'Sup everyone.....

I have a P.O.S. BC Rich Mockingbird. It's the cheap version with a blot on neck and a REALLY light body. The pickups sound dull and lifeless, and I can't get much tonal separation out of them. What pickups would go with that guitar? I want a bright, punchy crunchy sound with deep harmonic characteristics, good tonal seperation, and decent transparency. For comparison, I really like the sound of totally stock Schecter Omen 6 guitars. I tune to "C" - not Dev's version of C, but straight regular "E" tuning down 2 steps on every string.

Thanks guys.

you can't go wrong with EMG 81's, they'll do all you're asking for.

I like EMG 81's, but I am also open to other suggestions. To my ears, they can be brittle sounding. I'm looking for something......maybe more warm? But still bright, and without the harsh shrillness? Does that make sense??

I have a Dimarzio Evalution in one of my guitars that is also quite nice. Not a harsh as an EMG, but still has good cut and bottom.

Bare Knuckle pickups have been getting great reviews everywhere. I'm planning on putting them into my next guitar. I've been using Kent Armstrongs, which are good, and at a reasonable price as well. They sell quite a few PUs which are their own take on classics - PAF, JB, and possibly even a passive version of the 81.

Have a look at http://www.harmonycentral.com for lots of reviews of pickups. Some of the reviews are crap - seems people either sing the praises of EMG or say they are crap. However, for less 'mainstream' pickups you often get very balanced reviews.

Any experience with Seymore Duncan??

I will check reviwes at harmony central. That's probly good source of info.....

I avoid Seymore Duncan because a tech I know said the quality has dropped in recent years, he told me stories of out phase pickups and other things I can't recall at the moment. He switched to Dimarzio becuase he felt the quality was much better.

I avoid Seymore Duncan because a tech I know said the quality has dropped in recent years, he told me stories of out phase pickups and other things I can't recall at the moment. He switched to Dimarzio becuase he felt the quality was much better.

That is good to know.....thanks!! I know a lot more about bass shit - sorry for the stupid quiestions and thanks for the responses.

I think EMG 81 are the worst sounding pickups of the EMG series. 85 are better, I personally have the 89's, which in my opinon are the best EMG's there are.
But it really depends on what you're looking for. I won't play everything on EMG's, because some stuff will sound like shit when played on active pickups.

It's all a matter of taste, experiment, keep your ears open when you hear / see other guitarists play, etc.

if passive pickups are a consideration for you, you could take a look at this site: http://www.skguitar.com/ and ask Steven Kersting to custom make you some pickups according to your needs. I've got a pair of Dualtone IIs from him in a custom made guitar, and they're friggin' excellent (but then, I prefer passive over active pickups anyway).

Tammo

'Sup everyone.....
I have a P.O.S. BC Rich Mockingbird. It's the cheap version with a blot on neck and a REALLY light body. The pickups sound dull and lifeless, and I can't get much tonal separation out of them. What pickups would go with that guitar? I want a bright, punchy crunchy sound with deep harmonic characteristics, good tonal seperation, and decent transparency. For comparison, I really like the sound of totally stock Schecter Omen 6 guitars. I tune to "C" - not Dev's version of C, but straight regular "E" tuning down 2 steps on every string.

I have PRS Dragon pickups in most of my guitars.
Sound great- very high in gain.

JR