Who is the Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature Set designed for?

It is designed for guitarists playing high-gain, aggressive music, particularly those who use drop-tunings and require high output without losing note definition.

What magnets are used in this pickup set?

The set uses an Alnico V magnet in the neck pickup and a Ceramic VIII magnet in the bridge pickup.

How many voices does each pickup have?

Each pickup features three distinct voices, ranging from modern active tones to passive-style and single-coil sounds.

What is 'Fluence Core' technology?

Fluence Core replaces traditional copper wire coils with layered, printed circuits to ensure tonal consistency and eliminate hum and interference.

Are these pickups active or passive?

These are active pickups and require a power source, such as a 9V battery, to operate.

What is the typical price range for this set?

The set typically retails for approximately £294 in the United Kingdom.

How does the bridge pickup handle low tunings?

The Ceramic VIII bridge pickup is specifically voiced for a tight low-end response, ensuring that drop-tuned riffs do not become 'muddy' or indistinct.

Can these pickups produce clean tones?

Yes, Voice 3 is specifically designed to provide glassy single-coil clarity, which is ideal for clean playing.

Is this a single pickup or a set?

This product is a matched set containing both a bridge and a neck humbucker.

What finish do these pickups come in?

The Mick Thomson signature set is available in a black finish.

Does the set include wiring components?

While specific kits vary, Fishman Fluence sets typically include the necessary pots and wiring required to utilize the multiple voices.

Do these pickups suffer from background noise?

No, the Fluence technology is designed to provide minimal noise and is significantly quieter than many traditional high-output pickups.

Gear article

Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature Pickup Set

The Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature Pickup Set is a high-output active humbucker pair designed for Slipknot guitarist Mick Thomson. Utilising layered Fluence Core technology instead of traditional wire coils, these pickups provide a high-gain response with exceptional clarity, specifically engineered for drop-tuned riffs and aggressive metal styles.

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Overview and Technology

The Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature set represents a departure from traditional pickup manufacturing. Rather than using copper wire wound around a bobbin, Fishman employs 'Fluence Core' construction, which consists of layered circuits. This design eliminates the inconsistency, hum, and inductance issues common in traditional wound pickups. The result is a highly articulate signal that maintains its frequency response even when the volume is rolled back or heavy distortion is applied.

Voice Architecture

Each pickup in the Mick Thomson set features three switchable voices, allowing for significant tonal versatility:

Voice 1: Delivers a modern active aggression, providing the high-output, 'crushing' gain associated with Thomson's work in Slipknot.
Voice 2: Offers an organic, passive-style tone with a more rounded response.
Voice 3: Provides glassy single-coil clarity, expanding the guitar's utility for clean passages.

These voices are typically toggled via push-pull pots or dedicated switches, depending on the guitar's wiring configuration.

Sound Character

The set is voiced specifically for low-tuned instruments and aggressive rhythm playing. The bridge pickup, utilising a Ceramic VIII magnet, focuses on a cutting attack and tight low-end response to prevent muddy frequencies in drop-tunings. The Alnico V neck pickup provides a balance of warmth and punch, making it suitable for thick rhythm textures and fluid lead lines. The combination ensures that even under extreme saturation, individual notes within chords remain distinct.

Compatibility and Hardware

As an active system, these pickups require a 9V battery or a rechargeable Fishman battery pack to function. They are designed as a direct replacement for standard humbuckers. While they are a standalone electronic upgrade, players often pair them with high-quality hardware such as Gotoh 203B-4 bridges or Fender American Standard tremolo assemblies for maximum tuning stability, though these specific pickups are most commonly found in fixed-bridge metal-oriented guitars.

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the Fishman Fluence Mick Thomson Signature Set designed for?: It is designed for guitarists playing high-gain, aggressive music, particularly those who use drop-tunings and require high output without losing note definition.
What magnets are used in this pickup set?: The set uses an Alnico V magnet in the neck pickup and a Ceramic VIII magnet in the bridge pickup.
How many voices does each pickup have?: Each pickup features three distinct voices, ranging from modern active tones to passive-style and single-coil sounds.
What is 'Fluence Core' technology?: Fluence Core replaces traditional copper wire coils with layered, printed circuits to ensure tonal consistency and eliminate hum and interference.
Are these pickups active or passive?: These are active pickups and require a power source, such as a 9V battery, to operate.
What is the typical price range for this set?: The set typically retails for approximately £294 in the United Kingdom.
How does the bridge pickup handle low tunings?: The Ceramic VIII bridge pickup is specifically voiced for a tight low-end response, ensuring that drop-tuned riffs do not become 'muddy' or indistinct.
Can these pickups produce clean tones?: Yes, Voice 3 is specifically designed to provide glassy single-coil clarity, which is ideal for clean playing.
Is this a single pickup or a set?: This product is a matched set containing both a bridge and a neck humbucker.
What finish do these pickups come in?: The Mick Thomson signature set is available in a black finish.
Does the set include wiring components?: While specific kits vary, Fishman Fluence sets typically include the necessary pots and wiring required to utilize the multiple voices.
Do these pickups suffer from background noise?: No, the Fluence technology is designed to provide minimal noise and is significantly quieter than many traditional high-output pickups.