Budget Build LTD 200DX! Alt Metal Blackouts vs Mick Thomson Fishmans

[@OMEGAAMPWORKS]

When we (myself, Mick and the genius team at Fishman) were discussing the initial design of the pickups, we talked about the sonic character, feel and output that Mick was searching for. We tested about 5-6 different prototypes, with each one getting closer and closer. We hit a bit of a standstill until the Fishman crew said they were working on some new tech (hardware not software) for pickups and they could implement it into his design. Once we received the first set, it was so close to being exactly what he wanted and it offered dynamics we hadn't heard before. Then he went to Fishman HQ and tweaked them until they came up with the final design. The Seymour Duncan EMTY's were definitely cool pickups but lacked some of the dynamics that Mick was looking for. These new pickups take care of that and more. I do still enjoy the SD's, but I will reach for the Fishman loaded guitar 9 times out of 10.

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@OMEGAAMPWORKS damn. That is some killer insight! Mick’s signature set has become one of my top Fishman pickups! As soon as I struck the first chord I was like, “okay, this is a very textural and responsive pickup!” Not to mention the ability to switch between inner and outer coils on voice 3. Probably the most versatile set Fishman makes!

[@genghisghost]

Did the Shitman team figure out any new tech to dial out the shit in their pickups?

[@anthonystark5412]

@@genghisghost I don't have a horse in this race, so right now I'm cringing on behalf of your parents.

[@thingsandstuff4900]

@@genghisghost really didn't need to announce to everyone that your parents don't love you

[@genghisghost]

@@OMEGAAMPWORKS Shitman Flatulence fanbois simping hard

[@AlwayzTired]

Badass review and video! They sound great to me.

[@MaximusAdonicus]

What would have been the MOST interesting is if u had compared the stock pickups to these Micky pickups! 💡I believe they would have given them run for their money! 'Cos I just bought this guitar recently, since I had done research that the LTD stock pu's might just be the BEST stock pu's ever! And they were!! 🔥🔥 They have tons of definition and they chuggg!! 🤘🤘 IMO they sound a lot like EMG's and as a long time thrash fan that's exactly the sound I've been after for years! 😭😍 I got several budget guitars and this definitely takes the cake as far as sound goes. The playability is great/perfect too, but I got the same playability on my below 200€ Jackson! 😀 But the JS-series Jacksons are an insane bargain! Because of their thin neck u get the same playability in the 200€ as the 1000€ Jacksons! Thus u are paying twice the money just for the paint and (killer) pu's when buying the LTD, which is still within reason for the OG US price of 399$ - here in Finland I had to pay 499€ (550 in USD) for this, which is a bit too much... 2:23 I didn't know scarf joint was a giveaway for budget guitar?! 😫🧐 Isn't it just a reinforcement for the neck for those who care/wanna make it sturdier 🤔 I just checked: I have scarf joints in 3 out of my 7 guitars. 7:55 This sound A LOT like my LTD with the stocks! But once u engage ur OD it goes into diff direction, probably 'cos it's very diff to the basic 808 clones I use. 11:54 Why does it look metalcorish? 😭 I hate metalcore! 💀 But I love purple! 🤩 I thought the Blackouts and Fishmen sounded very similar in tone! The only difference was that the Fish were crispier and Blacks darker, but the difference was like 10% at most.

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@MaximusAdonicus the scarf joint is something that is for structure on angled headstocks, and it is isn’t that they are immediately budget options, but that you are likely to see other methods like three and five price laminated necks on guitars that are more expensive. Scarf joints are typically found on bolt on necks under $1k US. Not budget, but they sort of phase out as you get more expensive. I think the stock pickups are good. It probably wouldn’t cross my mind to replace them at all if I wasn’t trying to look at the SDs specifically. I demoed the same bridge pickup in the EC201FT a couple weeks back, and I really liked that pickup. They do have a flatter upper mid which is likely why they fall more in line with an EMG. The metalcore thing is more referencing alot of bands that use flat strat bodies with reverse headstocks. This looks a lot like the Josh Middleton LTD guitar who has played for Sylosis and Architects. But even Mick Thomason’s new purple sparkle ESP he has been playing is a flat strat body with a reverse headstock. But it just oozes an all around metal vibe regardless of subegnre.

[@o-meg-a6043]

The Fishman's have more clarity and note separation overall. They are also slightly less output which is great since the EMTY's had SO much output. Both are great overall, but I prefer the Fishman's in most cases.

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@o-meg-a6043 I really dig the Fishmans but I can see where some might like the SDs too. The MT Fishmans have become one of my top sets that they make. These and the Will Adler set!

[@jonsierra723]

I liked the blackouts more. It’s not to say the fishman were bad. I just liked the output a bit more but the fishmans are bit brighter which is better for lower tunings but for the price the blackouts win

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@jonsierra723 I can definitely hear something with the SD set that offers a more aggressive feel. They are very fat sounding and have a smooth mid range.

[@NickySayahSina]

The Bogrem MLC S_Zero 100 is my go-to amp sim, especially when checking out new irs. Which picks do you prefer for your general needs? I'm a Eb/D standard tuning kind of guy; perhaps I don't need a Alt Metal version, but I do really like the standard AHB-1 blackouts, for what it's worth.

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@NickySayahSina I actually have started using Gravity picks. I used to toss the free ones in the JHS pedal boxes to the side, thinking they looked cheap. But then I had to use one and realized how well the acrylic held up and they feel really good. So I bought a few different shapes. I like them to be about 1.5-2.0mm. I also like the attack pick stealths, but they wear down too quick.

[@NickySayahSina]

@@BaritoneGoatStudio I have the Rob Chapman Gravity pick and have been using the Steath III and Stealth XL Acoustic Attak pics, myself. Not sure which I prefer.

[@maddoxmay611]

That tone is NASTY… I LOVE IT!!! What real life amps would be able to replicate a sound like this? I’m on the market for my first tube amp, considering the Mesa Badlander 25

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@maddoxmay611 I mean the MLC 100 is a real amp, just very expensive. It isn’t a massively gain heavy amp compared to others. A badlander does sort of sit in that same space of gain, but I think the MLC might be a modded Marshall circuit. So in theory a DSL100 or JVM would probably be close.

[@maddoxmay611]

@@BaritoneGoatStudio also been looking at the DSL100, I’m taking a trip up to the Sweetwater store in Fort Wayne, Indiana this week and I got about of gear to try, I’m saving for a tube amp but for now I’ll probably invest in a Headrush FRFR cab for my Modeler

[@bison962]

Man, those blackouts are awesome. Except for the logo) it sucks. You kinda hear fishman tone evident through his set still when compared directly. I really have to look up that plugin)

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@bison962 the logo is my one gripe! 😂 I like that Blackouts and Fishman’s are different enough from each other but still sound like Mick.

[@bison962]

@@BaritoneGoatStudio I am sort of thinking that perhaps tone/eq-wise voice 2 would be more like those blackouts🤔

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@bison962 the voice 2 on the Fishman pickup is slightly quieter and more rounded in the top end, but the mid range is probably closer. It is hard to compare since the blackouts are a bit hotter all around.

[@tyrannosaurusriffs]

I haven’t had blackouts in a guitar for awhile now. I had a few sets but those all got sold off. I think I’m going to order this Fishman set for my EC1000. The Townsend’s will get moved to something else.

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@tyrannosaurusriffs they are becoming a favorite! I think they are up there with the Will Adler set especially for low tuning.

[@tyrannosaurusriffs]

@@BaritoneGoatStudio I miss my Adler set. That’s what I’m debating over. The struggle is real. I love Fishman. Great job man!

[@dylannaljahih7618]

How do the playing dynamics feel under the hand? Does it have that satisfying playing feel? or do they feel like they slam too hard, even with a boost on?

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

@@dylannaljahih7618 less compressed feeling than an EMG, but they do feel a little round in the low end. Even with a boost engaged the low mids are there. If I was just chugging all the time, it might be fine, but if I were to alternate between palm mutes and notes I would feel like the dynamics were a little muted due to the output. I think the Fishman’s are a bit better suited for more dynamic playing, but also retain some evenness in the frequencies when jumping between palm mutes and legato style notes or alternate picking.

[@olegflechner2093]

Thumbs up for the 🐰

[@mikeberardi2]

Would you say this is a better low cost mod guitar vs a firefly or harley benton? I love my ec-1000 but want a solid strat style for mods

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

The neck is better than the HB necks I have played including the active series models. It has an actual rosewood fretboard, and the truss rod is much smoother to adjust compared to the HBs I have played. For Firefly, I have heard some horror stories on the strat models, all of which seem to come with mediocre floating bridge hardware. I prefer hardtails, or TOM bridges. So, I would say this is going to be a better investment for a strat style guitar in the sub $500 range than either HB or Firefly.

[@mikeberardi2]

@@BaritoneGoatStudio I appreciate the detailed response. I’ve tried a few HB and an lp firefly as well. Not bad but both had baseball bat necks. The ltd definitely seems the right way to go. Subbed and really enjoy the videos!

[@J.R......]

Bro why do they have to put the damn knobs so close to the pickups on those guitars? Does the knob ever get in the way of your picking hand?

[@BaritoneGoatStudio]

I have a pretty tight picking pattern, but I have had to adjust on most guitars for lead style/melodic playing. I tend to pull my hand up toward the neck. I used to the hit knob a lot, but three are so many guitars with knobs in striking distance, I had to adjust.

[@J.R......]

@@BaritoneGoatStudio I don't really hear/see many people complaining about the knob placement which is a little odd to me. I mean it must not be much of an issue if it's something they continue to implement. Maybe is just a because of my bad technique. I've always had a bad habit of resting my pinky on the guitar for extra support when picking.

[@RicketyKrickett]

That’s why I started building my own guitars, I hate Strats, the knob is so damn close. And so many of other builders put the knobs up so high