im looking at a guitar by esp, the model is d-1000 the one guitar comes with Duncan JB/59's and the other comes with emg 81's. I dont know what one to get, i heard that active emg's sound the same even if you switch from neck to bridge. if i get the one with the emg's should i buy another emg pickup and install it? or should i just go for the one with the duncans. I dot want both pickups to sound the same, thats why im considering going with the duncans.


this seems like a question that should be in the guitar forum, but really its a question about pickups and they hate those threads over there heh.

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Hmmm, what amp setup are you using, and what tone do you want?

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I have a LTD M 155 with 81 and 85 emg's and the tone is great for death metal. I also have a Kramer Vanguard that has a Seymour Duncan Custom in the bridge position, and I love the damn thing for a less cluttered tone and for shredding, like Bodom, Megadeth. etc. Also, I find the Duncans better for thrash- especially Slayer imo. The Duncans are wayyy better on leads that the emg's. And thats not my opinion, thats a fact. Ask BLS. Damn i hate it when he's right...

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that sums it up then, im going with the duncans. thanks a lot man, very appreciated. my sound im going for is a lot of lead work, shredding, melody, solos etc. im not too concerned with a lot of brutal stuff too much.

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tis not a fact.....

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u got the same guitar as me damn bastard thief , hahaha only jokin. I love it to death although it could do with having slightly higher output pickups. Anyways i would suggest the jb/59 setup mainly because the 59 sounds beautiful in the neck and the jb can manage all sorts of styles really well.

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As some of you may know, I am getting a Schecter C-1 Classic very soon. This guitar does feature the 59/JB configuration, and I've been contemplating as to whether I should keep the JB, or sell it and get something meaner/nastier, whichever characteristic the humbucker has more of . Possibly an X2N, a Kent Armstrong motherbucker, or hell, an EMG 85 ( though I keep hearing that they're sterile ).

the jb isnt that clean, it can handle high gain stuff fine with a medium to high gain amp...

i like the x2n alot for a really nasty yet clear pickup...

for the emg, you might have to do some stuff to make an active + passive setup... and when people describe emg's as sterile, i think of it in a good way, tight, focused, well balanced, clean and clear, yet pretty hot.

the same way a roland jc-120 is sterile compared to a fender bassman... yet it's still pretty much one of the best clean amps on the planet because of that "sterile" factor.

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You've made a very good point ... My guitar is tuned to a quasi-baritone tuning ( All the way down to drop A ), so clarity is a must. I've actually played neither of the two pickups, which one might you say is 'hotter'?

dude the jb in my schecter c-1 is really hot. super chunky for that rythm work and sounds great palm muted although that has alot to do with your amp.i love my 59'.but i want something a bit hotter yet still as clean in the bridge.in the end though i probly end up stayin where i am.im very wary to modify a guitar.

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Oh, no doubt the JB is a pickup with a lot of integrity, I've played a schecter c-1 classic ( made a trip out of town recently ), and while it's very toneful and robust I still want something "nastier". And hell, if I decide the JB is actually better than the X2N I can always sell it on e-bay and break even.

the X2N is a shit hot pickup and has a very clear but aggressive sound. However there aint no point in getting it because the jb is a very good pickup as it is. It would just be a waste of money

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I think I'll try that jb/59 setup, or at probably just the 59 to replace my Pearly Gates pickup whick SUCKS and is wayyy too muddy. Damn I love the custom in the bridge though.

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the pearly gates aint that muddy, what amp u using?, mine seems to be really clear, but a bit to much bass for my liking. I see ure guitar came with a chip on the wing like mine. i ll put up some pics

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