12-string pickups

[Psykel]

Hello forumites!
I've been thinking about modding my Hagström Viking DLX12 for a while with some new pups (tho the installation is scaring me right now).
Right now, I'm using the bridge pup more or less exclusively. On my 6-strings I got mid possition most of the time, and that's what I want to do with the 12 too.
However, the mid possition right now is very weak and is lacking the punch and clarity I'm after. The neck pickup is a wee bit muddy for my taste.
The pups I'm considering right now is a pair of Phat Cats. Any opinions on how they'd work on a 12-string? Other suggestions are very welcome!

 

[Frankly]

Re: 12-string pickups

Do you use a compressor?

Thank you.

 

[Psykel]

Re: 12-string pickups

I do not, tho I probably will when I can afford one.
Also, I had a major brain fart and totally thought I stuck this thread in the pickup forum.

 

[Frankly]

Re: 12-string pickups

Frank Lee suggests you borrow someone's compressor to see if it helps. Compressors are like oxygen to a twelve string, ITHOOFFL.

Thank you.

 

[Psykel]

Re: 12-string pickups

Yeah, you're right. That might be the thing I'm missing to get the "right" sound. Tho it does already sound amazing through the bridge pup. I like the more brittle, airy sound of the middle possition usually tho.
Sadly, I don't know anyone who owns a compressor, so I might have to bring my Hagström to a store and try some out. Any suggestions for good ones to check out?
I've been looking at the Janglebox (tho it's only sold by 1 store in Sweden that I know of and they've been out of stock for ages), MXR Dyna Comp and Xotic SP Compressor.
Suddenly, my thread isn't placed in the wrong part of the forum anymore.

 

[Frankly]

Re: 12-string pickups

Frank Lee misread your post. If the bridge sounds good, you could be in need of a neck PU replacement. That said, IFLHO the twelve string electric sounds best on the bridge with perhaps a bit of neck blended in ala Rics. Could you wire a blend thing in somehow? Frank can't imagine that you would use the neck PU exclusively all that much on a twelve string, but maybe He is wrong.

Thank you.

 

[Psykel]

Re: 12-string pickups

Yeah, if I could choose I would go middle possition. It sounds great on my other guitars, but it's sort of weak on the 12. I could try and see how the middle possition sounds through a compressor before doing a pickup swap tho.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: 12-string pickups

Duncan - 59, Jazz, Screamin Demon
Lawrence - L500
Dimarzio - EJ, Humbucker From Hell