IronGear Pickups Comparison | Dirty Torque & Hot Slag Bridge Pickups

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  • Опубліковано 24 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 85

  • @AlexisGuitars
    @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +3

    Which pickup did you prefer?
    Here are my other Irongear comparison videos:
    Blues Engine and (overwound) Rolling Mill comparison: ua-cam.com/video/WEHbeQdd9t4/v-deo.html
    Hot Slag and Blues Engine comparison: ua-cam.com/video/igFYSMbNcZs/v-deo.html
    Tesla Shark and Rolling Mill comparison: ua-cam.com/video/4DqQQvTwiBc/v-deo.html

  • @skeres01
    @skeres01 2 місяці тому

    Your final analysis of the hard rock vs modern heavy metal was exactly what I was thinking. I'm looking for hard rock pickups so just purchased the Dirty Torque. Thanks for an excellent review, and I can't believe how good value these pickups are. Totally nuts!

  • @southsidejohnny5624
    @southsidejohnny5624 Рік тому

    Hi Alexis, this a really thorough and well put together review video. Thanks for taking the time. They did both sound great and I’m leaning towards the Dirty Torques to put in a ‘96 Epiphone Les Paul I’ve just acquired I had Iron Gear pickups in a Telecaster Custom Vibe I owned previously and they sounded great in that. Keep up the excellent work👍

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  Рік тому +1

      Thanks a lot mate! Yes both are great pickup options. I settled for the dirty torque after making this comparison too. I've heard good things about their Tele pickups! Need to try and get my hands on a pair. Thanks for watching!

    • @svartmetall
      @svartmetall Рік тому

      For a Les Paul I would recommend the overwound Rolling Mill set, or maybe the Tesla Sharks.

  • @Black7Ninja
    @Black7Ninja 2 роки тому +1

    Literally only signed in to comment (and I'm a lazy c***). Fantastic comparison video my brother. Top 2 I've ever watched. Irrespective of if you liked his riffs or tone or whatever - the consistency of how each gain stage was compared and the licks he played was perfect and a big help for my pup upgrade decision making. Cheers

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому

      Wow thanks a lot! Really appreciate the feedback. Which pickup are you leaning towards for your upgrade?

    • @Black7Ninja
      @Black7Ninja 2 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars Hi! Good question lol. I think I'm leaning towards the DT because it'll suit the body and wood of my guitar. A lot of IG users have large bodies (ha) like Les Pauls and PRS; whereas my super strat needs bit of help in the low mids I think! I think the Hot Slag could be a little shrill in places D:<
      I mean it's impossible to get it perfect so I'll just take a punt :) thanks for asking

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому

      Yes there's no way of knowing until the pickup is in the guitar annoyingly! Although I'd agree with your reasoning. The DT has warmth with enough clarity/precision in the notes for it to be cutting. Good luck with the choice and enjoy the new tones!

    • @Black7Ninja
      @Black7Ninja 2 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars Thank you! Also while I've got you lol, what's the treble bleed madness?! That sounds like a really good idea - not losing the top end when you roll off volume?? Tell me moar

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому

      Yes it's exactly that and it's a super easy mod. There are lots of videos about it that will tell you the recommended resistor and capacitor values, but all you need is one resistor and one cap soldered to two of the vol pot lugs. You can buy resistors and caps in bulk for very cheap online

  • @tamastoth3579
    @tamastoth3579 2 роки тому

    Thank you for recording and sharing this comparision. Since i would like to choose between these two, i thought this video would help me,but actually i have become more confused. Maybe dirty torque is a better option if the focus is more on the clean tones, but at the end of the day at high gain hot slag simply offers more for me. But i wouldn't be sad if i had to play the dirty torque from now on.
    Good video, Thank you again, and keep up with the good work.

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому

      Haha sorry to have made the decision harder, but glad you enjoyed the video! Both are great options for rock and heavier styles. Hope you like the pickup you end up choosing!

  • @skinnyjimmy22
    @skinnyjimmy22 Рік тому

    i got the hot slags in my Custom built HSH Dave Gilmore black strat.. they are pretty versatile tbh, i find it gives a much more bluesy tone in my guitar then i expected though on first thought, i was going to go for the torques but they seemed duller in tone.. There both pretty good in volume though.. I Primarily started to use the guitar for metal and there just kinda not enough output for it.. I love the sound but for blues or rock there right up there.. Bang on for £40 for a set of 2.. IM extremely happy with them and so glad i bought them.. still using them 4 years on. one happy customer here!

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  Рік тому

      Yes either the HS or the dirty torque are my go-to budget humbuckers. I find both versatile and able to cover similar ground just with slightly different flavour

  • @TomTobin67
    @TomTobin67 Рік тому +1

    I'm an American and we're only just getting Iron Gear pickups over here. In America, we have Guitar Fetish stuff and they make some unique and innovative stuff. Imagine an active preamp for $40 🇺🇸 money.
    My question for you is how did you manage to get a Tiesco trem on a hardtail bridge? Please explain because I've been wanting to try that.

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  Рік тому +1

      Hi mate, this guitar was a DIY project before I knew anything about guitar making. The Trem is not being used. The strings start at the hardtail bride. If I take the trem off, though, then a big ugly hole will be revealed so I just left it 😂

  • @tonymartin83
    @tonymartin83 Місяць тому

    Hi and thanks for the review.
    Do you think that the dirty torque can pair well with the tesla shark?

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  Місяць тому +1

      I think so, I'd give it a go on one of my guitars

  • @LOFIGSD
    @LOFIGSD 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks, I put the Dirty Torque and Blues Engine in my Sons Epiphone SG, completely transformed that Guitar, as a lefty, there is less options out there for him

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому +2

      That's a great combination, especially for an SG!

    • @LOFIGSD
      @LOFIGSD 2 роки тому +1

      @@AlexisGuitars agreed, have you any experience of the Wilkinson pickups in the Vintage(brand) SG, I have that, they sound ok, but tbh, nowhere as good as the stock pickups in my Tokai Les Paul, not sure if the tonal difference is the guitar or the pickups.

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому +1

      I haven't tried them unfortunately. Assuming the guitars are set up well then it's normally the pickups and electronics that make the largest difference I think. Might be worth swapping the Wilkinsons in the vintage for the tokai pickups to find out, though

    • @LOFIGSD
      @LOFIGSD 2 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars I know not much of these things tbh, but fairly changed my Son's Guitar, he also has the Vintage(brand) Strat, with Wilkinson which is single coils, and tbh it's as good a guitar as some Fender Strats I have had that were silly money, I bought a Jet Guitars JS400, pickups were ok, even for a really budget guitar, the neck is very good, HSS configuration, I swapped the Single Coils for 2 Iron Gear, in my Pop/Indy band now my main guitar!! gives me really clean tones for that, example making up as go along.... genre.ua-cam.com/video/4kP_YtoSeM8/v-deo.html

    • @TheDiaboliq666
      @TheDiaboliq666 Рік тому +1

      The perfect piece of info. Got a Tokai SG with ceramic PUPs in it. I was busting my head whether to put two Blues Engines in, or
      go for the Blues Engine + Dirty Torque combo.
      Thank you both

  • @bobdole3000
    @bobdole3000 4 роки тому +1

    I have a dirty torque at bridge and blues engine in neck position for my Washburn BT-8. Couldn’t ask for more

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому

      Great combo!

    • @skilak13
      @skilak13 3 роки тому

      Dude, recently I have bought BT4, 8 and 10 and will be doing the same :)

    • @bobdole3000
      @bobdole3000 3 роки тому

      @@skilak13 My BT-8 is the trans purple version. With the zebra version, it looks great

  • @gprice1978
    @gprice1978 Рік тому

    I've owned every model of irongear pickup, they are punching well above their pricetag! I love the dirty torque, it sits in most of my guitars, but I have a soft spot for how brutal the hot slag really is. The hot slag is like the wild unruly older brother of the more refined better behaved dirty torque. For rock and metal, dirty torque, for grunge, punk, and loud aggressive music, hot slag. Rolling mill is also good for blues, rock, hard rock and metal.

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  Рік тому

      Yes that's a great description of the two pickups here. Both have their own character. Thanks for watching mate

    • @tonymartin83
      @tonymartin83 2 місяці тому

      Do you think that rolling mill bridge can pair well with a Tesla shark in the neck?

  • @AlienxInjection
    @AlienxInjection 2 роки тому

    Great thorough comparison! I don't suppose you've tried any of these in a baritone guitar? I'm looking at the hot slag for modding a harley benton baritone for heavy drop tuned stuff

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому +1

      Cheers mate! I haven't tried them with a baritone unfortunately, but both are great pickup choices. The HS has more bite to it, so I'd probably pick that one for a baritone, though I'm no baritone player! Which Harley Benton model are you modding?

    • @AlienxInjection
      @AlienxInjection 2 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars Thanks for the response, I have a feeling that is what I will go for! I picked up the new JA Baritone they released recently and am currently brainstorming what I might do with it as a platform for modding. Not that I dislike the stock p90s, just wondering if there might be better options. I'm looking at budget pickups as this is all just experimentation! Also my first baritone so it's all new and exciting to explore

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому +1

      Sounds like an awesome mod project. Love experimenting with different tones and pickups. Those HBs look great. Are they routed for humbuckers under the pickguard as well as p90s?

    • @AlienxInjection
      @AlienxInjection 2 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars Sadly no, a bit of routing will be required on both the pickguard and body but not a huge job

  • @simhaye4076
    @simhaye4076 3 місяці тому

    Just ordered dirty torque and blues engine combo ...

  • @W.Eric.Anderson
    @W.Eric.Anderson 2 роки тому

    excellent! thanks

  • @svartmetall
    @svartmetall Рік тому

    I have both of these in different guitars, and the best way I can describe it is this; Dirty Torque if you want Judas Priest, Hot Slag if you want Sabbath. Both are excellent, and stupid value for money.

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  Рік тому

      Haha that's all that needs to be said! Could have saved myself all the effort of making the video 🤣

  • @xcleb7221
    @xcleb7221 8 місяців тому

    Gotta say, IronGear pickups are really on the button'. In this demo I prefered the Dirt Torque

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  8 місяців тому

      Yes they are really good options for the money!

  • @ewin1st
    @ewin1st 4 роки тому +1

    Well I have the hot slag bridge and neck in my schecter and chapman ml1 and are brilliant for rock and blues . Do fancy the dirty torque in bridge with the blues engine in the neck of my les Paul

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +1

      Nice! Yeah the Hot Slag is an awesome pickup. Going to install it in another of my guitar's now that I'll be keeping the dirty torque in the guitar in this video.
      I had a blues engine neck and stupidly sold it. As soon as I heard it in my friend's guitar (who I sold it to) I realised the mistake I made haha it's an awesome pickup, also great in the bridge position.
      Thanks for watching mate!

    • @nicwilson89
      @nicwilson89 4 роки тому

      You should definitely do it. The Dirty Torque and Blues Engine are amazing combined

  • @Brankas
    @Brankas 4 роки тому +1

    I bought the Dirty Torque just to try out and replace the Seymour Duncan sh-4 Jb I had in the bridge of my Les Paul. I notice NOTHING AT ALL! NO DIFFERENCE! Is this supposed to be a Jb copy?

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +1

      Haha wow! I've not played through a JB before so I can't compare, though a few written reviews I've read have compared the two. I still wouldn't have thought it would be such a similar sound for the price difference

    • @nicwilson89
      @nicwilson89 4 роки тому

      To me it sounds a bit like a slightly hotter JB with a more smoothed out midrange, less mid honk, as it were. Tbh, I like the Blues Engine almost as much as the SD Perpetual Burn I've got in another guitar...almost...it's not quite on the same level, but to actually play it I enjoy it almost as much which is insane considering the PB cost over 3x more, iirc

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +1

      That's really helpful, thanks! The blues engine is a really great pickup. I've just posted a review on some seymour Duncans and there is definitely something to be said about their quality, but as you say, for the price difference I'm always impressed by IronGear

    • @nicwilson89
      @nicwilson89 4 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars You're welcome :D
      If the Duncan JB is to your liking, or things like it, and you can afford to spend a little extra...seriously see if you can try out the Perpetual Burn by Seymour Duncan. It's kinda like a JB but...better in every way haha. The note definition and clarity is insane, but I guess that's to be expected considering it's a Jason Becker signature pickup haha
      Whatever you decide you like the most, enjoy! :D

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому

      I'll try and get my hands on one some time. At the moment I have to stick to budget pickups 🤣 thanks for the tips mate

  • @MrAntsrules
    @MrAntsrules 4 роки тому

    Hello new here just subbed thinking of buying a pair of humbuckers for my lp style gat

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому

      Hi Ant thank you so much! Are you leaning towards any particular pickups?

    • @MrAntsrules
      @MrAntsrules 4 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars yes I like the iron gear humbuckers just trying to decide between slag torque or shark they all sound great i mostly play heavy rock with blues based riffs

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому

      Haha that's the problem, they all sound good there's no real wrong answer. All I can say is I think the Dirty Torque is my new favourite and I also play hard rock, bluesy riffs.
      My next Irongear video is going to compare the Tesla shark against another. I've never tried the Tesla shark before so I don't know what to expect. Video should be out in the next 2 weeks (hopefully!).

  • @dancampbell9090
    @dancampbell9090 4 роки тому

    do these coil tap

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому

      Hi Dan, these come with 4 wires so you can split them to single coils. The IronGear website have really helpful wiring diagrams for pretty much all the common pickup and electronics configurations

    • @dancampbell9090
      @dancampbell9090 4 роки тому +1

      @@AlexisGuitars thanks very much, these aren't expensive, I might need to give them a try, is there any example showing how they sound coil tapped

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +1

      You're welcome :) And thank you for watching!
      I'm afraid I haven't got any demos of the coil switch function. I can tell you that I like dirty torque coil split as I have the DT installed in this guitar currently - but I'm never that big on splitting humbuckers to be honest. I normally never end up splitting them despite setting them up with the push pull knob!

  • @ErebosGR
    @ErebosGR 4 роки тому

    That's weird.
    In the Irongear website, the tone charts show that the Dirty Torque should have more treble and more bass, while the Hot Slug should be more mid-centric.
    And that's what I heard in your tests.
    I didn't like the Hot Slug in any of your videos so far. For that guitar, I liked the *Rolling Mill the best.
    *edit: I rewatched your clips and I like the Rolling Mill better now, especially for a bright guitar like yours.

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +1

      Interesting! Just had a look at the website and you're right, the little diagrams on the Humbucker overview page show different specs than the graphs on the individual pickup pages (which I show in the video).
      The blues engine sounded fantastic. I have two other Humbucker guitars and I'm still deciding which one to put it in.
      Have you tried any Irongear pickups?
      Thank you so much for watching mate!

    • @ErebosGR
      @ErebosGR 4 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars I was talking about the diagrams in the individual pickup pages as well. The Dirty Torque has one more bar in the Treble and Bass columns than the Hot Slug. I think that makes the DT more balanced, while the HS is punchier.
      No, I haven't bought any Irongear pickups yet. I was researching them and I found your videos. They've been very helpful so far, thank you so much.
      I'm thinking of getting the *Rolling Mill for my father's PRS Custom24 (It's an '86 with a bridge pickup that sounds too brittle and a neck pickup that is too muddy). He's a huge Santana fan and I think they would suit the guitar perfectly.
      For my Harley Benton Fusion-II HSH, I'm thinking the Steam Hammer for the bridge and Rolling Mill for the neck.
      *edit: I changed my mind from the Blues Engine to Rolling Mill

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +1

      Very well spotted! Maybe it's the low end cut in the Hot Slag that makes it more bitey and trebly to my ears.
      Really glad you have found these helpful!
      The blues engine neck position is a really nice pickup. I had one and sold it annoyingly.
      If you go for the IronGears in your and your father's guitar let me know what you think :) I haven't tried the steam hammer and would love to know how the affordable pickups sound in a PRS!

  • @RyTube996
    @RyTube996 2 роки тому

    Has anyone got experience w/the metal machine?
    Actually came here to check Irongear are legit cos seems too good to be true!

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  2 роки тому

      Hi mate, I haven't tried that one unfortunately. Reviews are consistent with IronGear. I wouldn't say they are better than big brands, depends on the pickup, but in my experience they are a great affordable option for mods

    • @gprice1978
      @gprice1978 Рік тому

      Yep, had them in an explorer, they are great. I've owned every model of irongear pickup, all are fantastic value for the money.

  • @OzzyMandias
    @OzzyMandias 4 роки тому

    Torque Dirty to me...

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +1

      I'm with you on this one! Have you tried any Irongear pickups?

    • @OzzyMandias
      @OzzyMandias 4 роки тому +1

      @@AlexisGuitars Yes mate, I got some Steeltwin 2s in my Telecaster, in fact I'm the post beneath yours on the Irongear website if you have a chance to take a look.

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому

      Ah yes the awesome Rush cover! I watched that and just checked through some highlights again. Great playing! I need to get into rush more. Other than their first album I only know their big songs

    • @OzzyMandias
      @OzzyMandias 4 роки тому

      @@AlexisGuitars They were never an easy band to get into, it's either your thing or not but most fans agree their best and most accessible album is 'Moving Pictures' which I highly recommend

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +1

      I'll definitely give it a listen. In theory rush should be right up my street ... Big riffs, long solos and epic vocals! I'll check out moving pictures then, thanks mate

  • @grilledspaghetti
    @grilledspaghetti Рік тому

    Both sound farty after listening to the blues engine comparison

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  Рік тому

      Haha - the blues engine is great, but I think these two higher output ones are also cool! Looking back I think I recorded this all a bit too hot. Still useful for a comparison, but worth bearing in mind

  • @FailingForFun
    @FailingForFun 4 роки тому

    Congratulations you just made a hot slag pickup sound terrible.
    Your review has no credibility because your equipment is cheap, and you're overcompensating with pedals.
    Guitar -> Cable -> Amp = better review.
    I have a hot slag, and even with my shoddy playing, i could never make it sound as crap and crunchy as this. C

    • @AlexisGuitars
      @AlexisGuitars  4 роки тому +5

      Shame you feel that way. Although by your definition this is a "better review". 3/4 sound tests weren't using any pedals.

    • @mattbrumhead655
      @mattbrumhead655 2 роки тому

      A lot of people buying IronGear will also be using cheap equipment though, so really isn't this just realistic for most players?