Time codes ============ Lithium Bridge Clean 00:05 Crunch 06:29 High Gain Rhythm 12:56 Lead 18:24 Thorium Bridge Clean 00:19 Crunch 06:42 High Gain Rhythm 13:08 Lead 18:34 Beryllium Bridge Clean 00:31 Crunch 06:55 High Gain Rhythm 13:19 Lead 18:43 Illusionist Bridge Clean 00:44 Crunch 07:09 High Gain Rhythm 13:30 Lead 18:52 Holdsworth Bridge Clean 00:57 Crunch 07:22 High Gain Rhythm 13:41 Lead 19:01 Polarity Active Bridge Clean 01:10 Crunch 07:36 High Gain Rhythm 13:52 Lead 19:10 Polarity Passive Bridge Clean 01:23 Crunch 07:49 High Gain Rhythm 14:03 Lead 19:19 ---------------- Lithium Bridge Split Clean 01:37 Crunch 08:02 High Gain Rhythm 14:15 Lead 19:28 Thorium Bridge Split Clean 01:50 Crunch 08:16 High Gain Rhythm 14:26 Lead 19:38 Beryllium Bridge Split Clean 02:03 Crunch 08:29 High Gain Rhythm 14:38 Lead 19:47 Illusionist Bridge Split Clean 02:16 Crunch 08:43 High Gain Rhythm 14:49 Lead 19:57 Holdsworth Bridge Split Clean 02:29 Crunch 08:56 High Gain Rhythm 15:00 Lead 20:06 Polarity Active Bridge Split Clean 02:41 Crunch 09:09 High Gain Rhythm 15:11 Lead 20:15 Polarity Passive Bridge Split Clean 02:54 Crunch 09:22 High Gain Rhythm 15:22 Lead 20:24 ---------------- Lithium Bridge + Neck Split Clean 03:08 Crunch 09:36 High Gain Rhythm 15:34 Lead 20:34 Beryllium Bridge + Neck Split Clean 03:22 Crunch 09:49 High Gain Rhythm 15:45 Lead 20:43 Holdsworth Bridge + Neck Split Clean 03:34 Crunch 10:02 High Gain Rhythm 15:57 Lead 20:52 Polarity Active Bridge + Neck Split Clean 03:47 Crunch 10:16 High Gain Rhythm 16:08 Lead 21:01 Polarity Passive Bridge + Neck Split Clean 04:00 Crunch 10:29 High Gain Rhythm 16:19 Lead 21:10 ---------------- Lithium Neck Split Clean 04:15 Crunch 10:42 High Gain Rhythm 16:31 Lead 21:20 Beryllium Neck Split Clean 04:28 Crunch 10:55 High Gain Rhythm 16:42 Lead 21:29 Holdsworth Neck Split Clean 04:41 Crunch 11:09 High Gain Rhythm 16:53 Lead 21:38 Polarity Active Neck Split Clean 04:54 Crunch 11:22 High Gain Rhythm 17:05 Lead 21:48 Polarity Passive Neck Split Clean 05:06 Crunch 11:35 High Gain Rhythm 17:16 Lead 21:58 ---------------- Lithium Neck Clean 05:21 Crunch 11:48 High Gain Rhythm 17:28 Lead 22:07 Beryllium Neck Clean 05:34 Crunch 12:02 High Gain Rhythm 17:39 Lead 22:17 Holdsworth Neck Clean 05:47 Crunch 12:15 High Gain Rhythm 17:50 Lead 22:26 Polarity Active Neck Clean 06:00 Crunch 12:28 High Gain Rhythm 18:01 Lead 22:36 Polarity Passive Neck Clean 06:13 Crunch 12:42 High Gain Rhythm 18:12 Lead 22:45 ============================= 🙂
Couldn’t agree more, I thought the more modern style pickups they make would suit me best cause that’s my playing style, when I got a set in an Aries it changed my whole perception lol. But come on holdsworth was a beast and these are too
First off: Whoever the guy is who's playing all the examples needs a raise. Much respect for being able to play that many examples with such consistency! Also, it's really cool how the characteristics of each pickup really jumps out once the single note examples happen. Excellent video, guys! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
The best pickup comparison video I've ever seen. Good musicians playing the same guitar model through the same rig, and using the same musical examples. Lots of other demos don't have that level of consistency.
The Berylliums are my favorites though the Holdsworths definitely surprised me too. The Berylliums clean up really well when you roll the volume pot down and have the most versatility to my ear. The Lithium/Illusionist Bridge are also both pretty sweet for lead.
I've been debating the Berylliums vs Holdsworths for a while ever since this video came out. I love the darker Beryllium tone but the note separation on the Holdsworth is gods tier.
I wish the Parallax had made it into this video, but the Holdsworth pickups really shined here. Great clean and high gain tones. Those may have to go in build number three!
They all sounded pretty damn good to me and yeah, mad props to the guys who had to play countless takes of the same riffs just for consumer demo. Without watching the screen I hear a particularly good tone and look up to see those were my Lithium. There are definitely 2 or 3 more pickups I need to consider for future builds! Remember you have to take into mind how these will perform in YOUR hands and in YOUR rig. Great stuff!
*) Thorium bridge/Holdsworth neck 1) The Thorium for it's clarity, bright top-end, tight-chunk and attack 2) The Holdsworth for it's warmth, tight low-end, creaminess, and thickness *) My choices were based on my style of play. I play metal but also use my crunch and clean channel often in songs as well. The Lithium would be a great choice for metal/high-gain as well, but it's a bit too trebley and sharp for me. All strength and no finesse, very EMG 81ish. The Thorium reminds me of a good Seymour or DiMarzio.
Get a guitar with them and find out. The active mode when set correctly with your amp is the best metal tone ive ever had. The versatility of the guitar is also almost unparalleled. The smooth lead tones capable with the polarity pickups are the best ive ever had
Holdsworth and polarity passive were tops to my ear. Lithium came in second, great all around tone. I can see why they are your best sellers. If you pay close attention to their playing, you can see a difference in their body language with the better sounding pick ups.
great work, great playing, loved the differences. the biggest surprise for me was just how good the Holdsworth pups are under high gain & just how dull the active polarities are. It would be awesum to see the active/passive tech being applied to the entire range of pups as an option.
Im so impressed with the Beryllium PUs they have that very special Low-Mids presence ++ some very nice chimy High-End in order to cut out in the mix N they R definitely so versatile for any genre
Beryllium Bridge Clean 00:31 Crunch 06:55 High Gain Rhythm 13:19 Lead 18:43 Holdsworth Bridge Clean 00:57 Crunch 07:22 High Gain Rhythm 13:41 Lead 19:01 ---------------- Beryllium Bridge Split Clean 02:03 Crunch 08:29 High Gain Rhythm 14:38 Lead 19:47 Holdsworth Bridge Split Clean 02:29 Crunch 08:56 High Gain Rhythm 15:00 Lead 20:06
The Carvin/Kissel pickups are one of the best things about the company. The old model with 11 or so pole pieces is my favorite pickup in the world for the neck position in a Tele style guitar.
I’ve put Carvin pickups in several guitars over the years. They always sound great! It’s nice to see a video comparing the Keisel models. Those Holdsworth’s will probably be in a future guitar! More video’s comparing other pickups would be great. The old single coils have been my favorite for years. Just something special.
Very well done and thorough demo! Pretty much confirmed what I already believed, the Holdsworth pickups are the best of the bunch. Really wish you'd make an 8 string version.
Can we have a single coil demo next?🙏 Beryllium vs Lithium vs Mark Kiesel's new single coil pickups vs S60 vs M22 singles?(whatever the old Carvin singles are called)
You have no idea how long I've been waiting for a video like this. I've watched a lot of "reviews/demos" trying to compare your pickups. They're not all bad, but the quality on most are lacking compared to this.
I couldn't afford one until this year. Got a single coil Delos, so I guess this video wouldn't have helped me anyway lol. I remember drooling over the CT6 in the mail order catalogs ~2007 though.
Gotta say, the Lithium's are my favorites, the Holdsworth & Polarity sets come as a close second. May even look into get a set replace the stock pups in my Ibanez.
@@mpgnz73 I love it more the more time I spend with it. I like that there are 2 distinctive tone profiles. The Holdsworth in the neck is smooth, but dirties up wonderfully. The bridge is awesome for everything from classic rock to doom riffs with the right amp settings and pedals.
Idk how someone can say they hate Lithium pickups. That's the Jack of all trades, work-horse pickup. Sounds a little glassy at lower gain, but that's what I like about it
Kiesel, THANK YOU SO MUCH for putting out a video that demonstrates what the pickups actually sound like. I get so tired of all the lightning boys making noise all over the neck and tapping everything in sight and then calling it a pickup demo. Rather, It is a ego demo. Yea, and while you're at it "GET OFF MY LAWN! Kevin O'Rourke
I put M22’s in a Steinberger Spirit several years ago. It tripled the power and the cleans just sparkle. And now half the Keisel lineup is headless. Coincidence? I don’t think so!
I'd definitely go Thorium/Beryllium for a metal-focused guitar, like a 7 string. Lean beryllium for the cleaner stuff and lean thorium for the heavy riffs.
After watching this video, I chose Beryllium pickups to go in my CS6. When I received the guitar, I was not disappointed. I'm primarily a bass player, but if I order another guitar I'd like to try a set of Lithiums as well. Thanks Kiesel!
Where is the data on each of these pickups on the Kiesel website? All I can find is listing for the Lithium and one for the Holdsworth. Hidden data or am I blind?
One thing that I like about the Polarity pickups (main reason why I watched this) is that for the High gain, on all 3 channels they wouldn't ring the notes out with that kinda single coilish twang. They have alot of Distortion capability from what I can hear, and they sound nice and bassy. They don't sound weak and almost have a nice fuzz as well, both active and passive. Sounds good for Metalcore, or Maybe Doomy/Djenty sounds. But despite the distortion it still rings out the higher register clearly and has a nice spicyness to it. Can't wait for my Andy James 7 String
I’ve been looking for some good pups to replace the stock ones in my Ibanez rga42fml and this is it. Definitely going with thorium bridge and lithium neck. Thanks Kiesel!
I’m a big fan of active and these polarity pickups have that controlled compressed tone I love for lead but the cleans leave much to be desired Front end EQ stomp helps a bit but still not “live” sounding
Hell yeah. This is awesome. The Beryllium and Holdsworth sound the best for cleans in my opinion. Never heard the Illusionist in context, but I love it. The perfect middle ground between the Lithium and Thorium. I think that's what I'll get for my next build.
Tyler O'Brien I agree. I have the Berylliums neck and bridge in my A6X. Now that I’ve heard the Illusionist, I thinking Illusionist/Beryllium for my next build, which will be an O6X.
The Polarity passive voicing in almost any application is stunningly good, but.... man, that active voicing is muddy as all hell. At the risk of sounding punny, it's pretty polarizing.
I'm so grateful for this video. It's exactly what I needed to decide what pickups to have them put in the one I just ordered. For me, all of them sounded pretty darn good. And though some of them shined more in different styles/areas and less so in others, the Holdsworth ones were my favorite in all categories. It was close in some categories, but for all around, Holdsworth all the way. Now I just have to suffer through the long agonizing wait for Keisel to build mine, and ship it. But I'm sure the wait will just make it all the more sweet when I do finally get it in my hands. At least that's what I keep telling myself... 😉🙂😄
Yo, this is awesome! Any chance you might be able to do the same thing on the bass side of things? Or at least with your humbucker vs single coil bass pickups?
Ok.... I love the video & how well the demonstration of each pickup is done, but....where in the Hell do I find these on the website?!?!?!😵 I've been looking & can't seem to find them. Any/all help is appreciated☺
I like thorium the most, cuz when he played high gain rhythm I able to hear high strings ringing out, seems like thorium has the best notes separation in this comparison. The illusionist is the second one.
Is there a similar video for the Single Coils? Im really tempted to give Kiesel a try. But I have issues in choosing the pickups. I want a HSS setup with lower output PUs similar to the Suhr ML Single Coils / Asatobucker(Mates Asato Signature). However I cannot find any information on their Lithium or Beryllium Single Coil Pickups or how they sound. (Thats the two I can choose at the configurator) In the vids the Delos always sounds pretty fat almost like Humbuckers. Im afraid of loosing dynamics when playing funky, janky clean riffs thoug as they seem to be very compressed. Hard to tell..
I have a Lithium guitar as well as a Beryllium guitar and I'd honestly love to have one wired up with a 3 way switch to just have the single coil options I much prefer instead of having to be careful to stay in just the 3 center positions of the 5 way switch.
I am going to get flamed here but so be it: I have a Keisel Vanquish with the Lithiums, and while I love the guitar, I absolutely hate the pickups. They are so harsh and bright to my ears. The only pickup here that sounds right for my sound is the Polarity bridge. Is this even made anymore? And can I use after market pickups? If I can't soften this tone, I will have to get rid of the guitar, which I don't want to do, because it plays amazingly well.
Excellent video guys. A few surprises for me. I thought the lithium’s would’ve be the least appealing to my ears but liked them second only to my first biggest surprise which was the Holdsworth. That pickup in either position was awesome. The one i liked least wasn’t the polarity. A little muddy for my taste but that’s just me. I have to agree with an earlier post , would have liked to hear a comparison with the Greg Howe but that is a minor complaint. Awesome vid again guys
I got a mahogany Zeus with Lithium pups. Sounded weak and shitty. Just got a Vader with Berillium pups and I love them. Makes me think the Lithiums were wired wrong.
Time codes
============
Lithium Bridge
Clean 00:05 Crunch 06:29
High Gain Rhythm 12:56 Lead 18:24
Thorium Bridge
Clean 00:19 Crunch 06:42
High Gain Rhythm 13:08
Lead 18:34
Beryllium Bridge
Clean 00:31 Crunch 06:55
High Gain Rhythm 13:19
Lead 18:43
Illusionist Bridge
Clean 00:44 Crunch 07:09
High Gain Rhythm 13:30 Lead 18:52
Holdsworth Bridge
Clean 00:57 Crunch 07:22
High Gain Rhythm 13:41 Lead 19:01
Polarity Active
Bridge
Clean 01:10 Crunch 07:36
High Gain Rhythm 13:52 Lead 19:10
Polarity Passive
Bridge
Clean 01:23 Crunch 07:49
High Gain Rhythm 14:03 Lead 19:19
----------------
Lithium Bridge Split
Clean 01:37 Crunch 08:02
High Gain Rhythm 14:15 Lead 19:28
Thorium Bridge Split
Clean 01:50 Crunch 08:16
High Gain Rhythm 14:26
Lead 19:38
Beryllium Bridge Split
Clean 02:03 Crunch 08:29
High Gain Rhythm 14:38 Lead 19:47
Illusionist Bridge Split
Clean 02:16 Crunch 08:43
High Gain Rhythm 14:49 Lead 19:57
Holdsworth Bridge Split
Clean 02:29 Crunch 08:56
High Gain Rhythm 15:00 Lead 20:06
Polarity Active Bridge Split
Clean 02:41 Crunch 09:09
High Gain Rhythm 15:11 Lead 20:15
Polarity Passive Bridge Split
Clean 02:54 Crunch 09:22
High Gain Rhythm 15:22 Lead 20:24
----------------
Lithium Bridge + Neck Split
Clean 03:08 Crunch 09:36
High Gain Rhythm 15:34 Lead 20:34
Beryllium Bridge + Neck Split
Clean 03:22 Crunch 09:49
High Gain Rhythm 15:45
Lead 20:43
Holdsworth Bridge + Neck Split
Clean 03:34 Crunch 10:02
High Gain Rhythm 15:57 Lead 20:52
Polarity Active Bridge + Neck Split
Clean 03:47 Crunch 10:16
High Gain Rhythm 16:08 Lead 21:01
Polarity Passive Bridge + Neck Split
Clean 04:00 Crunch 10:29
High Gain Rhythm 16:19 Lead 21:10
----------------
Lithium Neck Split
Clean 04:15 Crunch 10:42
High Gain Rhythm 16:31 Lead 21:20
Beryllium Neck Split
Clean 04:28 Crunch 10:55
High Gain Rhythm 16:42
Lead 21:29
Holdsworth Neck Split
Clean 04:41 Crunch 11:09
High Gain Rhythm 16:53 Lead 21:38
Polarity Active Neck Split
Clean 04:54 Crunch 11:22
High Gain Rhythm 17:05 Lead 21:48
Polarity Passive Neck Split
Clean 05:06 Crunch 11:35
High Gain Rhythm 17:16 Lead 21:58
----------------
Lithium Neck
Clean 05:21 Crunch 11:48
High Gain Rhythm 17:28 Lead 22:07
Beryllium Neck
Clean 05:34 Crunch 12:02
High Gain Rhythm 17:39 Lead 22:17
Holdsworth Neck
Clean 05:47 Crunch 12:15
High Gain Rhythm 17:50 Lead 22:26
Polarity Active Neck
Clean 06:00 Crunch 12:28
High Gain Rhythm 18:01 Lead 22:36
Polarity Passive Neck
Clean 06:13 Crunch 12:42
High Gain Rhythm 18:12 Lead 22:45
=============================
🙂
You da meng
I was surprised by how good the Holdsworth sounded in every application. Definitely going to consider them for my next pickup swap.
I was thinking the same thing
Couldn’t agree more, I thought the more modern style pickups they make would suit me best cause that’s my playing style, when I got a set in an Aries it changed my whole perception lol. But come on holdsworth was a beast and these are too
agree.....
Best polyvalent pickups ever
I have an Ibanez AH-10 as well as an AH-20 and I am not surprised at all. I am surprised how far under the radar Holdsworth pickups ae.
First off: Whoever the guy is who's playing all the examples needs a raise. Much respect for being able to play that many examples with such consistency!
Also, it's really cool how the characteristics of each pickup really jumps out once the single note examples happen.
Excellent video, guys! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
That's Brandon Ewing. I can tell from the posture and left hand grip.
@@cdnpunk2270 Thank you. That dude is a beast
For the metal bois:
Rhythm:
Lithium 12:57
Thorium 13:07
Beryllium 13:18
Illusionist 13:29
Holdsworth 13:40
Polarity (active voicing) 13:51
Polarity (passive voicing) 14:02
Lead bridge:
Lithium 18:24
Thorium 18:34
Beryllium 18:43
Illusionist 18:51
Holdsworth 19:00
Polarity (active) 19:10 (volume drop?)
Polarity (passive) 19:19 (volume spike?)
Lead neck:
Lithium 22:07
Beryllium 22:17
Holdsworth 22:26
Polarity (active) 22:36
Polarity (passive) 22:45 (another volume spike?)
Polarity modes may have been mixed up
These should be in the description!
thx!!gj!
God bless you
The best pickup comparison video I've ever seen. Good musicians playing the same guitar model through the same rig, and using the same musical examples. Lots of other demos don't have that level of consistency.
Every time the Holdsworth pickup came on my ear picked up. THey're my favorite from the demo.
The Berylliums are my favorites though the Holdsworths definitely surprised me too. The Berylliums clean up really well when you roll the volume pot down and have the most versatility to my ear. The Lithium/Illusionist Bridge are also both pretty sweet for lead.
I've been debating the Berylliums vs Holdsworths for a while ever since this video came out.
I love the darker Beryllium tone but the note separation on the Holdsworth is gods tier.
Holy shit the Holdsworth was literally the best or second best pickup in every single example. A true jack of all trades.
Brandon is legit one of the best out there right now. 💙
Yes truly. I wish he had more music out there than just with eternity forever.
I wish the Parallax had made it into this video, but the Holdsworth pickups really shined here. Great clean and high gain tones. Those may have to go in build number three!
They all sounded pretty damn good to me and yeah, mad props to the guys who had to play countless takes of the same riffs just for consumer demo. Without watching the screen I hear a particularly good tone and look up to see those were my Lithium. There are definitely 2 or 3 more pickups I need to consider for future builds!
Remember you have to take into mind how these will perform in YOUR hands and in YOUR rig. Great stuff!
*) Thorium bridge/Holdsworth neck
1) The Thorium for it's clarity, bright top-end, tight-chunk and attack
2) The Holdsworth for it's warmth, tight low-end, creaminess, and thickness
*) My choices were based on my style of play. I play metal but also use my crunch and clean channel often in songs as well. The Lithium would be a great choice for metal/high-gain as well, but it's a bit too trebley and sharp for me. All strength and no finesse, very EMG 81ish. The Thorium reminds me of a good Seymour or DiMarzio.
The passive mode of the Polarity sounds so much better in every setting that I wonder why it even has an active voice setting
Get a guitar with them and find out. The active mode when set correctly with your amp is the best metal tone ive ever had. The versatility of the guitar is also almost unparalleled. The smooth lead tones capable with the polarity pickups are the best ive ever had
@@colelewis9940 I started playing in the 80s so my conception of a good metal tone is more like 70s hard rock. Different tools for different tasks.
Holdsworth and polarity passive were tops to my ear. Lithium came in second, great all around tone. I can see why they are your best sellers. If you pay close attention to their playing, you can see a difference in their body language with the better sounding pick ups.
great work, great playing, loved the differences. the biggest surprise for me was just how good the Holdsworth pups are under high gain & just how dull the active polarities are. It would be awesum to see the active/passive tech being applied to the entire range of pups as an option.
Holdsworth hands down🔥🔥🔥.
Holdsworth rules.
Kiesel Carvin has never made a bad pickup and I had been favoring the berylliums before I heard this
Im so impressed with the Beryllium PUs they have that very special Low-Mids presence ++ some very nice chimy High-End in order to cut out in the mix N they R definitely so versatile for any genre
absolutely LOVE that riff! outstanding. The pickups are great too!
Which riff?
Hey Tone King, what are kiesels best pickups for High gain output. Shred style?
0:06 Lithium Bridge 5:22 Lithium Neck 0:31 Beryllium Bridge 5:35 Beryllium Neck
6:25 Lithium Bridge Crunch 11:49 Lithium Neck Crunch 6:55 Beryllium Bridge Crunch 12:02 Beryllium Neck Crunch
12:56 Lithium Bridge High Gain 17:28 Lithium Neck High Gain 13:19 Beryllium Bridge High Gain 17:38 Beryllium Neck High Gain
18:24 Lithium Bridge Lead 22:07 Lithium Neck Lead 18:43 Beryllium Bridge Lead 22:16 Beryllium Neck Lead
Beryllium Bridge
Clean 00:31 Crunch 06:55
High Gain Rhythm 13:19
Lead 18:43
Holdsworth Bridge
Clean 00:57 Crunch 07:22
High Gain Rhythm 13:41 Lead 19:01
----------------
Beryllium Bridge Split
Clean 02:03 Crunch 08:29
High Gain Rhythm 14:38 Lead 19:47
Holdsworth Bridge Split
Clean 02:29 Crunch 08:56
High Gain Rhythm 15:00 Lead 20:06
All the pickups were nice, but man that Holdsworth pickup is really great. I was surprised.
The Carvin/Kissel pickups are one of the best things about the company. The old model with 11 or so pole pieces is my favorite pickup in the world for the neck position in a Tele style guitar.
I’ve put Carvin pickups in several guitars over the years. They always sound great! It’s nice to see a video comparing the Keisel models. Those Holdsworth’s will probably be in a future guitar! More video’s comparing other pickups would be great. The old single coils have been my favorite for years. Just something special.
All the pickups are awesome but once again it’s Brandon’s playing that is the star of the show 🔥
The holdsworth split clean sounds real good
Very well done and thorough demo! Pretty much confirmed what I already believed, the Holdsworth pickups are the best of the bunch. Really wish you'd make an 8 string version.
Can we have a single coil demo next?🙏 Beryllium vs Lithium vs Mark Kiesel's new single coil pickups vs S60 vs M22 singles?(whatever the old Carvin singles are called)
Yes, single coils please; and need to hear those 2-4 tones.
Yes please
You have no idea how long I've been waiting for a video like this. I've watched a lot of "reviews/demos" trying to compare your pickups. They're not all bad, but the quality on most are lacking compared to this.
I couldn't afford one until this year. Got a single coil Delos, so I guess this video wouldn't have helped me anyway lol.
I remember drooling over the CT6 in the mail order catalogs ~2007 though.
gnpahdc lol question is did you ever get one?
Yes! Finally a decent comparison with the newer pickups. Thank you so much...decision made.
All nice pickups, the Holdsworth pickups have most magic, balance, darkness and a nice little saturation underneath imo.
Gotta say, the Lithium's are my favorites, the Holdsworth & Polarity sets come as a close second. May even look into get a set replace the stock pups in my Ibanez.
Beryllium and Holdsworth sounded really good to me
I've got a Beryllium in the bridge and a Holdsworth in the neck of a Delos---couldn't be happier.
@@FRCMoto Was thinking about this same combination.
@@mpgnz73 I love it more the more time I spend with it. I like that there are 2 distinctive tone profiles. The Holdsworth in the neck is smooth, but dirties up wonderfully. The bridge is awesome for everything from classic rock to doom riffs with the right amp settings and pedals.
@@FRCMoto Thanks so much for your insight! Really great to see this.
Lithium would be easiest to work with in a mix. Glad I chose them for my build I’m waiting on
Just bought my first Kiesel, so excited :D
I was so happy that (to me at least) the Holdsworth pickup was the best, what a dude he was.
Beryllium and holdsworth for me. Sounds great in every aspect
0:00 Clean
1:36 Clean Split
12:56 High Gain Rhythm
18:24 High gain lead
Idk how someone can say they hate Lithium pickups. That's the Jack of all trades, work-horse pickup. Sounds a little glassy at lower gain, but that's what I like about it
I just replaced 3 sets of lithiums, I sorta hated them...lol. Way to icepicly and really hard to dial it out.
Berylium or Holdsworth, Holdsworth or Berylium? I think I need one of each...
Loved hearing them all compared. Very useful.
Beryllium and Holdsworth for me.
Kiesel, THANK YOU SO MUCH for putting out a video that demonstrates what the pickups actually sound like. I get so tired of all the lightning boys making noise all over the neck and tapping everything in sight and then calling it a pickup demo. Rather, It is a ego demo. Yea, and while you're at it "GET OFF MY LAWN!
Kevin O'Rourke
Both of the Holdsworth pups sound great across board.Clarity,crunch,mids.
Great. Still love the M22SDs and the old H22s. Keep up the great work
I put M22’s in a Steinberger Spirit several years ago. It tripled the power and the cleans just sparkle. And now half the Keisel lineup is headless. Coincidence? I don’t think so!
Lithium Neck Split
Clean 04:15 Crunch 10:42
High Gain Rhythm 16:31 Lead 21:20
Beryllium Neck Split
Clean 04:28 Crunch 10:55
High Gain Rhythm 16:42
Lead 21:29
Holdsworth Neck Split
Clean 04:41 Crunch 11:09
High Gain Rhythm 16:53 Lead 21:38
----------------
Lithium Neck
Clean 05:21 Crunch 11:48
High Gain Rhythm 17:28 Lead 22:07
Beryllium Neck
Clean 05:34 Crunch 12:02
High Gain Rhythm 17:39 Lead 22:17
Holdsworth Neck
Clean 05:47 Crunch 12:15
High Gain Rhythm 17:50 Lead 22:26
Omg....that Illusionist pickup is music to my ears!
Lithium and Beryllium are tied for cleans imo but Thorium bridge for High Gain imo😈🤘they all sound good for Crunch
I'd definitely go Thorium/Beryllium for a metal-focused guitar, like a 7 string. Lean beryllium for the cleaner stuff and lean thorium for the heavy riffs.
After watching this video, I chose Beryllium pickups to go in my CS6. When I received the guitar, I was not disappointed. I'm primarily a bass player, but if I order another guitar I'd like to try a set of Lithiums as well. Thanks Kiesel!
This helps so much for my next build!
One of the best pickup comparisons I ever heard! All of them sound pretty damn good, the Holdsworth would be my choice.
Berylliums sounded the best to my ears. I love the vintage sweetness, it almost sounds like they have more sag.
Just ordered swamp ash Osiris with Berylliums.
Where is the data on each of these pickups on the Kiesel website? All I can find is listing for the Lithium and one for the Holdsworth. Hidden data or am I blind?
"Call my guys!"
I think I’m definitely going to put the polarity in a six string build got it in a seven string already and I love them
One thing that I like about the Polarity pickups (main reason why I watched this) is that for the High gain, on all 3 channels they wouldn't ring the notes out with that kinda single coilish twang. They have alot of Distortion capability from what I can hear, and they sound nice and bassy. They don't sound weak and almost have a nice fuzz as well, both active and passive. Sounds good for Metalcore, or Maybe Doomy/Djenty sounds. But despite the distortion it still rings out the higher register clearly and has a nice spicyness to it. Can't wait for my Andy James 7 String
Lithium’s get such a bad wrap from Kiesel folk. But outside of the Holdsworth, I reckon they hold their own just fine!
Great demo, love my Lithiums, and to my ears still the best defaults.
i could not agree more!
batmonkey In this demo they surprisingly sounded like higher output “Holdsworth pickups.”
Great video guys! Thank you. Happy New Year Fam!
I’ve been looking for some good pups to replace the stock ones in my Ibanez rga42fml and this is it. Definitely going with thorium bridge and lithium neck. Thanks Kiesel!
Brandon's hands still terrify me to this day... and amazes me.
Nice!! Really Dig the Polarity! Sold..
Thorium Bridge / Holdsworth Neck
I love the low tone on lithium neck pickup
I was sent here by General Lee Mckinney of the metalcore army!
Private Nicholas Ryan Sanchez reporting for duty sir!!!
OMG...they all sound really good.
They all sound very similar. Please release information on how hot the output is for each.
I’m a big fan of active and these polarity pickups have that controlled compressed tone I love for lead but the cleans leave much to be desired
Front end EQ stomp helps a bit but still not “live” sounding
Hell yeah. This is awesome. The Beryllium and Holdsworth sound the best for cleans in my opinion.
Never heard the Illusionist in context, but I love it. The perfect middle ground between the Lithium and Thorium. I think that's what I'll get for my next build.
Tyler O'Brien I agree. I have the Berylliums neck and bridge in my A6X. Now that I’ve heard the Illusionist, I thinking Illusionist/Beryllium for my next build, which will be an O6X.
I have an Illusionist in my first build, and it was definitely a gamble that paid off.
How much was the up charge for the Illusionist?
@@andrewtran8659 I don't believe there is an upcharge for that one! For the Thorium, it's only $20.
Andrew Tran no upcharge on the Illusionist. Tyler’s right on the Thorium, $20 upcharge. That’s what I paid for the build I ordered in November
The Polarity passive voicing in almost any application is stunningly good, but.... man, that active voicing is muddy as all hell. At the risk of sounding punny, it's pretty polarizing.
Who's the guitar player? Those Holdsworth pickups sounded great.
Great job guys! 🔥🔥🔥
Finally 🙏
I'm so grateful for this video.
It's exactly what I needed to decide what pickups to have them put in the one I just ordered.
For me, all of them sounded pretty darn good.
And though some of them shined more in different styles/areas and less so in others, the Holdsworth ones were my favorite in all categories.
It was close in some categories, but for all around, Holdsworth all the way.
Now I just have to suffer through the long agonizing wait for Keisel to build mine, and ship it.
But I'm sure the wait will just make it all the more sweet when I do finally get it in my hands.
At least that's what I keep telling myself...
😉🙂😄
Yo, this is awesome! Any chance you might be able to do the same thing on the bass side of things? Or at least with your humbucker vs single coil bass pickups?
whats the point having all these different pickups? You can adjust equalizers
can i order a kiesel with duncans or emg’s?
Ok.... I love the video & how well the demonstration of each pickup is done, but....where in the Hell do I find these on the website?!?!?!😵 I've been looking & can't seem to find them. Any/all help is appreciated☺
I like thorium the most, cuz when he played high gain rhythm I able to hear high strings ringing out, seems like thorium has the best notes separation in this comparison. The illusionist is the second one.
Is there a similar video for the Single Coils?
Im really tempted to give Kiesel a try. But I have issues in choosing the pickups. I want a HSS setup with lower output PUs similar to the Suhr ML Single Coils / Asatobucker(Mates Asato Signature). However I cannot find any information on their Lithium or Beryllium Single Coil Pickups or how they sound.
(Thats the two I can choose at the configurator)
In the vids the Delos always sounds pretty fat almost like Humbuckers. Im afraid of loosing dynamics when playing funky, janky clean riffs thoug as they seem to be very compressed. Hard to tell..
I like low output pickups as well and they told me the Berylliums are the lowest output, not sure if that goes for singles too
I have a Lithium guitar as well as a Beryllium guitar and I'd honestly love to have one wired up with a 3 way switch to just have the single coil options I much prefer instead of having to be careful to stay in just the 3 center positions of the 5 way switch.
Positions 2 and 4 in a five way switch are indispensable IMO. Some of my favorite sounds on a HH guitar.
A 3 way switch and a push/pull knob for splitting would be my way to go in that case
holdsworth is killer for all positions
I want to learn that clean riff
What kind of magnets do the Thorium pickups have and will it be available for the CS3?
I'm not 100% what's in it. I think ceramic but not sure. I have it in a 7 string though a d it's a great pup
Looks like Holdsworth For bridge and Lithium for neck to me
I am going to get flamed here but so be it: I have a Keisel Vanquish with the Lithiums, and while I love the guitar, I absolutely hate the pickups. They are so harsh and bright to my ears. The only pickup here that sounds right for my sound is the Polarity bridge. Is this even made anymore? And can I use after market pickups? If I can't soften this tone, I will have to get rid of the guitar, which I don't want to do, because it plays amazingly well.
@kiesel guitars, do you sell the pickups on their own?
Now which pickup sounds closest to Duane Allman on The Allman Brothers Band Live At Fillmore East ?
Overall, after my second listen, if I had to pick right now it'd be Holdsworth.
please make comparison for bass pickups
What song is he playing in the beginning ?
Excellent video guys. A few surprises for me. I thought the lithium’s would’ve be the least appealing to my ears but liked them second only to my first biggest surprise which was the Holdsworth. That pickup in either position was awesome. The one i liked least wasn’t the polarity. A little muddy for my taste but that’s just me.
I have to agree with an earlier post , would have liked to hear a comparison with the Greg Howe but that is a minor complaint. Awesome vid again guys
Holdsworth and lithium!!!
that BOO shirt looks like one of mine from 2009
Do y'all wind the holdsworth in an 8 string? Because you really should...
Hi Kiesel! How much is the Allan Holdsworth guitar pls? Do you have a dealer in the Philippines?
I got a mahogany Zeus with Lithium pups. Sounded weak and shitty. Just got a Vader with Berillium pups and I love them. Makes me think the Lithiums were wired wrong.
I take it the Illusionist pickup is incapable of being split...or did you guys just miss a lot of those?
I just received my Hyperdrive with the Illusionist pickup. I have the option to split so perhaps the video just forgot to include it.
Your site doesn't show the different pickup styles
Polarity!!!! Damn awesome