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Messages - mflemmer2

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The Pickup Place / Re: Dimarzio Illuminator Bridge Alternative
« on: December 13, 2019, 01:53:27 AM »
Thanks to everyone for the replies so far. Wolfe has a barely used Timbre Wolf, with a cover, and zebra coils underneath (which is what I wanted anyway). He's going to remove the cover, clean it up, and sell it to me at a substantial discount, so I can't pass that up. If it doesn't work out for me, I may try the Transition bridge, or from someone else's suggestion, a Seymour Duncan Custom 5, which seems very close to the Timbre Wolf on paper. A5 magnets in both, just over 14K on both, slightly scooped mids (which should remove the notched wah issue). I'll post any update once I replace my current pickup. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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The Pickup Place / Re: Dimarzio Illuminator Bridge Alternative
« on: December 11, 2019, 09:56:05 AM »
Thanks for the info. I was actually considering the Transition, forgot to mention that. Wasn't sure how tight the lows stay with higher gain. Is the Transition more open/brighter/less warm than the Pegasus? Decent cleans?

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The Pickup Place / Dimarzio Illuminator Bridge Alternative
« on: December 09, 2019, 08:38:45 PM »
I've had the Illuminator set in my PRS SE Floyd Custom 24 for a few years now. Good for the most part, but want to try a different bridge pup. The main thing I don't like: the notched mids, cocked wah, upper mid spike, vocal "aww" sound, however you want to describe it, but you get the idea. Many Dimarzio pickups have this, as does the Seymour Duncan JB. Something that de-emphasizes that kind of thing, with a bit sweeter cleans, but still good with higher gain. Think Dream Theater level gain, and similar musical endeavors (at most), but also good for classic rock and hair metal. Still fairly open and detailed for chords, with good note separation. NOT dark and overly midrangey, but still possessing good crunch. Clear highs that are open, without being spikey. Finally, something that splits well, without a huge volume drop (some drop is to be expected).

I strongly considered the Seymour Duncan Pegasus before getting the Illuminator (I plan on keeping the neck pup, happy with it). I have Wolfetones in my Les Paul (MK II bridge, Dr. Vintage neck), and couldn't be happier, with the pickups or Wolfe. I consider him a friend, and he suggested his Timbre Wolf. I know how he works with his customers to make them happy, so no worries there, but would still like some other opinions. For what I've described, has anyone tried the Timbre Wolf or Pegasus, and what are your thoughts? Any other suggestions? I will confess that I hope to get something from Wolfe that fits the bill. Thanks in advance, and Happy Holidays.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Pegasus vs Perputual Burn vs Illuminator
« on: December 02, 2015, 06:52:10 PM »
DarthPhineas, it's been a couple months since I last posted, so I'm not sure if you'll see this. I did end up going with the Illuminators. I am very pleased with the sound, including the cleans (especially the neck, and split coil settings). Really, the bridge isn't that bad for cleans either---both pickups are a step up from what I had (PRS SE HFS and Vintage Bass). The cleans were OK on the Vintage Bass, but weak & thin on the HFS---and split coil settings drastically reduced the volume. Both Illuminators sound much better clean, and single coil settings sound much more full, without such a huge volume drop. Also, there is a much bigger difference between the middle and neck positions. One thing I'm a little surprised at: in the middle position, there is a bit of the "2 PAF's at once" hollow, chirpy sound (like on my Les Paul with '57 Classics), but when you switch to single coil, it sounds A LOT like a Strat out-of-phase (position 2 or 4) setting---and this is a nice surprise. Both pickups alone with split coil sound like---well, single coils, but not out of phase. I wasn't expecting that---I'm assuming it's by design. Of course, I definitely like both pickups with gain---I did think the neck would be a little brighter, but it's not too dark. It's certainly CLEAR, but more subdued in the highs than I expected. However, you do get a nice chirp when picking individual notes. The bridge is certainly bright enough without being shrill. Thanks again for your advice---they're keepers!

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The Pickup Place / Re: Pegasus vs Perputual Burn vs Illuminator
« on: September 11, 2015, 10:22:33 PM »
I appreciate the advice. I'm probably going to get the Illuminators, based on what you and others have said. I like the fact that they clean up fairly well, and I'm sure the low end is tight enough for my needs. I certainly don't want shrill or piercing treble, but I am hoping they have some treble bite on the bridge pickup, especially when you dig in. My Les Paul's '57 Classic Plus in the bridge has plenty of bite while not sounding thin, but obviously isn't as tight in the lows with high gain. I really like the sound clips I've heard of the PAF Masters, but once again, probably not the best for more modern styles. I'm wondering if there is a fairly high output pickup that sounds decent clean, has good note separation with high gain, stays tight in the lows, AND has some treble bite in the bridge. I might have to do without the bite---that's why I have more than one guitar, I guess.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Pegasus vs Perputual Burn vs Illuminator
« on: September 08, 2015, 10:56:52 AM »
Thanks again for the info. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see where you stated the guitar or wood types---just that it was the same guitar you had the Becker in. Could you please provide the woods in your guitar? Also, how would you compare the treble in the Illuminator vs the Titan? I'm assuming they're close. It'd be nice if you had an Illuminator and Titan in the neck, so you could provide comparisons. I actually became interested in the Titan after you referenced it in your earlier reply. I'm wondering how close they are, since the descriptions and B/M/T levels on DiMarzio's website are similar. I'm still considering the SD Pegasus/Sentient combo, but I'm really leaning toward the Illuminators now. Your thoughts on the above?

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The Pickup Place / Re: Pegasus vs Perputual Burn vs Illuminator
« on: September 07, 2015, 09:44:07 PM »
Yes, that is helpful---thank you. I'm no longer considering the PB, based on what you and others have said. Also, I keep going back and forth on the SD combo. I realize these things are relative, but I've seen more consistent descriptions of the Illuminators. One recurring thing I keep seeing on the Pegasus is that it has a very heavy, boomy low end, which can tend to overwhelm and "blend" the other frequencies with higher gain, and even get a bit muddy, especially in the wrong guitar. One forum member who reported this was using a Schecter with a mahogany body, and my PRS is mahogany (with maple top), with maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. Then, others with a similar guitar as mine say it's very well balanced. I'm not into djent or death metal sounds---Dream Theater-esque prog is about as heavy as I need or want, and I only play 6 stringers. For all I know, these reports of bottom-heaviness only apply to the 7th and/or 8th strings. The main things that appeal to me regarding the Pegasus are better cleans and more shimmer in the highs, but even SD's website states that the Pegasus works best with bright to semi-warm woods. I realize the PRS isn't ENTIRELY mahogany. Then again, Petrucci's guitars are basswood. What's the wood in your guitar with the Illuminator, and when you say "focused highs", do you mean treble/bright highs or high mids?

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The Pickup Place / Re: Pegasus vs Perputual Burn vs Illuminator
« on: September 04, 2015, 10:08:34 PM »
The Becker model came off as a little flat to me.

I have an Illuminator in line to be installed, so I hope to know more about that one soon.
Both bridge & neck, or bridge only? Either way, details would be appreciated. I would need much more info on the Perpetual Burn before actually getting it---I'm pretty set on the Pegasus/Sentient or Illuminator sets. From other reviews & forums I've read, it seems there is less difference between the 2 neck pickups. The Pegasus may have a bit more pronounced/sparkly highs, and slightly less midrange than the Illuminator bridge. The Pegasus' EQ is more spread out, whereas the Illuminator is more tight and focused in the midrange. Apparently both have fairly tight lows, and good overall definition. This is a TOUGH choice!

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The Pickup Place / Pegasus vs Perputual Burn vs Illuminator
« on: September 03, 2015, 10:21:17 AM »
I'm really torn between the DiMarzio Illuminator and Seymour Duncan Pegasus/Sentient combos for my PRS SE Floyd Custom 24. Then, to complicate things, I stumbled onto the SD Jason Becker Perputual Burn bridge pickup---I assume it would also pair well with the Sentient. The Pegasus and PB both seem very versatile, from clean to shred and everything in between---not as sure about the Illuminators for clean tones, since they have ceramic magnets. If anyone has tried/compared any of these, I would appreciate the details. I'd like to limit the discussion to these pickups only, please---thanks in advance.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Pickups For PRS SE Floyd Custom 24
« on: August 30, 2015, 10:45:05 PM »
Well, it's between the Seymour Duncan Pegasus/Sentient combo and the DiMarzio Illuminator (neck & bridge). Anybody who wants to weigh in, especially those who've tried either of these, feel free!

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The Pickup Place / Re: Pickups For PRS SE Floyd Custom 24
« on: August 27, 2015, 02:47:07 PM »
Thanks for all the responses so far.  Since my original posting, I've narrowed it down to the following: Dimarzio--Illuminator (bridge & neck), or Steve's Special bridge with Gravity Storm neck. Seymour Duncan--Custom or Pegasus bridge, Sentient neck. I appreciate all responses, but if we could please keep it to these choices, I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

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The Pickup Place / Re: Pickups For PRS SE Floyd Custom 24
« on: August 27, 2015, 12:38:05 AM »
I'd go with the Illuminator set or the Transition set. I personally like the Transition set a bit more than the Illuminator myself but I'm not looking for a super aggressive tone these days and it suits my needs well.
What do you like better about the Transitions? Also, objectively speaking, what are the differences, both clean and distorted?

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The Pickup Place / Pickups For PRS SE Floyd Custom 24
« on: August 23, 2015, 11:42:31 PM »
I'm looking to replace the stock pickups (PRS SE HFS bridge, SE Vintage Bass neck) on my PRS SE Floyd. GREAT guitar, especially for the money, and the pickups aren't terrible, but I do want to upgrade. It has a mahogany body (with maple top), and rosewood fingerboard. I definitely want to keep the tone fairly modern, since I already have a Les Paul and Stratocaster with vintage sounding pickups.

I want the lows to stay tight and articulate even with reasonably high gain, but I don't want extremely dark sounding pickups---the highs are important to me as well. I don't want "ice pick" highs, but neither do I want them to be so fat they lose their edge.The mids can make their presence known (as opposed to scooped), but not be overwhelming. I'd like for pinch and tapped harmonics to be relatively easy to find. Since I play a variety of genres, cleans are somewhat important too, both humbucker and split coil, but I don't expect them to sound like the '57 Classics in my Gibson when clean. I considered the PRS \m/ (metal), but I can't believe they're that much better than the others I'm considering to justify spending around $200 per pickup. I'm mainly looking at Dimarzio, and the pickups I'm most interested in so far are these: Illuminator (neck & bridge--I'm a HUGE John Petrucci fan, and I've heard that these do have PAF traits while sounding modern), Liquifire (neck), Transition (neck & bridge--someone else suggested these, but I'm not sure about the lows with high gain), Mo' Joe (bridge--I've heard the harmonics are great, but what about cleans?), and Steve Morse (bridge).

I'm also considering the following Seymour Duncans: Custom (TB-5 bridge), Jazz (neck--once again, not sure about the lows with high gain), and Sentient (neck--CLEANS?). I may even get a bridge PU from one brand and neck from the other. My 2 preamps are a Peavey Rock Master moded to sound like a hot-rodded Marshall JCM800, and a Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp (Mark IIC+ sounding), along with a Peavey VTX power amp. I also have too many pedals to mention here, but the Boogie is the extent of my available amp gain (although I can goose it with a clean boost), and Dream Theater-like tones are as heavy as I need. Hopefully I'm not asking for too much from one set of pickups. The overdriven tones are my main priority, but I'm obviously looking for versatility, including better cleans than the stock pickups provide. I would like to keep the suggestions primarily between these 2 brands. ANY help is appreciated, and the more detail the better. Thanks in advance!

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