Q-Tuners vs. Blackouts/707 on a POD

Lethe · 12-03-2009, 09:36 AM

Hey guys,

I wonder if anyone has ever pitted the super-high-z Q-Tuner against Blackouts or EMG 707s, especially on a POD XT (or any other amp sims).

My distorted tone really depends on the attack, tightness and clarity that actives provide, and I was wondering if the Q-Tuners can stand a chance in that regard.

StefanWest · 12-07-2009, 06:35 PM

I too would like to know feedback here.

mickytee · 12-07-2009, 06:42 PM

me too, i havent heard much about how q-tuners perform in a high-gain situation.

BrainArt · 12-07-2009, 06:59 PM

From what I've heard, the clarity on the Q Tuners is unmatched, and since they're transparent, they're good for all applications.

Daemoniac · 12-07-2009, 07:02 PM

^ BUT they're not terribly high gain, even the "super hiz" ones. From what i've been told/heard/seen, they're nice, but not nearly as aggressive as the other options you have there.

If i were in your position, i'd be looking at Blackouts over EMG's. Great clarity, incredible gain, and a nice organic sort of tone.

BrainArt · 12-07-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demoniac

^ BUT they're not terribly high gain, even the "super hiz" ones. From what i've been told/heard/seen, they're nice, but not nearly as aggressive as the other options you have there.

True, I forgot about that.

Daemoniac · 12-07-2009, 11:29 PM

Yup. I imagine it would go alright if you had a boost and/or an in-built boost like the EMG Afterburner, but it's the one complaint I hear every time someone hears a clip/buys one; they just aren't that hot.

Harry · 12-07-2009, 11:54 PM

Blackouts user, reporting in.
I bought mine off Mischa/Demoniac, when was it, 2 and a bit months ago, and put them in my Ibanez.
It made the think sound "yeah, okay" to "This is a ....ing beast" after putting them in.
I wouldn't even consider putting passive pickups back in there, I'm just that happy with my Blackouts.

That all having been said, I accept the Blackouts are not the universal holy grail of pickup tone for everyone and your mileage may vary.

Some people like the more compressed feel of EMGs.
Others, like myself, prefer the more open and dynamic BOs, as well as the advantage of lower noise.
This next part, I don't know from personal experience, but I've heard from many users of EMGs and Blackouts that even the 18 volt modded EMGs don't have as much dynamic response as Blackouts.
So if the dynamic response is important to you, get the BOs, and as I said, they are quieter to boot.
I've had mine for 2 and a bit months and still haven't gotten over how stupidly ....ing quiet these things are compared to passives

Daemoniac · 12-08-2009, 12:18 AM

^ Excellent advice from Harry there.

I would definitely say that it comes down to a tossup between EMG's (81 possibly) or the Blackouts. I just don't think the Q-Tuners can stand up to them.

signalgrey · 12-08-2009, 01:23 AM

from what i know of the Q-tuner bridges they seem really kinda brittle. Clean clear and transperant yes but that doesnt lend to a good tone IMHO. the neck one is a bit better but i dont feel the bridge is worth it. personally speaking of course.

Blackouts seem to be a bit better all around. Q-tuners always just sound like....q tuners.

goodluck toyou

Necrophagist777 · 12-08-2009, 01:31 AM

Or do the 18v EMG mod like me.

MF_Kitten · 12-08-2009, 08:05 AM

i would try q tuners and then tune them to be more humbucker-like in voicing (this is something people forget about them!)

xmetalhead69 · 12-08-2009, 08:08 AM

I've been trying decide between a set of blackouts or a Qtuner in the neck and a BKP in the bridge of my Xiphos.

Cheesebuiscut · 12-08-2009, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signalgrey

Q-tuners always just sound like....q tuners

...Q-tuners don't sound like anything... transparent pickups are transparent. Also you can change how much harmonics you get and what area of the string gets picked up on more or less which means you can drastically change the tone from 1 end of the spectrum to the other. And you can do this for every string individually for lots of possibilities (which makes them amazing for extended range guitars)

So saying Q-tuners sound like q-tuners or brittle or warm or anything just simply isn't true because they can range in sound soo much and they rely heavily on your amp, guitar, and playing to shape the tone.

Just want to get that out there since people who have never even tried them have incorrect opinions.

Beyond that they are definitely not Uuber hot pickups like actives. They are closer to medium output (like all ultra clear / dynamic pickups).

Honestly if there's nothing your unhappy about with your actives I wouldn't change them. If it ain't broke don't fix it eh?

Lethe · 12-08-2009, 01:51 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys.

My 007 Blackjack and my RG7EXFX2 both have Blackouts, and I'm really happy with the tone. I just thought I might try something new for my next guitar, and Q-Tuners had me intrigued from the first moment I saw them.

I guess I'll stick to what I know and go with Blackouts once again. Never change a winning team.

MF_Kitten · 12-08-2009, 04:05 PM

i would try a q-tuner in the neck position, as long as you can have separate volume pots for the blackout and q tuner, as one requires a 500k pot and one requires a 25k pot...

only worth the effort if you really care to have one though

Cheesebuiscut · 12-09-2009, 09:04 AM

Passive pickups don't require pots btw, I run my Q-tuners direct out. The only thing in the circuit is an on-off-on switch for pup switching.

Pots just bleed off signal the lower the number the more signals bled. So you COULD run the Q-tuner on a separate circuit and have the switch switch between them but I wouldn't recommend mixing actives and passives.

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12-03-2009, 09:36 AM	#1
Lethe ss.org Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Munich Posts: 428 Thanked: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Q-Tuners vs. Blackouts/707 on a POD Hey guys, I wonder if anyone has ever pitted the super-high-z Q-Tuner against Blackouts or EMG 707s, especially on a POD XT (or any other amp sims). My distorted tone really depends on the attack, tightness and clarity that actives provide, and I was wondering if the Q-Tuners can stand a chance in that regard.

12-07-2009, 06:59 PM	#4
BrainArt Deftones Guru. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 7,653 Thanked: 25 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	From what I've heard, the clarity on the Q Tuners is unmatched, and since they're transparent, they're good for all applications. Member of the Injustice League with Pooluke41, Jakke and -42. I am Poi; The Ipu pounding, Ukulele shredding rapey clown, who ruins childhood dreams of balloon animals!

12-07-2009, 07:02 PM	#5
Daemoniac Rivethead Magnate. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia Posts: 7,093 Thanked: 202 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	^ BUT they're not terribly high gain, even the "super hiz" ones. From what i've been told/heard/seen, they're nice, but not nearly as aggressive as the other options you have there. If i were in your position, i'd be looking at Blackouts over EMG's. Great clarity, incredible gain, and a nice organic sort of tone. Daemoniac @ Last.fm Daemoniac @ Soundclick

12-07-2009, 11:29 PM	#7
Daemoniac Rivethead Magnate. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia Posts: 7,093 Thanked: 202 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Yup. I imagine it would go alright if you had a boost and/or an in-built boost like the EMG Afterburner, but it's the one complaint I hear every time someone hears a clip/buys one; they just aren't that hot. Daemoniac @ Last.fm Daemoniac @ Soundclick

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12-07-2009, 06:35 PM	#2
StefanWest ss.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City, kS Posts: 192 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I too would like to know feedback here.

12-07-2009, 06:42 PM	#3
mickytee SS.org Regular Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: ??? Posts: 387 Thanked: 23 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	me too, i havent heard much about how q-tuners perform in a high-gain situation.

12-07-2009, 11:54 PM	#8
Harry Doom man of Doom. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Greater Melbourne metropolitan area, Australia Posts: 8,245 Thanked: 59 $Harry is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Harry is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Harry is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Harry is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Harry is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Harry is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Harry is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 4 reviews	Blackouts user, reporting in. I bought mine off Mischa/Demoniac, when was it, 2 and a bit months ago, and put them in my Ibanez. It made the think sound "yeah, okay" to "This is a ....ing beast" after putting them in. I wouldn't even consider putting passive pickups back in there, I'm just that happy with my Blackouts. That all having been said, I accept the Blackouts are not the universal holy grail of pickup tone for everyone and your mileage may vary. Some people like the more compressed feel of EMGs. Others, like myself, prefer the more open and dynamic BOs, as well as the advantage of lower noise. This next part, I don't know from personal experience, but I've heard from many users of EMGs and Blackouts that even the 18 volt modded EMGs don't have as much dynamic response as Blackouts. So if the dynamic response is important to you, get the BOs, and as I said, they are quieter to boot. I've had mine for 2 and a bit months and still haven't gotten over how stupidly ....ing quiet these things are compared to passives

12-08-2009, 12:18 AM	#9
Daemoniac Rivethead Magnate. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia Posts: 7,093 Thanked: 202 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	^ Excellent advice from Harry there. I would definitely say that it comes down to a tossup between EMG's (81 possibly) or the Blackouts. I just don't think the Q-Tuners can stand up to them. Daemoniac @ Last.fm Daemoniac @ Soundclick

12-08-2009, 01:23 AM	#10
signalgrey Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea Posts: 3,535 Thanked: 26 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	from what i know of the Q-tuner bridges they seem really kinda brittle. Clean clear and transperant yes but that doesnt lend to a good tone IMHO. the neck one is a bit better but i dont feel the bridge is worth it. personally speaking of course. Blackouts seem to be a bit better all around. Q-tuners always just sound like....q tuners. goodluck toyou http://www.purevolume.com/citizenlusca http://www.citizenlusca.com

12-08-2009, 01:31 AM	#11
Necrophagist777 can't bend.... Join Date: May 2009 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 990 Thanked: 10 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Or do the 18v EMG mod like me.

12-08-2009, 08:05 AM	#12
MF_Kitten Fully Ramblomatic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 8,978 Thanked: 297 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i would try q tuners and then tune them to be more humbucker-like in voicing (this is something people forget about them!) -------------------------------------- What will metal be doing in ten years? What ever Meshuggah will be doing in two. -Anthony

12-08-2009, 08:08 AM	#13
xmetalhead69 Vinny from UA Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 848 Thanked: 36 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I've been trying decide between a set of blackouts or a Qtuner in the neck and a BKP in the bridge of my Xiphos. http://soundcloud.com/unexpected-allies http://www.facebook.com/unexpectedallies A unique sounding, prog metal band, protest the hero inspired vocals, fun guitar, and tons of diverse influences. Check us out, our instrumental album is out now, vocals to be added soon!

12-08-2009, 01:51 PM	#15
Lethe ss.org Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Munich Posts: 428 Thanked: 17 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the advice, guys. My 007 Blackjack and my RG7EXFX2 both have Blackouts, and I'm really happy with the tone. I just thought I might try something new for my next guitar, and Q-Tuners had me intrigued from the first moment I saw them. I guess I'll stick to what I know and go with Blackouts once again. Never change a winning team.

12-08-2009, 04:05 PM	#16
MF_Kitten Fully Ramblomatic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 8,978 Thanked: 297 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i would try a q-tuner in the neck position, as long as you can have separate volume pots for the blackout and q tuner, as one requires a 500k pot and one requires a 25k pot... only worth the effort if you really care to have one though -------------------------------------- What will metal be doing in ten years? What ever Meshuggah will be doing in two. -Anthony

12-09-2009, 09:04 AM	#17
Cheesebuiscut Loves his Q-tuners Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 4,075 Thanked: 45 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Passive pickups don't require pots btw, I run my Q-tuners direct out. The only thing in the circuit is an on-off-on switch for pup switching. Pots just bleed off signal the lower the number the more signals bled. So you COULD run the Q-tuner on a separate circuit and have the switch switch between them but I wouldn't recommend mixing actives and passives.

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