Changing my carvin pups

[right_to_rage]

A few months ago i purchased a beautiful Carvin DC127. Its a sweet guitar with a quilted maple top, mahogany neck and body, C22 humbuckers, and a wilkinson trem.

I have never changed the pickups in a guitar before, so im naturally thinking about a few things.

1. Is it worth changing pickups? I have nothing really to compare to since duncans are after market, but i have heard that guitars just come to life with them in.

2. Im thinking about getting a Custom SH-5 and a '59 SH-1 in the neck. I like to play many styles, im in a band that plays classic rock and sort of top 40's, but alot of the time im playing hard rock and metal.

I play very much like a mix between John Petrucci, Satriani and Shawn Lane (not at the same level, but you get the idea). Are these pickups going to do the job

3. Finnally, will I be able to get these pickups installed? Ive heard that the pup cavities need to be shaved because carvins pickups are smaller or somthing? Might just apply to their 7 strings though. Also this guitar has a Piezo pickup, 2 coil spitters and a phase switch. So im wondering if its possible at all? :fingersx:

Sorry thats alot to read, but i live in canada, so i cant return the pickups if i dont like them. THanks.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Anything can be done. Find a good tech.
As for the pickups. Satch and Petrucci use dimarzios. The custom will not sound like the ones they use.
But the custom is VERY versitile for your band needs. What kind of amp are you playing?

 

[right_to_rage]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Fender stage 1600, looking to upgrade to a Peavy Jsx half stack. Im not trying to emulate anyone in particular, but those are some guitar players I enjoy greatly. Im just looking for the best thing to push my sound to the next level, allowing me to develope my style. I am the only guitar player in one of my bands so I play alot of rhythm, but I am first and foremost a lead guitar player. I need somthing thats tight and responsive for rhythm, but for leads it has to be clear, articulate, and it has to sing.

 

[wildstar]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

I used to have a very similar Carvin. Sweet guitars, congrats!

I love the pickups you mentioned, and it's a killer combo for those tone woods. It's excellent for the hard rock sounds you mentioned, and just flexible enough for other stuff. The 59 will work for almost anything, but the Custom can be a little raw for gentler styles. YMMV!

I don't know the amp you use now, but I think the pups and guitar will match up well with the JSX. Definitely find a good tech for the installation, if you're unsure about doing it yourself, and since the Carvin may need some work to make 'em fit.

Reckless Abandon is right about Satch and Petrucci. Those SD pups will NOT closely emulate either of their tones, and neither will your guitar. Your guitar tone woods and the Custom/59 combo have their own characteristic sound, which I think is awesome. Just don't be surprised if it doesn't sound very close to those guys!

For Satch and Petrucci, try an Ibanez with a Dimarzio Fred/PAF Joe (Satch) or Air Zone/Air Norton (Petrucci).

My humble 2¢

Cheers

 

[right_to_rage]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Thanks alot for awsome the responses, yeah I love this guitar, but I feel like trying somthing new, taking it up a notch. Ive pretty much decided upon the custom and the 59, but just incase, are there any other suggestions that may sway my decision? I am sort of partial to duncans, they just seem to sound more natural than dimarzios, but if you can argue me down, I would consider them .

 

[PimpDaDdy]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Whether you do it yourself or not make sure to get wiring diagrams from Carvin and Seymour Duncan. I have two carvins both with SD picksups. I found out that just because the wires are the same colors doesn't mean they are the same wire. I think I ended up wiring my first set out of phase and they sounded very thin. The pickups will fit in the cavity but you will need to apply a little force You will need to bend the legs of the pickup ever so slightly and make sure that the portion with the screw holes stay for the most part parallel with the base of the pick up. I actually went so far as to tap and die holes in the legs so that I could use my stock carvin pickup bezels.

As to the question is it worth it, HELL YA!!! For the types of music you are looking to play I think you would do well with a JB or a Custom in the bridge. The JB has a slightly more vintage sound if you want a more "metallic" metal sound. The Duncan Custom is also great too. It's a solid solid solid pick up. It's great for meaty chords with power and clarity. If you're more of an expressive type player with your leads I would say to go with the JB. I think it's also more versatile for non metal music.

 

[PimpDaDdy]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

By the way make sure to get the trembucker spaced version of whatever pickup you get for the bridge. It suites carvins string spacing better.

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Get a set of Duncans and you'll never look back

 

[right_to_rage]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Do I like the stock pickups? Yes, they provide a nice sound but they are only a 7/10, Im looking for a full 10. A JB seems good for the bridge too, but I have heard it can be very harsh, which is somthing I do not want. By the way, the old petrucci combo of a Steves Special and an Air Norton seem to be a great combo, and I know they sound great (the man himself lol), but once again Duncans are awsome! Which of these do you think would be better for my situation?

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Do I like the stock pickups? Yes, they provide a nice sound but they are only a 7/10, Im looking for a full 10. A JB seems good for the bridge too, but I have heard it can be very harsh, which is somthing I do not want. By the way, the old petrucci combo of a Steves Special and an Air Norton seem to be a great combo, and I know they sound great (the man himself lol), but once again Duncans are awsome! Which of these do you think would be better for my situation?

My advice would be for a Custom/59 or Custom/Air norton combo...both work great. The air norton gives ya a bit more of a "john petrucci" neck pickup tone, where as the 59 is a much more classic sounding pickup.

I didn't mind the pickups in my carvin all too much either...they're not bad, but theres a bit that can be improved on.

 

[Brett Valentine]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

While they might not necessarily be your choice, I replaced an M22V and M22SD on my DC 400T with a Pearly Gates neck and Custom Custom and the tone and dynamics improved greatly! Especially with the Mahog/Maole wood combination, I think the A2 mags brought out the midrange that was missing and were just the right combination of warm and clear enough.

Also heard the JB to be a bit harsh. In my Brian Moore, i went with a Pearly Gates Bridge, and it's smoother than the JB, but the Custom Custom has the power (while still mantaining good dynamics).

Brett

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Welcome to the forum!

Rage you can look at this, take it in, whatever. If you don't use it that's fine too. It's my generic pup breakdown that I did a while back highlighting differences in SD's pup line.

Antiquity---A pup that is hand made by Seymour or MJ that has been artificially aged. The magnet has been degaussed and the cover has been distresses along with the screws so as to appear vintage. Everything is done to make these pups as close to an original that you would buy from a collector that was out of a guitar that was played everyday and gigged with. They have complex mids and are smooth. They are available in A2 or A5 magnet varieties. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The 59---The 59 is the quintessential A5 PAF (patent applied for) pup. Imagine getting in a time machine and going back to 1959 and swiping a brand new A5 pup from the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo and bringing it forward to today. They have found most homes in many neck slots. It has symetrical coils and lots of quack. It has thumping bass, a scooped mid, and cutting highs. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Seth Lover---This pup is as true to the original as can be. This pup is unpotted and comes standard with a gold, or nickel pup cover. It has an A2 magnet and has good quack and fair mids. For this pup imagine going back in time to 1955 and grabbing one of the very first PAF's before they debuted in the LP's. This pup is warm and creamy, but can also get bright with the tone knob on 10. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Alnico 2 Pro---The warmest of the Duncan PAF line. It has symetrical coils and is a modern take on the A2 PAFs. It has round bass and smooth treble, it also has lots of mids to make the guitar really sing. It will warm up the coldest or shrillest of guitars. The most well known Alnico 2 Pro user is Slash of Velvet Revolver and GNR. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Pearly Gates---The PG is the hottest of the Duncan PAF line. It has asymetrical (mismatched) coils and an A2 magnet. The mismatched coils give this particular pup its rude personality. It has a frequency push in the Presence/Cut knob frequency band. This is the "Sizzle" PG owner talk about. It has the most mids of the Ducan PAF line and is also the hottest. Its patron is Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Standard 4 conductor Wire

The Jazz---The jazz is the pup that bridges the gap between Vintage and Modern pups. Its output is at or around the vintage level. Don't let the name fool you this pup is very versatile and smooth. It has an A5 magnet and is very widely used in the neck slot. It is articulate regardless of the tuning as well. This pup negociates cleans or overdrive very well. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

The Custom Series---The Custom Series is all on pup configuration but with different magnets. The coils are symmetrical and the pups come with Standard 4 Conductor wire

Custom---The Custom is a PAF kicked up a few notches. This pup gets its aggressive edge from its Ceramic magnet. This pup has lots of grind with good treble and midrange. It also has ample bass for palm mute playing.

Custom Custom---The Custom Custom is a midrange heavy pup that lends itself to leads and warming bright guitars. This pup gets its huge midrange from the Alnico 2 magnet. I has smooth bass and treble. Essentially it is an overwound A2 PAF.

Custom 5---The Custom 5 is a pup with an EQ very identical to The 59. It has thumping bass, scooped mids, and cutting treble. Like the 59 it is a bright pup that will liven up dark guitar, but the bass can be overwhelming in a bassy guitar, or the the treble overwhelming in a trebly guitar.

<Cont.>

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

JB---The JB is in a class of its own. There is really no other pup like it. It has fair bass and lots of treble. This particular pup has a large upper mids spike that allow it to cut through the mix like no other. It can be heard on countless recording especially throughout the 80's. Lots of people like to pair it with a Jazz or 59 in the neck. In bright guitars it is usually soldered to a 250K pot just like the original Seymour made 30 years ago.

Satch used a set of Pearly Gates in one of his chrome guitars for Live in San Francisco. Crush of Love is probably my favorite tone on the whole thing.

The 59 will give you a pretty balanced neck slot and the Custom will give you power and girth.

Luke

 

[madguitar26]

real bargain

real bargain

my 2 cents:
the 59 while great for clean stuff(jazz and every other bossa and blues) sucks for high gain lead stuff(lack of mids).
A2pro -the exact oposite of the above.
JB-perfect clean giving a huge jeff beck sound semi distorted as well(just listen).
a little thin with the wrong setup and huge otherwise(caint realy explain).
custom-way fatter than the JB,but clean sucks major and is kinda hard when treble is increased slightly(this from the drive of a peavey classic 50,very smooth).
tom anderson H3+ the undisputed heavyweight champion,being fat like the custom,having enough harmonics but without the harsh highs of either jb or custom.loads of bass,very satch like leads,sustains like hell.
clean and semi distorted suck major(more than the custom).
best one overall:anderson h3+ and the JB for 70 bucks each a bargain.

 

[right_to_rage]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Sorry to sort of bring this thread back from the dead, but I've been hearing really good things about these anderson pickups, specifically the h3 or h3+'s. Dont know what a good neck pickup is of theirs, but if i were to buy, I would like my pups to be from the same company.

Any experiences with them? Sorry to be so persistant but I cant just return these pickups, and being the age i am, money can be sort of hard to come by. Measure twice cut once right?

Edit: I forgot to mention that im looking for a pickup that is hot, but cleans up nicely when you back off on the volume, this is big for my band situation.

 

[rockman23]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Yep----I got a Carvin dc-400 & I replaced the m-22's w/Duncan FULLSHRED(b) & Duncan 59----it was a huge improvement!

Though--the FULLSHRED is GREAT for LEADS, it's not as good for rythem(chords)...

The 59 is GREAT for leads(I like the tone to be alltheway muffled--way more "like a flute")--which I like...

I wouldn't recomend FULLSHRED, BUT it's WAY BETTER than m-22.

I also have a CARVIN sc-90--it's got c-22's(I really like these)--BUT I want better, just like you, soo-----I got a cUSTOM-5(bridge) & AlnicoProII(neck)--I haven't installed these yet, I'll let you know what happens...

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Sorry to sort of bring this thread back from the dead, but I've been hearing really good things about these anderson pickups, specifically the h3 or h3+'s. Dont know what a good neck pickup is of theirs, but if i were to buy, I would like my pups to be from the same company.

Any experiences with them? Sorry to be so persistant but I cant just return these pickups, and being the age i am, money can be sort of hard to come by. Measure twice cut once right?

Edit: I forgot to mention that im looking for a pickup that is hot, but cleans up nicely when you back off on the volume, this is big for my band situation.

Anderson HB's have a general reputation for being rather thick and dark, with high output. I have played a guitar with Anderson singles in a Fender and they were thicker sounding than traditional singles too. I'm not saying that's good or bad. If that's what you want then it's good, especially for the typical bridge position application. If you want more clarity and bite then you may want something else, especially in the neck position.

FWIW, One guy on the forum just put a JB (using 250K pots) into an Anderson for a customer, that he thought worked out awesome, and an improvement over stock.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

make sure you order a 4-wire '59 if you intend to do coil splitting and intentional phase reversal stuff

 

[Shredhead7]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

I would say you should try out a change I too got a custom built carvin and love it, but thought that there was room for improvement in terms of sound. The thing that bothered me about the c22s was that the attack was a bit plucky, and with the lead lines i do the attack just started to annoy me. I fixed my problem by doing a pickup swap and i think that what you desire is out there.

I think that for what you are looking for dimarzios would suit your purpose better than duncans. Duncans are good, but the lead tones that you seem to like are largely dimarzio based, and for some reason not many other pickups seem to replicate the attack of dimarzios.

Feel free to ask any questions

Hope this helps,
Cheers,
George.

 

[right_to_rage]

Re: Changing my carvin pups

Shredhead7 are you part of the carvin boards too, cause I swear I looked at your guitar when i was shopping around.

Well since people are suggesting dimarzios, I'd like to know more. I am obviously familiar with the artists, just not the pickups.

:banana: (no purpose, I just think its funny haha)