Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

[wmbarr8395]

So I'm building my own custom guitar and I'm looking for a wide (yet specific) variety of tones... It's a SuperStrat with a single-single-humbucker setup, and so far I've decided for the neck I want an Eric Johnson neck pickup, cause Eric is a huge influence of mine, and I love his clean improv and rhythm licks. For the middle I decided on a Seymour Duncan SSL-2 Vintage Flat to give it a good classic rock sound.

The bridge pickup is where I get indecisive. I've narrowed it down to 2 choices: either a DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 or an EVH Frankenstein Humbucker (not the Wolfgang). Reason why is because I want the bridge to be the most aggressive of the bunch. To be more in-depth the tone knobs will be 1 volume, and 2 tones, top for the neck, and the bottom for the bridge, leaving the middle wide open. The reason why I'm torn between the Super Distortion and the EVH Frank is because I love the way they both sound very hard rock, but not metal (I don't want a metal sound at all), Super Distortion is very aggressive without it being too over-the-top, and the EVH also sounds great because Eddie's old tone was absolutely killer and aggressive yet it kinda flirts with the line between a rock and metal tone (just my personal opinion).

I've compared both sounds based off of YouTube, but my concern about the EVH Frank is because even though Eddie is another huge influence of mine, I don't want to sound TOO MUCH like Eddie; I want a little wiggle room to allow my own personal sound to be come out.

So... to make a long story short, should I go with the Super Distortion, or the EVH Frankenstein?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

You're over thinking it...the Frankenstein isn't "EVH-in-a-box". It's just a solid rock pickup and will definitely let your own sound come through.

I like both the Frankie and the Super D, but I'd probably opt for the Frankie in your setup. Plus, it's actually made by Seymour Duncan (shhh...) :14:

 

[wmbarr8395]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

You're over thinking it...the Frankenstein isn't "EVH-in-a-box". It's just a solid rock pickup and will definitely let your own sound come through.

I like both the Frankie and the Super D, but I'd probably opt for the Frankie in your setup. Plus, it's actually made by Seymour Duncan (shhh...) :14:

Thank you sm! And I forgot to add this: should leave the bridge pickup straight or tilt it like the 80's setup?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

That's up to you! I'm an '80s SuperStrat kind of guy myself and don't mind an angled bridge humbucker. However, I prefer it in single pickup or H-H guitars more than H-S-S, personally.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

Try the Suhr Aldrich!

 

[RolanTHUNDER]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

In your case I'd say the SD because its not a signature pickup like the EVH Frank can be considered so there's more of a palette for you to take your sonic paint brush to, if that makes sense
Then again even if you get the EVH it doesn't automatically mean you'll sound just like our hero. Your playing nuances and personality will still come thru (tone is in the hands, personal style/touch/vibe, etc).

And by the way I love Eric Johnson too! His pickup would be a great neck choice with either of those bridge 'buckers IMHO.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

I am all for the EVH. It isn't as compressed-feeling as the SD even though it has a high output, and will still let 'you' come through. The problem with some high output pickups is that they tend to homogenize the guitars that they are in- the EVH doesn't do that. It is a very nice, smooth rock n roll pickup.

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

The EVH Frank is an AWESOME pickup, I wish I had never sold mine. I never really heard any Eddie when I played it, but like everyone says here its just a really solid rock foundation. Whether you like EVH or not, I highly suggest that pup to anyone looking for a good rock tone.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

I really dig the Super D, BUT, every guitar that I've used one in sounds like a Super D, instead of like the guitar itself. In other words, the pickup overpowers the guitar's natural voice. It cannbe a good thing or a bad thing, but definitely something to keep in mind.

 

[wmbarr8395]

Re: Can't make a decision on a bridge pickup! Please help!

Totally, Eric is a total hero of mine, and I'm really intrigued how both of these pickups will sound with a tone knob hooked up to the bridge!