Ola Englund You and Keith are such great musicians and complete yourselves great, you should do more stuff together because the results are so awesome ! ;-)
I never get tired of that riff. I not even listen the comparison, I just came for the riff. Again. And again. And again. I sweer, I want this on my funeral.
This still remains as one of the most valuable videos ever for guitarists and builders. I can't thank Keith enough. Outstanding. And, damn, I love this riff!!!!!!
And the algorithm shoots me a throwback... Can't believe I never posted that I bought a Pegasus because of this video, and however many years later, I could not be happier. Absolutely fantastic-sounding pickup. Thanks, Keith!
riff forge yea reminds me of bareknuckles' cold sweat (I think that was the name) and nailbomb pickups. I think I like the Nazgul more though. Hard to describe but it sounds clearer.
I can (and have) watch this dozens of times and never get tired of it. What a monstrous set of riffs. And this sort of compare is the best ever done for pickups.
The pickups that really intrigue me: 1) Omega, A very Hi- Fidelity Pickup. Sounds like it has the best clarity of all the passive pick-ups (doesnt compress as hard). In-fact It sounds more akin to the EMTY in terms of its tone and ability to handle dirt while staying "clear". Very cutting treble but doesn't whimp out on the bass either. -If I had to do Extended Range chord work, no doubt this would be one of the pick-ups i'd use in a heart beat. - if it was a character, it come off as a contract killer, precise and effective. Almost Machine-like (actives) feeling that makes it seem worth it. 2) Pegasus, also has a hi-fidelity "singing" quality to it. -It has a tone palette of the Duncan Distortion without feeling overly compressed, yet on the aspect of upper mids it sounds a little bit like the JB without the excessive mid bump. -Not as aggressive sounding as the rest but can hold his own with a very well mannered lower end. (not as tight as the naz or blackouts but doesn't flub out like the invaders and full shred) - If it was a character, it come across as a astute professor by day, but an English Brawler by night. 3) Black Winters. Sounds like a very souped up custom 5. Shares very similar tone palette but is tighter all round. Has the effect of sounding larger. - If it was a character, definitely the Big Bodyguard of an entourage. His presence is definitely felt just by looking at him. Not necessary for him to speak for you to feel intimidated.
This is the best video! Every few years when a guitar needs an upgrade, I stay here for about 30 minutes to recall the sound profiles, and then make a decision what to buy. Every pickup manufacturer should do a video like this!
This video is my bible. THIS IS IT! I come back here every once in a while. Thank you very much Keith! I only miss the test were you played a couple Bare Knuckle pickups. Your sound with the Aftermath was THE TONE among tones!!!
Hands down the SH-5 is the best out of all of these beautiful pickups--it's got a warmth and detail that few of the other pickups can match but still retains grit, clarity, and attack for more aggressive riffs and tones. It's not the highest output nor is it the most "djenty" but it's so well balanced and "open", there just isn't another pickup like it.
That's the most helpful video on the Internet. I've never had the slightest idea how to choose a pickup. I just listened to this video without watching. I was so surprised by my choice.
If only the Omega didn't cost that much. Such a well defined tone. The Nazgul comes very close to it, although the highs are a bit too much. Still ordered mine yesterday. Thanks for the video, Keith. I was going for the JB before I watched this comparison.
For my own reference later: Nazgul 3:01 Custom 7:45 Blackout 10:35 Baseline, what I have. Nazgul 14:55 Custom 15:50 Broad and even. Blackout 16:23 Baseline for comparison. Dimebucker 16:44 same as Custom but with more phasing attack, think Van Halen dynamics. Black Winter 16:55 same as custom but with dreamy midrange phasing. Think of soundscapes.
The thing most impressive about this video (besides the amazing riffage) is that when Seymour Duncan describes what their pickups sound like and do, they aren't talking out their ass with marketing BS. Everything I've heard said about these pickups is clearly heard in the demo.
Thanks for the demo Keith, I recently put an SH5 Custom on my Schecter Blackjack SLS FRS and the thing screams. I couldn't be happier with the tone. Smooth and Aggressive, perfectly naturally EQ'd.
Just put the Nazgul and Sentient set in my 27 inch Firefly Buckethead Baritone yesterday and just saw this for the first time. I'm so glad i went with the Nazgul. It sounds EXACTLY like the name suggests.
My favorites: Distortion - sounds a little gritty on it's own, but works wonderful in a mix, really full tone. Nazgul - sounds a little thinner than others, but that tone is definitely unique, I guess it would be perfect for djenty stuff. Dimebucker - I usually don't like this one for it's shrillness, but here it worked surprisigly well. Black winter - really balanced. Not to thin or thick, warm enough, withought sacrificing brightness. No wonder these are standard for KM-6.
I got a SH-5, based so much on this video. I have a crappy recording system, and even in this situation it presents this beautiful, rich, smooth low end.
This is the best video on RUclips with no second place in sight. You fucking rock, dude. SD should have someone feed you bacon anytime you want it for the rest of your life.
Alternative 8 for the real life sound. Omega for the spectrum stereo sound. Dimebucker for the really, really heavy tone. And the Invader for beign the excalibur of modern guitar sound. Yeah. They are my favorite.
I saw this video and bought the Black Winter later that night. This pickup, hands down, was the best pickup purchase I've made yet. This thing is both brutal and versatile. Roll back the volume and you got a nice Gibson type tone. You can't lose with this pickup. Black Winter chews up all the others.
Finally a high quality metal comparison between the JB and Custom 5!!! Thanks Keith! LTD put Custom 5s in some of their EC models years ago so I was really curious to hear that comparison. I prefer the JB. I don't see the Custom 5 beating it in any application.
this is a kind of limited comparison, but the custom 5 should sound really mellow on an eclipse, better for hard rock than a JB, but with better clean sound
+Ernesto Picasso how would the Custom 5 be better for hard rock than a JB? To my ears the JB is a pretty good hard rock pickup. I agree the JB's clean sound isn't that great.
+Ernesto Picasso I had the JB in my Les Paul (all mahogany) for a while and the clean sound didn't even compare to that of my Burstbucker Pros. Oh well there's always a trade-off.
Impressed with how well the custom5 sounds with this style of music. You have to expect the Nazgul, black winter, Mustaine types to excel being they are specifically designed for metal.
I tried to listen to this "blind" while browsing in another tab, and the pickups that sounded best to my ear were the Alternative 8 and Custom 5. Not what I would have guessed! Awesome video.
The JB and the Custom both sounded godly in the S7G you used in the 2012 video, and I love both of those pickups, but this guitar doesn't take them as well. The Nazgul sounds insane here, as does the Omega. I was surprised by the Custom 5 and the Dimebucker which sound gnarly too compared to the 2012 video.
After this video I did put black winters on my RG custom and I can say they are simply amazing. Used to play with JBs. These pickups are unbelieavable and I’ll probably put them on most of my guitars
1) A-8 2) Invader 3) Nazgul or Custom 5. Although they all sound pretty impressive to me. Except for the Pegasus and JB, which I found kinda muddy. It's funny because I was totally sold over the Pegasus in the 7 string pickup comparison. hahaha
I loved every single one of them! Can I get one of each for Christmas, as a gift? XD Seriously now, this comparison is awesome! Rumor has it that he's still playing that riff nonstop, to this day, while pickups are continuously getting changed into the guitar! 🤘😋
I really do not understand the enemies, what do these people who deny the video expect from a video? for me this perfect very well played, very well demonstrated, very well stamped, very well made and the guitarist is great !! I got a lot of questions about pickups ... haters have to go to hell!
In the KM6: 1. Nazgul - makes the whole riff just jump out at you 2. Omega - hard, mean attack, but balanced and toneful 3. Custom 5 - kind of vocal like the JB but a lot tighter Some of these sound really different in the 2012 baritone demo, though. The JB is still really cool and vocal-like, but it's not tight enough for the shorter scale length.
I'm going to say 4) EMTY 3) Black Winter 2) Nazgul 1) Omega I was pretty torn between Nazgul and Omega, so it came down to playstyle: Nazgul is just pure metal. Omega is more rounded. I tend to play a pretty eclectic blend of styles, so...
Clovis Metal I have the dimebucker in one of my guitars and I like it but this video made me like it less. In comparison with the Nazgul and Black winter it sounds a bit lifeless. That's just my 2 cents though. I think the guitar I have the dimebucker in would love to see a Black Winter take it's place in the near future. :3
absolutely. i had some stock duncun designed in one of my jacksons, and did my first ever pickup upgrade to a duncan Distortion. notably better! (and on this test the distortion was possibly my least favorite pickup!) my favorite on this test was tied between the Black Winter, Invader, and alternative eight. since i already run an invader in my warlock, and the alternative eight is super duper close sounding in this demo to it, i wanna try something different, and that means the Black Winter. going in the mockingbird!
I remember how much I liked Nazgul the first time (like many in the comments). Now watching this incredible comparison again in 5 years later. Hearing the first couple of pickups and thinking - They sound really good, why I thought the Nazgul sound so good?! ... meanwhile Nazgul track begins. Me: - OMG !!?!? ... big smile appear on my face. Nothing more to say :)
Checked my riff-o-meter... Yup! Still the most badass riff. \m/
Ola Englund Totally agree!
Ola Englund Hey Ola! Man, you should update your studio and go through your tones and stuff! That'd be so cool!
Ola Englund i agree totally......
Ola Englund You and Keith are such great musicians and complete yourselves great, you should do more stuff together because the results are so awesome ! ;-)
Solar part 2!!!!
Full Shred 0:11
Distortion 1:08
Alternative 8 2:04
Nazgul 3:01
Invader 3:58
Omega 4:55
Pegasus 5:51
JB 6:48
Custom 7:45
Custom 5 8:42
EMTY 9:38
Blackout 10:35
Dave Mustain Livewire 11:32
Dimebucker 12:28
Black Winter 13:25
You're Welcome
😇
Guitar Only-
Full Shred 14:23
Distortion 14:34
Alternative 8 14:44
Nazgul 14:55
Invader 15:06
Omega 15:17
Pegasus 15:28
JB 15:39
Custom 15:50
Custom 5 16:01
EMTY- 16:12
Blackout 16:23
Dave Mustaine Livewire 16:33
Dimebucker 16:44
Black Winter 16:55
Denver Williams THANK YOU!
Description
There goes our hero! Thank you sir
This is literally the most perfect pickup comparison for metal guitarist.
I bet, that after 20 years SD will still compare their pickups with this riff
*Keith moves to Fishman...
hands down, the most killer advert for SD, EVER !!!!!!!
Like nr 200. This riff will outlive us all and million years more.
Amen! Where's the tab for this riff lol
Just watch his hands bruh, he plays this riff for like 10 minutes straight
I never get tired of that riff. I not even listen the comparison, I just came for the riff. Again. And again. And again. I sweer, I want this on my funeral.
This still remains as one of the most valuable videos ever for guitarists and builders. I can't thank Keith enough. Outstanding. And, damn, I love this riff!!!!!!
The song is Pillars of Re-Creation, by Merrow for anyone wondering.
Epic! thanking you 🤘
And the algorithm shoots me a throwback... Can't believe I never posted that I bought a Pegasus because of this video, and however many years later, I could not be happier. Absolutely fantastic-sounding pickup. Thanks, Keith!
Guitar only section
14:23 Full Shred
14:34 Distortion
14:45 Alt8
14:56 Nazgul
15:07 Invader
15:18 Omega
15:29 Pegasus
15:39 JB
15:51 Custom
16:02 Custom 5
16:13 EMTY
16:24 Blackout
16:35 Mustaine
16:45 DImebucker
16:56 Black Winter
Nazgul is fucking gnarly. So powerful yet the tone has a lot of flavour. Good thing I can listen to that riff all day :)
Andragon90 thanks for the showdown, Keith.
Andragon90 If you like this type of sound you should check out the Schecter Apocalypse it's fucking killer!
riff forge yea reminds me of bareknuckles' cold sweat (I think that was the name) and nailbomb pickups. I think I like the Nazgul more though. Hard to describe but it sounds clearer.
Andragon90 I totally agree, it has such a punchy midrange but it still sounds really present in the higher registers.
They sound just like Bareknuckles, if not better. I love mine!
Nagzul is brutal. The pegasus has this melodic clarity. Wow
I realy need a 10hour version of that riff ... cant get enough of it \m/
Palm Muting sections :
Full Shred 0:35
Distortion 1:32
Alternative 8 2:29
Nazgul 3:26
Invader 4:22
Omega 5:19
Pegasus 6:16
JB 7:12
Custom 8:09
Custom 5 9:06
EMTY 10:03
Blackout 11:00
Mustaine 11:56
DImebucker 12:53
Black Winter 13:49
Thanks for that👌
You're a boss, Keith.
Mark Holcomb he is indeed
@@thedutchdjentleman yes the riff sounds like periphery
@@veerayyahorapeti6896 na periphery sounds like this riff
I can (and have) watch this dozens of times and never get tired of it. What a monstrous set of riffs. And this sort of compare is the best ever done for pickups.
Straight to the power-chord riff:
Full Shred 0:22
Distortion 1:19
Alternative 8 2:16
Nazgul 3:12
Invader
4:09
Omega 5:06
Pegasus 6:03
JB 6:59
Custom 7:56
Custom 5 8:53
EMTY 9:49
Blackout 10:46
Dave Mustain Livewire 11:43
Dimebucker 12:40
Black Winter 13:37
Love this comparison !
Bruh, I feel like I see you everywhere now lmao
Cheah!
bakerXderek yo bxdickhead
VDP_Logan where there is metal...there is bakerxderek
CHYEAH
I learned this. riff now i play it over and over again every time i go to guitar center to test several guitars
For me the Nazgul and the Omega sounded the best by a good bit. Really impressed.
Someone needs to do this with the vintage pickups and classic rock riffs, like '59, Pearly Gates, Alnico II Pros, etc.
Came for the Pegasus, stayed for the riff!!! Hot damn!! Btw that itty bitty harmonic thrown in there just made my day!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥
Watched this video about 6 years ago then immediately went out and got the Nazgûl for bridge and Pegasus for the neck. Love them both.
Can we talk about how incredible this riff is?
Ahhh the refreshing sound of pillars of recreation.
I actually learned that song by ear just because I loved it so much. Best riffs I know, imho
Hank Hill You fucking live on RUclips don't you, my friend
blackjackmcgack oh yes he does
blackjackmcgack propane gave him the power!
+blackjackmcgack I do now. Now that my show is cancelled I have nothing better to do.
Hank Hill Hank, I will love to hear your music!
the point of this video is that you can't go wrong with any Seymour Duncan pickups. However, the snarl of the Nazgul gives me goosebumps!
Guitar Only-
Distortion 14:34
Alternative 8 14:44
Omega 15:17
Pegasus 15:28
Custom 15:50
Custom 5 16:01
Black Winter 16:55
The Custom sounds way better than the rest.
The pickups that really intrigue me:
1) Omega, A very Hi- Fidelity Pickup. Sounds like it has the best clarity of all the passive pick-ups (doesnt compress as hard). In-fact It sounds more akin to the EMTY in terms of its tone and ability to handle dirt while staying "clear". Very cutting treble but doesn't whimp out on the bass either.
-If I had to do Extended Range chord work, no doubt this would be one of the pick-ups i'd use in a heart beat.
- if it was a character, it come off as a contract killer, precise and effective. Almost Machine-like (actives) feeling that makes it seem worth it.
2) Pegasus, also has a hi-fidelity "singing" quality to it.
-It has a tone palette of the Duncan Distortion without feeling overly compressed, yet on the aspect of upper mids it sounds a little bit like the JB without the excessive mid bump.
-Not as aggressive sounding as the rest but can hold his own with a very well mannered lower end. (not as tight as the naz or blackouts but doesn't flub out like the invaders and full shred)
- If it was a character, it come across as a astute professor by day, but an English Brawler by night.
3) Black Winters. Sounds like a very souped up custom 5. Shares very similar tone palette but is tighter all round. Has the effect of sounding larger.
- If it was a character, definitely the Big Bodyguard of an entourage. His presence is definitely felt just by looking at him. Not necessary for him to speak for you to feel intimidated.
This is the best video!
Every few years when a guitar needs an upgrade, I stay here for about 30 minutes to recall the sound profiles, and then make a decision what to buy. Every pickup manufacturer should do a video like this!
I could seriously listen to that on repeat all day long.
These are absolutely some of the sickest riffs i EVER heard... Loved every second of it & every little nuance !!!
that feeling when you hear pillars of creation :3
acab hqrte re-creation
acab hqrte the feeling if you're actually able to play it
riff forge that feeling when you tried to learn and failed :D
riff forge the song is not that difficult, the problem for me is that i don't have YET a 7 string guitar XS
acab hqrte
you can play it on 6 string guitar just drop everything two steps, in the video he's playing a 6 string guitar
Oh man those that SH-5 sounds so good. Ended up ordering them on reverb can’t wait to try them
Still my favorite Merrow song. Glad to see an update of the old comparison video!
The SH-5 sounds the best IMO, it has the note separation of a higher-output pickup, but with the depth of a lower-output pickup.
Alex Wright SH-14 is even better! ;)
It's the one everyone sleeps on
I was going to write the exact same comment.
sh15 mate
put a sh6 on a fat mahagony single cut guitar and you will never look back
Love that mid presence in the Custom 5! Nazgul sounds gnarly too.
The Custom 5 is scooped. The original Custom has better mids!
This video is my bible. THIS IS IT! I come back here every once in a while. Thank you very much Keith!
I only miss the test were you played a couple Bare Knuckle pickups. Your sound with the Aftermath was THE TONE among tones!!!
Hands down the SH-5 is the best out of all of these beautiful pickups--it's got a warmth and detail that few of the other pickups can match but still retains grit, clarity, and attack for more aggressive riffs and tones. It's not the highest output nor is it the most "djenty" but it's so well balanced and "open", there just isn't another pickup like it.
It's been My favorite for a bit now. I put one in my s-style ⅞ warmoth and I love it.
@@kiezersosay49I agree. I put it in all my guitars, baritones and standard scale included, and every single time it sounds just diabolical.
That's the most helpful video on the Internet. I've never had the slightest idea how to choose a pickup. I just listened to this video without watching. I was so surprised by my choice.
What was your choice???
The Full Shred is my favorite. Been using them since '87. They sound phenomenal and are razor sharp, totally cut through.
Always come back to this video when im gonna buy new pickups. The best pick up comparison ever made. I wish there were more.
Chugs
Full Shred 0:36
Distortion 1:33
Alternative 8 2:30
Nazgul 3:26
Invader 4:23
Omega 5:19
Pegasus 6:16
JB 7:13
Custom 8:10
Custom 5 9:06
EMTY 10:03
Blackout 11:00
Dave Mustain Livewire 11:56
Dimebucker 12:54
Black Winter 13:51
After all these years the distortion still holds its own against the new boys!
Awesome demo!!
If only the Omega didn't cost that much. Such a well defined tone. The Nazgul comes very close to it, although the highs are a bit too much.
Still ordered mine yesterday. Thanks for the video, Keith. I was going for the JB before I watched this comparison.
For my own reference later:
Nazgul 3:01
Custom 7:45
Blackout 10:35 Baseline, what I have.
Nazgul 14:55
Custom 15:50 Broad and even.
Blackout 16:23 Baseline for comparison.
Dimebucker 16:44 same as Custom but with more phasing attack, think Van Halen dynamics.
Black Winter 16:55 same as custom but with dreamy midrange phasing. Think of soundscapes.
The Nazgul saturates super awesome the way your tone is in this video. Especially when you hit the sixth string. Love it.
SH 5 !!!
My top three:
1) Black Winter 16:55
2) Custom (SH-5) 15:50
3) Nazgul 14:55
I agree. Got two seven strings with one having the sh-5 and the other a black winter. Slays.
Custom nazgul bw
The thing most impressive about this video (besides the amazing riffage) is that when Seymour Duncan describes what their pickups sound like and do, they aren't talking out their ass with marketing BS. Everything I've heard said about these pickups is clearly heard in the demo.
You know what impressed me the most? The guitar. That Schecter sounded great with a wide range of pickups. Well done.
I'm not sure why it would surprise you, Schecter makes great guitars
Brian Palmer vF
Thanks for the demo Keith, I recently put an SH5 Custom on my Schecter Blackjack SLS FRS and the thing screams. I couldn't be happier with the tone. Smooth and Aggressive, perfectly naturally EQ'd.
Nazgul, Omega, Custom, and Black Winter
I love that the Dimebucker holds up after all these years. And Wes’s rails are like a more refined version
Nazgul sounds the best, but god damn that pegasus pickup is also pretty chunky and badass
Love the black winters, have them in an ESP, like the Nazgûl they’re brutal but are a bit more round sounding but the Pegasus really caught my ear
Oh good, now I cant decide. Now I have to go buy 8 more guitars
thats the spirit!
Finally a comparison video done right! The guitar only at the end was very helpful. Searching for clean tone comparison now.
Backing track
SH-10 Full Shred 0:11
SH-6 Distortion 1:08
SH-15 Alternative 8 2:04
Nazgul 3:01
SH-8 Invader 3:58
Omega 4:55
Pegasus 5:51
SH-4 JB 6:48
SH-5 Custom 7:45
SH-14 Custom 5 8:42
EMTY Blackout 9:38
AHB-1 Blackout 10:35
Dave Mustain Livewire 11:32
SH-13 Dimebucker 12:28
Black Winter 13:25
Guitar Only
SH-10 Full Shred 14:23
SH-6 Distortion 14:33
SH-15 Alternative 8 14:44
Nazgul 14:55
SH-8 Invader 15:06
Omega 15:17
Pegasus 15:28
SH-4 JB 15:39
SH-5 Custom 15:49
SH-14 Custom 5 16:00
EMTY Blackout 16:11
AHB-1 Blackout 16:22
Dave Mustain Livewire 16:33
SH-13 Dimebucker 16:44
Black Winter 16:55
that nazgûl is quite a powerful pickup.
reminds me of a dimarzio crunchlab
Just put the Nazgul and Sentient set in my 27 inch Firefly Buckethead Baritone yesterday and just saw this for the first time.
I'm so glad i went with the Nazgul.
It sounds EXACTLY like the name suggests.
My favorites:
Distortion - sounds a little gritty on it's own, but works wonderful in a mix, really full tone.
Nazgul - sounds a little thinner than others, but that tone is definitely unique, I guess it would be perfect for djenty stuff.
Dimebucker - I usually don't like this one for it's shrillness, but here it worked surprisigly well.
Black winter - really balanced. Not to thin or thick, warm enough, withought sacrificing brightness. No wonder these are standard for KM-6.
All these years and differents models and the Jb is still awesome. This pickup might be one of the best purchase i've ever done.
Could listen to this riff a million times
I got a SH-5, based so much on this video. I have a crappy recording system, and even in this situation it presents this beautiful, rich, smooth low end.
Custom still killing it! Nazgul a close second! Awesome riffs!
This is the best video on RUclips with no second place in sight. You fucking rock, dude. SD should have someone feed you bacon anytime you want it for the rest of your life.
Alternative 8 for the real life sound. Omega for the spectrum stereo sound. Dimebucker for the really, really heavy tone. And the Invader for beign the excalibur of modern guitar sound.
Yeah. They are my favorite.
Thank you for doing this update! I re-watch your original video as a reference all the time. The nostalgia- and cool- factors are 9000+ here!!
Jesus, Keith makes some of the meanest/coolest fucking riffs ever!!!
Great video Keith. I can't imagine how much time this took to put together. Nice work!
I saw this video and bought the Black Winter later that night. This pickup, hands down, was the best pickup purchase I've made yet. This thing is both brutal and versatile. Roll back the volume and you got a nice Gibson type tone. You can't lose with this pickup. Black Winter chews up all the others.
I did the same thing! Such a good pickup.
Finally a high quality metal comparison between the JB and Custom 5!!! Thanks Keith! LTD put Custom 5s in some of their EC models years ago so I was really curious to hear that comparison. I prefer the JB. I don't see the Custom 5 beating it in any application.
this is a kind of limited comparison, but the custom 5 should sound really mellow on an eclipse, better for hard rock than a JB, but with better clean sound
+Ernesto Picasso how would the Custom 5 be better for hard rock than a JB? To my ears the JB is a pretty good hard rock pickup. I agree the JB's clean sound isn't that great.
+Ernesto Picasso I had the JB in my Les Paul (all mahogany) for a while and the clean sound didn't even compare to that of my Burstbucker Pros. Oh well there's always a trade-off.
+Jeff H yes, the custom 5 would be ideal, a custom should work too, but sometimes is too harsh for some people
i agree with you. the custom 5 sounded the best here. and Full Shred too
Full mix:
Full Shred 0:11
Distortion 1:08
Aternative 8 2:04
Nazgul 3:01
Invader 3:58
Omega 4:55
Pegasus 5:51
JB 6:48
Custom 7:45
Custom 5 8:42
EMTY 9:38
Blackout 10:35
Dave Mustaine Livewire 11:32
Dimebucker 12:28
Black winter 13:25
Guitar Only:
Full Shred 14:23
Distortion 14:34
Alternative 8 14:44
Nazgul 14:55
Invader 15:06
Omega 15:17
Pegasus 15:28
JB 15:39
Custom 15:50
Custom 5 16:01
EMTY 16:12
Blackout 16:23
Dave Mustaine Livewire 16:33
Dimebucker 16:44
Black Winter 16:55
Good thing watching Keith playing his old tunes again.
as I get older, my metal tolerance gets lower and lower. I actually listened to all of this one. It sounds great and I likes it. Great playing
nazgul,omega,blackwinter sounds best imo
Impressed with how well the custom5 sounds with this style of music. You have to expect the Nazgul, black winter, Mustaine types to excel being they are specifically designed for metal.
The EMTY mixes better with the drums. But the Nazgul sounds insane! I'd use the EMTY for studio recordings and the Nazgul for live performances.
All for science. This will be the gold standard of pickup comparisons for years to come (Until you release the next one basically).
The Omega and Black Winter sound just insane.
I tried to listen to this "blind" while browsing in another tab, and the pickups that sounded best to my ear were the Alternative 8 and Custom 5. Not what I would have guessed! Awesome video.
Black Winter and Nazgul sounds best on my headphones. More "shrilling" highs, almost like a single coil on steroids. I like that.
I've had the SH5 Custom (DCJ) in my LP since the mid 80's and still absolutely love it. Thanks for the great wind job Juanita Juarez!!
This video is awesome. Every pickup sounds great especially with this badass riffing.
the black winters is the shit gotta say it's one of the best pick ups I've played that's what I'm shredin righ now
The JB and the Custom both sounded godly in the S7G you used in the 2012 video, and I love both of those pickups, but this guitar doesn't take them as well. The Nazgul sounds insane here, as does the Omega. I was surprised by the Custom 5 and the Dimebucker which sound gnarly too compared to the 2012 video.
His guitar in 2012 is Mahogany.
This one is Swamp Ash.
Nazgul & Black Winter are my two favorites. Clear, punchy, articulate and not muddy.
Omega, Nazgul, Black Winter, Custom, JB. In that order.
Fifty0ne Because midrange.
+Fifty0ne Same, except BW before Nazgul, and no JB.
+Fifty0ne For me its like Black Winter,Omega,Nazgul didnt dig the jb in the raw guitar mix
+Fifty0ne Exactly the same, but take that JB outta here dammit
thats really close to my lineup as well
After this video I did put black winters on my RG custom and I can say they are simply amazing. Used to play with JBs. These pickups are unbelieavable and I’ll probably put them on most of my guitars
1) A-8
2) Invader
3) Nazgul or Custom 5.
Although they all sound pretty impressive to me. Except for the Pegasus and JB, which I found kinda muddy. It's funny because I was totally sold over the Pegasus in the 7 string pickup comparison. hahaha
This demo is what made me order an A8.
I swear I've had enough listening to pickup comparison demos - they all sound great!
Black Winter is really surprising here, easily the best sounding of the bunch imho
I loved every single one of them! Can I get one of each for Christmas, as a gift? XD
Seriously now, this comparison is awesome!
Rumor has it that he's still playing that riff nonstop, to this day, while pickups are continuously getting changed into the guitar! 🤘😋
He saved the best for last \m/
Andrew Wukusick hey, I know you! ;P
I really do not understand the enemies, what do these people who deny the video expect from a video? for me this perfect very well played, very well demonstrated, very well stamped, very well made and the guitarist is great !! I got a lot of questions about pickups ... haters have to go to hell!
Nice, kicking it old school. Great demo as expected :)
In the KM6:
1. Nazgul - makes the whole riff just jump out at you
2. Omega - hard, mean attack, but balanced and toneful
3. Custom 5 - kind of vocal like the JB but a lot tighter
Some of these sound really different in the 2012 baritone demo, though. The JB is still really cool and vocal-like, but it's not tight enough for the shorter scale length.
I'm going to say
4) EMTY
3) Black Winter
2) Nazgul
1) Omega
I was pretty torn between Nazgul and Omega, so it came down to playstyle: Nazgul is just pure metal. Omega is more rounded. I tend to play a pretty eclectic blend of styles, so...
***** I feel the Nazgul is best because its less vintage voiced for a modern pickup
Gosh, this makes me nostalgic of that black winter black metal demo. My favourite video hands down, i wish Keith make more of those.
Nazgul, Distortion, Dimebucker, Black Winter
Clovis Metal Didn't expect to see someone who would pick exactly the same ones that I like. All these sounds awesome in this test.
Clovis Metal I have the dimebucker in one of my guitars and I like it but this video made me like it less. In comparison with the Nazgul and Black winter it sounds a bit lifeless. That's just my 2 cents though. I think the guitar I have the dimebucker in would love to see a Black Winter take it's place in the near future. :3
+m2350 +incomingz44 I have in my Warlock a Duncan Designed, but few want to change by SD Black Winter, worth it?
Clovis Metal if you like the guitar enough then do it. I personally can't stand warlocks but that's just me.
absolutely. i had some stock duncun designed in one of my jacksons, and did my first ever pickup upgrade to a duncan Distortion. notably better! (and on this test the distortion was possibly my least favorite pickup!) my favorite on this test was tied between the Black Winter, Invader, and alternative eight. since i already run an invader in my warlock, and the alternative eight is super duper close sounding in this demo to it, i wanna try something different, and that means the Black Winter. going in the mockingbird!
I remember how much I liked Nazgul the first time (like many in the comments).
Now watching this incredible comparison again in 5 years later. Hearing the first couple of pickups and thinking
- They sound really good, why I thought the Nazgul sound so good?!
... meanwhile Nazgul track begins. Me:
- OMG !!?!?
... big smile appear on my face. Nothing more to say :)