Which Dean pickups do you prefer for hard rock or metal?

Joined: 06 Nov 2012 Posts: 4

Which of the Dean pickups would you recommend to achieve hard rock and heavy metal tones?

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 1:35 pm

None of them, give me a good old Super Distortion which was in the original Dean's anyway

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 1:36 pm

BAKER ACT!!!

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

I used to be a guy that would just take any pickup and taylor my gear around my guitar. So with that I always say it's not the pickups it's the gear you use and your playing. My new guitar has Duncan Blackout AHB-2 and I will say these pickups ARE MADE FOR METAL! They are so heavy sounding and full of organic tone instead of dry compression. The first rehearsal I had with the new guitar I ended up having to turn the gain down on my amp. They are the hottest pickups I have ever used and they sound good.

Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 6624 Location: Minnesota

I would just get a Line 6 amp, and put it on the "insane" setting. That should do it.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 10589 Location: Canada

DiMarzio Super Distortion, or it's Dean Evil-Twin the Time Capsule, or a Dean Baker Act, all are great for Hard Rock and Metal.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 340 Location: cali.

I so desperately dislike the multi pre set amps and never have enjoyed the line 6 product. Many people love them and I have heard them sound ok.

after having tried a few things ( not having tried very many Dean picks)
I know my Dean Deceiver "X" has the metal capable sound , maybe not the best of all the pick up choices. That being said 3 amps 2 different bridge pick ups.
all tube amp Bad Cat Cougar 50w and I'm not sure witch Seymour Duncan JBSH-4 ? but ESP "V" really kicks. The EVH3 50w is a serious amp.

I would do a lot more research and I am after the right amp .

Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 818 Location: Canada

Graunke wrote:

I would just get a Line 6 amp, and put it on the "insane" setting. That should do it.

lol I bet it would Razz

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

dan_plus_o wrote:

Graunke wrote:

I would just get a Line 6 amp, and put it on the "insane" setting. That should do it.

lol I bet it would Razz

Make sure you put the gain on 10, bass on 10, middle at 0 and treble on 10... It's the only way to go. Oh and crank it to 10 and stand right in front of it. Laughing

Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 474 Location: Michigan, USA

Never really got into the Dean pickups. For my money, Seymour Duncan and EMG bring the goods.

If I cannot get the sound I want with an SH-6 or an SH-4 or an EMG-81, then the problem is generally ME.

That said, the Dave Mustaine Livewires are quickly becoming my favorite pickups. They bring the metal, but they are capable of so much more. Very clear and articulate. Lots of body.

Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 340 Location: cali.

eschoendorff , good to hear I had wondered about the Livewires. I played the JB SH-4 by Seymour Duncan in a Jackson RR-3 . I loved it but it does make a huge difference what amp it is going through. I am still very impressed with the Bad Cat Cougar 50w

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:57 pm

i like the tyrant

Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 474 Location: Michigan, USA

ibmorjamn wrote:

eschoendorff , good to hear I had wondered about the Livewires. I played the JB SH-4 by Seymour Duncan in a Jackson RR-3 . I loved it but it does make a huge difference what amp it is going through. I am still very impressed with the Bad Cat Cougar 50w

The Mustaine Livewires are like an active version of the SH-2/Sh-4 set. Think about a JB or a Jazz pickup with more of everything. More output, more clarity, more body. That about sums it up.

Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 818 Location: Canada

eschoendorff wrote:

Never really got into the Dean pickups. For my money, Seymour Duncan and EMG bring the goods.

If I cannot get the sound I want with an SH-6 or an SH-4 or an EMG-81, then the problem is generally ME.

That said, the Dave Mustaine Livewires are quickly becoming my favorite pickups. They bring the metal, but they are capable of so much more. Very clear and articulate. Lots of body.

Have you tried the Gus G pickups?? I am very interested in trying those out. I'm thinking of replacing the EMG 81 in My LTD V-401 with either a Dave Mustaine, a Gus G, or regular blackout.

Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 1248 Location: NC

Dean Time Capsules!!!!!!!!!!