low output for high gain

[Alex]

I'd say you should err on the side of the higher output pickups in the Vintage Hot range (you can always put the over-wound WP back in there and drop the pre-amp gain, if you don't like it ;) ). Black Dog certainly springs to mind, but bear in mind that this is based on my own experience, and I have a phat baritone with huge strings. With that said, I've dropped the preamp gain on my 5150 from about 7/10 where I used to have it with a MM-loaded ibanez (also in A-E-A-D-F#-B but with 13 gauge strings), and not it's on about 3-4/10 with my black-dog loaded vociferator (baritone, same tuning as above, 14 gauge strings). Work that one out! :D

Roo

That makes sense though. I have the same amp and run my SG with the Black Dog at around 4-5 gain. It's tuned to E standard and has 10-46 strings, so my guess is that the thicker strings make most of the difference.

[CJ]

so it sounds like riff raffs or blackdogs? i guess i'll do some clip listening now...

[ericsabbath]

riff raffs work well in explorer types

[Ratrod]

For some reason I'd go for VHII's in a Dean Z.

I'd put Riff Raffs in almost every Explorer type guitar but somehow, when I see a Dean Z, I'm thinking VHII's or Painkillers.

[CJ]

For some reason I'd go for VHII's in a Dean Z.

I'd put Riff Raffs in almost every Explorer type guitar but somehow, when I see a Dean Z, I'm thinking VHII's or Painkillers.

interesting. any special reason? i'd imagine the VHII's have a good harmonic character to them..

[CJ]

Riff Raff in an LP Custom:

www.myspace.com/chronocide

heavy as $%&#. i like so far.

[nfe]

Cheers  :)

[CJ]

Cheers  :)

how much gain were you using? did you really have to crank it, or is it not a huge difference compared to higher output pickups?

[nfe]

It's actually Guitar Rig. An emulated Plexi with a Rat in front. Rat gain 2 o'clock and the two amp volumes at about 4 o'clock.

[CJ]

would you guys recommend a matching pickup for the neck, or does anyone have any different suggestions for a neck pickup? i definitely want something more on the dark/haunting type tone side.

[IntenseJim]

I run into a Soldano SLO playing funk and hard rock to 80s/90s metal. I have Les Pauls with the Black Dog, Rebel Yell and Gibson 57 Classics and two LPs with P90 pups, in addition to a lot of other (too many) guitars.

The BD and RY are great: enough output to get the saturation you want but not too hot where it's overkill. As noted above, the RY is more modern sounding than the BD due to the boosted mids (that's what I hear). The RY really fills out in a live scene.

[Ratrod]

For some reason I'd go for VHII's in a Dean Z.

I'd put Riff Raffs in almost every Explorer type guitar but somehow, when I see a Dean Z, I'm thinking VHII's or Painkillers.

interesting. any special reason? i'd imagine the VHII's have a good harmonic character to them..

It just seems right to me. gut feeling. Maybe it's because of the late seventies / early eighties vibe of those Dean Z's.

[CJ]

tim suggests i get the guitar strung up and see how it sounds before he makes a recommendation. i guess that shouldn't be a problem. after i finish the guitar it'll be a little while before i get the money for the pickups anyway.