software

I have narrowed my choices after hours and hours of reading up on pups . . .
Here is the list in order of my preference so far. . .

PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS OH WISE AND NOBLE TONE-HEADS

#1. EMG HZ H4 (supposed to be as good as 81 . . . NE1 know?)
#2. Duncan Screamin Demon
#3. Duncan Distortion SH-6 (Cheapest)
#4. Duncan Livewire Metal
#5. EMG 81

I would rather put in a passive one, so I can do it myself. . . . and save some $$$

I want it to be loud and bright.


Originally Posted by 80's_MetalI want it to be loud and bright.

Duncan Distortion...nuff said!


Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireDuncan Distortion...nuff said!

Word!!!! The others are just musical masterbation!!!!

I have heard the livewire sounds decent though!!!

If you want loud and bright, the Full Shred is Killer!! It does 80's metal GREAT I dont like the Demon, its like someone is stabbing out my ears with an icepick! I dont care for EMG's. Alot of folks like them but to quot;my earsquot; they are lacking personality and sound kind of sterile.

If it were me, it would be either the Distortion or the Full Shred!!

Amen to the Distortion. And for the record, the EMG HZ H4 sounds nothing like the 81. It's a passive pickup and it does sound pretty good though, but not like an 81.


Originally Posted by 80's_MetalI would rather put in a passive one, so I can do it myself. . .

Putting in an active isn't really any harder from a technical standpoint.

And for a random musing... a Full Shred EMG Afterburner would really do loud and bright.

The general consensus about the passive EGMs is that they don't live up to their active counterparts. I think that most people get to this conclusion without ever testing them out themselves. So like with all other pups, do try them out yourself to get the real deal about them.

I'd go with an EMG 81, I don't really have that much experience with the other pups but I quite love it. Get a SPC to go with it and it becomes quite a versatile beast IMO. For metal, that is, naturally!

Demon if its going into mahogany, otherwise Distortion sounds good in any wood.

It is going to go into the bridge of my Epi Explorer . . . it IS mahagony, set neck.

I appreciate your input guys, as I have not the resources or time to drive to a large town to play these bad boys for mine own ears.

I did DL all the sounds from this site and EMG's site etc., plus I read lot of reviews from far and wide. . . . I think I trust you guys more than the avergae opinion guys, all you guys do is sit here and talk pups. . . . perfect.

I installed a Distortion set in an Epi V and they sounded KILLER!!!!!!!! I have also done the same thing with Full Shreds and the same applys! The Distortion has a little more balls to it and the Full Shred has more clarity to it and more quot;shredquot; to it for lack of better words! I see you name is 80's metal, if you want it for 80's metal, I would go for the Full Shred but, I think the DD can still pull it off also!!! Hard call if it was me, flip a coin!!!!!

The Demon doesn't fit at all with the others. It's WAAAAAAAYYYYYY tamer. My favorite is the EMG 81, but the Distortion rules, too.

I have a demon in my mahogany/maple top set neck guitar with rosewood fretboard and it's my favourite. Very responsive and tight. Great tone.


Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireDuncan Distortion...nuff said!

Yep, that is what I would go with given your paramaters.