Wanted: Hot but articulate pickup.

[DonP]

I'll not be voting because out of those pickups, I've only really used the DD a lot.

I have a CC, but not a regular Custom.

I have a Super D, but it's not in anything.

[toejam]

Actually, On Rust In Peace, he used a DiMarzio X2N.

Really?

[rjohnstone]

Hot AND articulate.... TB-11 (Custom Custom)
Smoother highs than the Custom. I think the Custom can get a bit shrill at times.
Great mid tones as well.

[shreddermon]

"Progressive Death Metal". ...There's a Spinal Tap joke in there somewhere.

[Sunbane]

"Progressive Death Metal" sounds like you'd like a somewhat scooped sound? For that, I'd recommend the X2N. Excellent pickup! It has tight bottom, and is hotter than an EMG, but without being fizzy. It also has a great singlecoil sound when split, which is more than I can say for most humbuckers.

[PowerTube]

Well, a the risk of being mocked. If you don't want something that everyone else has you might want to check ebay for some old Jackson J-90C or J-92C pickups. Which were hot, but still had a clarity to their tone.

This wasn't my experience at all. I had a J-90C in a Charvel Model 2 and thought it was the weakest thing around, next to maybe stock Fender Strat single coils.

It actually sounded great but I didn't think it was very hot.

[DonP]

?

J90C seems very hot in my Charvel Fusion Deluxe.

[tonemonster]

[nafe]

X2N!! I love 'em. Great for that razor-sharp sound Chuck pulled on Symbolic and Sounds...

Also, though i've not tried one, maybe consider looking into the Dimarzio Drop-Sonic. From my understanding it's sort of a combo of the X2n and the PAFPro

[tonemonster]

Who's Chuck???

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

OK just as an experiment, I just did a back-to-back comparison of my SL2H (stock JB) vs. my SL1 which has a TB-5 in the bridge, no EQ changes, just popped the cord out of one and into the other.

I determined that I need to buy another TB-5 for my SL2H.

[Grim]

Really?

Yup

[nafe]

Who's Chuck???

Schuldiner....

Grim mentioned his band was going for a similar sound to late era Death

[tonemonster]

[rstites]

Another option might be Anderson H3, H3+, HN3 or HN3+, which are all supposed to be very hot, but clear and tight in terms of tone.

I've used those for years in some of my guitars with very good results. I really like the H3 and H3+: very articulate and warm, while still being high gain. In addition, they're priced right there with Duncan and Dimarzio, despite coming form Anderson.

OK just as an experiment, I just did a back-to-back comparison of my SL2H (stock JB) vs. my SL1 which has a TB-5 in the bridge, no EQ changes, just popped the cord out of one and into the other.

I determined that I need to buy another TB-5 for my SL2H.

That would have been my first choice for what you listed. I love the Custom. The JB works well in some guitars and sounds horrible in others. (I would note however that I change my EQ settings to work with different pickups so dialing in a great tone with the Custom and then switching to the JB is pretty much guaranteed to make the Custom sound better.)