gets amplified. Need help finding the perfect metal pickup for your axe? The ‘Silo’ humbuckers define Rabea Massaad’s standing as a revered guitarist, … Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! When he teamed up with DiMarzio to create his signature Dominion humbucker, he tested the pickup while recording and extensively touring. Active pickups, meanwhile, make use of their own preamp to give you a boosted and tone-sculpted output. Comprising three large, ceramic magnets and overwound coils specifically designed to deliver thick, boosted mids with focused lows and clear highs, the Black Winter is perfect for lower-than-low tunings and aggressive palm muting. According to Duncan: “Beef. For over three decades, he has been synonymous with the aforementioned EMG 81/85 setup. The guitar Dave used to record it had a JB that he maintains had tighter lows, slightly scooped mids, and more aggressive highs than an “off-the-shelf” version. “15 down, 150 to go!” Yep, as stated at the very start of this piece, due to the sheer number of high-output pickups available right now, we’ve only just scratched the surface. As a result, today there is now an overwhelming number of pickups to choose from. Free 2-year Warranty. IMPORTANT NOTE! 4.7 out of 5 stars 7. i mean, they are designed for that new "progessive metal" 7 string, 8 string, 9 string guitar scene, but i think it might have been a little gimmicky. In 2013, Paul and Co. released the \m/ pickup, which was specifically designed “with the metal community” in mind. If you’re looking for exceptional sound quality for metal or rock, then this … 99. X2N for more modern. LiquiFire (neck) One thing has stayed consistent throughout John Petrucci's long and successful career: the DiMarzio pickups in his guitars. All are welcome, from seasoned pros to absolute beginners. Hot enough to qualify as a high-output pickup … seems a little unbalanced to me. DiMarzio Dp279 Fantom P90 Full Size Humbucker Cover Nickel Dp279n. In keeping with his progressive metal band’s signature “djent” (pronounced “gent”) sound, Bowen’s Titan delivers tight, aggressive, palm-muted crunch that cuts without getting abrasively harsh. The magnet involved? The DiMarzio DP172 Twang King electric guitar neck pickup handles a wide dynamic range with an unequaled response to… It's the right stuff to wake up your amp. He did so to ensure it performed to his expectations both onstage and in the studio. $159.98 $ 159. A Dimarzio Super Distortion has a ohm reading or 13.68 and it’s output is 425, (listed as a high output pickup). Why? We’ve got passive single coils and humbuckers, an overwound Soapbar-style P-90, active humbuckers, active single coils - and all the best pickups money can buy from trusted names, including Seymour Duncan, Fishman, DiMarzio and more. Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. Simply put (very simply), an active pickup has built-in amplification circuitry that requires external power in order to work, typically a 9-volt battery. DiMarzio, Inc. I’d love to get into more specifics about the pros and cons of both passive and active pickups right here, right now, but this piece is already beyond long enough. Kris Ford likes this. DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion. Mr. Turner and company rose to the challenge, and the result is the EMG JH James Hetfield “Het” Set. By successfully combining low/mid growl with bright highs, it sits well in even the densest of mixes. Electric guitar pickups, acoustic guitar pickups, bass pickups, guitar straps and cables. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. As you’d expect, this pummeling pickup is also available for 7- and 8-string axe wielders. So, if you’re a fan of his unique, signature sound and would like to emulate it, the Dimebucker is obviously a good starting point since it was designed to meet his demanding specs. This is an affordable taper that delivers a unique performance. Strat Relief: If you want the JB sound in a single-coil size, the JB Jr. does the deed. A pickup isn’t designed to have a flat response — it’s designed to add color and excitement to what’s already there. $139.99 $ 139. Thus far, all we’ve looked at have been passive. i don't HATE it, but it's definitely a different animal. They subtly scooped the mids while extending the range of the lows and highs. You can get them to do it, but they are more "modern" shred pickups to my ear. DiMarzio offers the Super Distortion S — a “stacked humbucker” that’s a drop-in replacement for a single-coil. FYI, it has a signature neck partner named the Alpha. Passive pickups are the traditional kind, fitted and usually soldered to the other components in your guitar. Top Value Metal Pickup. ... My favorite will always be the Dimarzio SD, for classic metal. The DiMarzio PAF DP103 humbucker pickup has a smooth, almost voice-like quality and that intangible swell to the notes after attack. And, of course, each and every one of ’em offers a unique way to strengthen and shape your axe’s unamplified sound before it ever hits your stompboxes or your amp. This Fluence’s powerful pair of selectable voices offers a modern, tight, high-gain, active sound as well as a powerful, preamp-pushing, passive punch. The Relentless bass pickups feature sculpted metal covers for added form and function, the company says. Furthermore, it does so before any stompbox, amp, tube, or speaker gets to lay a hand on your all-important sound. Result! While not as hot as many on this list with regard to output, the Omega is as aggressive as it is articulate. It’s a “butchered” Fender Telecaster that Seymour repaired and then loaded with two damaged PAF pickups he gleaned from “an old, smashed ’59 Gibson Flying V.” Mr. Duncan had to rewind the PAFs and ended up using fine wire on the bridge pickup so he could increase the output by increasing the number of winds. Then he asked EMG the question: “Why can’t I get the clarity and punch of a passive pickup and the fat wall of sound of an active 81?” He also requested a “stealth” aesthetic. tone forum. Why? It truly is a list that’s as impressive as it is long. So, I’ll address that in the future. That said, I hope this piece will prove to be a useful starting point for your quest and give you a good idea of the wide variety of options that are available. 98. As Nigel Tufnel so wisely observed in the classic metal movie, This Is Spinal Tap, “there’s a fine line between clever and stupid!” Amen to that. In Example 3, we illustrate a common way to install P90 pickups into a Gibson Les Paul style guitar. Tech Support: (718) 816-8112 General: (718) 981-9286 Toll Free: (800) 221-6468 Fax: (718) 720-5296 Some 50 years later, the Super Distortion remains a best-selling benchmark, and its many users include the likes of Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden. Mr. DiMarzio put the very first replacement pickup on the market back in the early 1970s, and everything started to change. •fender pickups (bridge, neck) •handled with care •swapped for dimarzio •the covers are dimarzio •willing to also sell middle pickup but I need a replacement Buena Park, CA Map is approximate to keep the seller's location private And, if you’re a Tele owner, the Super Distortion Tis just for you. WARNING! This overwound, high-output brute is armed with large ceramic magnets. Crunch. The Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor. Everything you love about Sweetwater in the palm of your hand. with a screwdriver by only touching two poles, as shown below! DiMarzio Twang King Neck/Bridge Pickup Set for Fender Telecaster Tele. So, when adjusting the height of a high-output passive pickup, please let your ears decide — not your eyes! DiMarzio has unveiled a new P-style pickup that was designed with bass legend Billy Sheehan. I rest my case…. Built around an Alnico V magnet, the JB kicks out fat lows, crisp highs, and a crunch-inducing hump in the upper midrange. When it comes to jaw-dropping metal rhythm chops and tone, James Hetfield is rightfully heralded as a true master all over the world. In fact, you can literally pick up a Seymour Duncan Invader (a brutally high-output beast!) Here, we're going look at all different kinds of pickup. It possesses vintage output and … This is the Sonic Ecstasy Bridge Humbucker. In the darkened domain of metal, the late, great Dimebag Darrell is rightfully considered legendary in terms of both talent and tone. And if you need a “wafer-thin mint” more output (© Monty Python), Mr. King’s set includes a switchable PA2 20dB booster! This powerful pickup was designed with Jake Bowen, who is part of Periphery’s renowned triple-axe attack. Thus, IMHO, the pickups I’ve, er, picked should be considered as a “here’s a good place to start looking” list, rather than the “top 15.” The only thing I can say with absolute certainty is this: all of them are serious metal weapons with which you can arm your axe for battle. Sweetwater Sound Yes sir, the number of replacement pickup options available today is not only confusing, but it can often be downright intimidating. Strat Relief: If you want a hot-rodded Duncan sound in a single-coil-sized humbucker, the Hot Rails Strat will tick that box for you. While not as hot as the Super Distortion, this overwound pickup boasts a mid-boost that delivers LOG-style crunch in spades. Why DiMarzo pickups? Mission accomplished.”, NOTE: Yep, I know — it’s a set, but it’s been included in this “high-output bridge pickup” piece for the following two reasons: 1) you can’t buy them separately. Fast & Free shipping on many items! Get More at Sweetwater. A passive pickup doesn’t — it’s ready to rock at all times. Now, I know that some of you might understandably be thinking: “Hold on a second. Enter the password that accompanies your email address. I’ve lumped these two together as one. It also has slightly less gain and a different “voice” than the 81 because the 85 employs Alnico V magnets while the 81 uses ceramic. After reviewing some premium humbucker pickups for metal, I’m sharing the top value metal pickup. Because the DP100 sends tubular amps above their thresholds. Only 3 left in stock - order soon. My Dimarzio experience has been with the Tone Zone and Steve's Special. He now works for Sweetwater as a writer & video-maker. that was what i felt as well. 55-point Guitar Inspection. BEWARE OF ADJUSTING A HIGH-OUTPUT PASSIVE PICKUP TOO HIGH!Simple logic dictates that the closer a pickup is to the strings, the louder the resulting sound will be. Not surprisingly, the Titan is a good fit for both standard and drop tunings. WHAMMY USERS’ NOTE: All of the Duncan bridge humbuckers (except the Dimebucker, as it has blades, not pole pieces) we’ve just surveyed are also available as Trembucker models — namely with pole pieces perfectly spaced for tremolo-bridge guitars. DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion Pickups. Apparently, the prototype JB bridge pickup was made by Seymour for the now legendary “Tele-Gib” he built as a gift for Jeff Beck in the mid ’70s. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Scott Ian of “Big Four” thrashers Anthrax has employed the JB’s driving edge for many, many years. As Larry DiMarzio, the founder of the groundbreaking replacement pickup company that bears his name, once told me many moons ago: “Pickups are the most flexible tone-modifying element in an electric guitar. Strat Relief: The Tone Zone S is a stacked-humbucker, single-coil-sized version of this popular pickup. First Look: Epiphone's New Prophecy Guitars, Choosing the Best Guitar Body Style for You, Using a ceramic magnet instead of the Alnico (. I’ve heard plenty of amazing metal tones (old and new) created with “medium-output” and even “low-output” (sometimes referred to as “vintage output”) bridge pickups. The EVH Frankenstein humbucker pickup instantly gives you classic Eddie Van Halen guitar tone. Used (normal wear), Fender Heavy Metal "HM Strat" for sale/trade Only the brown one is available, the white one is already sold Price is $800, not 500 This guitar has all the original components; from the Kahler spider tremolo to the fender/Dimarzio pickups, to the Gotoh tuners, all the original electronics and wiring too. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Get Directions | The Treble (bridge) \m/ has a Bass (neck) partner too, in case you want a pair. The signature Jeff Loomis Blackout is also very popular and available for 7-string, too. It was designed to hit the front end of an amp really hard, thus coaxing more overdrive out of it. It also has a lot of bass and low-mid “oomph,” which gives chords a fat, full punch. Looking for: DiMarzio Acoustic Guitar Pickups DiMarzio Bass Pickups DiMarzio Electric Guitar Pickups . While a lot of folk would never dream of describing Van Halen as a “metal” band, when it comes to a guitar sound that’s as huge as it is iconic, Edward Van Halen’s tone is rightly worshipped by many. Phone Hours | That said, beware. Primarily a bridge position pickup designed for solidbody guitars, it's similar to the Super Distortion with more midrange grind and a chopped treble. With that challenge, EMG set about the serious... Get Wylde with EMG's EMG ZW Set - the Zakk Wylde signature set! Established in 1976 and the brainchild of Rob Turner, EMG was the first company to marry passive pickup technology with an onboard preamp powered by a battery — thus creating the revolutionary active guitar pickup. Shae201, Feb 10, 2018 #20. It was Seymour Duncan’s first offering, and it remains a best-selling favorite to this very day. Consequentially, what comes out of your pickup is of vital sonic significance as it quite literally “sets the tone” for the rest of the signal path… awful pun intended! Cheap plug over, back to the Blackouts…. Yep, we’re back with those modern, progressive-metal mavens, Periphery, again. Fast, Free Shipping. The DiMarzio Super Distortion is one of DiMarzio's earliest pickups, and it's designed to send your tube amp straight into... What's the Difference Between Concert and Soprano Ukulele? Bare Knuckle Silo. This powerful pickup was designed with Jake Bowen, who is part of Periphery’s renowned triple-axe attack. 5.0 out of 5 stars 10. Let me explain. I'm currently in the middle of getting a custom wound pickup and trying that out. DiMarzio Titan. James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Dimebag Darrell, Dave Mustaine, Kerry King, Zakk Wylde, Jim Root, Mick Thomson, Jeff Loomis, Mark Holcomb, Mark Morton, Stephen Carpenter, and Jake Bowen all have signature pickups — to name but 13! An often-voiced, and perhaps unfair*, umbrella con of active pickups is that some folk consider them to sound somewhat “sterile” or “cold” due to them having a lower dynamic range (not to be confused with sonic detail or articulation) than passive pickups. Learn More. “What on Earth is a Tele-Gib?” you may understandably ask? Asking for a Metal pickup is like asking which Sports Car is the best. Time for a subtle change as the Tone Zone’s magnet is an Alnico V, which is known for a warm tone with a nice, fat low end. So, if you’re in the market for a new “made-for-metal” pickup, and you really like the way one of these guys sounds, their signature model could well prove to be your no-brainer choice. The EMG 81 is typically used in the bridge, while the EMG 85 is used in the neck position. This high-output, ceramic-magnet pickup is both aggressive and articulate, and it cleans up nicely when you roll back your guitar’s volume pot. When it comes to a topic that’s as subjective and personal as tone, the old adage “one man’s meat is another man’s poison” applies 110 percent. Designed to push amps over the edge, this musical-sounding monster was set free in 1976. STRAT refers to a single-coil size pickup similar to the drawing on the right, but the actual pickup may be humcancelling and have 2 coils. No matter how good a pickup is, it can’t fix a guitar with tonal dead spots (e.g., no low end) or poor sustain (unless instigated via feedback from the amp — which is not the same thing!). Perfect for anyone who plays their amp with scooped mids and intense overdrive. Why? $124.99 New. Other artists that have high-powered signature DiMarzio pickups with metal-friendly tonal characteristics well worth investigating include: Revocation’s Dave Davidson (Imperium), Steve Vai (Evolution), and John Petrucci (Illuminator — also available for 7-string as the Illuminator 7). *NOTE: The reason I say “unfair” is because, when it comes to active pickups, I’ve seen countless concerts and own many albums featuring them in which the guitar tones are anything but sterile. While you're at it, be sure to check out the DiMarzio DP720 D Activator: this powerhouse offers the biting tone of an active pickup, but without the need of a battery. As well as being in the high-output family, this pickup is extremely dynamic and responds well to subtle picking nuances. It boasts a very focused, articulated and precise sonic attack… And not surprisingly, a bunch of them are artist-signature models. When it comes to creating thick, brutal, modern-metal tones, guitarist Mark Morton is a master. If you have any doubt, ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer. One of the most respected and uncompromising American metal bands to rise to prominence this century is twice Grammy-nominated Lamb of God (LOG). So, the temptation to raise a pickup as high as possible is understandably massive. So, Duncan and Dave worked together to duplicate said tone. DiMarzio Dp149 Ultra Jazz Pair Bass Pickup Set DP149CR Cream. DiMarzio’s aim in creating the Twang King was to develop a vintage-sounding pickup that combined the best aspects of Broadcaster and Telecaster pickups from the 50s and early 60s. What’s the difference? “Hold on, I thought you said this article was about bridge pickups only,” do I hear you justifiably cry? At this point, I should point out that while a pickup change can have a significant, positive impact on a guitar’s intrinsic sound — it can only work with the acoustic (unamplified) sound of the axe in question. DiMarzio is one of the top pickup builder brands. Since 1972. These pickups often use a single conductor wire, which is the Hot, surrounded by a metal surrounded by a braided metal coating, which is the Ground. EMG 81 Active Pickup. The best pickups for metal: buying advice. Talking of the 81/85 combo — several artists have signature sets of this pairing, including Zakk Wylde (EMG ZW Set) and Kerry King (EMG KFK Set). Nice. The EMG 81 is often considered the best guitar pickup for metal by a lot of … Get it as soon as Thu, Dec 3. So, there’s no way I couldn’t include an EVH replacement pickup in this roundup, and the Frankenstein is perfect. This pickup represents the people at DiMarzio very well. WHAMMY USERS’ NOTE: All of the DiMarzio bridge humbuckers we’ve just looked at are available in two pole-piece spacings: “regular” and the slightly wider “F-spaced.” F-spaced is for tremolo-bridge guitars. Vai and Petrucci are great players, but they’re not really metal, they’re shred.” I hear you, but the tight, punchy aggression that these pickups emit may both surprise and delight you. From the tweakiest techniques to the biggest ideas, our experts work hard to constantly supply inSync with a steady stream of helpful, in-depth demos, reviews, how-tos, news, and interviews. And so, a legend was born… and so was the “what does JB stand for?” mystery! DiMarzio The Chopper T & Twang King pickup set for Telecaster, Black & Chrome. The result? Store Hours, If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 222-4700. “None more gain,” indeed. The Relentless bass pickups feature sculpted metal covers for added form and function, the company says. Now that I’ve offered my qualifier/disclaimer, let’s look at some of the hardest-hitting pickups out there. Made with the modern metal player in mind, Duncan’s goal here was to meld the high output of an active pickup with the more open, organic feel of a passive. British-born, Nick Bowcott was the founder, leader and riff writer for the mid '80s NWOBHM cult band, Grim Reaper...but please don't hold that against him. At the time, Marshall stacks didn’t have Master Volumes yet (read: no gain control — shock, horror! It’s also pretty quick, easy, and cost-effective. If you still need help please contact our Tech Support. 13.68k - 425 output 16.50k - 320 output Many of the classic … It's a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at eBay.com. Let loose in 1980, the Duncan Distortion was an instant hit with the metal-loving masses, thanks to its rich harmonic content and cut. Great deals on DiMarzio Guitar Pickups. , As you’d expect, its EQ curve is mid-scooped. When this bad boy was unleashed in 1972, it was not only the first replacement pickup ever offered, it was also the world’s first high-output pickup. Based on your information we will pick the top three recommended pickups that are best for your application. Use our Dealer Locator to find the nearest authorized DiMarzio Dealer. 5501 U.S. Hwy 30 W, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 DiMarzio Utopia Middle Single Coil Pick-up Gold DP 288 F. $69.99 New. As its Norse-like name suggests, this pickup exists for extreme metal styles such as black metal and death metal. i had cash to burn and i was looking for a new pickup for my 7 string so i took a chance. John has been pushing the envelope of progressive metal since the late eighties, and the DiMarzio LiquiFire Neck Model resulted from …