Best Pickup For Thrash

[awesomeguy666]

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.

[awesomeguy666]

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!

[Stevepage]

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.

[Transcend]

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

[HTH AMPS]

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.

[Transcend]

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

[Dr.Pain]

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.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Miracle Man , or mayb Painkiller - although C-Pig would work too

[HTH AMPS]

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.

[awesomeguy666]

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?

[awesomeguy666]

Another thing I forgot: would you recommend covered or uncovered?

[Denim n Leather]

Another thing I forgot: would you recommend covered or uncovered?

It's purely cosmetic, you can go with whichever you like.

[Sancho]

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.

[Dr.Pain]

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.

[explorer76]

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!