Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: awesomeguy666 on October 01, 2011, 12:04:11 AM

Title: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: awesomeguy666 on October 01, 2011, 12:04:11 AM
I'm looking for the best pickup for thrash metal in the vein of Kreator, Sodom, Slayer, Exodus, etc. However, I'd like to be able to play stuff like Overkill or Megadeth, as well as Deicide or Cannibal Corpse (I play rhythm guitar). I have an Epiphone 1958 Goth Explorer (mahogany body, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard) and a Peavey 6505+ 112 combo. Thanks a lot, guys.
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: awesomeguy666 on October 01, 2011, 12:20:07 AM
To clarify a little: first off, the Explorer is a 24.75" scale guitar. Also, I'm looking for something that can give me clarity while maintaining brutality (I need it to be able to do chugging but also djents). I don't think the Warpig will work very well for me because of its high bass. Right now, I'm looking at the Painkiller, Aftermath, Miracle Man, SD Blackouts and SD LiveWires. Other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks a lot, guys!
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Stevepage on October 01, 2011, 07:36:53 AM
Painkiller. Painkiller + Explorer = ZOMGS!!!!!

All that mahogany in that neck and big body balances out just right with the mids and treble of the Painkiller. It's perfectly suited.
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Transcend on October 01, 2011, 09:09:28 AM
i would personally go

EMG 81
Miracle Man
Painkiller

in that order.

I find most bkps even the ones without much bass have far too much low end energy for explorers/Vs etc
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: HTH AMPS on October 01, 2011, 09:44:48 AM
i would personally go

EMG 81
Miracle Man
Painkiller

in that order.

I find most bkps even the ones without much bass have far too much low end energy for explorers/Vs etc

can't say I'd disagree with that, most of that thrash stuff you mentioned screams EMG81 to me, but if you want to go passive, then the Miracle Man is where its at.
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Transcend on October 01, 2011, 11:13:24 AM
i would personally go

EMG 81
Miracle Man
Painkiller

in that order.

I find most bkps even the ones without much bass have far too much low end energy for explorers/Vs etc

can't say I'd disagree with that, most of that thrash stuff you mentioned screams EMG81 to me, but if you want to go passive, then the Miracle Man is where its at.


Yes i forgot to add that bit in the Miracle man is the closest by far for the kinda tones you want from a passive
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Dr.Pain on October 01, 2011, 02:49:41 PM
I use a c-pig in a maple neck through, mahogany wings V 7 and I feel that's right on the edge of having too much bass.  I would avoid a pig in mahogany.  I like and play songs by Kreator and Slayer so I'm going for EMG 81/85 in an ESP Ltd which I hope I have in about a week and a half.  Then I can find out how EMG's stack up against my pig.
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on October 01, 2011, 03:11:46 PM
Miracle Man , or mayb Painkiller - although C-Pig would work too
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: HTH AMPS on October 01, 2011, 03:19:43 PM
those Explorers are quite dark I find, so I wouldn't go with something that has lots of bass otherwise it'll be too blurred in the bass end for thrash.

Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: awesomeguy666 on October 01, 2011, 06:21:43 PM
Thanks a lot for your help, guys. I'd also been looking at the Miracle Man, as well, so thank you for clarifying that.
So now I've narrowed it down to EMG 81-81, EMG 81-85, and the Miracle Man Set.
Also: if I decide to go with EMG 81-85, should I put the 81 or the 85 in the bridge?
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: awesomeguy666 on October 01, 2011, 06:27:00 PM
Another thing I forgot: would you recommend covered or uncovered?
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Denim n Leather on October 01, 2011, 09:45:07 PM
Another thing I forgot: would you recommend covered or uncovered?
It's purely cosmetic, you can go with whichever you like.
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Sancho on October 01, 2011, 10:23:26 PM
those Explorers are quite dark I find, so I wouldn't go with something that has lots of bass otherwise it'll be too blurred in the bass end for thrash.
Ben advised against Miracle Mans in an Explorer when I asked. Said the bass might be too much for a large slab of mahogany.
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Dr.Pain on October 02, 2011, 12:50:09 AM
Most common with EMG's is 81 bridge and 85 neck.  Although I've heard a swapped set with 85 at the bridge offers more bottom end but isn't as good as the 81 for lead.
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: explorer76 on October 02, 2011, 11:13:53 AM
I would go for a Painkiller Set with all that heavy and dark mahogany. Should give you the right amount of bite!

Regarding EMGs I prefer an 85 Bridge + 60 Neck set. I like the enhanced low end, growly midrange and the sweet high end of the 85 much better than that piercing 81 sound. And the EMG 60 is just THE neck pickup for me, best cleans you can get out of a humbucker and heavenly leads when played distorted!
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: asianaxeman on October 05, 2011, 03:54:02 AM
emgs are boring lads, despite having some punch for rhythm they can be harsh and you can never lose that sterility in the high end in particular for leads- get nailbombs, ceramic nailbombs or painkillers. If you insist on active than the mustain livewires are much more organic and nicer than emgs in my experience. I find the painkiller tighter with more clarity than the c-bomb. The c-bomb has more bass and low mid growl but the high end surprisingly retains it's PAF character. and is thinner than the lower register and thinner than the painkiller high end (maybe cos of the massive upper mids of the pk).
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Loomer on October 05, 2011, 08:47:20 AM
I'm gonna throw a curveball here, and say humbucker-sized Pig 90.

I honestly think that would work marvelously well, for the sounds you mention.
Title: Re: Best Pickup For Thrash
Post by: Madsakre on October 05, 2011, 12:03:39 PM
PAINKILLER!!!!