Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

[JTM]

Hey all,

I'm new to the forum, but have been doing a lot of reading, as I'm looking into some replacement pups. I play an Ibanex Artcore double cut, semi-hollow body with ceramic humbuckers in it. Similar to a Dot or 335. I love the guitar - great for the money, but it needs a tone overhaul. I realized that after tracking for a new CD. Anyway, I'm looking for the best pickup combination for the guitar. I play through a Carvin MTS 3212, a 50W/100W 2x12 all tube amp with great tone-shaping abilities. The Ibanez sounds decent clean, but it gets boxy when overdriven and I can't get really great overdriven tones with the current setup (I like a nice warm, slightly overdriven tone). Plus, I have trouble getting above the mix when soloing in loud live settings (the other guitarist plays Les Pauls through a Fender Blues Deluxe). I've been thinking about a Pearly Gates in the bridge with an Alnico II or Seth Lover in the neck. Thoughts? Also, I imagine I should change the volume and tone pots as well (2 of each). Suggestions?

Your input is appreciated!!

 

[rinse_master]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

Hi, welcome to the forum!

Sounds like the best bet would be a set of Alnico 2 HB's, either Seth Lovers, Pearly Gates, Alnico 2 Pro's - Although I haven't tried any of those, so I can't tell you what they sound like, but plenty of others can.

As for the pots I would say swap them for 500k CTS pots.

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

I just had a set of Seth Lovers installed in my semi-hollow (Gibson ES-137). They sound great -- much warmer, smoother, brighter and more open than the stock pups. I used the stock pots, which were probably 300K vol and 500K tone, and it seems open and bright enough to me (and I'm primarily a Tele player, although this is intended as my "dark" guitar).

 

[JTM]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

I just had a set of Seth Lovers installed in my semi-hollow (Gibson ES-137). They sound great -- much warmer, smoother, brighter and more open than the stock pups. I used the stock pots, which were probably 300K vol and 500K tone, and it seems open and bright enough to me (and I'm primarily a Tele player, although this is intended as my "dark" guitar).

Thanks. I love the sound of the Seth Lovers but was thinking I might want to get something a bit brighter just because it's semi-hollow. But, sounds like that's not a problem.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

IMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

However, the A2Pro neck or Pearly Gates neck and the Custom Custom would also be superb.

Lew

 

[Aceman]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

That CC Lew recommended will definitely cut through your bud's LP and get through in the mix!

 

[JTM]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

IMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

However, the A2Pro neck or Pearly Gates neck and the Custom Custom would also be superb.

Lew

Do you know if I can get a nickel cover for the Custom Custom?

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

Do you know if I can get a nickel cover for the Custom Custom?

Yes you can...no problem.

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

+1 for Seths

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

The Seth Lover bridge that I put in my Dot sounds fantastic, I really enjoy playing with this pickup. Anything from slight to heavy gain sounds great with this pickup. I stuck a '59 Neck in too, which IMO is the best clean 'bucker I have ever heard, it has an almost acoustic sound to it when I'm strumming chords. I would whole heartedly recommend either pickup for a semi-hollow guitar, with the edge going to the Seth Lover.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

I like a lower output pickup in semi-hollow body guitars. Maybe a 59 or Seth in the bridge and a Jazz or Seth in the neck.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

IMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

I'm glad to hear that, I just ordered a CC and Seth for my Gibson Lucille (both with gold covers). With some CTS 500k pots and regular switching (I'm going to bypass the varitone), it should kick ass.

 

[jajaw]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

Where did you get them Carrot?

 

[timccart]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

I have an Antiquity neck and Seth bridge. In an Ibanez Artcore AS73.

One word...sweet!

 

[Jimbojsr]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

I've got an Epi dot and I'm gonna get pickups changed eventually... GuitarStv's advice sounds good. I never like the idea of ceramic pickups in a semi - you need something creamier and lower output. Seths or '59s are best i would have thought... what kind of music do you play? Also, ever thought of getting p90's (or phat cats, for that matter) put in?

PS. welcome to the boards!

 

[BlueGuitar]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

IMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

I put a pair of Seth Lovers in my Heritage H-535 and thought that the neck sounded perfect, but that the bridge was too bright. I ended up soldering a second tone cap in parallel with the first one, to bring the total capacitance up to .032uF. (I hate working on those semi-hollow guitars! :saeek: ) Better but still not there...

I'll have to check out the Custom Custom bridge as a mate to the Seth Lover neck... btw how does that combination work in a Les Paul? (I took the Seth Lovers out of the H-535 and were going to put them in one of my Les Pauls.)

Thanks!

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

Where did you get them Carrot?

Blackrose

 

[Ransom]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

IMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

Lew

Are these pickups available in a P-90 size? I have an ES-137 with P-90's. Also, as a general rule, what tonal differences would there be in between a regulat CC and a CC in a P-90 housing?

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

Are these pickups available in a P-90 size? I have an ES-137 with P-90's. Also, as a general rule, what tonal differences would there be in between a regulat CC and a CC in a P-90 housing?

Those pups whould have to come from the custom shop, so you are looking at about twice as much, but it would be exactly what you want.

Luke

 

[sunnysideup]

Re: Best Choice for Semi-Hollow Body?

Hi guys, are gibson burstbuckers pro good for semi / full hollow body guitar? anyone tried that?