Stevie-Ray
New member
I'm looking for a pickup that gives you the Eddie tones while also giving you the 50s PAF tone when you back off your attack.
Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
- Thread starter Stevie-Ray
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Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
The Custom is advertised as a PAF on steroids. I've heard that Eddie used a JB in the past. I think either will do what you're asking.
The Custom is advertised as a PAF on steroids. I've heard that Eddie used a JB in the past. I think either will do what you're asking.
Stevie-Ray
New member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Thanks Johnny i think the custom is just what i'm looking for.
Thanks Johnny i think the custom is just what i'm looking for.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
It would seem like the '78 might also be up your alley. It's supposedly based on a pickup Duncan rewound for VH, I think. It's got PAF-like specs too.
It would seem like the '78 might also be up your alley. It's supposedly based on a pickup Duncan rewound for VH, I think. It's got PAF-like specs too.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
How about a Brobucker?
Bill
How about a Brobucker?
Bill
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Fwiw my 78 model is great, but it is thin and lacking bottom end. I think that's how it can do Eddie tones when you don't have a variac. So if you want more versatility, I would look at other pickups, like 59/custom hybrid, Pearly Gates, Whole Lotta maybe.
Fwiw my 78 model is great, but it is thin and lacking bottom end. I think that's how it can do Eddie tones when you don't have a variac. So if you want more versatility, I would look at other pickups, like 59/custom hybrid, Pearly Gates, Whole Lotta maybe.
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Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Hi,
I think the WLH is what you would like. Very much. I have been dancing with pickups for many years now, and the WLH
does the Eddie thing when turned up and it really cleans up nicely. Mine is uncovered ans made with out wax potting.
Many can't tell the difference between potted or not. But as an annoying "cork sniffer" I find the non potted sound better, and I can't explain it. Maybe "airy" works.
I must respectfully disagree with Johnny the Kid, who is very knowledgable and a nice guy, that the JB was great for cranked overdriven sounds, but at 16 K resistence it could not clean up at all, no matter what I tried, a Princeton, or I even tried an Exorcist, but clean is not possible. Sounds like a low volume ts-808 with volume on 4 and gain on 0. There is always a little distortion. The WLH is great, RC A5, 8.8K right on the package, just got it last week, so it is in my top 5 humbuckers of all time for me. Sounds like the real PAF I had.
Steve Buffington
Hi,
I think the WLH is what you would like. Very much. I have been dancing with pickups for many years now, and the WLH
does the Eddie thing when turned up and it really cleans up nicely. Mine is uncovered ans made with out wax potting.
Many can't tell the difference between potted or not. But as an annoying "cork sniffer" I find the non potted sound better, and I can't explain it. Maybe "airy" works.
I must respectfully disagree with Johnny the Kid, who is very knowledgable and a nice guy, that the JB was great for cranked overdriven sounds, but at 16 K resistence it could not clean up at all, no matter what I tried, a Princeton, or I even tried an Exorcist, but clean is not possible. Sounds like a low volume ts-808 with volume on 4 and gain on 0. There is always a little distortion. The WLH is great, RC A5, 8.8K right on the package, just got it last week, so it is in my top 5 humbuckers of all time for me. Sounds like the real PAF I had.
Steve Buffington
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
I would think that any 'hot' PAF-type could do this. The 78, Whole Lotta Humbucker, IM1, and even the 59/Custom Hybrid is able to get this sound.
I would think that any 'hot' PAF-type could do this. The 78, Whole Lotta Humbucker, IM1, and even the 59/Custom Hybrid is able to get this sound.
Stevie-Ray
New member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Thanks guys looked into them and i'm really liking the custom and the Whole Lotta Humbucker.
Thanks guys looked into them and i'm really liking the custom and the Whole Lotta Humbucker.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Have a look at either a pearly gates or even a slash to get you those loose but rude 80s gain tones and pinch harmonics, but not being so hot that you lose the vintage sound.
WHole lotta is great but it wont give you eddie tones. Too big and defined sounding.
Have a look at either a pearly gates or even a slash to get you those loose but rude 80s gain tones and pinch harmonics, but not being so hot that you lose the vintage sound.
Stevie-Ray
New member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Thank you! I'm actually getting the slash to put in my Les Paul build i'm doing so I'll see if i like it for his tones.
Thank you! I'm actually getting the slash to put in my Les Paul build i'm doing so I'll see if i like it for his tones.
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Can't go wrong with a JB or Custom!
I think the 59 would do great for blues too but it's not really high gain.
JB though! None of us would be talking of this forum if it weren't for that pickup that started it all! I play everything from blues to metal and the JB has never failed me in any of those situations. In fact, it's my go to most of the time.
Can't go wrong with a JB or Custom!
I think the 59 would do great for blues too but it's not really high gain.
JB though! None of us would be talking of this forum if it weren't for that pickup that started it all! I play everything from blues to metal and the JB has never failed me in any of those situations. In fact, it's my go to most of the time.
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Well classic VH tones were not made with super high-output pickups. He still had tons of dynamics, and the tone wasn't compressed by the time it hit the amp. I'd stick with noting more powerful than a 59/Custom Hybrid.
Well classic VH tones were not made with super high-output pickups. He still had tons of dynamics, and the tone wasn't compressed by the time it hit the amp. I'd stick with noting more powerful than a 59/Custom Hybrid.
Nostalgic Distortion
New member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Your title is essentially the description for the JB so that might be a good place to start! I normally hate JB's, especially when they are running off 500K pots! They're upper mid spike & nasally voice just doesn't gel with my style of playing...
Personally I love all the Custom's but I think a SH-14 Custom 5 has the perfect balance between smoothness, output, & grit!!! It's capable of doing just about everything from anything from Nu Metal to Jazz & it does it all extremely well!!! I found it was just as comfortable in my Gibson Midtown Standard as my my L.P. & they are just a thing of beauty when paired up with a Pearly Gates neck!
Plus being able to turn it into several other different versions of the Custom just by spending a couple of bucks on some magnets comes in pretty handy too!!!
Your title is essentially the description for the JB so that might be a good place to start! I normally hate JB's, especially when they are running off 500K pots! They're upper mid spike & nasally voice just doesn't gel with my style of playing...
Personally I love all the Custom's but I think a SH-14 Custom 5 has the perfect balance between smoothness, output, & grit!!! It's capable of doing just about everything from anything from Nu Metal to Jazz & it does it all extremely well!!! I found it was just as comfortable in my Gibson Midtown Standard as my my L.P. & they are just a thing of beauty when paired up with a Pearly Gates neck!
Plus being able to turn it into several other different versions of the Custom just by spending a couple of bucks on some magnets comes in pretty handy too!!!
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
The Custom Shop Pearly Gates set might do the trick. 7.8K neck and 8.8K bridge.
They're about $325 for a new set but I have two used sets and would part with one.
The Custom Shop set uses roughcast A2 magnets.
The sound is a little stronger, but also smoother than the regular PG's.
The Custom Shop Pearly Gates set might do the trick. 7.8K neck and 8.8K bridge.
They're about $325 for a new set but I have two used sets and would part with one.
The Custom Shop set uses roughcast A2 magnets.
The sound is a little stronger, but also smoother than the regular PG's.
EAProwlerB
New member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
Dimarzio Bluesbucker.
Dimarzio Bluesbucker.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Any one know of a bluesy high gain pickup
You might consider the Pearly Gates Plus. Similar to the regular PG bridge but with a little extra juice. I have one in a 25½" scale axe and it sounds really good. Nice and bluesy, not overly compressed. They aren't sold as an aftermarket pickup but used ones come up for sale once in a while.
You might consider the Pearly Gates Plus. Similar to the regular PG bridge but with a little extra juice. I have one in a 25½" scale axe and it sounds really good. Nice and bluesy, not overly compressed. They aren't sold as an aftermarket pickup but used ones come up for sale once in a while.
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