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Versatile H-H setup

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  • #16
    A DiMarzio X2N in the bridge wired for series/parallel/split
    - Uber-hot thick molten metal in series
    - Clean crisp rhythms in Parallel, or those in between clean / gritty sounds on the dirt channel
    - Awesome Texas hot single sounds split, or less with volume down

    A DiMarzio Super3 in series/Split in the neck
    - Adds spank and cut to the X2N when split, or is a nice smooth chimney single sound on it's own
    - Great for thick but not muddy rhythm when series or hot scorching leads
    - Cleans up with volume better than you'd think.
    Last edited by Aceman; 01-10-2021, 06:48 AM.
    Originally posted by Bad City
    He's got the crowd on his side and the blue jean lights in his eyes...

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    • #17
      Originally posted by PFDarkside View Post
      Choose a “versatile” H-H setup for a Floyd equipped, 25.5” bolt-on, Alder with maple/ebony neck guitar.

      Leaving this wide open for any opinions, but please don’t just say “JB/Jazz” and that’s it. Explain why it’s versatile in your mind/experience.

      Actives are on the table (I’m highly considering Fluence Classics or EMG 56/66 or retroactives) but by no means am I only considering active. It’s only going to be 3-way toggle, so splits, phase, series parallel will need to be push-pulls unless you can convince me to use a PRS rotary instead of the toggle. Two pots currently but a third could be added easily. Also, simple on-boars electronics (especially for EMG) are a possibility too. I don’t want to drill for any switches though, at least not before I could mock it up and play that way for a while before making permanent holes.

      For tones I play and like everything from classic and modern electric blues, the entire range of classic rock to classic metal like Sabbath/Maiden/Metallica. Modern tones I like a derived from those eras above. (I don’t need to nail any tone, I wouldn’t want perfect Slayer/Zakk tone at the expense of more middle of the road tones)

      (if it helps, my two H-H guitars today are Custom/59 with JP and C5/PG with splits)

      Whatcha got?
      My favorite HH passive set is a D-Sonic / PAF Pro combination.

      The D-sonic is super versatile, you can flip it either way for a difference in EQ or for downtuning, and the split tone, using just the bar coil facing neck, sounds like a PAF-style humbucker. So just by doing a coil split you get a more classic humbucking sound.

      Its a modern-ish, all around great pickup. IMO, its like a modern interpretation of the Super 3, with less bass and a more articulate top. It doesn't have the Dimarzio "dual resonance" design, so it doesnt have that cocked wah sound.

      The PAF Pro is a staple pickup, perfect for the neck and balances with the D-sonic.

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      • #18
        Originally posted by Top-L View Post

        My favorite HH passive set is a D-Sonic / PAF Pro combination.

        The D-sonic is super versatile, you can flip it either way for a difference in EQ or for downtuning, and the split tone, using just the bar coil facing neck, sounds like a PAF-style humbucker. So just by doing a coil split you get a more classic humbucking sound.

        Its a modern-ish, all around great pickup. IMO, its like a modern interpretation of the Super 3, with less bass and a more articulate top. It doesn't have the Dimarzio "dual resonance" design, so it doesnt have that cocked wah sound.

        The PAF Pro is a staple pickup, perfect for the neck and balances with the D-sonic.
        Is that all in the Dimarzio description of the D-Sonic?

        Any thoughts on Crunchlab/Liquifire? Can they do anything remotely close to classic Humbucker sounds?
        Last edited by PFDarkside; 01-10-2021, 07:41 AM.
        Oh no.....


        Oh Yeah!

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        • #19
          Originally posted by ArtieToo View Post

          That was my first Duncan set ever, recommended when I first joined this forum. A classic pair.
          Do you still have it? I am currently so addicted to the sound of them I'll pick up my guitar and play it just to get that sweet tone in my ears. That's how much I like it! I'm sure you could make it even more versatile with parallel, coil splitting, etc. , but mine is wired to a plain ole' 3-way and it sounds so good I've never desired more options. Only thing is lately I've been curious how a 59\Custom hybrid might sound in comparison..

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          • #20
            I still have a C5 and 59, but they aren't my originals. I sold them, then missed them, and got another pair. But they aren't in anything just now. Soon, hopefully, but just too many irons in the fire.

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            • #21
              So basically what I’m hearing is that my guitars with:

              C5/PG - splits
              Custom/59 - JP wiring

              Already are the most versatile and I should cancel this order for the Warmoth body...

              So what I’m thinking is my options are:
              -Go JB/Jazz with splits for an equally versatile yet complimentary setup to what I have.
              -Swap the Custom based pickups into this and change one fo the others to a specialist setup.
              -Make this guitar a specialist
              Oh no.....


              Oh Yeah!

              Comment


              • #22
                You really, really need to try the Fluences. My Falbo guitar with the Abasis will do all that stuff you’re talking about.

                H-H, 5 way blade, push-pull MV, MT does neck series (2 voicings), neck split, neck/bridge parallel (2 voicings), bridge/neck split parallel, bridge series (2 voicings).

                Thats 8 total options, all of which sound good, with completely intuitive switching. The 5 way does what you’d think, and the push/pull volume gives the second voice option in 1/3/5.
                “I can play the hell out of a riff. The rest of it’s all bulls**t anyway,” Gary Holt

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                • #23
                  patb1 set with parallel on the p/p pots. different than what you have but not too far off the beaten path

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                  • #24
                    Originally posted by PFDarkside View Post

                    Is that all in the Dimarzio description of the D-Sonic?

                    Any thoughts on Crunchlab/Liquifire? Can they do anything remotely close to classic Humbucker sounds?
                    I have a Crunchlab/Liquifire pickup combo in my parts box but I haven't tried them. I bought them to replace the EMG 57/66 combo that came in my new LTD guitar, but I like the EMGs and don't think I will swap them.

                    I wish I could report how different the CL/LF combination is, but I suspect they are very similar to the DS/PAFP. JP used the DS for a time, then he launched into a long stream of signature pickups.

                    I used to love the Evolution, but since getting the DS, they sound thin in comparison.

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                    • #25
                      Originally posted by Aceman View Post
                      A DiMarzio X2N in the bridge wired for series/parallel/split
                      - Uber-hot thick molten metal in series
                      - Clean crisp rhythms in Parallel, or those in between clean / gritty sounds on the dirt channel
                      - Awesome Texas hot single sounds split, or less with volume down

                      A DiMarzio Super3 in series/Split in the neck
                      - Adds spank and cut to the X2N when split, or is a nice smooth chimney single sound on it's own
                      - Great for thick but not muddy rhythm when series or hot scorching leads
                      - Cleans up with volume better than you'd think.
                      This seems like a very versatile set that’s different from what I already have. I don’t think I’ve played anything remotely close to the X2N, is it completely over the top? Who are some players that use it?
                      (I was also debating SD/Super2 or maybe Air Zone/Air Norton)
                      Oh no.....


                      Oh Yeah!

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Air Zone Air Norton is a way cool all over set. Or Tone ZOme Norton if you play a lot of only rocking stuff - but all over the map.

                        I don't know who uses them any more. I think Vai did early on. Viv Cambell has a sig guitar with them. It is completely over the top in series. But parallel and split make it awesome for all sorts of stuff. Might not be the pup to use if you have a mega gain amp. easily the pup to use to take an amp from mild breakup to death metal, or a fender Amp into the Marshall zone.
                        Originally posted by Bad City
                        He's got the crowd on his side and the blue jean lights in his eyes...

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Originally posted by JB_From_Hell View Post
                          You really, really need to try the Fluences. My Falbo guitar with the Abasis will do all that stuff you’re talking about.

                          H-H, 5 way blade, push-pull MV, MT does neck series (2 voicings), neck split, neck/bridge parallel (2 voicings), bridge/neck split parallel, bridge series (2 voicings).

                          Thats 8 total options, all of which sound good, with completely intuitive switching. The 5 way does what you’d think, and the push/pull volume gives the second voice option in 1/3/5.
                          The Classic has Voice 1, Voice 2 and Split as well. If this ends up being a “high tech” build (as high tech as I can get with Warmoth, definitely no Falbo Abasi prototype) I might do the Fluence. Roasted Maple, Stainless frets, Sophia tremolo, maybe a high tech output Jack, who knows...
                          Oh no.....


                          Oh Yeah!

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Originally posted by PFDarkside View Post

                            The Classic has Voice 1, Voice 2 and Split as well. If this ends up being a “high tech” build (as high tech as I can get with Warmoth, definitely no Falbo Abasi prototype) I might do the Fluence. Roasted Maple, Stainless frets, Sophia tremolo, maybe a high tech output Jack, who knows...
                            You’ll be surprised at how not high tech the pickups seem. They have dynamics like passive, but can do the crazy aggressive like EMGs.
                            “I can play the hell out of a riff. The rest of it’s all bulls**t anyway,” Gary Holt

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                            • #29
                              Hi JB that 5-way setup sounds very interesting. Do you have a diagram?
                              Thanks

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                              • #30
                                If it were me I'd look towards lower output pickups. After 15ish years of modding I've settled back on vintage style pickups as my favorite for versatility. The versatility comes their ability to highlight my techniques, notsomuch for # of tones. Heck my Player Tele's stock bridge single screams more easily and chugs tighter than an EMG 81, for whatever that's worth.

                                In my experience, it's simply difficult to get an amazing blues-style response from hotter pickups. So I build my tone based on what's good for blues, and then pile on the gain as needed. YMMV and heck, my preferences may change as well.

                                PAF/PAF or P90/PAF would be pretty darn versatile I think. Wire it up with coil split, or fancy 5-way wiring, and you've got a bunch of sounds on tap.

                                On paper, two P-Rails with the Triple Shot rings would also give you lots of options.
                                Originally posted by crusty philtrum
                                Anyone who *sings* at me through their teeth deserves to have a bus drive through their face
                                http://www.youtube.com/alexiansounds

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