Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Vilches3 on October 18, 2008, 02:59:21 AM
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How do these guys sound down tuned as low as drop C? just outa curiousity............also how do they compare to the standard pickups found on Musicman Axis's?
Thanks a bunch
Rob
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Free bump for your question. I am considering a 7 string VHII pickup, so curious if anyone has experimented with low tunings as well.
Martin
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I'm think they would do ok, BKPs stay clear when most others wouldn't. I think ilyti has a set of Mules in a 7-string and the VHII is a bit hotter and brighter. If nobody else has experience here, it might be worth contacting Tim.
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The VHII is a vintage hot pickup so it will have more output sound fatter with more bass then The Mule.
I would think by drop tuning you are going to get a darker tone with some more bass.
Chris
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ah thanks for the responses, what neck pickups would you say go well with a VHII for really round bluesy tone? I'm talking Mahogany or Korina body and probably a maple neck, thanks
rob
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VHIIs are really awesome pickups, I have a pair in a Kramer, and they are beautifully open and fat sounding. I believe they are proper vintage spec PAFs, wound with as many turns as you can fit onto the bobbin. My bridge VHII has a double row of screw poles, so should have marginally more low-end focus than the standard version; I've not compared mine directly to the ordinary model, but it is a very cool pickup for sure.
Tim always recommends the VHIIs to people who drop tune, as the lower output keeps things extremely clear and woody sounding (FWIW I remember him saying that he put VHIIs in Jon Schaffer's baritone guitars). You won't get the same huge low-end thump that you might from the contemporary BKs, but you will definitely get a uniquely responsive and open sound.
For the neck partner, I wholeheartedly recommend the VHII neck pickup - it's absolutely beautiful sounding. It's a PAF that's hot in the right ways, while not sacrificing any of the open-ness or chime. Tim convinced me to stick to the calibrated set with the VHIIs, and I'm very glad I did.
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Low tunings + high gauge strings = more output.
Therefore, if you're using very large strings, you will probably get on better for fast stuff with VHIIs or other lower output (eg black dogs, Emeralds, Abraxas) because the highest output humbuckers with fat strings gives too much signal, which can muddy the waters at low tunings.
Boost with pedal X of your choice, and hey presto - BROOTALZ
:)
Roo
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thanks for all the responses, im really liking the idea of these VHIIs as ive been seeking some more clarity and thump. As for strings, right now I use 10 gauge strings wrapped around a tun-o-matic bridge.I never heard about larger strings producing more out, but im gonna look into that. Thanks for all the info, now i gotta get saving chyeah!
Rob
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I never heard about larger strings producing more out, but im gonna look into that. Thanks for all the info
speak to tim about it. he has tested a lot of the range out in baritones and recommends lower powered pickups for clarity
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I never heard about larger strings producing more out, but im gonna look into that. Thanks for all the info
speak to tim about it. he has tested a lot of the range out in baritones and recommends lower powered pickups for clarity
yeah i guess ill give him a call when I save up the cash for these guys
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They sound awesome drop tuned iv played in drop B plenty of times with mine and it just kills all others iv tried.
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I never heard about larger strings producing more out, but im gonna look into that.
It's true - the the output is directly proportional to the string mass that's moving in the electromagnetic field. The result is a more buzzsaw-y high end as well as more saturation and compression. Some of the death metal guys love that sound, but personally I'd rather go lower output and get far more clarity and open-ness.
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then add as much gain as needed with outboard stuff!!!
When asking about my baritone i was sure i was going to go high output, Tim said it would be all boom and fizz.
Generally the lower the output the better the clarity and definition on
a baritone. When I was recording for Iced Earth we used baritones alot
and the best results where from VHII, Black Dog and Mississippi
Queen-the hottest we used was a PK but it sounded super saturated and
alot of sizzle on the highs as they're driven by the thickerstrings.
Personally I wouldn't use a WP/ CWP but go for something lower
output and let the amp handle the gain-black Dog was my fav.
guess what we went for?
I know thats a baritone and not just a downtuned guitar but if you are pushing your string guages higher its something to consider