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I play metal. . . shred it and eat it for breakfast, fast, thrash, feedin back metal! On Sundays I go to the Metal Church if you get me.

Ok have an Epiphone Gothic Explorer (amongst others)
I want it to shred. The stock pups in it have a fat tone with nice lows, but it won't scream very brightly once I lay into a solo. It sounds thick and really nice when I am clean. . . . but I aint there all that often. . . . I don't need tone, I need Pantera.

I use a Crate 120w/effects head with a Marshall 1960a cabinet
I have a zoom 505 and it sounds best with my Epi. . . but at heart I hate anything digital, because I can quot;hear itquot;! I'd like to kick that digital crap into the dumpster.

The sound I really love is my Jackson RR through a Boss Metal Zone distortion.
I use a crybaby wah and a delay pedal on top when I solo. . . . man that combo squeals sweetly.

Anyway, I want the epi to sound brighter and be able to scream it through the metal zone as well, it sounds skimpy and thin if I play it at the same settings as my Jackson or my BCRich or my homemade bastard with a single Detonator even. . . .

From what I have read here in the forums I am looking for a SD screamin demon, dimebucker, SH-8, or an an EMG live pup or
?????? you fill in the blank ????

I'd rather not go to a live pup if I don't have to . . . and I'd like to not spend much money. . . yeah yeah I know. . . I am leaning towards the SH-8 but please give me your two cents worth.

Give me your thoughts oh wise copper-wrapped people.

The SH-8 Invader is also a very fat pickup! I am not sure that will do the job for you. It can also be a dark pickup! I think the SH-6 Distortion would be a good choice for you IMO. The SH-10 full shred is also a great pickup and I think it could work for you also.

BTW, the screemin Demaon is not a screemin pickup at all. Its name is very deciving. It is also a SUPER bright pickup!!!! The Dimebucker quot;mightquot; do it for you but, personally it made my setup sound like a buzzsaw or a pissed off weedeater.

I´m with Odie, I think the Invader wouldbe TOO fat and not enough bite and sizzle, the Distortion or Custom should work out nicely....

The Distortion would be good. My vote is for the Dimebucker. That thing just drips metal.

The fatness of your tone is not soley dependent on the pickups. The wood of your guitar and the amp has a lot to do with it too. Your guitar should be pretty fat sounding already. Your amp may not be the best choice for that cab though. Those Crate's were not known to have the best low end available. Part of the thin sound you're describing is the Metal Zone. Ditch it and find something else, or get the Metal Zone modded to sound decent.

I really like the JB for a lead guitar tone, and it does rhythm okay too. It is the pup of 80's metal, and it should be a good starting pup to find out what you'd like.

The EMG 81 is another pup I love, it should be right up your alley according to your hopes. Why don't you want to go active?


Originally Posted by JohtosotkuI really like the JB for a lead guitar tone, and it does rhythm okay too. It is the pup of 80's metal, and it should be a good starting pup to find out what you'd like.

The EMG 81 is another pup I love, it should be right up your alley according to your hopes. Why don't you want to go active?Less wiring = less problems. . . KISS. thats my principle.
I have heard great things about the EMG 81 . . . Slayer!!!!!

So now I'm NOT leaning towards the SH-8 . . . I have a DD Detonator in my bastard homemade axe, but I made it from ASH . . . muther is HEAVY! I can't stand it on my neck its so heavy. . . . My Epi Explorer is Mahogany neck-thru, so maybe it WONT get bright????

Mahogany set-neck, the only neckthru Gibsons and Epiphones in production are the firebird.

I wouldn´t say anything but Set-neck vs. neckthru makes quite a difference in tone, neckthru construction adds a strong low-midrange spike to the guitar...


Originally Posted by theodieThe SH-8 Invader is also a very fat pickup! I am not sure that will do the job for you. It can also be a dark pickup! I think the SH-6 Distortion would be a good choice for you IMO. The SH-10 full shred is also a great pickup and I think it could work for you also.

BTW, the screemin Demaon is not a screemin pickup at all. Its name is very deciving. It is also a SUPER bright pickup!!!! The Dimebucker quot;mightquot; do it for you but, personally it made my setup sound like a buzzsaw or a pissed off weedeater.Maybe the plain-o SH-6 distortion huh?. . . .

quot;turnin up that chainsaw soundquot; Metal Church . . . . .
I could really like that pissed off weedeater sound. . . .. I think I'm gettin a chub . . . . . dimebucker is like 89 bucks at musicianfriend . . . my wife would shoot me. I am not familiar with the SH-10 gonna check into it . . . .


Originally Posted by ZerberusMahogany set-neck, the only neckthru Gibsons and Epiphones in production are the firebird.

I wouldn´t say anything but Set-neck vs. neckthru makes quite a difference in tone, neckthru construction adds a strong low-midrange spike to the guitar...

yep yep set-neck. my bad.

I Just listened to all those pups above mentioned and think the SH-10 full shred, and SH-12 Demon pups rule! BUT WAIT A MINUTE! Man oh man live wire metal LWHMET has my pick! I'm gonna get one of those baby's! Screw what I said before! I'm getting a live pickup. . . .

The Sh-6 and SH-8 are too fat IMO

#1. Who sells these the lowest????

#2. Can I install a live pup all by myself, or should I have a shop do it???

I installed my own Detonator all by myself into a guitar that I built by myself. . . . but I didn't care how that guitar looked, I would feel crappy if I banged up my Epi too much. . . .