Which pickups say DOOOOMMMM?

[cajgeers]

Hello people,

I’ve been lurking around here for some time, trying to get my head around things, looking to buy some new pickups for my guitars. Then I thought I’d just ask, you all seem to know what you’re talking about and I sure can use the help.

I play a Gibson SG Standard and Les Paul Studio - over an Orange Thunderverb 200 with an Orange cab - in a doom metal band, there’s some up-tempo-ish stuff, but most of it is slow... very heavy  - Cathedral, Winter, Sunn O))). In order to maximise our sound, I am looking to replace the pickups - bridge and neck - on both guitars. Now, it seems that an Alnico-Warpig is the way to go for my SG. Still, the opinions on what to put in my Les Paul Studio seem to vary. I am torn between the following options:

Painkiller
Nailbomb

and then, in case of the Nailbomb, should I go Alnico, or Ceramic?

I use both guitars when recording, so I would like each of them to have a distinct sound, different from the other.

I love oldschool metal, from Black Sabbath and Pentagram to the Scandinavian death metal outburst in the early nineties, but I seem to dislike the clinical, sterile sound of a lot of contemporary metal. I must be getting old... ;)

Anyway, what would you guys suggest? If you need any more info, please ask...

Thanks very much for your help!


Edit: I forgot to mention... I downtune to drop D, and to drop B.

[Madsakre]

Alnico warpig again.

[nfe]

Yep.

But if you really want something different in there, a Mule might be a way to go for a bit more classic vibe. Though I'm starting to use a Painkiller for doom, it doesn't really do conventional doom tones, and it's not a great fit for the bands you're referencing.

[Jofipe]

A mule is pretty dn good for doom. Not for the candlemass stuff, but the bands you have mentioned. I have had a warpig, and I didn't like it... I do t think you would like that sort output for that kind of music. A Mule is darker yet more open... You anyway use a fuzz or something to push your TV200.

Mule will also get you that oldschool DM sound.. Grotesque, entombed ect. Though I would prefer a warpig for that.. It's a but tighter.

I play doom.... But more doom METAL... Not the stoner stuff. I will be getting A rebel yell soon for that vintage heavy metal style.

[cajgeers]

Thanks for your reply guys, things are starting to clear.

Just a question, wouldn't putting Alnico Warpigs in both guitars make them sound too similar? I mean, they're both quite different instruments in build and material, but I'm afraid that putting in two the same Warpigs makes them sound the same.

Other than that, Painkiller is still looking good. I feel I'm not too thrilled about the Mule though. I may not have the heavyness I am looking for,  maybe it's more heavy metal than doom metal.

Thanks again!

[Jofipe]

I think the bands you mentioned uses kinda vintage paf like pups :) I doubt they would be using something modern. Iv always wondered what victor griffin uses.

[nfe]

Yep, they do.

Like I said, I like a Painkiller in my doom band, but we're a sludgy-crust-doom type affair. A Painkiller will sound great, but not remotely like the bands you're mentioning.

[Madsakre]

I think the bands you mentioned uses kinda vintage paf like pups :) I doubt they would be using something modern. Iv always wondered what victor griffin uses.

Except the scandinavian death metal thing. Entombed used a Ibanez Destroyer with a Emg 81 on left hand path

[Gooby]

I think you can pretty much choose from each pickup power range, to get something suitable for Doom.

Vintage: Mule
Vintage Hot: Black Dog
Contemporary: (Alnico) War Pig

Especially thinking in terms of Sabbath, Cathedral type strumming.

Martin

[Jofipe]

Tim just convinced me to go with Nailbombs instead of the rebel yells I had ordered... In fact he called me and told it was the wrong decision with RY. I stated, no ceramic, and no warpigs...

[cajgeers]

Thank for your thoughts, guys and gals! Things are clearing up a bit...

I'm afraid that an Alnico Warpig would make my Les Paul too muddy, but please convince me otherwise.

And also, I'll certainly put an A-Warpig in my SG Standard. Wouldn't the two guitars - different though they may be - sound too much the same?

And what would you say if I were to limit the options to either a Painkiller or an Alnico Nailbomb?

Here's a track from our previous album, for reference. The new one will be slower, heavier, lower, less metal and a bit more sludge/stoner.

http://www.hoodedpriest.org/mp3/8_o_Clock_Witch.mp3

[Madsakre]

Haha :D I saw you at metal magic last year.. i think.. i was a bit drunk xD

My money still lies at the alnico warpig.

[Madsakre]

Haha :D I saw you at metal magic last year.. i think.. i was a bit drunk xD

Maybe go for a non contemporary pickup in the other axe. if you have a booster/overdrive you're home safe.
Im gonna run my flying V with a riff raff for some Scandinavian death metal/grind stuff

[cajgeers]

Haha :D I saw you at metal magic last year.. i think.. i was a bit drunk xD

My money still lies at the alnico warpig.

Wow, that's a coincidence! That was one of the best gigs we played last year, we all had a great time - the part that I can remember, at least! :)

[Mr. Air]

What about the Pig90? Might be worth a shot...