Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

  • SH-5b and a SH-2 Jazz in the neck

    Votes: 6 37.5%
  • SH-5b and a SH-1 '59 in the neck

    Votes: 5 31.3%
  • SH-5b and a DiMarzio PAF Pro in the neck

    Votes: 2 12.5%
  • Other

    Votes: 3 18.8%

  • Total voters
    16
  • Poll closed .

T-HO

New member
I've been having alot of trouble picking a neck pickup for my BC Rich Warlock. It has a Rosewood finger board and a mahogany body. I need something that can handle C standard tuning(c f a# d# g c), High gain and can give me that Pantera-Floods outro neck lead tone. I'm also getting a triple shot for the pickup too. I have one on the SH-5 already.

P.S. Does the DiMarzio PAF Joe have the wah like tone the PAF Pro does?
 
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Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

PAF joe is basically a PAF pro with the 'virtual vintage' mod done to it (extra slugs where you can't see them, for inductance).

the key here will be choosing one that balances well with the SH-5; i'd go with the 59n because i know it works, but the PAFpro or PAFjoe would probably be ok too. not sure about the jazz, as i think you may find yourself wanting to adjust your EQ when switching pickups...
 
Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

PAF joe is basically a PAF pro with the 'virtual vintage' mod done to it (extra slugs where you can't see them, for inductance).

the key here will be choosing one that balances well with the SH-5; i'd go with the 59n because i know it works, but the PAFpro or PAFjoe would probably be ok too. not sure about the jazz, as i think you may find yourself wanting to adjust your EQ when switching pickups...

Thanks for the input. Does the 59 and the PAFs have clarity when detuning?
 
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Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

i didn't have a problem with it, but i can't remember what tunings i tried it in either...
pretty sure i tried it in d standard and it was noice
 
Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

^ tried that with a custom in the bridge? i didn't dig it; could've been the guitar tho.
 
Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

Jazz Bridge Model. It's basically the same as the Jazz neck, with a tiny bit more output. I have a LP with Custom/JazzB and pull up tone pots to split the coils. For a heavy sounding guitar, it's hard to beat.
 
Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

Jazz Bridge Model. It's basically the same as the Jazz neck, with a tiny bit more output. I have a LP with Custom/JazzB and pull up tone pots to split the coils. For a heavy sounding guitar, it's hard to beat.

You mean put a Jazz Bridge in the neck?
 
Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

PG + Custom for me.

But I could totally see a PAF Pro working to fill in the mids.

again - I always have to ask - what is your definition of "works well together?"

sounds the same? fills in gaps? gives a wide range?
 
Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

PG + Custom for me.

But I could totally see a PAF Pro working to fill in the mids.

again - I always have to ask - what is your definition of "works well together?"

sounds the same? fills in gaps? gives a wide range?

My definition would be it's like it's sibling. They share some characteristics with each other but they are still different. Make sense?

I think it's down to the sh-2 and the sh-1. If I put the SH-1 in parallel, would it sound like the sh-2 in series? I love the highs and clarity you get with the sh-2, but I love the thickness and smoothness of the SH-1.

I think that neck tone dimebag gets in the outro of floods is what i'm after. Which is gonna be closer? sh-1 or sh-2?

EDIT: Which one is going to hold up better in C standard tuning(C F A# D# G C)?
 
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Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

With your references to dimebag and drop tuning I just can't see the sh-1 working out for you. If you are choosing between the SH-1 and SH-2 then I would say SH-2 for sure (I've had them both in the same guitar as a reference). If you were talking about tones of the vintage variety, blues, country, 70's rock, or even jazz I would say SH-1. Yep, believe it or not the SH-1 jazzes better than the SH-2 Jazz, I have no idea why they call it jazz.
 
Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

Okay, resurrecting this for a final opinion. It's between the sh-1 and sh-2 still but now I'm confused again. Inspired by B.B. King, I want the pickup that can handle extremely high gain, handle the c-standard tuning and give be a sorta B.B. King bursting blues sound. I would really enjoy everyone's opinions on this. It's still for the neck position in a guitar with a rosewood finger board and a mahogany body.

P.S. I don't want any mud. Most of the reason I'm getting rid of my stock neck. I can barely tell notes apart sometimes.
 
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Re: Best SH-5 Duncan Custom Combo

T-HO, I still stand by my original assessment, SH-1 for strictly low to medium gain blues/rock tones, SH-2 if you favor modern and high gain stuff. I'm sure there are better screamer neck pickups out there for you to get your pantera on with but if these are the two options, for you, I say the SH-2.
 
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