Passive Jeff

These are the new Seymour Duncan Noumenon pickups conceived for Jeff Loomis. He's basically an active guy so these passives are something special for him. 

Folks, there are currently 6 & 7-string versions of these pickups which are voiced differently. The Alnico 8 6-string models are voiced to manifest a more cutting top end as this is essentially the Jeff Loomis tone. The Alnico 5 7-string versions are scooped which quite obviously supplements that extra low string of a 7. 

In this demo clip, Loomis kept saying the pickups have a 'more dynamic range'. Then again, any typical passive pickup does that; the three frequencies are there for the taking. This is unlike an active pickup where the focus has always been the top end. 

Pics: Seymour Duncan

Selling: EMG Marty Friedman (SOLD)

Another abandoned project so these EMGs are better off with a new owner. It's the Marty Friedman set, do note that these are PASSIVE pickups. Comes with everything you see above, all in tact, 10/10 condition.

• Selling - EMG Marty Friedman (passive)
• Selling as a set only, 10/10 condition, totally unused
• Self-collect @ CCK /Yew Tee mrt station
• Confirmation / query: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Price: $170 (final)

In check

This is a little snippet of my little best friend in action. It's none other than the JHS Little Black Amp Box (LBAB). I've customised a pair of patch cables to extend it onto the top of the amp head (for convenience more than anything else) & it resides there permanently. That's right, this device is to be plugged into the loop feature of any amp & not to be used in series. There's no ON/OFF switch involved so once plugged in, it's put to work. There's also no battery in use; I would leave this permanently plugged in, no worries about any chemical leakage waiting to happen.

If you've not understood the function of the LBAB, it's an attenuator. The bona fide meaning of an attenuator is a device that mitigates the outcome of a certain device performance. The mitigation here often involves a reduction as the device attenuated is deemed to be excessive in a certain way. The LBAB is a passive attenuator; it does not require an external power source to work. Active attenuators are often attached in between the amp head & the speaker cab, it tends to dissipate heat while in use & a lot bigger by design. 

Is the LBAB the only option out there? If you wish for a simple passive approach to taming loud, high powered amps for indoor use, any device that addresses volume reduction will work: 1) Volume pedal 2) EQ pedal. For a volume pedal assigned for such a task, we note that it has a limited sweep compared to even simple devices, such as the LBAB, specifically assigned for such a job. Also, the volume pedal is often placed on the floor & has limited security when it comes to accidentally activating it while you are on stage. The EQ pedal on the other hand fares better in terms of the volume sweep on offer plus it has EQ options on board for you to fine tune your tone. However, EQ pedals require a battery to operate & once the battery wears out, it affects the overall signal tone. Use a power adapter you say? Be informed that this will induce a background hum. 

Well that's about it for this instalment, the next one might be a discussion of how much tone sucking happens when an attenuator is in use. Till then, cheerio, folks! 

D & G (2)

The Lace Drop & Gain pair went into my Jackson Minion V. It is my intention that this guitar should manifest gain-inclined tones as much as possible. 

The bridge humbucker has a very active-like clarity when it comes to power chords. Single notes, on the other hand, sound twangy- rather unbelievable. I have no idea what's the chemistry here but it's a very likeable pickup in this aspect. The neck pickup strives to match the bridge counterpart in terms of distortion voicings & it did not disappoint. The single notes however, are woolier & not as pseudo active. For solos, I tend to activate both. A value-for-money acquisition since these are on clearance. 

Selling: EMG HZ (sold)

These are just 2 days old (at time of posting).

Selling them as a set.

Selling: EMG HZ (H4) passive pickups (neck/ bridge)
Included: Mounting screws.
Condition: 9/10
Confirmation/ queries: subversion.sg@gmail.com
Self-collect: CCK mrt stn
No reservations/ trades.
Price: $99 (final)

Sonic pickups of death

Many of us are familiar with this Nazgul- you did watch Lord of The Rings, didn't you?

The other Nazgul is Seymour Duncan's latest addition to the fold- high output, chug-friendly pickups. Currently offered for 7 & 8-string instruments only, it SHOULD be a good alternative for many of us. Some sound bytes here:

Yamaha: RGX A2

My new guitar is Yamaha's RGX A2- one slick player, this one. It's a very light weight instrument as it features the manufacturer's patented AIR technology; Alternative Internal Resonance (more on this soon). I would say it's virtually a hollow body majority featuring no F-holes.

Over at he flip-side, the cavities are kept minimal. It features a battery compartment for the switching system & the electronics are 100% passive. It's not quite apparent here but the RGX A2's rear surface is a very subtle curved top hence eliminating the need for a rib-cage bevel.

To be continued...