"59" - for hard rock & metal???

[papersoul]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

After all the years of trying JBs, Distortions and Super Distortions, Customs, Custom-Customs, C5s, Air Nortons, Nortons, Air Zones, ToneZones, I have found that lower output pups were what I was looking for. I remember listening to early Van Halen and wondering what type of pup he was using and even before then, listening to Pete Townsend and trying to get that type of tone. I then thought that maybe a strat had the sound I was after. I hear Malmsteen's Amber Dawn and fell in love with that tone also as it was "similar under gain" IMHO to the PAF type tone I was searching for.

So what have I learned?? I have a strat with 2 - 59s in it, another strat with YJMs/HS3 in it, a Wolfgang special with DiMarzio Virtual PAF and Virtual Hot PAF, another Wolfgang that's in line for the same . I also use the med to low gain amp settings on a POD Pro (Plexi models). If I want more out of the amp model, I use an od pedal. I feel that if you use a hot amp with the gain jacked that you are missing something by using hot pickups. Hot pickups sound compressed to me and if you are using a hot amp with the gain jacked, that's compressed also. To me that's overkill and you loose tone and end up with what I call a buzz saw of noise.

All in all, I'm very happy with my guitar tone, I get compliments everytime I gig out. Be it Duncan or Dimarzio, low output pickups to me are the best. :dance:

Would you consider the Rio Grande BBQ a hot pickup. Compressed? It is about 12.5 - 13k wound with very thin wire similar to a JB but it is not as hot to my ears!

 

[greendy123]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

It works perfectly for me in my strat. It's nice and clean with high distortion. Lets the amp do make the distortion.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

Another EVH pickup trick is the Hybrid that Bachtorock turned alot of us onto...It's the 59B screw bobbin matched to the Custom's slug bobbin...Voiced to flavor using either the A2,or the A5...I like this better than just the stock 59 which at times I feel lacks the balls I need in my bridge positions..Just a thought and you can try it?

I Just did another review about this pickup upon pulling out a 59B and going back to the hybrid in my LP...

Is this a pickup that SD sells or is it a mod to the '59? How do you thnk it would sound in an SG?

 

[walt]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

Would you consider the Rio Grande BBQ a hot pickup. Compressed? It is about 12.5 - 13k wound with very thin wire similar to a JB but it is not as hot to my ears!

"For me" anything over 10k I would consider too hot for what "I'm" looking for. The key phrase is "For me" and "I'm". If it sounds good to you, it will sound good to someone else. What I mean is that when you find the tone that makes you happy, you will play better and be able to express your playing style better, which equals people telling you that you sound good.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

One of the interesting things I think is that when EVH first hit the scene and really up until Fair Warning, most of us looked to his tone as definitive. Our ears were much different then. Now, when I break out some classic VH, his tone, while excellent, sometimes seems a little clean compared to today's players. Just my observation...

 

[ErikH]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

One of the interesting things I think is that when EVH first hit the scene and really up until Fair Warning, most of us looked to his tone as definitive. Our ears were much different then. Now, when I break out some classic VH, his tone, while excellent, sometimes seems a little clean compared to today's players. Just my observation...

I hear the same thing, Butch. When I listen closely to his solos from back then, you can really hear him attacking the strings. The gain isn't high at all by today's standards. Sure, it's crunchy and that wonderful brown sound we all love, but's it is cleaner compared to what's heard today. I think hearing that and knowing the difference is what is pulling me to the vintage pickup line, such as the 59 model.

 

[ErikH]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

Is this a pickup that SD sells or is it a mod to the '59? How do you thnk it would sound in an SG?

It's a mod. That is what makes a hybrid. Don't know how it would sound in an SG. Probably pretty good with the added "thunk" from the Custom bobbin.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

I think hearing that and knowing the difference is what is pulling me to the vintage pickup line, such as the 59 model.

Yes, for me, it's easier to get more grit add more gain to a lower-output pickup than it is to clean up a high-ouput pickup. It's kind of like you can always add more layers of clothes in the winter to keep warm; but you can only take off so much in the summer to keep cool...

 

[ErikH]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

Yes, for me, it's easier to get more grit add more gain to a lower-output pickup than it is to clean up a high-ouput pickup. It's kind of like you can always add more layers of clothes in the winter to keep warm; but you can only take off so much in the summer to keep cool...

Yep, you nailed it there. The hottest that I like now is the Custom Custom, and that one even cleans up really nice. For a pickup that's supposedly hot, it behaves more like a 10k pickup. Between that one and the 59, I think I'll be able to get all the tones I need.

Hmmm, has anyone done a CC/59 hybrid with the A2 mag? I wonder how that would sound.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

It's a mod. That is what makes a hybrid. Don't know how it would sound in an SG. Probably pretty good with the added "thunk" from the Custom bobbin.

I'm currently using a Fred in the bridge spot of my Gibson SG,but a 59B/C hybrid does sound really good in there also..I think I've learned to like the added harmonics and articulate crunch factor that the mis-matched coils offer in my bridge positions..

 

[ErikH]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

I'm currently using a Fred in the bridge spot of my Gibson SG,but a 59B/C hybrid does sound really good in there also..I think I've learned to like the added harmonics and articulate crunch factor that the mis-matched coils offer in my bridge positions..

John, can you get some clips of that hybrid? I have got to hear that thing.

Here I am mentioning the CC/59B hybrid and you already have one and BachToRock did it too. It's the same thing as the Custom/59B since the Custom and CC are the same bobbins with different magnets. :smack:

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

John, can you get some clips of that hybrid? I have got to hear that thing.

Here I am mentioning the CC/59B hybrid and you already have one and BachToRock did it too. It's the same thing as the Custom/59B since the Custom and CC are the same bobbins with different magnets. :smack:

Sorry buddy....I don't do clips,as I'm not really set up to do them...I thought Jumpmarine posted some hybrid clips?

 

[ErikH]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

Sorry buddy....I don't do clips,as I'm not really set up to do them...I thought Jumpmarine posted some hybrid clips?

That's alright. I'll search the Tips and Clips section for any.

 

[papersoul]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

Yep, you nailed it there. The hottest that I like now is the Custom Custom, and that one even cleans up really nice. For a pickup that's supposedly hot, it behaves more like a 10k pickup. Between that one and the 59, I think I'll be able to get all the tones I need.

Hmmm, has anyone done a CC/59 hybrid with the A2 mag? I wonder how that would sound.

You could try the Rio grande BBQ. Amazing pickup.

 

[Minty]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

what's the difference with the 59 and the Set Lover? aren't they both sopposed to be PAF style?

 

[ErikH]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

You could try the Rio grande BBQ. Amazing pickup.

What does it compare to in the Duncan line? How hot is it?

 

[PoorMan]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

What does it compare to in the Duncan line? How hot is it?

13k. Don't have any experience myself, but I've heard it described as a little dark and muddy.

I'm still lookin' too, ErikH. :beerchug:

 

[Aceman]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

You know, the main reason there are hotter pups in the first place was to pimp slap the input tubes on an all tube amp. Same thing with fuzz boxes and overdrives. These days even the mildest amps come with more gain than you can sensibly use. Overall, adding monster signal from the pup just adds fizz and mudd. But - if there is a particular eq curve you want, cool, get whatever pup has that - and crank the gain down a tad. But a 59 should be able to go balls to the wall metal no problem. Just crank the gain up a bit...

 

[ErikH]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

13k. Don't have any experience myself, but I've heard it described as a little dark and muddy.

I'm still lookin' too, ErikH. :beerchug:

Hmm, almost at the limit for me there. I have never tried a Rio Grande. I'll do some reading up on it but right now I'm pretty set on the 59 or possibly a Custom/59 hybrid.

Aceman, there is no doubt the 59 can do hard rock/metal. I've been playing Judas Priest on my Strat with the Little 59 and delivers everything I need it to.

 

[Wattage]

Re: "59" - for hard rock & metal???

I use a 59 in my new LP and it kicks! I really only play Rock (think old Aerosmith meets the Pistols) but I do some blues and a little Country here and there and it covers them all well, great pickup, classic sound.