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Post by samicksg on Jul 9, 2004 20:58:49 GMT -5
Hello everyone... Today's mission? Find the loudest, highest output pickup known to mankind   Anyways Im building a custom guitar (see my thread in the mod forum.) and its going to be my metal axe. I basically want the highest output, best a high gain pickup out there. Any suggestions? Also opinions appreciated on Kramer, Jackson, & fender tex mex humbuckers. If your sitting there asking why would he want this? I just was at a van halen concert last week ;D |
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Post by Steelpriest on Jul 10, 2004 3:12:33 GMT -5
Try a DiMarzio X2N Power Plus. It is still the loudest passive pickup of all times. It uses two bars of ceramic magnets instead of 12 pole pieces and is currently still available! Wooohooo! ;D The Schaller "Hot Stuff" is a well working german counterfeit also...
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Post by samicksg on Jul 10, 2004 14:09:17 GMT -5
Thanks stele! I'll check those out...
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Post by tekrek on Jul 10, 2004 15:22:30 GMT -5
Hey samicksg:: I may sound like a broken record but what about EMG active pup's.....If distortion is what you wand I think the EMG's will deliver!!!! BTW if you don't want to go active the EMG HZ series is also an option!!!! |
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Post by samicksg on Jul 10, 2004 16:48:22 GMT -5
hehe emgs  I've wanted them and thought about them..But I dont think its gonna happen..First off, they cost ALOT!!! Second Im not crazy about the battery, however I may keep my eyes peeled for the HZ series.. |
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Post by ExCaptain on Jul 10, 2004 23:21:27 GMT -5
I agree with Steelpriest, the Dimarzio X2N is THE LOUDEST pick up I have ever heard. Also the EMG 81 is another. I currently have the EMG 81's in two of my guitars and they are great. If you want Metal, that is the way to go. Also, once you put in the battery, you usually don't have to worry about it for a long time (mine is still going 1 year later) just remember to unplug the cord when not playing it because it disconnects the circut and prolongs the battery. Hope this helps.
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Post by Steelpriest on Jul 11, 2004 1:51:29 GMT -5
I don´t wanna sound offensive or insult others, hehe, but in my opinion batteries belong into flashlights, not into guitars... What I mean is: I´d be afraid of the battery being empty in the most unsuitable moment, and also I am afraid that the preamp of those active pickups might steal away a little part of the guitar´s own tonal character... just my opinion. And keep in mind: If you have one active guitar among your other passive guitars, you probably can´t change the guitars during a gig without adjusting the amp settings... |
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Post by ZacAttack on Jul 11, 2004 10:49:18 GMT -5
I could not agree more Steel. I have played guitars with active pickups in them and I think they rock. But for me I just can't get past the 9v battery. Good ole Noeljobs first guitar was a SEARS EFECTOR (Explorer body style). It had 2 open coil HB style pickups and 2 tone nobs with a 3 way toggle. But then, lined up by the nobs were like 10 push buttons with built in (for lack of a better word) effects. It took 2-9v batteries. Even for a first guitar it was an embarassment. I know active stuff has come leaps and bounds past that thing, but every time I know there is a 9v battery in a guitar I think of ole NJs Efector. No slam intended. But personaly I don't think I will ever get past my hang ups about active pickups.
ROCK ON!
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Post by CAFeathers on Jul 11, 2004 11:07:33 GMT -5
I'm another one that does really like batteries in guitars.
As far as high output pickups, loudest is not always best. I would look more for a combination of tone and output.
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Post by zep on Jul 11, 2004 17:44:38 GMT -5
Good luck with the new guitar.
The thought of trying to make one from scratch crossed my mind one time, but making electronics and the like isn't too feasable. Kinda have to buy the pickups, pots, knobs, jack, switch and that stuff...and I don't think that I would build my own neck, that would be intimidating and to easily messed up - at least with my woodworking skills.
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Post by ExCaptain on Jul 11, 2004 21:40:18 GMT -5
I have to disagree with some of the points brought up about active pickups and why some don't like them. First, yes, batteries in guitars might offend some, but really, once you put one in, it lasts a long time. And second, changing from an active p/u to a passive p/u guitar has no noticable change in volume levels, I have never needed to change amp/preamp settings when switching guitars. The only thing you might be thinking about is the higher output from the pickups which is the case of any guitar that has high output pickups, active or passive. You can have the same change when switching from a guitar that has lower volume PAF's and a guitar with Super Distortions in it. They are both passive and you can have a big change in output volumes. This is just my opinion though.
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Post by Steelpriest on Jul 12, 2004 0:18:46 GMT -5
I have to disagree with some of the points brought up about active pickups and why some don't like them. First, yes, batteries in guitars might offend some, but really, once you put one in, it lasts a long time. And second, changing from an active p/u to a passive p/u guitar has no noticable change in volume levels, I have never needed to change amp/preamp settings when switching guitars. The only thing you might be thinking about is the higher output from the pickups which is the case of any guitar that has high output pickups, active or passive. You can have the same change when switching from a guitar that has lower volume PAF's and a guitar with Super Distortions in it. They are both passive and you can have a big change in output volumes. This is just my opinion though. Well, I never played an active electric guitar, but I used be a bassplayer for quite a time in one of my former bands and I played active and passive basses. The active Ibanez Soundgear basses blew the passive Fenders away concerning their output volume, also the Ibanez basses delivered more bass and lots of highs. I liked them alot, but the batteries in fact run empty often. You could notice it by a slightly "distorted" sound, and then it was time to hurry up and change the battery... The higher priced Soundgear basses had battery cavities you could open without loosening screws, it was very simple, but I found it annoying to unscrew the electronic cavity flap just to change the battery on the more affordable models. The reason why I used active bass guitars was simple. Active single coils don´t hum...  |
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Post by tekrek on Jul 12, 2004 21:26:15 GMT -5
I don´t wanna sound offensive or insult others, hehe, but in my opinion batteries belong into flashlights, not into guitars... What I mean is: I´d be afraid of the battery being empty in the most unsuitable moment, and also I am afraid that the preamp of those active pickups might steal away a little part of the guitar´s own tonal character... just my opinion. And keep in mind: If you have one active guitar among your other passive guitars, you probably can´t change the guitars during a gig without adjusting the amp settings... Steel no offence taken....This is what is so great, everyone can have their own oppinion...I for one believe what works for one person will not work for another!!!!  That said I love the sound of active EMG's and when money permits I will put them in my other two guitars. IMO as a newbie player it didn't steal anything away from the guitars sound it just supercharged what was already there!!! ;D ;D |
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Post by zep on Jul 12, 2004 21:59:20 GMT -5
yeah, pickups are too personal to say one style is better than another. Active/passive, single coil/P-90/humbucker all have their purposes of course...I haven't played EMGs but some people swear by them just like any other pickup. When money permits I will probably find some Seymour Duncans that have a sound that I like to switch out with the ol' stock epis - on a side note, I played an Epi standard through a Vox tube amp and the Epi sounded really nice. The good quality tube sound made a big difference in bringing out a warm tone.
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Post by ZacAttack on Jul 27, 2004 9:34:01 GMT -5
I will say this about that. I got to play the Z.W. sig LP at GC. I did not realise it had active pickups in it but I now see that it did. If that guitar belonged to me I would have no problem replacing a battery now and then. The thing palyed,sounded and felt great.
So I guess what I am saying is that if the guitar came with active pickups or passive pickups then I would leave it the way it came.
Just my prefrence and opinion.
Thanks Zac
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I've wanted them and thought about them..But I dont think its gonna happen..First off, they cost ALOT!!! Second Im not crazy about the battery, however I may keep my eyes peeled for the HZ series..
