HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

[BachToRock]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

I traded the Orange DC towards an Ocean Spray Roxie... the guy sold it on eBay a few months back...
http://cgi.ebay.com/GMP-Double-Cutaw...QQcmdZViewItem
It is a SMOKIN guitar if it ever becomes available again!

The Hybrid sounds like a 59 with more balls... unlike the Custom 5/Custom Custom it does not get compressed sounding... it really nails the early Van Halen tone better than any other pickup I have heard... it almost has a vintage P-90 vibe to it... since the coils are mis-matched you get that clarity in the low notes and the extended treble that are characteristic of a single coil along with a tiny bit of hum... a humbucker with symetrical coils not only cancels hum, but many harmonics as well... plus, since both coils have the same resonant peak it tends to sound "one notey".
This is why the original PAF's sound so magical... their coils were wound to loose tolerances and there were some pretty large mis-matches in the process.
The advantage of the 59/Custom Hybrid is that when you go to a 43 guage wire like used on the Custom coil you get a whole new response and range of harmonics added to the equation. When combined with the 42 guage 59 coil it is like a fine Meritage Red Wine... different flavors combined to make something unique and tasty!

[BachToRock]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

More Double Cream Hybrid GMP porn!

[Funky P]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

I'm more impressed by the camera you're using, you can see the detail in the strings and the grooves in the winding.

[notesfield]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

Okay, so the coils are mismatched, like a PG? I had one of those in the bridge and it was not for me, too thin and bright in my rig. I hope the hybrid is warmer and fuller

[JumpMarine]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

As a proud owner of a '59/CC a5 I can easily say that it will do the warm and full thing in spades.

Okay, so the coils are mismatched, like a PG? I had one of those in the bridge and it was not for me, too thin and bright in my rig. I hope the hybrid is warmer and fuller

[notesfield]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

As a proud owner of a '59/CC a5 I can easily say that it will do the warm and full thing in spades.

Are you using the A5 or A2 magnet?

[JumpMarine]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

A5.... I tried the A2, but it seemed to lose something.

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

A5.... I tried the A2, but it seemed to loose something.

And I'm liking the 59B/C with an A2 magnet in my own guitar...I prefer A2 magnets for my bridge pickups because it's warmer,rounder,sweeter,and the mids are just a little more out front for my taste and styles...

[JumpMarine]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

Good thing that the mag swap is so simple, just try out both.

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

Good thing that the mag swap is so simple, just try out both.

Even cooler would be half A2 on the treble string sides and A5 on the bass string sides....That would be absolutely perfect! Just cut the 2 magnets right up the middle and glue em together..

[Faraday]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

Even cooler would be half A2 on the treble string sides and A5 on the bass string sides....That would be absolutely perfect! Just cut the 2 magnets right up the middle and glue em together..

I don't think that will work.

[shredaholic]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

once this thread dies out a bit, can it be vaulted? it's a great technical resource thread and at least as worth as any other in the vault

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

I don't think that will work.

It does work and I have paperwork from a forum member a few years back that did this just like I explain it...He Krazy Glued the 2 magnet halves together after cutting them evenly measured with a dremel tool...

It works!

[notesfield]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

Guys-
Just tried this mod and all I can say is WOW! Before I get into specifics, let me say I have tried the bridge versions of the Dimarzio VHPAF, the Duncan CC, C5, 59, PG AP2 and RIO Grande BBQs. While each was cool for different things, none of them were what I wanted in the end. I basically play Zakk Wylde, Slash style stuff, LP through various tube amps in the hard rock, metal vein. Never into high gain pickups, still like vintage tones as the foundation of everything else.
I had an old 59B and a CC laying around and did the "BachtoROck" hybrid mod, using the 59B A5 pickup and magnet but swapping the screw coil side. I reinstalled the 59B hybrid and WOW, amazing!
It has the basic qualities of the 59B, but with a unique sizzle, tone, harmonic something that is what I have been searching for. My amp or the guitar has never sounded so good. To my ears it has a touch of the CC or what makes the RIO BBQ so cool but without the compression. I get the best of both worlds. To my ears, the closest thing is somewhere in between the regular 59 and a RIO BBQ (minus the compression).
THis is the real deal. Thanks and I highly recommend this. IMO, SD is long overdue for a new HB, and this one nails what many of us are looking for. It is what I though the C5 was going to sound like!

[JumpMarine]

Re: HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid

Whoo hoo, another convert to the dark side! I sure love mine!