pickup suggestions for a metal player...

[angelofdeath]

im workin on my squire strat. ive decided to put new pickups in it since the ones i have now just arent cutting it anymore. i would like to know what single coil pickups would be best to put in. im kinda of on a budget so i need that considered too. i am strictly a metal player.

[Runewalker]

Really, its hard to think of any single coil or even, single coil form factor humbuckers that will get you into the moors of metal. Yngwie uses Dimarzio HS-3s and that might get you there, but most of his crunch is amplification --- the HS series is not nearly as high output as some of the extreme pups. But that could be a place to start if you just want slam-bam-nice to know ya.

I've opened up the hoods of lottza Squires and they are either routed with a swimming pool (which then accepts any configuration of pups), or a HSH routing pattern. So why not just go with standard form factor Humbuckers. Dimebag liked Bill Lawrence XL-500s, Wolf who is here occasionally likes Dimarzio X2Ns,

But basically almost any high output, ceramic mag pup will do because metal is not about tone subtlty which is the thrust of all these alt.wireing schemes. IF you go the EMG route (active pups) which a lotta metal guitarist like, then you will have to accomodate the batteries and electronic module(s).

So if you are willing to go to -hums, you will just have to either cut out the pickguard or get another. then install. otherwize you are stuck with the single coil form factor pups, and I don;t thing they capture enough string-vibe/mag window landscape to go to metal-land.

A combo that might work for you is one of the alt.wirings that give you SSH so that you can get the Neck.Mid combo in series, and all three in series. That'll fatten the scoop and give you some versatility when not getting cervical whiplash.

RW

[angelofdeath]

thanks....i think i will cut out the pickguard to put in a humbucker..it seems to be the best option

[ranchtooth]

Don't discount Duncan Hotrails. Iron Maiden uses 'em, thats gotta be worth something. Or try GFS lil' killers, practically the same thing.

[bam]

Basically, any PAF will do, given a good distortion (stompbox or whatever) and amplification.

[ChrisK]

Yeah, the ceramic dual rail single coil sized humbuckers (such as the Hot Rails) would be great. Don't forget to consider series as well as parallel wiring such as this;
guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=schem&action=display&thread=1153172741

With all three in series it would rule 'cuz it'd be like brutally mellow or sumpthin'.

There is a Duncan designed offshore dual rail coil sized humbucker called the "Scorcher" (HR-101) ($29 at GC when on "special sale" sometimes). I've read that it has a coil of around 26 K Ohms and is just plain sick hot. Three of these in series and ya could open an arc welding shop...............
www.seymourduncan.com/products/duncandesigndescr.shtml#HR101



BTW, try the Mike Richardson wiring first, you might find that your "dull" pickups aren't all that....

[vonFrenchie]

bam said:

Basically, any PAF will do, given a good distortion (stompbox or whatever) and amplification.

PAF's are out of the question (almost.) Unless you want to route out your guitar and buy a new pickguard (which might not be such a bad idea if you know what youre doing). Id go with the Hotrails or lil killers. For a bit more of an expensive approach go with EMG-S, EMG-SA, or EMG-SAV's (kirk hammet uses these)

Also you can add and EMG afterburner (to any type of pickup) for 20dB of gain. Or the GFS Multi Distortion.

Wiring your pickups in series really does give them a nice boost.

store.guitarfetish.com/onmucihotrot.html
www.emginc.com
Kirk Hammet's KH20 www.emginc.com/displayproducts.asp?section=Guitar&categoryid=11&catalogid=106

[angelofdeath]

thanks everyone.....i ended up shaving out some of the pickguard to put in GFS Crusader humbucker......i highly recommend this pickup....its good.....especially for the price...(got it for $20 including shipping off eBay)....but i may try some hot rails for the other positions...and i originally planned to put that GFS multi distortion in but there is just no room left in the cavity....(i put some switches and LED lights in it..)

[bam]

vonFrenchie :

PAF's are out of the question (almost.)

Umm.. Sorry, didn't quite understand your statement.

(Nevertheless, note that every humbucker in the planet -both directly and indirectly- are PAF derivatives.)

The principle is, in contrary to the popular belief, the thing you need is not a distortion-generating pup. What you need is a high-output, low-noise pup, so that they feed your distortion pedal mean enough. PAFs fit in this place perfectly. The GFS Crusader are one good example -as people says- of a hot-rodded PAF.
(I've never seen or tried one, though)

btw, aren't EMG-Sxx series single-coils?

[ChrisK]

btw, aren't EMG-Sxx series single-coils?

Yep! Shielding is.

Pickups actually can distort the signal. The magnets have a magnetic bias to them (which theoretically, like, makes them magnets) which asymmetrically shifts the electrical/inductive response of the core.

With a strong enough magnetization, and a strong enough signal......

Hmmmmm.

I occasionally see a bootiq maker mention that "AlNiCo2 "distorts" earlier than AlNiCo5.

Hmmmmm²

Theoretically or so.

[vonFrenchie]

PAF's arent completely out of the question because there is always the option of routing out the guitar and cutting new holes in the pick guard.

[tattooedindian]

I just put together a strat copy with gfs lil killers and 3 mini toggles sounds awesome for metal and amazing enough with the coils split great for clean stuff also

[Ripper]

I used Duncan hotrails a few years back and they were fantastic!

[metalmaniac]

.... 5, 6, 7, 8...Metal Mutants everywhere, ROCK ON!

Did someone say 5, 6, 7, 8's


sumgai

[hitman]

im a metal player as well and the cheapest thing u can do is raise the bridge and neck pup. thats what i did and it sounds sweet!