a question about Matt's pickups

[cparker]

Does anyone know if Matt is using the SD AHB-1 or the AHB-2 Blackouts pickups? I know his RR24 is (or at least was, according to a journal entry on the Evile web site) loaded with the AHB-2 Blackouts Metal pup, but I'd like to know what models are in his King Vs. The fact they have two pups makes me think that they're probably the AHB-1s, but they could just as easily be loaded with AHB-2s in the bridge and LW-CH2 Livewire Classic IIs in the neck.

Thanks in advance. I'm really looking forward to the new album, and have enjoyed the studio updates!

 

[D.Ingram]

I had no idea there were different types of Blackouts!

 

[cparker]

Yup, the AHB-1 set are the ones that are similar to EMGs:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/cutting-edge/blackouts/

Then there's the AHB-2, which is much higher output and apparently sounds a lot different:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/blackouts_metal/

And the LW-CH2 is usually used in the neck position with the AHB-2 in the bridge position:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/livewire_classi_2/

I don't have any experience with active pickups, but I have a lefty ESP V-II Standard on order that's supposed to come in sometime next month or so, and it comes loaded with EMGs. I'd like to buy a set of Blackouts as well to compare them and see which I like best. Evile's live tone when I saw them last November was fantastic, and Matt was using his Custom Shop King V with Blackouts, so I'm curious to know what model pups he's using.

 

[D.Ingram]

I'd say from personal experience that Blackouts absolutely shit on any EMG pickup from a great height - that said, I've no idea what model I used (as stated, I was unaware there were multiple SD Blackouts!)

I'd say just do a bit of digging and see what people recommend. I need to install some Blackouts in my Dean 1980 Cadillac when I get it actually, so if Captain Information enlightens us then this may prove to be quite a helpful thread for us guitarfags

 

[cparker]

Yeah, from what I've read, the AHB-1s are supposed to be a lot less compressed and more dynamic than the EMGs, while being a bit more loose. As for the AHB-2s, they're often described as sounding like a tube screamer is permanently installed in the pickup, and are ridiculously high output. I'm definitely leaning toward the AHB-1s, but I'd still like to know what Matt uses.

 

[Vedicardi]

just checking in to let everyone here know this is all going way over my head and that makes me sad

 

[EvileOL]

I logged in to tell you what it was, when I opened the window to comment I realised I didn't know.

 

[D.Ingram]

Oh dear, I wouldn't expect anything less from you Ol!

 

[Keenan]

Nice job Ol.

 

[cparker]

I logged in to tell you what it was, when I opened the window to comment I realised I didn't know.

No worries, thanks for the reply anyway, and for a good laugh.

 

[evilematt]

AHB-2 in the bridge, EMG 85 neck - only because i cant afford another blackout to replace that though yet.

 

[cparker]

AHB-2 in the bridge, EMG 85 neck - only because i cant afford another blackout to replace that though yet.

Interesting, thanks for the post! I'm guessing FST is the first album you've recorded with the AHB-2, and ETG and IN were tracked with the JB?

By the way, congrats on playing a show with Venom, it's cool to think that Metallica opened for them on their first big tour.

 

[D.Ingram]

*jots down notes*

Thank you, Captain Information

 

[metallica144]

this is all Latin to me