What’s new at Zystrix? Read on…
November 11, 2024
Zystrix introduces…
Guitar Pickups --
Part One.
First we’ll cover the most popular
humbucking guitar pickups
available for rock and metal. In part two
we’ll cover money-saving choices
when buying new pickups, and finally, no
or low-cost alternatives instead of buying
new guitar pickups. So sit back and
relax. Welcome to Zystrix, the heartbeat of
the universe. Where creativity and free-thinking
have more value than conformity.
Background
Artwork Ad
The colorful artwork
that surrounds the edges of
this website is invisible to
many cell phone users. It’s
included here for your
enjoyment. Multiple copies are tiled together
for a cohesive and seamless background
seen all around this page. Enjoy.
Introduction to
Guitar Pickups
Is your guitar tone heavy enough?
Let’s transform your wimpy guitar
tone into a self-sacrificing molten
force that dominates the stage.
Maybe it’s time to search for and
install some flame-throwin’ guitar pickups
designed for rock and metal. Or maybe not. You
be the judge. In this part one episode we’ll cover
pickups that dominate. Ones with power and
clarity. So sit tight, grab the popcorn, and let’s talk
about the most popular metal guitar pickups.
POPULAR GUITAR
PICKUPS FOR
METAL and HARD ROCK
The following pickups are the most
popular, and many guitarists whose
sound kills seek them out. They are not especially
ones I would choose, but they are definitely way
cool. I guess it just depends on your ear. We’ll
cover that topic in part two. Anyway, here they
are…
EMG 81 (Top Choice)
The EMG 81 Active Guitar
Humbucker Bridge/Neck Pickup
in black is popular among many
guitarists. This pickup employs
solid ceramic magnets, and the
company says they have a solderless installation
that’s popular with someone without soldering gun
skills. This pickup is typically positioned in the
guitar’s bridge position. Recommended pairings
from the company for this pickup include the
classic 81/85 configuration (shown above) and
the 81/60 combination.
DiMarzio Super
Distortion DP100
This high-output passive humbucker
pickup is designed for classic rock sounds
and offers the versatility of coil-splitting. Regular
or F-spacing to fit vintage Gibson or most Fender
guitars. High output and a mid-boost deliver the
maximum from your tube amp. Its key feature is
the hot output, which is ideal for 1980s heavy
metal.
DiMarzio DP155
Tone Zone
The Tone Zone humbucker has a
wide dynamic range. It’s a
passive pickup that’s aggressive,
ballsy, and with plenty of drive. It
comes in a black finish.
DiMarzio X2N
DP102
The DiMarzio X2N is the hottest and
certainly one of the most aggressive pickups
that DiMarzio makes, so if you are looking for
something for modern death metal, this is the
better choice over the Super Distortion. The high
output EQ is very balanced with the Bass rated at
5.5, the Mids at 6.5, and Treble at 6.5, and it pairs
best with a higher output neck position pickup.
Seymour Duncan
Mark Holcomb
Alpha & Omega
This is a high output passive humbucking
ceramic-powered signature set built on precision
and clarity, and are available for 6-, 7- and 8-string
guitars (8-string pictured). They are perfect for
down-tuned guitars for clear chord definition,
although they are expensive.
Fishman Fluence
Modern
Humbucker Alnico
Fishman Modern Alnico Humbucker
pickups offer classic alnico sound with added
versatility, active battery operated power, and
clarity. The Fluence technology allows you to
switch between two different voicings (Modern
Active and Crunchy Passive), making it easy to
dial in the perfect tone for any playing style, and
comes with a push-pull guitar knob for quickly
changing voicings. The pickup also features a
rechargeable battery. This could possibly be the
best pickup available right now for metal guitarists.
Seymour Duncan
SH13 Dimebucker
This pickup features a blade
style design that ensures
consistency through bends for pure metal sound.
It delivers a powerful and high-output sound with a
DC resistance of 16.25k ohms and an inductance
of 8.45 H with a resonant frequency of 5.1k
Hz which produces sharp, clear tones. It
also includes mounting hardware, a custom
mounting ring, and a detailed schematic for
easy installation.
Fishman Fluence
Classic Humbucker
This active pickup offers two distinct and
useful sounds, classic PAF tone and a hot-rodded
humbucker. Rechargeable with the
optional battery pack, these pickups
make it easy to upgrade your guitar. This
one is designed for the bridge position
and features a black nickel cover.
Don’t touch that dial…
Stay tuned next time…
Before you think about upgrading
your pickups please read part two
(coming November 25, 2024) of this Guitar
Pickups issue. We’ll cover the facts to
know about guitar pickups to help you make
an informed buying decision. Then we’ll look
at inexpensive alternatives that sound just
as good as
expensive new pickups.
And here’s something that’s
not related to guitar pickups
at all. If you enjoy neo-
classical piano, Dangerous
Neighbors has another tune
to download free called Pull out the Rug. And
the USA holiday called Thanksgiving
(turkey day for some) is fast
approaching – November
28th to be exact. Maybe
I’ll see you then.
The other day I installed a skylight in my
apartment, and now the people who live
above me are furious.
Knowledge, art, and
music for all.
Zystrix = a source, shaman, or library disseminating secret or lost knowledge, art, or music.
ZYSTRIX
POPULAR FREE DOWNLOADS
The Best Free
Synthesizers of 2024
It’s another epic issue, and there’s lots of
FREE downloads here. And the Honorable Mention Synthesizer
List might surprise you. This list is long, so prepare yourself. And
if it seems like too much to take in, I warned you. Click here for
the official list of The Best Free Synthesizers of 2024.
The Best Free
Mastering Plugins
Your DAW (digital audio workstation) will be
so happy. And so will you. Here are the best of the best for
EQ, compression, limiting, tube and tape emulation, reverb,
delay, and honorable mentions. This list is a must have with
lots of downloads. Check out The Best FREE Plugins for
Mastering 2024.
Here’s a free download of almost one and a half hours of original
neo-classical solo piano by Dangerous Neighbors. This full
length album called Piano Top to Bottom consists of 18 original
piano pieces with the final piece in two movements. There is a
bonus track making 20 files total. This download comes in three
format options: the first option is a single file MP3 containing all
the tunes in one chunk similar to tape recordings. The
second download option is a folder with all of the separate
MP3 piano pieces named and arranged in album order
similar to a CD or MP3 player. The third download option is similar
to videos found on “ZooTube” with the names and times on the
screen. There is also a fourth surprise version made only for
“ZooTube” and it is edited down to less than 15 minutes long
because of their telephone number required rule. Basically it just
guides the listener here.
To download any or all of these options simply click here. Enjoy.
Free Guitar Cabinet
Impulse Responses
Introducing
the
next
generation
in
guitar
cabinet
impulse
responses.
Try
the
new
Djammincabs
Maxxx
4x12.
All
of
these
cab
IR
files
are
based
on
old,
new,
and
boutique
4x12
cab
curves.
All
are
recorded
in
beautiful
24-bit
48K
mono
and
will
work
on
most
free
and
paid
digital
convolvers.
Hear
the
guitar
IR
breathe
fire
with
pure
attitude.
Don’t
be
suckered
in
with
high-dollar
sales
pitches,
there
ain’t
no
guitar
IR
downloads
better
than
these.
Choose
from
many
cab
sound
recording
styles:
cone,
edge,
angled,
arm
away,
inside
cab,
back
of
cab,
or
back
of
room.
Djammincabs
is
the
world
leader
in
guitar
cab
IR
invention
--
no
other
guitar
IR
company
can
imitate
these.
Djammincabs
Maxxx
4x12
makes
it
easier
for
you
to
design
your
own
personalized
sound
--
even
your
own
Metal
IR
pack.
If
you
can’t
find
a
cabinet
or
combination
you
like
here,
then
you
don’t
like
4x12
cabinets.
This
guitar
IR
download
also
includes
a
Tactical
Munitions
Manual
with
suggested
uses
and
detailed
cab
combinations.
This
is the best free guitar impulse download available anywhere.
Djammincabs Maxxx 4x12
“Murder Your Competition.”
I feel brave. I want to try them now. Here’s my email...
Djammincabs for Guitar
Free Guitar Impulse Responses
This is the original Djammincabs guitar cabinet impulse response
collection that started it all.
Click here to download
over 200 Free Guitar Cabinet Impulse Responses.
Djammincabs for Bass Guitar
Download Free Bass Impulse Responses
Click here to download
over 200 Free Bass Guitar Cabinet Impulse Responses.
Best Free Guitar Impulses.
The Top 11 Best Free
Guitar and Bass
Cabinet Impulse Responses for
2022
(in alphabetical order…)
Find, download, and test the best
free guitar cabinet impulse responses for 2022.
FREE BASS LOOPS SAMPLES
DOWNLOAD
ROYALTY FREE BASS LOOP SAMPLES
FREE BASS LOOPS
Over 200 samples are included in the
collection
Download the complete collection of 24-bit bass loops here.
NOTE: This download size is approximately 369 Megs.
Free Pendulate
Synthesizer Presets
Original Newfangled Audio Pendulate
synth patches/presets
Click here to download over 240
Free Pendulate Synth Presets (patches)
Synapse Audio
Dune Synthesizer
Download Over 200 Free
Synapse Audio
Dune 2 and Dune 3
Synthesizer Patches and Presets
Click here to download over 200 FREE Synapse Audio
Dune 2 or Dune 3 synthesizer patches or presets.
NOTE: This synth patch download is slightly over 1 Meg in size.
Free Reverb Impulse
Responses
Choose from hundreds available in
48K 24 bit WAV format
including new original reverbs.
CabSpace
Over 400 Guitar Isolation Booth Reverbs
Download over 400 Free Zystrix Original Reverb Impulse Responses,
and over 200 Free Zystrix Original BONUS Reverb Impulse
Responses.
Download all the Alesis MIDIVerb 4 reverb impulse responses.
Download all the Lexicon MPX-1 reverb impulse responses.
Download all the Alesis Wedge reverb impulse responses.
Download over 50 Reverb Relics from the past.
Click here to download free reverb impulse responses.
Free Drum Samples
Only Available from
Zystrix
Free Gong Samples and Sounds
Free Snare Drum Samples and Sounds
Free Bass Drum Samples and Sounds
Free Oriental Cymbal Samples and Sounds
Free Oriental Bells Samples and Sounds
The Ultimate Original Drum Sounds List
Download over 2000 original slammin’ rock bass drums.
Download original Gongs, Cymbals, Broken Cymbals, and Bells.
Download Over 200 Free Original Bass Drum Sounds and Samples.
Download over 200 Original Free snare drum sounds.
Click here to download Drum Kit Sounds.
Dangerous Neighbors
The SW Michigan
Rock Band Power Trio.
Free Rockin’ Music Downloads
Download
tunes
from
the
80s
to
today.
Use
the
special
codes
on
the
Embalmed
for
Life
page
(see
the
DOWNLOAD
FREE
AUDIO
BOOKS
link
below)
and
get
free
downloads
for
the
complete
album and the free horror audio book
The Fluid - Embalmed for Life.
Click here to download various music from
the rock band Dangerous Neighbors.
Download Free Synth Samples for
Intros, Interludes, and Endings
Listen to example #01 by clicking here (MP3 Sample)
Download FREE professional quality stereo sample packs that
slowly evolve over time. All samples are in 48K 24 bit WAV
format and are about 20 seconds long or more. If you like
suspense, psycho, outer space, or terror then this collection is for
you. These range from paranoia to sci-fi, cinematic gore to
strange industrial horror, and creepy creatures to insane
laboratories.
Click here to download all the
synth Intros, Interludes, and Endings.
DOWNLOAD FREE
AUDIO BOOKS
The Fluid, Embalmed for Life
There are Free Audio Book codes for Audible downloads (must sign up).
There are also free sample downloads of the book reading.
There are free downloads of music samples.
There is a free “Look Inside” download of the paperback.
There is a free glossary of the largest list of mortuary slang in the world.
The Free Dangerous Neighbors Album The Fluid, Embalmed for Life
comes included as part of the audio
book and parts are available here as a
free download.
The paperback book is available for
sale at Amazon dot com. I have no
control over these sales; because of the
Amazon agreement I cannot offer
complete paperback or complete audio
books here. And for some reason most
book sales go to Japan. Who would have thunk it?
Click here for free audio books,
book reading samples, music samples, etc.
Take me back to the top of the page.
Zystrix Privacy Policy
THE
FINE
PRINT:
Zystrix
is
a
world
leader
in
personal
privacy
and
we
take
your
privacy
very
seriously.
We
do
not
store,
sell,
give
away,
or
barter
with
any
of
your
personal
or
private
information
including
your
email,
IP
address,
links
clicked,
location,
habits,
tastes,
online
activities
and
behaviors,
or
anything
else
considered
personal
or
private
information.
We
never
have.
Zystrix
is
not
and
has
never
been
a
participant
in
any
advertising
program
including
but
not
limited
to
the
Amazon
Services
LLC
Associates
Program,
Sweetwater,
Reverb,
or
any
other
affiliate
advertising
program
designed
to
provide
a
means
for
sites
to
earn
advertising
fees
from
readers
by
click-through
advertising
and
linking
to
the
aforementioned
or
any
other
companies.
Zystrix
does
not
allow
companies
like
Doubleclick,
Clickbank,
Zedo,
Linkbucks,
Hubspot
or
any
other
related
clandestine
personal
privacy
internet
problems
to
occupy
space
or
have
any
presence
on
or
in
the
Zystrix
website.
Zystrix
does
not
and
has
never
used
Google
Analytics,
therefore
this
site
is
not
required
to
have
those
annoying
cookie
agreement
popups.
Zystrix
has
no
links
associated
with
the
sale
or
offer
of
any
products,
and
we
do
not
allow
this.
Unlike
so
many
other
websites
similar
to
this
one,
this
Zystrix
privacy
policy
keeps
our
reviews
dead
honest,
cuts
out
any
unnecessary
middle
man,
and
keeps
this
website
free
from
cookies
and
the
influences
of
Google
and
the
many
other
unethical
purveyors
of
your
digital
exhaust
and
personal
information. Open source, private, and honest. It’s our mantra.