I'm looking for humbuckers for my Epiphone Les Paul Standard and the more that I look around, the further away from a decision I get. I play a variety of things, so I want versatility. I love shredding, but I don't want to be stuck with just metal. It is important to me to have a good clean channel for the neck...

I'm leaning towards Seymour Duncans, and I have been looking at their Blackouts because of their high output and great hum-canceling, but I'm a little apprehensive about active pickups since I've never used them. I don't like the idea of having to have a battery in my guitar . Besides that, I do like the 59s for their just all-around usability, but I'm open for some suggestions!

I would think about some variation of these. I really like the stock ones in my HSS Strat for now, but if I were going to buy some this would probably be where I would go. I love the tone and versatility that Mirus can get and this is what he uses. They don't seem to be good for shred metal though. But that really isn’t my thing any more.

http://www.stanhinesleypickups.com/index.htm

Where did you get that?

Well it is just my opinion, but I haven't had the option of hearing ever pickup that he makes. I really like the ones I have heard. No offence meant. Really like yours.

I just haven't heard any of them do that stuck in a tube, no midrange and all bass chunk chunk sound.

I donno, muris makes them sound pretty nice.

and he doesn't do any chunk chunk stuff .

Thats what I was saying Tj. His sound great! But for something like Metalica (chunk chunk) was my point. He (Stan) probably makes one I just haven't heard it. Great pickups though.

No problem at all.
It is truth that I don't use "heavy" tone for my lessons,
that's what gives it the versatility,too much gain and scooped tone
wouldn't let you play many things nicely.

But pickup isn't the only thing you need to get wanted tone,
whole gear has to be set properly,preamp,amp,pedals,cabinet etc.
Generally,if you wanna shred then you need high-output pickup.
Now check out YJM,he uses vintage pickups,not too loud,singles,noiseless tho.
Speaking of output,Rogue is tooo loud imho.
On the other hand,you can forget about Tele/Strat funk tone
on high-output pickup.
That's why I went to single in neck on my custom.
I miss humb here and there but you just can't have it all 100%,mission impossible.

EDIT:just noticed that chunk,chunk sound you're talking about.
Well,Rogue on my custom through Triaxis and 2:90,
that's pure metal thing if you like,it's just that I'm not pure metalhead.

This post has been edited by Muris: Feb 24 2008, 05:29 AM

Sorry for highjacking your thread glazmusik.

Mirus, I love your tone and your pickups (and the dude who make them). Chunk, Chunk isn't really me any more and you can get that sound from a cheap guitar and a good amp or pre-amp with the right settings.

Your tone Mirus is just awesome! Your gear is great and a lot of your tone comes from your playing, cause your just that good.

That said, I think I like the Scorpion for my humbucker (went back and listened to the sound samples at his url above). Not sure about single coils though? I know you use special ones Mirus, what are they again? Only one on his site was the "HellCat" and that lost the tone of the single coil for me, based on the clip. What would you recommend?

This post has been edited by UncleSkillet: Feb 24 2008, 06:23 AM

Yeah, we surely need to apology for hijacking the thread.
We can talk about Stan's pickups in other thread if you wish,
sorry for interrupting once more guys.

Cmon now Muris we are all metalheads here, you dont have to shy out

This post has been edited by bsamn: Feb 24 2008, 02:21 PM

ok

Active pickups are a hassle for me, personally. I've only used EMGs and I didn't really dig the tone, they sounded pretty cold and sterile, but they were very clear, so if you played anything Drop-A and below, I'd recommend them. All they Seymour Duncan pickups I've owned have always had this weird ass sounding mid-range, the notes kind of "honked", but they are quality pickups, the high end sings, and the low end can get really chunky and tight, or big and boomy. Dimarzios have a very smooth quality, the mids are very nice, and the top end is dark, bottom end growls, but Super Distortions can get a little muddy. I've also got a set of Manlius pickups shipping right now.

Basically I think the best thing to do is pick a reliable brand with a good reputation and buy a set that you like the description of, then try them out. Pickup selection is very hard; if you can, find a guitar that sounds good to you and find out what kind of pickups are in it, and factor that in your decision. But I really just think that when shopping for pickups, just go for it, if they suck...well, you live and you learn.

Absolutely,you must try.
If current setup failed,you try another one etc.

Hey, don't worry about it Muris and UncleSkillet! I'm learning more from you two than I have anywhere else

RIP Dime, I like your advice. I'm going to shop around a bit more and just go for it! I have a project guitar nearly done that I have to put some pickups in, too, so I've got plenty of options to try!

I had some similar thoughts when I was trying to customize one of my guitars. I wanted to combine raw power with a sweet clean sound and I found a combination that you might find interesting:

Gibson Dirty Fingers: http://www.gibson.com/Products/Accessories...20Fingers%20(1)
Gibson Burstbucker Pro: http://www.gibson.com/Products/Accessories...0Pro%20%281%29/

I had to cancel the project however so I never came closer than actually listening to sound clips and discussing them with my local shop. But it might serve as a little input.

for epiphone standard you can use with it AMG .also Duncans good but if you want the best i didnt found better than
Demarzio look at my demarzio in my videos