MAB's tone, then and now?

[joe]

Just wondering what thoughts people had on MAB's tone. As in his first few albums he used his HWS pickups and then for his latest work the EMG pickups.
I think the current tone is great, very thick and makes most notes he plays have harmonics in them. However I find EMG's to have a very "muddy" sound to them when playing lower notes and chords which I don't really like.
His first few albums, while they don't have the big power of the EMG's for the rhythm sections, give a super creamy lead tone which I love.
Any thoughts?

[shreddingjoris]

Personally i don't like EMG's at all. They are good for metal riffs, but i just don't like them. My favorite pups ATM are the dimarzio AT1 (bridge) and air norton S (neck).

[joe]

I use Dimarzios in my Ibanez, I love them. I tried EMGs before in a Jackson and a Dean Razorback. They sound good for playing metal but I find the tone messy. I prefer a crisp, punchy distortion with good high end EQ.

[jacoby3mnk]

Even though his MAB 1's come with the EMG's I thought he preferred the passive pick-ups. If you look at the pics of the guitars he uses in his Tribute to Metal show, those all have passives in them. I could be wrong though.

[joe]

Yeah I've noticed a few of his new guitars including the Rocket guitar don't have EMG's. I wonder if Mike still uses his signature HWS pickup in his live shows!

[shreddingjoris]

Yes MAB likes passive pickups more (i heard in an interview). But i think a guitar with EMG's will sell better to the mainstraim. IMO u don't need all that power from a pickup. In the end it could mud up your tone.

[Maxxxwell]

I think MAB always has a good, and unique tone, although it has certainly changed slightly over the years. I think part of it is simply production techniques on the records. More or less delay, reverb, etc.

As for EMGs. I like them, although I prefer lower output pickups for the neck position and passives often fit this description. That being said. I had the classic 81/85 combo in one of my Jacksons and I totally love it.

[Michael Angelo Batio]

Hi everyone. I have several of each of my signature guitars. At least one of each of them has passive pick ups and then of course, I keep one "stock," meaning no modifications, including the original EMG configuration. I think my tone has changed slightly for two reasons. First, being older. I still have the skill and technique that I had when I was younger, but I have a lot more nuances to my playing, more "feel" and more expression now. Second, yes, it is the production. On my early solo albums, (No Boundaries, Planet Gemini, Tradition, Lucid Intervals and Moments of Clarity) I recorded using the fx on both my leads and rhythms. Since the "Hands Without Shadows" album, unless it's a wah, I record completely dry with zero fx. I prefer recording this way. I can hear every detail of every note and it has really helped to sharpen and focus my guitar playing. I sincerely hope this helps.:-)

[joe]

Thanks Mike Nice to get some insight into your recording process.
I was just wondering if you always used EMGs or did you find them to suit your playing better and switch to them?

[Blue]

I prefer his lead sound from the past but I like the rhythm sound better in general today. The productions are better nowdays also. Lead tone is good also but I still prefer it on the older albums in general.

There's always exceptions. I really like the rhythm sound on "Prog Revisited", thats one of my favourite rhythm sounds every, all categories.

[guitarshredder666]

his tone is great

[razorshred]

Whatever MAB does feels right and well thought of. I respect this guy !