Well i have a 5150 head with a Marshall 1960 cab and i use an Ibanez RG320DXQM. I was wondering what pickups would make this 5150 sound super heavy and smooth. I play Thrash, Death, Black, and Progressive metal. I want something really heavy sounding for the bridge and something that will give me great cleans as well as clean sounding shred tones for my neck. I want to achieve the tones of Cannibal Corpse in songs such as 'The Bleeding' and also stuff like Morbid Angels 'Rapture' and Deaths 'Spirit Crusher'. I was thinking about an X2N/PAF Pro combo or putting a Duncan SH-5 in the bridge and maybe a Jazz in the neck.

Thank you

Just to give ya heads up, this should go in the gear forum. Chances are you might get hounded. I don't know much about pickups in comparison to tone, but active pickups is one to consider. Many great bands with great tone use EMGs (81, 85, 60). I've got an Ibanez RG570, and I'm going with an X2N/PAFpro.

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You wont go wrong with an X2N/PAFpro,good choice BTW Mr Gravy.If you want actives also check out Livewires,i prefer them to EMG.But you need to be more specific what kind of features you are after.

Hmm... to be honest, I don't think a 5150 is what you need for those kinds of sounds. I think you'd better be off with a Marshall of some sort as Morbid Angel and Death don't use all that gain(not to mention they both use Marshall heads). I always associate 5150's with bands like Vader, Decapitated, Dies Irae and the like, pretty much bands that use EMG's.

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The two times I've seen Vader live, they played Mesas

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I get Death-like tones very easily out of my 5150. Here's a little proof too. I recorded this last summer, but only the rhythm. Never got around to putting in the solo, but I think it sounds very close to chucks sound considering I'm not even using the right brand of amplifier. Anyway, here is spirit crusher. http://s13.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=...MW2PG2TLNV9JTD2

The pickups I used were a Fullshred in the bridge and the stock duncan designed in the neck.

hmm when I saw vader 2 weeks ago they were using Marshalls.

Ive been thinking about these so far

Bridge
DiMarzio X2N
DiMarzio Tone Zone
DiMarzio Super Distortion
Duncan SH-5
Duncan SH-6
Duncan SH-4
EMG 81

Neck
EMG 60
DiMarzio PAF Pro
DiMarzio Air Norton
Duncan Jazz
Duncan 59
Duncan Pearly Gates

What do u guys think?

I play a cheap ass guitar with X2N / PAF pro through a 5150 combo with Vintage 30s. Super heavy and smooth is how I would describe the X2N. Great at both rhthym and lead sounds. It's so smooth I can solo as high on the neck as a want and the sound still stays creamy and full. PAF Pro in the neck is better for cleans than high gain solos, IMO, but thats okay since the X2N handles the solos so well. Maybe EMGs would give a more butt-kicking generic rhythm sound, but I love the X2N.

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I've got a Dimarzio X2n in the bridge of my rr-1 and a seymour duncan invader in the neck. I'm pretty pleased

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You need to play a guitar with EMG's in it before you buy a pair ... at least I recommend that. They certainly have their own personality to them, unlike any passive p'up you're going to play, and there is a chance you might not like them.

But for me? They're the perfect match with a 5150. Ultra tight, balanced EQ, high gain/output, and low noise. It might be different for you : Find someone who has some, and play them!

I like EMG 81/60
0r 81/85
or Duncans JB/59

Never a lover of Dimarzio but thats just me .