Pickup Suggestions

[TheLivingDead]

Alrighty, I'm looking for something different.

I'm getting this: www.rondomusic.com/fulcrumpink.html as a fixer upper and don't want to go the standard DiMarzio route I've been going with all my guitars. Although I'm not completely against them, I just want to avoid the Tone Zone and PAF Pro type combo. I already have that kind of setup too many times.

So yeah, I'm basically looking for something that can handle drop tunings well for both positions. I'd like for it to have a unique voice like the Breed or Tone Zone. Not too high an output but not vintage wound. Something that shines clean but mainly distorted. And I'm willing to give actives a chance even though I have yet to own any.

It will be going into a maple/rosewood neck, string-thru basswood body btw.

All that said, I'm looking at the DiMarzio Super 3 for my bridge. Anybody have any experience with it?

Thanks for any suggestions guys.

[Dr. Cloud]

I played a used Jem that was loaded with the Super 3 in both positions. I didn't play it much, but to me it sounded just like the Super Distortions with just a little more bottom end clarity. The mids were good, and the highs were slightly thinner. But for drop tunings I'd try the Evolution. I heard a recording a friend made using one and it sounded massive.

[TheLivingDead]

Hmm yeah the evo does have a really tight bottom end. Harmonics are great too. I just may go that route.

[S-H]

The Evolution is very high output though, which you don't want. You could set it deeper into the body than standard though.

It also has a very harsh high-end which isn't exactly nice to hear when playing solos in the bridge position (especially since basswood has a naturally shrill top end to start with). You could remedy it to a degree with using 250k pots, but then you lose some of the charm and uniqueness of a pickup IMO.

For me, the Evo 2 is a much better pickup in the bridge position. The highs are nicer, the mids are practically the same as the Evolution and although the low end isn't as tight as the original, it isn't loose enough to destroy your rhythm tone. It's an all round better pickup and IMO, the best bridge pickup DiMarzio have.

It is also not as high output as the original, though I must say it is still "high output". It isn't as overbearing as the Evolution can be when distorted though which is another plus.

The Evolution NECK pairs pretty much perfectly with the Evo 2, even more so than the original. It isn't as smooth sounding as the PAF (which people identify as the archetypal "Dimarzio neck tone) but for metal/shred and if you can vary your touch, it sounds very good in combination with the Evo 2.

I don't think the Super 3 will work too well with dropped tunings. Not tight enough for my liking and the lower the tuning, the tighter you need to bass to be to avoid sounding like mud. I think it's better for standard tuning.

I would also heavily advise against using the Tone Zone for dropped tunings. It's way too low-end heavy (meaning bass and low-midrange). It's good for some things (mainly the style of music played by the guy in my avatar) but for dropped tunings past Drop-D...... I'm not a fan.

Another option is a PAF pro set, but with hex screws under the 3 bass strings. It supposedly tightens the bass up, though I haven't done this myself and know sweet FA about electronics so ask a tech if that will work and is possible.

Obviously it's your money, but I would go for the Evo 2/Evolution combo in a basswood guitar every time.

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EDIT- Petrucci's new Crunch Lab/Liquifire combo may be worth looking into, but I have no experience with this combo so I can't help.

[TheLivingDead]

Yeah I was actually thinking how the Evo would translate into basswood. My buddy has one in an alder strat and it sounds great. But yeah, the high end would probably be a bit much.

The Evo 2 sounds very interesting though. And my friend was already telling me to get the Evo neck. Sounds like a great combo. If nothing else peaks my interest I'll probably go that route.

I'm not a big Petrucci fan so anything that works tone-wise for him probably won't do much for me. Accept the Air Norton of course.

Thanks for your input.

[jdoom01]

Kent armstrong motherbucker

[TheLivingDead]

Hah, that thing. Too much output for me.

[M7GT]

I recommend getting a Hecaphonic pickup because if you hook it up to a VG-99 you can create any sound you want, any tuning, and even any guitar sound.

[zacot12345]

getting an active pickup would be a hassle. I dropped a pair of Seymour Duncan Blackouts in my Dean from Hell, and I had to get the whole thing rewired. PAIN IN THE A**!

[TheLivingDead]

Wiring isn't an issue for me. I actually love it. The more complex the better.

Turns out this project isn't happening anytime soon.