Seymour Duncan Blackouts pickups, how do they sound ?
- Thread starter Sly
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Joematthews
Member
- Dec 15, 2007
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Felix Neumann
Member
Also if you´d compare passive EMG´s with passive Seymour & Duncan? Is EMG always the better choice for crushing guitar sounds? Or is it just a matter of taste under the line?
slashvanyoung
Dopefish lives!
General consensus is (for what it's worth) that Duncans offer better pups for going passive (and a faaaaaar wider range) while EMGs are better actives (especially the 81 because it keeps the low end so tight).
And as far as my personal preferences go: I think the EMG HZ-4 is ok for a passive pickup, but it wouldn't be my first choice. I'd definitely prefer Duncans for passives. And it seems like I'm one of the very few who actually prefers the Blackouts (you gotta note that there are two different versions), because they sound less harsh, more organic to me and I like the "bigger" bass response of them.
Felix Neumann
Member
Thanks for your information, dude! It´s good to know that. Slash, what do you think about the Seymour Duncan SSH7-8 B 4C Invader Black for 7 String Do you know something about it?
This is weird for me. On all other forums I frequent, blackouts are preferred by almost everyone.
I find the tone flattens out on EMG's a lot under really hard picking, and it just doesn't sound as defined.
I have one guitar with EMG's and another guitar with blackouts (both 7s but made out of different woods) and my blackouts OWN my EMG's. They just sound more clear and give more attack, but also hold definition a lot better.
Felix Neumann
Member
hmmmm interesting...also passive? Do you know or heared about Seymour Duncan SSH7-8 B 4C Invader Black for 7 String ?
Ola Englund
Only gay in the village
I think both emgs and blackouts suck just as much and they sound fairly alike. But I'm actually preferring the blackouts that sounds a little different in the mid frequencies.
But I guess it's just personal preference.
But I guess it's just personal preference.
Ermz
¯\(°_o)/¯
J.DavisNJ
\m/
Sly,
I'd say try the blackouts since you already know what EMGs sound like. Pickup preference is pretty personal in my opinion. If you are intrigued then I would say try it out. I wouldn't base the decision on one set of shootout clips. It all depends on your setup as well, so mileage may vary. I've heard from many that prefer the blackouts as well, so would be enough for me to give them a go.
-Joe
I'd say try the blackouts since you already know what EMGs sound like. Pickup preference is pretty personal in my opinion. If you are intrigued then I would say try it out. I wouldn't base the decision on one set of shootout clips. It all depends on your setup as well, so mileage may vary. I've heard from many that prefer the blackouts as well, so would be enough for me to give them a go.
-Joe
Does anyone on these other forums actually record anything, or are their observations just from chugging along in the room?
Not saying Blackouts can't work for recording, but as a rule I never trust a guitarist's opinion about tone!
Fox Mulder
The Truth Is Out There
J.DavisNJ
\m/
Does anyone on these other forums actually record anything, or are their observations just from chugging along in the room?
So when you try out a piece of gear to buy, do you bring along your recording rig to make sure it translates well?
If a piece of gear sounds good to me live, then I will use it. Chances are it will record well also. Some gear might need more work to record well, but you get my point.
I really don't know of any guitarist who will not buy a piece of gear because it might not, or won't, record well.
Afterall, recording is about capturing the actual tone of a piece of gear, right?
-Joe
Yeah, but my tastes in tones in the room have been shaped by my knowledge of recording and what sounds good in that medium; a guitarist who just farts around in practice/on stage all the time has no reason for his tastes the evolve because those are much more forgiving environments than a recording (or if no one can hear him live, he can blame the sound guy 
) I mean, how many stories have you read from engineers on here of having to deal with guitarists who come in and insist on using their shitty gear and shitty settings, and - SURPRISE! - it sounds shitty? Not to mention all the people I've encountered who are just absolutely braindead (the most recent gem being a dude at my local music store who insisted that he'd rather use a metal zone into the clean channel of a Mesa than the amp's distortion :Smug: )
In other words, there are a lot of people who think a Metal Zone "sounds good to them live"
) I mean, how many stories have you read from engineers on here of having to deal with guitarists who come in and insist on using their shitty gear and shitty settings, and - SURPRISE! - it sounds shitty? Not to mention all the people I've encountered who are just absolutely braindead (the most recent gem being a dude at my local music store who insisted that he'd rather use a metal zone into the clean channel of a Mesa than the amp's distortion :Smug: )In other words, there are a lot of people who think a Metal Zone "sounds good to them live"
J.DavisNJ
\m/
Also, if there is an overwhelming opinion about something (as the poster mentioned above), than that is enough for me to become interested in a piece of gear. Shootouts are fine, but when there are only a few shootouts floating around (all recorded with different rigs, different recording conditions, and different levels of engineering skills), then I am even more hesitant. I'd rather hear something in person.
For example, the more I play my oversized cab, the more I really don't like it. Lots of guys love them here, but it's just not for me. I'm still glad I had the opportunity to own one.
-Joe
For example, the more I play my oversized cab, the more I really don't like it. Lots of guys love them here, but it's just not for me. I'm still glad I had the opportunity to own one.
-Joe
J.DavisNJ
\m/
Yeah, but my tastes in tones in the room have been shaped by my knowledge of recording and what sounds good in that medium; a guitarist who just farts around in practice/on stage all the time has no reason for his tastes the evolve because those are much more forgiving environments than a recording (or if no one can hear him live, he can blame the sound guy
In other words, there are a lot of people who think a Metal Zone "sounds good to them live"
Yep, I do understand this. Lots of idiots out there who will recommend retarded things. There is plenty of that on a lot of forums.
My point is, Sly already has plenty of experience with EMGs, so I think it would be beneficial for him to hear the blackouts in person (a comparable alternative to EMGs), based on the fact that an overwhelming amount of people have made the switch and enjoy them. I've noticed this on many forums as well.
I did not pay attention to specifics really, because I already know the general premise of the blackouts. I knew that some of the people praising them probably do not have much experience, but the sheer amount of interest would intrigue me enough. A recording can be just as biased as a gear review, especially to an impressionable guy who doesn't know much about recording. I've heard aboslutely shit clips of gear that I later played an loved.
-Joe
I think I'll just respond by re-quoting my post that started all this
Does anyone on these other forums actually record anything, or are their observations just from chugging along in the room?
You'll notice I'm not making any conclusive statements about the pickups, just advising caution at whose opinion one trusts
J.DavisNJ
\m/
I think I'll just respond by re-quoting my post that started all this
You'll notice I'm not making any conclusive statements about the pickups, just advising caution at whose opinion one trusts
Gotcha dude, but honestly it can't hurt for him to make a small purchase that he might dig, regardless of our vagina pseudo bickering.
If it was an amp or guitar then I would be way more weary!-Joe
