software

Harmony Central says they're passive...

I'm looking for an upgrade for my EMG HZs in my alder body Jackson DXMG. I play metal like Megadeth, Metallica, Dream Theater, Pantera and Iron Maiden but I also play some Beatles and classic rock when I feel like it.

Can anyone please suggest some nice pickups for these types of music? I want a good clean sound too. Are SD pups better than EMGs overall?

Thanks and sorry for this dumb thread.

They're passive. I wouldn't go on saying that SDs are better overall or that EMGs are. It's purely a matter of taste.

What is it that is wrong with your current pickups? What kind of change do you want in them?

SD doesn't make actives? Passives kinda turn me off... no idea if SD passives are good.

I'm looking for a thick and heavy distorted tone which I can't get with my EMG HZ. I can kinda nail good tones but I really want a more distorted and hotter tone.

the EMG Hz cannot compare to the active EMGs or the passive SDs.

dun judge passive pickups based only on the passive EMG Hz.

and yes, SD does make active pickups too.

What actives do SD make? Are they preferred to the SD/Jazz?


Originally Posted by FlashCEWhat actives do SD make? Are they preferred to the SD/Jazz?

they are only preferred if a person prefers them to the SD/Jazz.

JB/Jazz*

make the Livewire Classic and Metal Active pickups from : localhost//website...mbuckers.shtml
The JB/Jazz are probably played by more people but you may prefer the actives. Listen to the soundclips from : localhost//website...ard/hummer.htm try the tone wizard from : localhost//website...rd/index.shtml and ask any questions you might have here.

no they are both passive
i would recomend trying the EMG active stuff
the reason i say this is that the 81,85 are simply the clearest,ringing pups out there.
i tried bartolini,duncan and a few other actives and they were just not right sounding
when it come to ACTIVE pups EMG is the reigning KING
I love duncans but they simply cannot capture the brewtality of the 81


Originally Posted by FlashCEHarmony Central says they're passive...

I'm looking for an upgrade for my EMG HZs in my alder body Jackson DXMG. I play metal like Megadeth, Metallica, Dream Theater, Pantera and Iron Maiden but I also play some Beatles and classic rock when I feel like it.

Can anyone please suggest some nice pickups for these types of music? I want a good clean sound too. Are SD pups better than EMGs overall?

Thanks and sorry for this dumb thread.

Hey man, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

Megadeth, Dream Theater, Pantera, and Maiden ALL use passive pups for their tones.

Mustaine, Friedman and Poland too (I think) use the JB in the bridge

Dimebag used Bill Lawrence's until he switched to SD and they made the Dimebucker.

The Maiden guys use a variety of pups, hotrails, JBjr's, and I think even distortions.

Petrucci uses some Dimarzios

The Metallica guys used Duncans for Kill em All and then on Ride the Lightning you hear Kirk with EMG's for the first time. Kirk has supposedly started using passives again though.

BTW you don't want to compare the EMG Hz's to Duncans or REAL EMG's, there is no comparison. Don't get me wrong they are decent, but not in the same class, barely even in the same school though. It's kind of like this

Hmmm this apple tastes nothing like a grapefruit. Both are pups, but that's the end of the comparison really.

Again, welcome!

Luke


Originally Posted by Luke Duke

Kirk has supposedly started using passives again though.

really?? wow. what is he using now?

No clue, I saw him using a very ordinary LP last year at the concert. There was a thread a while back about him maybe coming into the Duncan fold.

Luke

How would the EMG 81 sound in the Neck and the EMG 85 in the Bridge? I've heard that the 81 sounds too bright in Bridge position for an Alder Body guitar.

The 85 in the bridge is supposed to sound very fat and full. The 81 is supposed to be articulate and punchy. Some guys like that combo, some don't.

Honestly though, check out some sound clips of the forum guys, or the site ones, of the JB/Jazz before you set yourself on anything. Comparing EMG Hz's to Duncans, or active EMGs even, just isn't a good comparison. If I had done that then I would have thought all EMG's were thin.

Luke