Help! Still on the pickup quest!

[RocketRalf]

In my latest turn trough the labyrinthic halls of internet reviews and demos, I finally decided that I liked most of my current setup, and would just upgrade what I don't like. So I'm now looking for a passive bridge pickup to replace the stock one on my Silo. Here's the spec sheet:

Has to have a great crunch for metal
I don't want to sound like anybody else (no D Sonic, no Tone Zone, Super Distortion, PAF Pro or any other super popular pickup)
Has to have some midrange for nosy, vocal solos with high distortion
I never really use the bridge pup for cleans
More bass (relative to total output) than the stock pup
Not too bright! I hate Evos, standard D activators, and anything else that resembles Vai or Malmsteen tone.

Here's my shortlist of candidates, open to new entries:

DiMarzio D Activator-X bridge (or neck?)
DiMarzio Fred, Mo Joe, Norton, all the family
EMG 81? Would be a hassle to combine with the rest but I'd consider it.
DiMarzio X2N - good for rythm, a tad bright for leads, but it might work with the 250k controls.

Any kind of tip would be appreciated!

 

[TheBassGuy]

The first one that came to my mind is the super distortion. The Seymour Duncan Invader might be an option too, but the sound is somewhat more thick than crunchy.

-edit- I didn't read your topic good enough. Skip the super distortion.. Invader then! Has a very distinctive sound and goes really well with alder body guitars (I had one in a Strat).

 

[RocketRalf]

What little I found about the L-500 seems like a little too bright for what I want.

The Invader is in the ballpark, and seems quite versatile too, the sound might be just what I'm looking for! I'm still looking around, but it's heading for the top of my list now, thanks for that!

Quick question! I read that it can be muddy with certain amps. Should I change the controls to 500k for it?

 

[INMT]

try a SD SH-11 (custom custom)

 

[candid_x]

Bridge Breed. (set low)

 

[TheBassGuy]

What little I found about the L-500 seems like a little too bright for what I want.

The Invader is in the ballpark, and seems quite versatile too, the sound might be just what I'm looking for! I'm still looking around, but it's heading for the top of my list now, thanks for that!

Quick question! I read that it can be muddy with certain amps. Should I change the controls to 500k for it?

The invader can indeed be muddy. I think it's a combination of several things. Body wood, pots and ofcourse the amp. The Silo is alder so your good there. I would really use 500k pots to brighten it up.

I'm still considering what to put in my silo. The Invader is also on my list. Love the punch and crunch combo of that pickup. The PAF PRO's in my Silo now sound great for the neck and cleans, but really miss punch.

 

[RocketRalf]

I figured out a wiring where I'd add a 3 way switch where I'd select between:

1)Whatever is selected on the 5 position switch with the stock controls
2)Bridge humbucker only with a 500k pot for volume, no tone
3)Both 1 and 2 in parallel(providing me with a neck+bridge humbucker tone with individual volume controls, which is not posible with the stock controls)

That would require changing one of the current controls for a stacked 250k/500k concentric pot, and adding the 3 way switch, but then I'd retain the exact sound I have right now for positions 3 to 5. I'd try whatever bridge humbucker I decide on with the current controls before going for that mod.

What kind of switch should I get?

 

[Jason2112]

Have you considered Bare Knuckles pickups? It's a small brand based out of the UK (not sure if they have distribution in Venezuela, but they may be able to ship directly to you). I was really impressed by them when I first heard them, thanks to Steve Stevens. Check out their Contemporary Line and the Steve Stevens Signature pickup:
Bare Knuckle Pickups, North Devon, UK - Hand Wound Guitar Pickups
If I was in the position to replace the pickups in my ASS, I'd definitely put a set of Bare Knuckles in it.

 

[RocketRalf]

I don't think the Bare Knuckles are what I'm looking for. Too much high end from what I read, and more expensive than what I'm willing to expend.

BTW my father is traveling soon to the states so shipping is not an issue. I'd buy the parts from the internet and ship them to him.

 

[RocketRalf]

I don't think the Bare Knuckles are what I'm looking for. Too much high end from what I read, and more expensive than what I'm willing to expend.

BTW my father is traveling soon to the states so shipping is not an issue. I'd buy the parts from the internet and ship them to him.

Any suggestions on internet stores to buy the parts? I"m looking for a DPDT on/on/on mini switch in black, a stacked 250/500k pot, and the SD Invader pickup.

 

[Big Jazzer]

Having tried a lot of the regular choices, and many others,
in the end I found the tone/quality/price in Suhr's pick-ups
I went with his vintage range for the PAF thing, but for what you need
there are the Aldrich (after Doug Aldrich of Whitesnake) and the SSH or SSH+
SS is for single screw, as opposed to the DS double screw models that are smoother
and H for hot, H+ hotter still
IMO he could charge a heap more for his gear, but seems content to be fair and not
factor in all the research that went in over the years