Hi guys. I've grown tired if the EMG's that came in the guitar i'm playing all the time now (my other one just sits there warping its neck really) - they record pretty sweet but the 81 was a little too bright, and lacked a little lo-mid growl which kick ass for rehearsing - it just felt wrong when it filled the room. I actually had a harder time hitting harmonics on that guitar than my old one, which had stock passives (Dean), but that might be due to the 22->24 fret difference, i notice they're a bit easier now. I felt there was hardly any depth to it.. sounded great when playing songs on the latest Immortal album, though. The 85 in the neck i didn't like really - i can't express in words what i don't like about it though, so i decided to swap - I made an even trade with this guy and he's shipping me a DiMarzio PAF Pro and a Super Distortion. Now the thing is, i sort of anticipate that the PAF pro will kick ass for a round, smooth solo tone (think Necrophagist) so i have no worries there - the problem is that i don't know what to expect from the SD. I read somewhere that Suffocation uses SD's in the bridge of their guitars but they're made out of all maple and mine's mahogany (body and neck, plus set neck) so i'm thinking there will be lots of mud.. I would like a rhythm tone similar to Suffocation on Effigy of the forgotten (using the bridge pup). I don't like the tone on their newer releases that much, it's okay and all, but it doesn't really kick total ass. If the SD will do that then cool, but it's white (i want black) and not f-spaced, so maybe it needs to go anyway (my guitar has a floyd).. BTW DiMarzio.com suggests a Super Distortion in the bridge with playing style "Heavy Metal" and Problem Solver "More Output", so maybe it's not all wrong. I may also add that my rig is pretty bright (Engl preamp and el34 poweramp), i run hi mid and treble on about 5 (12'o clock).

Sorry for unclear and rambling post, it sort of sucked, i know.

But anyway; any suggestions? I'll probably update when i have actually played them, but in the meantime, I'll listen to you guys for some advice.

I think no matter what you'll want another pickup, since non-f-spaced in an f-spaced guitar means the polepieces won't line up with the string, making your sound weaker and with less sustain. Check out dimarzio's tone zone and the D Sonic, too. And if you want totally brutal distortion, the X2N. I, too, aim to replace my EMGs, and plan on either a PAF Pro or an Air Norton in the neck, and a tone zone in my body. The problem is choosing between paf pro (round, smooth highs) and air norton (bright, distinct, less distorted highs).

X2N.

but why ramble on about the tone of your guitar when you havent even installed the pickups. when you do, you know whether you like it or not. then complain.

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Dimarzio X2N