59 Hybrid

[Dylfish]

Hi Guys,

I've current got a SD59 bridge in one of my guitars and a 59/custom in the other and recently ive found im not as much in love with the 59's scooped sound as I was.

Im really loving the 59 custom, but like everyone im a little short on cash at the moment.

I do however have a Gibson 500T laying around unused. I was thinking of using the slug coil with the screw of the 59 to make a hybrid.

I know the 500T and Custom are somewhat similar (Ceramic, higher DC resistance). Do you think that the 59 and 500T would yield a similar kind of sound as the 59/custom?

Im thinking of using A5 Mags in it, but im also open to getting a few others to experiment with.

Cheers

 

[jeremy]

welcome to the forum!

i dont know anyone who has tried that coil swap, but i think its worth a swap. itll be different thant the custom/59 hybrid but it could be great!

 

[SweetClyde99]

If you can figure out the color-coding of the wires of the two the different types of pickups, I say go for it. Sounds like it might be cool. I’d stick with the A5 too. The dimensions of the bobbins might not be exactly the same either, so that’s something to look out for. I’ve made it work with bobbins of different lengths, but it did look a bit wonky.

I’ve got an unused Burstbucker 3 and 498T around that might benefit from some Frankensteining.

 

[beaubrummels]

500T is a good pickup but it doesn't sound like a Custom. The Custom split sounds like a Fender single, and is pretty unique in that regard. Most all other humbuckers I've tried split don't come close to that. A 59/500 hybrid still might make a fine humbucker, but it won't be like a 59/Custom Hybrid.

 

[Mincer]

I would love to hear how this comes out, and how it compares to the Hybrid. Blending coils from 2 different makers is rarely discussed here, and something we can all benefit from.

 

[freefrog]

DCR and inductance might be close but the coils of a 500T have noticeably more stray capacitance than Duncan ones, IME. Also and AFAIK, Gibson doesn't use the same alloys than in the past (and than Duncan) for slugs + screws. So and as said by fellow members above, a 59/500T hybrid shouldn't sound like a Duncan Hybrid. But maybe it will sound nice, who knows?

EDIT - About the dimensions: it's possible to pair a Trembucker spaced coil with a regular spaced one. It doesn't look nice but it works (and can be hidden under a cover if it's a problem. I've done this once).

 

[ToneFiddler]

...The dimensions of the bobbins might not be exactly the same either, so that’s something to look out for.
...

This. The Gibson Bridge PUs use a wider spaceing.
might not align with bottom plate screws.

 

[Dylfish]

Thanks Guys,

I'll do some further looking into it once junior is asleep tonight

Whats the biggest reason for the increase in the mids from the 59 to the 59/custom hybrid? Is alot of this just a deal of playing around to see what works?

 

[freefrog]

Whats the biggest reason for the increase in the mids from the 59 to the 59/custom hybrid?

Higher inductance, mainly. Closer to a P90 or DiMarzio Super Dist than to a P.A.F. And half way between the values of a 59 and of a Custom, logically.

And I'm all for experimenting to see what works. I do that all the time and it's not that rare to see empirical reality challenging theory.

 

[Clint 55]

Is alot of this just a deal of playing around to see what works?

There are a few principles that you can work with. Generally you just use your intuition on what coils would complement each other tone wise. Gauge heat levels. Hotter is rounder and darker, vintage is sharper and brighter. Generally the hotter coil sounds better towards the bridge. You can choose to mix and match pole pieces. Double screw is a favorite. Then decide what mag to use. Your 59/Gib sounds like a good idea.

 

[Chistopher]

I'd say experiment around with magnet swaps before your risk damaging two pickups for a mod that is without any sort of precedent.

Maybe try putting an A2 or A4 in the 59? Both will do what you want, however in very different ways.

 

[hamerfan]

Thanks Guys,

I'll do some further looking into it once junior is asleep tonight

Whats the biggest reason for the increase in the mids from the 59 to the 59/custom hybrid? Is alot of this just a deal of playing around to see what works?

Another thought:
The 500T is a triple ceramic Distortion pickup. I got one for free and swapped into a Les Paul. Its not a bad pickup, but a bit over the top and bit muffeled by this higher capacitance. I performed a popular mod and yanked one side magnet. You need a piece of wood or plastic a that spot to support the bobbin. Now it sound similar to a Duncan Distortion.
Or: put it in the trade section to finance a Hybrid.

 

[Blille]

I'd say experiment around with magnet swaps before your risk damaging two pickups for a mod that is without any sort of precedent.

Maybe try putting an A2 or A4 in the 59? Both will do what you want, however in very different ways.

This is a good point. I put an A2 in the neck of a 59 and it transformed the pickup. Worked really well. An A4 would be less radical but still noticeable. It would probably would work better since the OP liked the custom hybrid.

Maybe even an A6!