Search results
Mar 6, 2023 · Best pickups for metal: Guitar World's pick. Taking the top spot on our list is a modern classic in the Fishman Fluence Modern humbucker. Appearing as standard on many Ibanez, ESP, and Schecter guitars, these pickups deliver articulation even under the heaviest gain, delivering a noise-free performance that’s perfect for extreme styles of music.
Oct 4, 2018 · To get the characteristic “scooped” thrash metal guitar sound, use your guitar’s bridge humbucker pickup and a generous amount of distortion. Boost both the bass and treble settings on your amp while cutting, or “scooping out,” the midrange.
- Martin Goulding
- Why Pickups Matter
- Pickups For Metal
- Obligatory Disclaimer
- Dimarzio Super Distortion
- Dimarzio Titan
- Dimarzio Tone Zone
- Seymour Duncan Distortion Bridge
- Seymour Duncan JB
- Seymour Duncan Dimebucker
- Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Omega
The pivotal importance of the pickup’s role in the signal chain cannot be overstated. After all, the pickup is thedevice that captures the magical vibrations of the strings and then transforms them into the electric signal that gets amplified. Furthermore, it does so before any stompbox, amp, tube, or speaker gets to lay a hand on your all-importan...
As one might expect, there’s an impressive number of pickups aimed specifically at us metal-loving guitarists. And not surprisingly, a bunch of them are artist-signature models. James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Dimebag Darrell, Dave Mustaine, Kerry King, Zakk Wylde, Jim Root, Mick Thomson, Jeff Loomis, Mark Holcomb, Mark Morton, Stephen Carpenter, and...
The following 14 high-output* bridge pickup choices from the vast Sweetwater menu cover a pretty wide variety of metal styles and should give you a pretty good idea of what’s out there. While the title of this article boldly proclaims that these are the “14 best,” there’s really no such thing. When it comes to a topic that’s as subjective and perso...
When this bad boy was unleashed in 1972, it was not only the first replacement pickup ever offered, it was also the world’s first high-output pickup. It was designed to hit the front end of an amp really hard, thus coaxing more overdrive out of it. At the time, Marshall stacks didn’t have Master Volumes yet (read: no gain control — shock, horror! T...
This powerful pickup was designed with Jake Bowen, who is part of Periphery’s renowned triple-axe attack. In keeping with his progressive metal band’s signature “djent” (pronounced “gent”) sound, Bowen’s Titan delivers tight, aggressive, palm-muted crunch that cuts without getting abrasively harsh. It is also dynamic and articulate, making single n...
The first three pickups we’ve looked at all boast ceramic magnets. Time for a subtle change as the Tone Zone’smagnet is an Alnico V, which is known for a warm tone with a nice, fat low end. As well as being in the high-output family, this pickup is extremely dynamic and responds well to subtle picking nuances. It also has a lot of bass and low-mid ...
Let loose in 1980, the Duncan Distortionwas an instant hit with the metal-loving masses, thanks to its rich harmonic content and cut. This overwound, high-output brute is armed with large ceramic magnets. It produces an aggressive, high-gain crunch that cuts through any mix, thanks to its full-bodied sound bristling with extra upper midrange. It is...
Designed to push amps over the edge, this musical-sounding monster was set free in 1976. It was Seymour Duncan’s first offering, and it remains a best-selling favorite to this very day. Built around an Alnico V magnet, the JBkicks out fat lows, crisp highs, and a crunch-inducing hump in the upper midrange. Scott Ian of “Big Four” thrashers Anthrax ...
In the darkened domain of metal, the late, great Dimebag Darrell is rightfully considered legendary in terms of both talent and tone. So, if you’re a fan of his unique, signature sound and would like to emulate it, the Dimebuckeris obviously a good starting point since it was designed to meet his demanding specs. This blazing, twin-blade, ceramic c...
Yep, we’re back with those modern, progressive-metal mavens, Periphery, again. This popular, punchy, and percussive pickup was designed and voiced with Mark Holcomb from the band. While not as hot as many on this list with regard to output, the Omegais as aggressive as it is articulate. By successfully combining low/mid growl with bright highs, it ...
People also ask
What is the best humbucker for metal?
How do you make a thrash metal guitar sound?
What is the best humbucker pickup?
What is the best passive humbucker for guitar?
Certain humbuckers sound best in combination with certain guitars and there’s not really a one-type-fits all. You can’t go wrong with a Seymour Duncan JB for a raw, heavy but defined sound. The Duncan Distortion is a little more scooped and a little tighter.
- Seymour Duncan SH-13 Dimebucker. Aggressive and defined tone from a legend. Seymour Duncan pays special tribute to the late great Dimebag Darrell with the SH-13.
- DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion. A tried and true pickup that is pure rock n roll. Introduced in the early 1970s, this pickup has been used by countless guitarists.
- Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha and Omega. Versatility and quality with great punch and definition. This set of pickups delivers guitarist's Mark Holcomb signature powerful sound and more.
- EMG H4A. Simple and effective passive design for killer tones. EMG is one of the most renowned companies for pickups, particularly models for metal music.
Jun 5, 2021 · With that said, we’ll be diving into 9 of the best passive pickups for metal currently available on the market. Here’s the list: Seymour Duncan JB; DiMarzio Super Distortion; Bare Knuckle Riff Raff; Seymour Duncan 59 Custom Hybrid; Bare Knuckle Silo; Suhr DSH+ Humbucker; Seymour Duncan Perpetual Burn; EMG H4; Bill Lawrence L-500XLB Hot ...
May 24, 2021 · Best Overall: Fishman Fluence Modern Active Humbucker. Best Value: EMG 81 Active Ceramic Bridge Humbucker. Best Premium: EMG JH HET. Most Recommended: EMG 85. Best for Classic Metal: Fishman Fluence Classic Humbucker. Best for Low Tunings: Seymour Duncan Mick Thomson Blackouts. Best Vintage-inspired: EMG 57/66. 1.
