Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

[sandmannn69]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

You're right about the TZ in the Socal, muddy mess.

I put the JB/59 from my san dimas in the socal, and it's PERFECT for rock and metal, singing leads, etc. (blocked bridge, of course) Charvel should've used that in the first place. You really can't go wrong with a JB in alder with a whammy bridge. Something about a JB mounted on a pickguard with a big rout works better than on a pup ring(like the san dimas). Maybe it resonates better.....

 

[nick37]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

just curious? have you ever taken a reading from the volume pot? are you sure it is a solid 500K? I have had pots that were supoosed to be 500K and read as low as 397K
You named SOME pickups that were muddy in this guitar that should not have been at all muddy, so i am wondering if the problem is elsewhere on this guitar?

I have no doubt that some of those humbuckers may have been affected by bad pots and my crappy wiring skills. I got better as I went along (got a better soldering iron, too). Hard to say what pots were used with what because there were so many attempts and different wiring schemes. Actually, there are a lot of variables at play. I can really just write it all off as a learning experience on all fronts. Doesn't mean that some of opinions of the listed pickups aren't based on faulty data, though! I fully conceed that, I just don't want to revisit any of those pickups right now.

 

[nick37]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

First, I gotta ask.... What model is that purple one?? LOVE IT!! Love purple and the only purple charvel Ive seen has been the one with the pickguard and its a diff color.

Must admit, I was hoping someone would ask about "Grape Crush." That guitar started out as a MIJ Wild Card. No offense to anyone who likes such things, but it was their "molten lava burst" finish, which I found to be among the ugliest guitar finishes ever. However, it was an HSS Charvel with a purple headstock logo. I had read how the MIJ necks were as good if not better than the MIA, and I got it for a great price. Took it apart and shipped to Iowa to get painted. Didn't care about the "flame maple" because those mid-priced Asian veneers aren't all that great and are real thin. Just covered it all in "Pavo" purple (which has been a Jackson Kelly color historically). Recycled the crunch lab and put it all back together. Great, fun project and I have a one of a kind Charvel.

 

[Hairmail]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

I recommend you try the JB out, especially if you have one at hand; it's probably the only classic choice you haven't tested out yet.

I've got an MIJ San Dimas and although I wouldn't describe the sound as woofy the JB fits right in that guitar.

 

[51501984]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

The Demon might also be a good choice . if the Demon sounds muddy in there something is definietly not adding up

 

[erikm5150]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

If the Duncan Distortion was close, swap the big ceramic out and put an A5 in there (i would usually suggest a roughcast unoriented for a warmer tone) but in your case, just a regular A5 coz you are looking for more treble.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

I completely love the combined tone of the Dimarzio Liquifire and Seymour Duncan Screamin' Demon! They sound awesome together and I didn't have any problems wiring the Dimario and Seymour Duncan together.

From what I've heard, you have to be careful mixing the Dimazrio and Seymour Duncan single coils...so if you went with the Liquifire/Screamin' Demon combo, I would recommend a Seymour Duncan Single Coil since that shouldn't have any wiring complications. Others please correct me if I'm wrong there...

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

The first pickup that comes to mind is the DiMarzio Dominion bridge. This will not get muddy. It will cut through with super sharp attack and tight low end.

 

[Brian Griffin]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

How is the search going so far?

I can only cite my experience with DActivator (bridge) is that this pickup is just the right one for rock, dirtier than JB. Compared to the Evolution (which is bassier but not woofy) DAcvtivator is definitely dirtier also.

Custom Custom simply won't cut it for heavy music especially for chug-chug rhythm. You'll find yourself dialing in the EQ endlessly in a futile attempt to induce that scooped-up mid, and pushing the gain knob to the limit simply for more output.

 

[SoundAt11]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

I have a San Dimas copy (mahogany body, all maple neck) that is heavy (weight and tone-wise) and muddy. Surprisingly, the best pickup I've had in there was the EMG 85. The bass stays tight and get crushingly heavy for palm muting. Passive wise, a Custom/JB with an Alnico 3 is my other favorite in that guitar. It's still a bit loose and muddy, but it just sounds really big and there's still enough highs.

 

[ruger9]

Re: Bridge Pickup Quest for a "woofy" Charvel So-Cal

JB all day long. I have loved the JB in my Charvel for over 20 years now... (for the tone you're talking about)

Wasn't a fan of the Full Shred.