Hi guys,

I'm planning to get a new pickup for my strat type guitar and I am looking at SHR-1 at the moment. my friend suggested me to look at DiMarzio as well

I play mostly punk/rock/metal. Was wondering if anyone could recommend a good pickup??

Sorry if this thread has been posted before

my current set up is S-S-S T.T all stock pickups
using Aria STG series.

Thanks alot!

If I'm not mistaken, the higher-end ones (the hand-wound) are usually geared towards serious jazz-players.

The Seymour duncan is the best choice to fit all genres of music. Have you checked the specs yet?

from ur nick, i think EMG more suitable for u.... =)

i'm modding my ARIA STG 004 floydrose version's strat copy pickups to EMG SA set...

This post has been edited by akeiser: Nov 3 2006, 10:48 AM

Yea..I kinda like the SHR-1. but its just that my friend suggested to check out DiMarzio.

so i was just wondering if anyone would give some comments on it.

I heard that DiMarzio Tone Zone S is pretty good? I guess the 'S' means for strat

u shld read up at SD's website. at least get a brief knowledge of their different model's sounds..

Got the specs for both pickups

EMG-SA

Logo Color Gold
Resonant Frequency (kHz) 3.75
RMS Output Voltage 0.6
Peak Output Voltage 0.85
Output Noise (dBV) -90
Output Impedance (Kohm) 10
Current @ 9V (Microamps) 80
Battery Life(Hours) 3000

SHR-1

Pickup Inductance @ 1kHz (H) 13.429
Resistance DCR (K Ohm) 16.75
Resonant Frequency (KHz) 2.92
Peak Output (mV) 980
Peak Output (dB) -1.0
Compensated Peak Output (mV) 1020
Compensated Peak Output (dB) -0.7

Any technical person here? haha
But I heard that High Output pickups are good for overdrive and lower outputs are good for clean sounds right?

If you are looking to play heavy stuff with the EMG SA, you will be sorely disappointed. EMG SA is not a single coil sized humbucker unlike the hotrails. If you want a humbucker sound, go with single coil sized humbucker like the Hotrails or Tonezone S, JB jr...

I have the hotrails and it is the PUP for metal. It is tight, fat, heavy, and HOT!!!

Really gives you the EMG vibe.

hotrails, i had that.
about it sounding similar to EMG, nah not really.
the EMGs still cut thru more and have tighter low end.

i had a superstrat once with a SD JB in bridge, and hotrails in neck.
the hotrails actually sounded pretty similar to the JB.

errr... sorry guys... i think i made u misunderstand...
i recommend u to get EMG pickup for metal...

but not EMG-SA...
EMG-SA is just a normal single coil pickup which suitable for other beside metal.. =)

i have another guitar which equiped with EMG 81 & 85 for metal use...

How bout the SD JB Jr, or George Lynch lil' Screaming Demon?

Problem with getting a humbucker fixed into a S-S-S guitar is that it needs to be re-routed...... would suggest getting hotrails or the screamin' demon.

Best solution is to check out their websites and the sample sound clips that they have. Weigh that against the type of sound you're trying to achieve.

you have to check the routing under the pickguard first.
most cheap guitars have a swimming pool rout, so you can even put in 3 humbuckers if you can cut the pickguard for it.
whereas fenders now have a H-S-H routing under the pickguard.

How about the EMG-DG20 prewired set that comes with the pickguard?

Comes with EXG Guitar Expander and SPC Presence Control.

According to the literature, you'll be able to keep the single coil tone but with the EXG and SPC, you'll get a full blown humbucker sound.

Just a thought.

i got a strat like guitar with H-S-S ( no pickguard ) so can i put 1 more humbucker so i will be H-S-H ? the guitar need to be "korek" first ar ?

If your body is only routed for H-S-S, then you'd obviously have to 'korek' it to fit the additional full-Humbucker sized PU. Unless you're willing to settle for a stacked humbucker that comes in a single coil profile.

Are you sure your guitar doesn't have the swimming pool rout (which is just 1 big hole)?

Dont understand what you mean by 'no pickguard'.

This post has been edited by Diazepam: Nov 3 2006, 11:06 PM

no pickguard like those ibanez etc.

yup, ARIA strat are swimming pool routing... =)

no issue on modding to SSH or HSH.

only thing need to mod is the pickguard's hole.

If you got some cash to spare..... get the EMG Pre-Routed with Pickguard set.... Save quite alot of hassle actually.

may i know what is swimming pool route actually and how to determine my guitar has swimming pool route or not..

AH. I see what he means. DOH.

This is a swimming pool rout.



If yours has no pickguard, then it can't possibly be a swimming pool rout. You'll have to 'korek'. Or just get a stacked humbucker. That way if you decide to sell it, it won't be so difficult to sell.

Also, I guess the EMG-DG20 is out of the question . . . darn. I was also GAS-sing for that when I still had me strat.

oh.. that means i need to buy a stacked humbuck.. stacked humbuck can fit into single coil hole ar ? whats the diff between humbuck and stacked.. what are the PU choices that i have.. state the prices too if can.. hehe

Dude.

Just go to the Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio site.

All the info is there. There are even sound clips to hear the differences.

oh sorry dude..my bad. haha must have been in a hurry to check out any pickups recommended haha

lol at least i know what swimming pool route is hahaha

Thanks..hhm....googling for whatever was mentioned thanks for all inputs

hhhm after listening to da sound samples for SLSD-1 screamin'demon

prefer the SHR-1 still
of course depends on other stuff but SHR-1 sounds nice for me. ok lar..SHR-1

What kinda music you wanna play??

If Metal kinda thingy you can just straight away 'copy' Malmsteen setup with Dimarzio or if you want versatility, maybe can go for Dimarzio & Seymour Duncan combo....

well, no one ever said the screamin' demon was for metal
just the name suggests so.
its actually a medium output pickup.

Malmsteen setup is hardly suitable for metal rhythm. For leads it is ok but for rhythm, single coils just doesn't cut it. Not fat enough and the bass very flabby.

i play mostly rock and metal. nvm lar.....now I'm thinking whether should i get thru my friend from guitar store or another friend who is going from malmsteen's concert at SG
sigh....

do you think if I were to get the pickup from SG it will be cheaper?

thinking should be...but in reality, sometimes it just doesnt apply well....

Get the pickups from eBay America. I got my Dimarzios from one of the power sellers (not 2nd hand, mind you) and saved a whopping RM300++. If you get it from Singapore, I don't think you can save more than RM100 (if prices in Peninsular Plaza can be relied upon as a steady benchmark). Inclusive of belanja-ing your friend to makan & stuff for doing you the favor, it's not really worth it.

Trust me on this. Search for your pickups over the net and make price comparisons before you commit.

This post has been edited by changhao: Nov 6 2006, 08:56 PM

i recommend u get dimarzios...
and thats a swimming pool route ?
thought it was called a cavity ?

thinking of dimarzio.. i lost rm500 when i went to KL wanted to buy...
Went to Woh Fatt twice and ended up close...... then came back PJ that time.. Wallet left inside taxi..

Ooh that is how my DiMarzio juz flew away like that

This post has been edited by davidlow7: Nov 6 2006, 10:56 PM

Cool....but always beware the hidden cost and sometimes bad deals...not to mention if something goes wrong with your pickup, gotta send back to the other half of the planet and it is not convenient in my book...but then again saving as much is better than to not save at all...

Damn...kinda sad actually...pity you because me too was dissapointed at Woh Fatss operating hours actually...couple of times went there and the shop is closed...darn'it...

ok thanks for the advise..I'm still looking around..work has been busy lately..,thanks guys

^ ever consider mighty mite pickups?
i heard they are high output but very cheap pu...

^and GFS pickups. www.guitarfetish.com
has anybody here tried them yet?

wah
ZW set damn nice haha


DiMarzio Fast Track 2 DP182 good? too bad no sound sample( of course subjective..but at least get to listen to how it sounds)

yeah man.. I spent rm500+++ for this lesson.. haizzz

I guess next time we need to make a call to Woh Fatt if any of us planning to go there...

see, thats what forums are for.
to flame ppl.

anyway woh fatt closes at 6pm mon-sat.

Forget about Saturdays now....3 times I went on Saturdays b4 Raya and the only thing I see is the stupid 1930's shop door....

and that was at 5.30pm, 3pm and 12 noon...Just imagine how hard it is to drive there and wait the stupid queing of buses, taxi waiting for passengers...

Hmm, this is seriously weird, you sure you are on the right road? Woh Fatt has always been open at Saturday and I am almost there everyweek.

you should have bought online man. cheaper sommore. woh fatt doesn't have that much choice.

yea, you sure you got the right shop?

yerp...infront of the bus stops shop lots and opposite Mydin....

the former metrojaya is a mydin now?
but basically its on the other end of the kotaraya mcd road.

Dude.. can recommend some online websites? I don't know whihc website I can really buy and quite unsure of the procedures of buying products online

It will be great if you can share it here..

thanks

This post has been edited by davidlow7: Nov 7 2006, 09:14 PM

guys, other than la floresta...any other guitar shop that are selling dimarzio? it's kinda hard to find them here...

Woh Fatt carries Dimarzio. Expect to pay RM400++ for one.

Woh Fatt. thats about it i guess. there are more, but they probably don't have any more than 2 or 3 selections. My advice is don't buy DiMarzio's locally. They are outrageously overpriced. la floresta sells each humbucker for like RM400-450 "i think".


davidlow
http://www.aampselectricguitarstore.com/dimarzio/index.html
i can remember this... got sommore but it's in the bookmark in my other comp. but anyway i bought my D sonic here. type sale for at the checkout to get a promotional discount. pay via paypal at a rate of 3.5 (you can buy via some trusted paypal sellers here). these are only some of the few websites that ship internationally.

ebay can get even cheaper i think.

Woh fat has lots of dimarzio actually.

X2N, Breed neck, Evo (neck and bridge I think), Airzone, Super Distortion...only thing is, not much F-spaced humbucker.

OMG Metalzone, checked the shipping for that site, cheapest option to malaysia is 20USD++.

I think better just buy from Gain10.

Shipping is less than 10Sing

Ah yes. thats a good site to get from.
EDIT: whats their address ar? i've seen it before. fairly good selection and good prices. but they recently only came around. never heard about it when i wanted to buy my dimarzio.

Woh fatt doesn't have much F spaced hum's yes. and they also didn't have the one I was looking for so no choice anyway.

This post has been edited by MetalZone: Nov 7 2006, 09:48 PM

Yeah. from what I heard too.. Dunno why the hell is DiMarzio so much expensive than Seymour and EMG here in Malaysia

Btw, metalzone.. how much the shipping cost u think from there to Malaysia?

i'm sticking to SD...more friendy to my poor wallet...have anyone tried this pickups themselves? sh-2 jazz, sh-4 jb, duncan distortion and the 59'?

currently looking at these pickups, but can decide which to go with...

http://www.aampselectricguitarstore.com/di.../index_sgl.html
hhhmmm...so are their prices considered cheap or expensive?
USD exchange rate is 3.65319 (from www.xe.com)
72USD + shipping (22.95 or something)...is about RM344 after conversion.

Currently looking at Tone Zone S...can't find any sound samples but the specs looks good....more on mids and bass while treble is medium.

This post has been edited by metalfreak: Nov 8 2006, 09:39 AM

http://www.gain10music.com

cool looking website by the way....

considered average online price. a lot of sites got cheaper price but wont ship internationally. pay via paypal to get 3.5 conversion rate, and got promotional discount by typing in "sale" at the customer code. still after the expensive shipping and all, still cheaper than those jokers at la floresta. However, if the singaporean site mentioned above has it, better buy from them. http://www.gain10music.com/

er where is la floresta? or what is? lol
tried googling...but.er...wtf?

This post has been edited by metalfreak: Nov 8 2006, 04:25 PM

La Floresta is the licenced dealer of DiMarzios in Malaysia. They're located in Shah Alam if I'm not mistaken. Don't bother going there. They're expensive.

La Floresta is situated at plaza alam central Shah Alam, on the 4th floor opposite side of the escalator (i think)....

You can have a visit and there is a nice (not cun but ok) sales girl...she's talks alot and 70% of it is not what you wanna hear...

A matter of perception, I say! Is she single? If she is, I can sit there and let her nag at me all day & all night!

This post has been edited by changhao: Nov 8 2006, 06:47 PM

swtness@sales girl

oh..its a shop..

Went Woh Fatt just now and discovered quite a few of

Dimarzio's:

Evo
Breed
Steve Specials
Super Distortion
Fred

Seymour Duncan:
SH-4 jb model(tm)
SH-1 '59 model
LW-HMET livewire (tm) metal
SH-12 george lynch screamin' demon(tm)
APS-2 alnico II pro(tm) flat

Prices around RM350 up to Rm650 for a pickup....

how much they charge for installation?

Yerp...and here is the web address: http://florestamusic.com/

Gulp!....forgot to ask because was too shock to have seen a EMG-ZW had a price tag of RM860....

The last I asked, the guy at Woh Fatt gave me an off-hand quote of RM150.

Being the cheapskate that I am, I opted to DIY.

cool, its increased again.
when i got mine in april this yr the list price was RM695.
then went up to about RM790 i think, and now another increase

Malaysia dun have year end sale meh??? It seems here like music shops opted for year end shortage rather than year end sale

Wouldn't they be cheaper at Bentley's? I thought they're the licenced dealers of EMGs in Malaysia?

I hope so...if not have to cancel one more time for a sets of EMG's...

that's a rip off...i asked at bentley, they charge rm50 per pickup...btw, is it hard to install the pickup urself?

Oh...i didn't know that Woh Fatt carry dimarzio and SD pickup too....RM50 for a pickup is consider a fair price already....If i'm good in soldering electronic components.....i would rather do it myself....

the price of pickup always related to malaysia tax issue.....FXXKing high! If you're insisft on the both brand.....you can try this site...sometimes they'll out of stock.....but their price is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper and cheaper then local price tag....with the price tag in malaysia....you can even get the same pickup and do the instalation instead...

here's it.....
http://gain10music.com/home.php

oops....it's mentioned above...

This post has been edited by Criptonox89: Nov 9 2006, 10:05 PM

THey are good for Dimarzio only. For Duncan not much difference with Bentley. Bentley selling around RM350 for a humbucker.

Is tht a problem if ask wohfatt to solder it for me but not buy from them....later they become not happy with me and 'cincai' do for me...

What is wrong with that? It is still business though RM150 for soldering is crazy.

yes..it's still busineese.....RM150?! so expensive? not RM50?

Don't take it to Woh Fatt.... after soldier the wrong thing!!!!!!!!

OT
LOL u really dislike wohfatt that much huh?
=p

however
iirc bents sells sd buckers from 350 till 380

anyone has heard LPs loaded with JB in the bridge??
its a long term plan, but im interested to change my pickups

if i own LP....EMG would be my 1st choice...not wrong if JB on the LP....

nah, i dun really like EMGs
its cool but i dun really like its cleans
very plastic sounding???

im looking for a duncan which can give high output while tightening the bass
open to dimarzios but their kinda overpriced here right?

my stock pickups are gibson 500T on bridge and 496R
i like its output but its bass is kinda loose IMO [500T]

If you had made up your mind....please let me know...maybe i'll join in to reduce the shipping cost.....thanks ya..

besides....EMG's clean is like 'force to sounds clean' tone....not really natural....

I vote DiMarzio D Sonic
If you are looking for a JB with more bass, the D Sonic fits really well IMHO. If u wanna buy DiMarzio's just buy online la, don't let the local price be a deterrent.

This post has been edited by MetalZone: Nov 10 2006, 01:25 AM

Their fullsize humbucker is aroud RM350. After discount it less than RM320. Ordering from Gain10 is about the same. The RM380 ones are the single coil sized humbuckers. Signature model costs around RM450. Not horrible prices actually. Consistent with ordering online (plus shipping).

The Duncan Distortion sounds like what you want. High output, tight bass, fat, really great for heavy stuff and metal. The Papa Roach dude uses dual Duncan Distortion in his guitars. Not exactly a fan of their music but you got to admit, the heavy tone is really nice. Fat and thick and modern.

sean392 is a confused person

in the first place you want high output while tightening the bass.
true, a duncan distortion is the best choice for that.

but the cleans on it arent fantastic either.
little fact, the duncan livewire metal was created for fans who wanted the duncan distortion in an active design.
btw, the duncan livewire metal has no usable clean sound.

also the duncan distortion is the pickup that some recommend for those who want a EMG81 sound, but in a passive design.

This post has been edited by Everdying: Nov 10 2006, 06:16 PM

The way I look at it, stop worrying to much about whether the bridge pup will sound good clean or not. It's not like we are playing one pickup guitar anyway. There is always the neck for cleans (which is much warmer)

After going through quite a few high output pups I have came to realized great distortion and great clean sound do not co-exist together.

You either get really nice high gain sound but horrible clean or really nice clean but really bad high gain sound.

I love the Evolution for High Gain stuff, cutting, screaming harmonics, super tight, and super clear even when under an insane amount of gain.

But it distort the clean channel, turning it into crunch.

Now I am using a Breed and while the cleans are significantly better, I still yearn for the scream and tightness of an Evo sometimes. The Breed under high gain is noticeably loser, not as clear, doesn't scream as well, and there is a hint of fuzz to the distortion (which is nice for rhythm as it fattens up the tone)

ps-I think the Evo is a lot more closer to the EMG81 vibe than the Duncan Distortion.

yeah maybe

but the cleans on my 496R is actually quite usable
the cleans on the 500T is not something that i really appreciate lol
how bout a duncan JB ?? im really interested on how it sounds like
i dun really need a mega high output till EMG levels i guess
any alnico pickups that has a medium/medium high output??
JB is on alnicos or ceramics? i dun really remember


@noisetrigger
havent heard papa roach in a LONG time
ever since i stopped listening to the radio at home lol
i'll go get some songs see how they sound like
thx for the tip tho =p

Is it Evo having tighter bass than the Breed?

besides...what's the main diffrences btw both pickup(bridge..dp159 and dp166)



This post has been edited by Criptonox89: Nov 10 2006, 07:49 PM

The JB is alnico 5. Some interesting info to share, the Duncan Distortion is in fact a JB with ceramic instead of alnico 5.

Evo is definitely tighter on the bass, in fact everything is tight with the Evo.

The main differences,
Evo
-Tighter bass
-Brighter
-Higher Output
-Screaming harmonics
-Lots of clarity even under high gain
-No clean (will overdrive any clean channel)

Breed
-Looser bass
-Warmer/Fatter
-Still high output but not as high as the Evo
-Harmonics more along the lines of sweet and not scream
-A hint of fuzz under High gain (But makes it sound fat for rhythm)
-Really nice cleans especially split

yea, use the neck for cleans.
thats why i stuck in a EMG60A to complement the 81 in the bridge of my LP.

So is that a problem if i get the Evo in bridge and the Breed on the neck....?

As you know...my guitar is H-S-H.....so the single coil still can be used as normal?

-DELETED-

Wrong posted..sorry

This post has been edited by Criptonox89: Nov 10 2006, 08:43 PM

Anybody here know how much it cost for a Dimarzio pickups?

I got similar quotation...i choose Evolution Bridge DP159Breed Neck DP165....after work out with shipping fees to malaysia....it's RM655.70....after devided...it's RM327.85 equally.....with this price....should i still necessary to buy overseas to reduce the cost but i might have to take the risk(tax, warranty)...

Thanks.

This post has been edited by Criptonox89: Nov 11 2006, 06:55 PM

from experience, i don't think you can judge how a pickup will sound on your guitar unless it has some kind of fixed variables for reference e.g les paul or strat (mahogany/rosewood, alder/rosewood/maple). then other variables will come to play - efx and amp. it's so subjective that its actually a good business to be in.

i used to have a SD Full shred that sounded sh*tty in all my guitars until i swap it to a Fender HM. it sounded like they belong together. the DiMarzio pup from the HM ends up in my Wash N1 and sounded really good.

i found that JB's a very safe bet on most guitars and Duncans have a nice mids. then again i hate single coil so it's all up to your ears. until you have that pickup in your guitar, we'll be talking it about it forever.

my 2 cents.