alder super strat pup hunt continued...

John E Rokker

John E Rokker

New member
Still on the hunt for the right pickup / magnet combo for my alder 1 hum wonder.
(FR, maple neck, vintage trussrod)

SD Custom was too metallic and too compressed. DMZ SD to bright...

I just put in a Custom Custom, and while I love the singing highs, the low end just isn't tight enough for my rhythm playing. But man, do the single notes sound sweet. I'd love to keep the highs sounding this good and just tighten up the low end...

I have an UOA5 JB on the way but I'm still thinking about a 59 or PG. any suggestions?
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

If you really like the pickup in every way except for the mushy lows, you might want to try an EQ first. With an EQ you can clean up/tighten the lows without effecting the rest of the tone. MXR 10-band is great, though the Empress ParaEQ is quieter. Dr. Scientist The Cleanness is only 3-band, but even quieter, and you'd be surprised how versatile it is.

Otherwise, I'd say Full Shred.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

How about the Demon? In this video George Lynch uses one in his all maple ESP.



Maybe it's screaming too much in maple but in alder should be a bit more tamed.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

I think this is the only thread on the whole SDUGF where the Custom 8 hasn't been suggested 400 times, and it's one of the only ones where it would actually be a good choice!
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Some options I think would be good

1. C8
2. Scott Ian SD CS Model (a little hotter, like a CC with a tighter low end and more output)
3. 500T (This pickup is high output too but it can get great clean tones and some great bluesy sounds too.)
4. Gibson Tony Iommi (Great in alder but people complain about how the sound doesn't balance well with the neck pickup but it would be fine in your case)



Sorry about all the high output suggestions. I just always envision single pup strats as guitars that are made to rock! :headbang:
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Custom 8 is a lot like a higher output Custom Custom with slightly more upper mid aggression and deeper tighter bass.

Another one to check out might be the PATB-1 Original Parallel Axis. Sort of between a Custom Custom and a Custom 5 by most accounts, but a bit hotter than the C5. Ridiculous range of tones accessible just from tone & volume knob at guitar.

But given you already have the Custom on hand, I'd start by getting an A8 magnet.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

oilpit said:
I think this is the only thread on the whole SDUGF where the Custom 8 hasn't been suggested 400 times, and it's one of the only ones where it would actually be a good choice!
Click to expand...

Mine has a currently a C8 but the jury is still out whether to swap in a Screamin Demon A8 again.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

if you like a vintage voice sound try the UOA5, tight bass, rounded highs, not as scooped as an A5. A cross between an A2 and an A5, I like it a lot.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Try a Tom Anderson H3

Anderson pickups are incredible.

Mesa Boogies are voiced with an Anderson with similar specs to yours and fitted with a H3 , have been for years because it's Doug West's fave guitar.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Have you tried a normal JB?
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Put an A8 in that Custom, mother****er.

If you're a pansy and the C8 is too much for you then try a UOa5.

If you just really want to get a new pickup then try one of the PATB series.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Had a regular JB in there for a while. Actually I did a Canadian tour with a JB in that guitar. But the JB was just too squishy sounding to me. I also tried putting an A2 mag in the JB... It was ok but again didn't have a tight enough low end for rhythm playing.

I've got 2 OUa5 mags on the way that I will put one in my JB2 and try in this guitar. I might try the other in this CC but I did try a C5 in this guitar at one time and did not like it at all. so not sure if I want to revisit that with an OUa5.

Still curious about a 59 or PG. but no one seems think that will work for me.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Distortion, that's tight for rythm.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Metalblaze said:
How about the Demon? In this video George Lynch uses one in his all maple ESP.



Maybe it's screaming too much in maple but in alder should be a bit more tamed.
Click to expand...

Actually, in that video George has a JB in that guitar.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

Despair said:
Another one to check out might be the PATB-1 Original Parallel Axis. Sort of between a Custom Custom and a Custom 5 by most accounts, but a bit hotter than the C5. Ridiculous range of tones accessible just from tone & volume knob at guitar.
Click to expand...

I would bet very good money that this suggestion fixes your issue. The PATB-1 is, to me, the best of the A2 and the A5 in one pickup. It saved my one and only superstrat from a life relegated to it's case. Like the CC, the PATB-1 does not sound or play as hot as it's K rating would suggest. It is sweet in the highs and mids and tight enough in the lows for most music. A great, great pickup that I cannot recommend enough.
 
Re: alder super strat pup hunt continued...

SFW said:
Actually, in that video George has a JB in that guitar.
Click to expand...

If you notice the bridge bobbin pole pieces shine and the neck ones are black just like the Demon. Although the resolution is not good so I won't insist.

Check around 2:00
 
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