Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? neck?

Legion216

New member
Schecter Jeff Loomis 7 string. Looking to go passive, just like nearly every other Loomis user, LOL.

Bright guitar: ash body, maple neck and fretboard, glued neck construction.

Looking at Alnico 5 pickups, mainly because every ceramic pickup I've played has this annoying scratchy thing going that grates on my ears.
What I'm looking for is INSANE clarity and note definition, ESPECIALLY while playing complex chord voicings with a lot of gain.


Considering the Full Shred set, since they're known to be stupidly clear. But since they're so bright and so is my guitar, I'm looking at using them with a 250k volume pot. Will that be good enough?

Second option is the 59/Custom Hybrid, since it isn't a very hot pickup, it should sound rather open and clear. BUT I have no idea what to pair it with in the neck.


Need to make a decision fast. Wanted to wait for the Pegasus/Sentient but unfortunately I'm VERY short on time to record my band's EP.

Your advice?
Thank you!
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

I'd consider a Jazz 7 for the neck. Very clear, very articulate, but not harsh or overly bright.
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

You're recommending this to pair with the 59/Custom Hybrid, right?
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

In your situation, I'd first put an asymmetrical (hybrid) bucker in the neck slot rather than bridge slot. If possible, I'd try the FullShred bridge with 500k first before making any assumptions.
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

If I were you I'd go for the Full Shred set, because they really are ludicrously articulate. Bright might be a misconception. Articulation does not necessarily mean a pickup is excessively bright. IME the full shred is well balanced, not really excessively bright.

If you don't like them with a 500k or 250k pot, then take advantage of SD's 21-day return/exchange policy, and maybe go for a Jazz set. It'll also be very articulate but a bit fuller sounding.

Both the Full Shred and the Jazz sets should be able to handle massive amounts of gain without any problems.
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

In your situation, I'd first put an asymmetrical (hybrid) bucker in the neck slot rather than bridge slot. If possible, I'd try the FullShred bridge with 500k first before making any assumptions.

Alright. Why the Hybrid in the neck though?
I'm not trying to doubt you or come across as a dick, I'm just curious. :)

I hope the Full Shreds punch hard enough in a wood like ash.

If I were you I'd go for the Full Shred set, because they really are ludicrously articulate. Bright might be a misconception. Articulation does not necessarily mean a pickup is excessively bright. IME the full shred is well balanced, not really excessively bright.

If you don't like them with a 500k or 250k pot, then take advantage of SD's 21-day return/exchange policy, and maybe go for a Jazz set. It'll also be very articulate but a bit fuller sounding.

Both the Full Shred and the Jazz sets should be able to handle massive amounts of gain without any problems.

The 21 day return policy cannot apply to me unfortunately, since I'm in India.
Can you let me know what guitar you had those Full Shreds in? :)

I want to be able to dig in and pick super hard and feel the guitar respond to my playing...which is why I was kinda attracted to the '59/Custom Hybrid, since it seems to have that kind of organic tone and voicing.

Also, one more thing I'd like to add about my setup (I JUST realized): Live I play through a Line 6 Pod, so taming an overly bright pickup is a matter of slapping an FX Boost+EQ in the signal chain, and shave off some high end before the signal hits the amp model. In the studio, I play through VST amps exclusively. I can do the same thing.

I just don't want to do this excessively, that's all. I want the tone of the wood to shine through, since I seem to have run into a really nice sounding plank of ash, haha!
 
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Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

The 21 day return policy cannot apply to me unfortunately, since I'm in India.
Can you let me know what guitar you had those Full Shreds in? :)

I want to be able to dig in and pick super hard and feel the guitar respond to my playing...which is why I was kinda attracted to the '59/Custom Hybrid, since it seems to have that kind of organic tone and voicing.

Also, one more thing I'd like to add about my setup (I JUST realized): Live I play through a Line 6 Pod, so taming an overly bright pickup is a matter of slapping an FX Boost+EQ in the signal chain, and shave off some high end before the signal hits the amp model. In the studio, I play through VST amps exclusively. I can do the same thing.

I just don't want to do this excessively, that's all. I want the tone of the wood to shine through, since I seem to have run into a really nice sounding plank of ash, haha!

Bummer about the exchange policy.

Wasn't my guitar, but a friend/former bandmate had a Full shred bridge in his Schecter 006 elite which was mahogany body, maple cap, mahogany (i think) set-neck with a rosewood fretboard. Granted, that might have toned down any excessive brightness in the pickup, but all the seymour duncans I've ever played, in any guitar have always sounded musical, never harsh.

I haven't played the '59/custom hybrid, but I would hazard a guess that the Full Shred would be tighter sounding, especially for metal. It does have a very organic tone to it as well, but it's incredibly precise. The '59/C would likely give you more complexity and depth of character, although how much of that will be audible through the Line6 Pod is another question entirely (I don't really like POD's because I feel they superimpose their own sound onto the guitar and not much character of that guitar is let through...also I don't like the sound that they superimpose *shrug*).
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

Alright. Why the Hybrid in the neck though?
I'm not trying to doubt you or come across as a dick, I'm just curious. :)

I hope the Full Shreds punch hard enough in a wood like ash.

Well, you see, the asymmetry in the pickup coils creates a kind of jangly tone. I think I would just prefer a symmetrical humbucker in the bridge of a strictly metal guitar for its thicker mids and compression, and slightly less hum. For when you add a ton and a half of gain, a symmetrical pickup should be a little bit more predictable, controllable, tight and tidy, for a lack of better term, and the qualities of a hybrid might make the tone a little too twangy or not focused enough for good chugga-chugga. On the other hand, the same qualities in the neck pickup should give you some depth on clean tones and a fluid lead tone to spice up the beef you've got in the bridge slot.

I mean, I don't know for sure, I haven't tried either pickup in that particular guitar, and don't want to come across as a know-it-all-before-you-try. Ash is often said to vary a lot in tone from piece to piece. So it's just a gut feeling I have, that tells me the bridge Full Shred's response might actually highlight the wood tone, which I believe, is exactly what you're after. The Fullshred bridge surely has less prominent lows than an EMG85 but it isn't all that silly bright. The maple on maple neck glued into the body should give you all the punch you need. I know you've said your guitar is bright, but that does not mean the low end is not there. If you don't mind giving up some of the lows, you'll probably like the Full Shred. If you do, the Full Shred isn't probably what you'll want.
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

If cost isn't a factor you might want to look at some BareKnuckle Pickups they are known for their extreme amount of clarity from what i've heard people say about them if you find you don't like the Full Shred or Jazz set.
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

If cost isn't a factor you might want to look at some BareKnuckle Pickups they are known for their extreme amount of clarity from what i've heard people say about them if you find you don't like the Full Shred or Jazz set.

BKP are a no no for me, really short on money.

As far as the Full Shred is concerned, I'm worried it might not punch hard enough in a bright as hell guitar like mine...

GAH this is so confusing! :(

Well, you see, the asymmetry in the pickup coils creates a kind of jangly tone. I think I would just prefer a symmetrical humbucker in the bridge of a strictly metal guitar for its thicker mids and compression, and slightly less hum. For when you add a ton and a half of gain, a symmetrical pickup should be a little bit more predictable, controllable, tight and tidy, for a lack of better term, and the qualities of a hybrid might make the tone a little too twangy or not focused enough for good chugga-chugga. On the other hand, the same qualities in the neck pickup should give you some depth on clean tones and a fluid lead tone to spice up the beef you've got in the bridge slot.

I mean, I don't know for sure, I haven't tried either pickup in that particular guitar, and don't want to come across as a know-it-all-before-you-try. Ash is often said to vary a lot in tone from piece to piece. So it's just a gut feeling I have, that tells me the bridge Full Shred's response might actually highlight the wood tone, which I believe, is exactly what you're after. The Fullshred bridge surely has less prominent lows than an EMG85 but it isn't all that silly bright. The maple on maple neck glued into the body should give you all the punch you need. I know you've said your guitar is bright, but that does not mean the low end is not there. If you don't mind giving up some of the lows, you'll probably like the Full Shred. If you do, the Full Shred isn't probably what you'll want.


Ah awesome, that was a very helpful reply! Thank you, sir! :)
Giving up SOME lows is definitely cool with me, my priority is that stupidly good kinda clarity. I can't deal with shrillness/fizz. But according to your description that doesn't seem to be something I have to worry too much about.
 
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Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

cheapo solution, if you can find it: Agile Cepheus pickups? Lots of people seem to be tearing em out for EMGs, and they are, as you asked, STUPIDLY CLEAR/PUNCHY. and built for megabright all maple&ebony guitars as often as not.
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

What works in maple might be a guide to what may work better in hard ash. To me hard ash has more in common with maple than it does with lite weight ash. It is completely different from swamp ash. To me hard ash seems to absorb harmonics while leaving a bright treble on top of a relatively thin fundemental. Clarity without thinner harmonic content should be good way to go.
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

Transparency is the term I should of used. This is something I have always admired about Duncan pickups so its difficult to go wrong. By retaining harmonic content I supposse I mean not just scooping out the mids. The PG is a good example of a pickup with transparency and good harmonic content at the same time. If you think about it; a transparent pickup will not filter out harmonics but pass on what its recieving from the strings regardless of if that's good or bad.
 
Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ???

Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ???

If you go with the hybrid, check out the Jazz or 59 in the neck.

But I also think the FS should be fine. The tight lows does not mean it has more highs.


Sent from my armored space station using Tapatalk on iPad
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ???

Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ???

Transparency is the term I should of used. This is something I have always admired about Duncan pickups so its difficult to go wrong. By retaining harmonic content I supposse I mean not just scooping out the mids. The PG is a good example of a pickup with transparency and good harmonic content at the same time. If you think about it; a transparent pickup will not filter out harmonics but pass on what its recieving from the strings regardless of if that's good or bad.

I see. What pickup would you suggest? This is a 7 string, btw. Thanks! :)



If you go with the hybrid, check out the Jazz or 59 in the neck.

But I also think the FS should be fine. The tight lows does not mean it has more highs.


Sent from my armored space station using Tapatalk on iPad


I see. Thanks man!
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ??? ne

How would the FS neck work with the 59/C Hybrid in the bridge?
 
Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ???

Re: Confused. Hard ash guitar. Full shred 7 set or 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and ???

If you go with the hybrid, check out the Jazz or 59 in the neck.

But I also think the FS should be fine. The tight lows does not mean it has more highs.


Sent from my armored space station using Tapatalk on iPad


Anyone tried the 59/Custom Hybrid in bridge together with Seth Lover in the neck?
 
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