59/C Hybrid or S-Deco for classic rock?

jammertom

jammertom

Member
I’ll be starting a Les Paul build in the next couple of weeks and am curious about 59/C Hybrid or possibly the S-Deco for bridge. This guitar does not currently have any pickups or electronics installed. It will be used mostly for classic/hard/glam stuff…maybe a little southern, but no metal. Examples…BOC, Aerosmith, Nazareth, Mott, Alice Cooper, Montrose, Bowie (Ziggy/Aladdin), Zep (of course). Not trying to cop any specific tone(s)…just the general vibe and gain range. I’m looking for something a bit more dynamic…not quite as muscular as the JB & C5 that I have (and like very much) in other guitars. Any thoughts on how either the 59/C Hybrid or S-Deco are for classic rock? How do they differ from what I'm already familiar with? I play a Mesa Mk3 through V30s...usually with the gain dimed on R2. This gets things dirty enough 95% of the time and seems more dynamic to me than does the lead channel with gain backed off. I intend to run this guitar single conductor with 500K controls and nickel covers. Thanks!

PS: Or, should I just order the WLH set and be done with it?
 
Re: 59/C Hybrid or S-Deco for classic rock?

Love me the 59/C. I use it for Van Halen, ZZ top, Nazareth, Zeppelin, AC/DC etc stuff just fine. I put an A2 in mine to smooth it out and cut some output, but I liked it with the A5 plenty. It can also go heavier than than that if you need to, and get pretty polite, (but not weak) if you wanna coil split to the custom coil. No experience with the WLH yet but from what I've heard that option seems rock solid as well for what you listed. Have zilch on the S-deco though. Sorry dude.
 
Re: 59/C Hybrid or S-Deco for classic rock?

I'll try and put together a short loop of some of those classic rock riffs for you tonight.

Have you seen the demos I did for the '59.Custom Hybrid and WLH set?
 
Re: 59/C Hybrid or S-Deco for classic rock?

I did look at both of those demos, Zen...very nice work! Thanks a lot for the replies guys...
 
Re: 59/C Hybrid or S-Deco for classic rock?

Hate to tell you this, but there is no "better" for your build; although I can tell you what I hear the differences are tone-wise between the two and maybe that can help your choice. For reference, I will be comparing the S-Deco with an a5 magnet and the hybrid with an a5. To my ears, the Deco is more balanced sounding than the hybrid. The hybrid will have more top end and more bottom. I also find the hybrid to have a little more output/juice. Both are really dynamic, clear and have a PAF-ish vibe and will get the job done, just depends what you need/want. If it were me, I would lean to the Deco.....but it is probably my overall favourite pickup! Haha
 
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