Active (or almost) pickups...

[zorrow]

Do you think active pickups go "naturally" with a specific kind of wood? I got a pair of DiMarzio D-Activators (which are some sort of passive-but-almost-active thing, according to their specs) and I want to put them on the "right" guitar. I have in mind purchasing a "just-decent" H-H guitar to be my "thrash killing machine", just to be used for heavy riffing. Any advice from the experts here?

TIA!

[Jeff R]

I remember years ago (when I was using an ESP as my main guitar) reading an interview with Page Hamilton of Helmet and he said one of the things that attracted him to ESPs was that thick shell of poly they coat 'em with. He felt it made the guitar snap and respond in a more percussive fashion. I kinda agreed. I know the Horizon I just sold on eBay over the weekend was that way. It had factory EMGs too. They've got a long list of hard rockers who endorse/use them, so maybe there's something to it, dunno. Anyway, you might look for a used M-II or Horizon as you search for a pickup host. Or maybe something else with a thick-ass finish (Schecter perhaps?).

From a wood standpoint, I'd personally avoid basswood. I've tried EMGs in a variety of basswood guitars over the years, mainly Ibanez guitars and a couple I built outta spare parts, and basswood/actives sounded phooey to my ear.