emg vs. passive for downtuning

[bunghole]

i'm talking around c# tuning.

i'm not bothering with installing emgs in a guitar, so what would be the better choice.

buying a guitar and putting a good high output passive in there (probably go with ibanez)

or buy one stock with EMGs (most likely a schecter hellraiser- possibly the ofr version),

and please spare me recommendations of higher priced guitars and whatnot. I really like Schecter, and Ibanez as well. Both are totally affordable, sound and feel good to me.

 

[Jordon]

I find lower output pickups are better for downtuning, personally. My band tunes to B and A#, and I use a SD Custom Custom in the bridge of my CU22. It very clear, much moreso then the higher output Dragon II's that came with the guitar. It seems that lower output, plus less gain = much better clarity for the lower tuned stuff. Same goes with my Ibanez SZ720.

Also, I have tried a lot of pickups in my guitars, including EMG's. They just didnt do it for me.

 

[LordOVchaoS]

Duncan Blackouts = everything EMG should be I love them. I tune to Bb and sometimes drop G# and the pups handle it very well.

 

[Code001]

Duncan Blackouts = everything EMG should be I love them. I tune to Bb and sometimes drop G# and the pups handle it very well.

Have you tried the D-Activators as well? If so, how do they compare?

 

[mrp5150]

I prefer passives by far. The best sounding pickups for low tunings I've tried are the Gibson 500T and the Caparison PH-R.

 

[Zorran]

for c#..passives. suhr aldrich.

 

[D-Rock]

I love the Duncan JB I use for A# tuning. Great string and note clarity with this pickup.

 

[bunghole]

I love the Duncan JB I use for A# tuning. Great string and note clarity with this pickup.

I have a JB in my schecter, and for tuning down past D, it just doesn't seem as tight as I'd like it.

 

[gravfed]

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I really like how an EMG81 sounds when drop tuned. I've played some passives, but they sound sort of "mushy" to my ears compared to the 81. Thats one guys opinion.

 

[LordOVchaoS]

Duncan Blackouts = everything EMG should be I love them. I tune to Bb and sometimes drop G# and the pups handle it very well.

Have you tried the D-Activators as well? If so, how do they compare?

I have D-Activators in my Universe and Blackouts in my Xiphos. I like the Blackouts A LOT better!!! The D-activators are probably the best passives I've ever tried but the blackouts poop all over them.

I would imagine some Bareknuckles or Lundgrens would be as good or better than both but I've never tried them. I'm happy enough with the Blackouts that I don't have BKP or Lundgren GAS anymore

 

[D-Rock]

I love the Duncan JB I use for A# tuning. Great string and note clarity with this pickup.

Really? This JB I have is about 10 years old and sounds great in all tunings, especially lower tunings.

 

[Jordon]

I love the Duncan JB I use for A# tuning. Great string and note clarity with this pickup.

Really? This JB I have is about 10 years old and sounds great in all tunings, especially lower tunings.

Honestly I'd have to agree with bunghole about the JB sounding kinda flubby in the lower tunings. I had one in my Ibanez SZ in A# (great guitar, BTW! total sleeper) and I quickly replaced it with a Custom Custom. i may try the Blackouts though, since several people have told me they're great actives that retain a lot of the "passive" quality.

 

[mrp5150]

I think the JB sounds awesome in lower tunings, but it's not super tight. I don't like a really tight tone though.

 

[Jordon]

I think the JB sounds awesome in lower tunings, but it's not super tight. I don't like a really tight tone though.

I'm definitely with you for certain things/songs/riffs. I always keep a guitar with a JB in it laying around for when I need that really agressive sound and I'm not worried about locking in with our other guitarist or playing a part that calls for someting really tight.