Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
- Thread starter Guitar Rod
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JeffB
Let it B
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
The more I have used them the more they convinced me Jimmy said to.Seymour and MJ in 1980 or whatever..."make me a set of pickups that sits right between #1s original PAFS and what I have now...(the top bridge and paf neck)"...tonally the neck wlh is very similar to the neck paf from #1. the bridge wlh sounds more like the original double creme paf, with a bit more clarity and honk of.the T added in. it's warmer and beefier than the T top.
the only thing that the wlh set doesn't quite do so great are all those wonderful middle position tones Jimmy could get...the wlh bridge is just too chunky and doesn't chirp like a t top.
in my #1 I tried the wlh neck and my rewind t top, but the wlh neck was just too dull/muddy paired up with the unpotted t top. I'm probably going to.try an antiquity neck to go.with the T top bridge.
The more I have used them the more they convinced me Jimmy said to.Seymour and MJ in 1980 or whatever..."make me a set of pickups that sits right between #1s original PAFS and what I have now...(the top bridge and paf neck)"...tonally the neck wlh is very similar to the neck paf from #1. the bridge wlh sounds more like the original double creme paf, with a bit more clarity and honk of.the T added in. it's warmer and beefier than the T top.
the only thing that the wlh set doesn't quite do so great are all those wonderful middle position tones Jimmy could get...the wlh bridge is just too chunky and doesn't chirp like a t top.
in my #1 I tried the wlh neck and my rewind t top, but the wlh neck was just too dull/muddy paired up with the unpotted t top. I'm probably going to.try an antiquity neck to go.with the T top bridge.
Guitar Rod
New member
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
I doubt Seymour would want my sound clips representing his wonderful pickups. He wants to sell more of them, not less. :nervous:
But I can do pics. In addition to the pickups, I did 50s wiring and installed vintage out of spec bees that had wandered into spec. I had never used a soldering iron, but figured if others can, I can. Did the whole thing. Extended the leads, wired the harness, replaced the switch and jack with Switchcraft. I also put a VOS ABR-1 style nickel bridge and lightweight tailpiece as well as raised gold reflector knobs and pointers. Also Hipshot pearloid keystone buttons on the Grover tuners. Scraped and oiled the fretboard and polished the frets plus a complete setup. A huge project started by ordering some Whole Lotta Humbuckers.
I doubt Seymour would want my sound clips representing his wonderful pickups. He wants to sell more of them, not less. :nervous:
But I can do pics. In addition to the pickups, I did 50s wiring and installed vintage out of spec bees that had wandered into spec. I had never used a soldering iron, but figured if others can, I can. Did the whole thing. Extended the leads, wired the harness, replaced the switch and jack with Switchcraft. I also put a VOS ABR-1 style nickel bridge and lightweight tailpiece as well as raised gold reflector knobs and pointers. Also Hipshot pearloid keystone buttons on the Grover tuners. Scraped and oiled the fretboard and polished the frets plus a complete setup. A huge project started by ordering some Whole Lotta Humbuckers.
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Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
Quick off topic,
Why does every Real LP '59 or '60 or new Historic LP always have a lighter pickgaurd than the Pickup rings. I have noticed
this on many late 50's LP's and on the new histories also. Noticed this my whole life.
The above picture is a perfect example.
Thanks for any detective like feedback.
Steve B.
Quick off topic,
Why does every Real LP '59 or '60 or new Historic LP always have a lighter pickgaurd than the Pickup rings. I have noticed
this on many late 50's LP's and on the new histories also. Noticed this my whole life.
The above picture is a perfect example.
Thanks for any detective like feedback.
Steve B.
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
That is some beautiful soldering work for a newb!! I overkill everything cuz Im afraid itll come undone, so I glump solder all over. Ive had several grounds come off the back of pots.
I doubt Seymour would want my sound clips representing his wonderful pickups. He wants to sell more of them, not less. :nervous:
But I can do pics. In addition to the pickups, I did 50s wiring and installed vintage out of spec bees that had wandered into spec. I had never used a soldering iron, but figured if others can, I can. Did the whole thing. Extended the leads, wired the harness, replaced the switch and jack with Switchcraft. I also put a VOS ABR-1 style nickel bridge and lightweight tailpiece as well as raised gold reflector knobs and pointers. Also Hipshot pearloid keystone buttons on the Grover tuners. Scraped and oiled the fretboard and polished the frets plus a complete setup. A huge project started by ordering some Whole Lotta Humbuckers.
That is some beautiful soldering work for a newb!! I overkill everything cuz Im afraid itll come undone, so I glump solder all over. Ive had several grounds come off the back of pots.
Guitar Rod
New member
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
Thanks! I watched a few wiring harness vids on YouTube and just copied as closely as I could. A stickler for detail. I was paranoid of things coming off as well, so everything got a good tug before I move onto the next step.
As far as ring color vs pick guard, I've noticed that as well, though in real life it isn't noticeable. The setting sunlight probably brought it out more on camera. Look pink when they don't in person.
Thanks! I watched a few wiring harness vids on YouTube and just copied as closely as I could. A stickler for detail. I was paranoid of things coming off as well, so everything got a good tug before I move onto the next step.
As far as ring color vs pick guard, I've noticed that as well, though in real life it isn't noticeable. The setting sunlight probably brought it out more on camera. Look pink when they don't in person.
Guitar Rod
New member
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
Thanks. It was a labor of love. Can't stop playing the thing.
Thanks. It was a labor of love. Can't stop playing the thing.
Guitar Rod
New member
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
Thanks. I'm just glad it went well first go around. I dreaded having to find a short somewhere along the chain. Probably what made me procrastinate a bit and take my time.
I love the WHLs. They are a warm pickup. No scooped mids. So if your guitar is naturally bright, it may balance the tone more. But I'm not sure what it would do to a naturally darker guitar. May just balance them too, because the highs are clear and the lows aren't boomy or muddy, but I'm not sure of that.
Thanks. I'm just glad it went well first go around. I dreaded having to find a short somewhere along the chain. Probably what made me procrastinate a bit and take my time.
I love the WHLs. They are a warm pickup. No scooped mids. So if your guitar is naturally bright, it may balance the tone more. But I'm not sure what it would do to a naturally darker guitar. May just balance them too, because the highs are clear and the lows aren't boomy or muddy, but I'm not sure of that.
Guitar Rod
New member
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
Stock. Lighter than a wine red. Original owner says it is cherry red.
Stock. Lighter than a wine red. Original owner says it is cherry red.
Guitar Rod
New member
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
Yeah, I wasn't a big fan of wine red myself. Originally I was looking for a cardinal red that looked like the famous Clapton/Harrison "Lucy", but when I spotted this, it seemed perfect. Like Lucy, but with flame. Really stands out and looks rock and roll. I'm still getting used to the uncovered black pickups, though.
Yeah, I wasn't a big fan of wine red myself. Originally I was looking for a cardinal red that looked like the famous Clapton/Harrison "Lucy", but when I spotted this, it seemed perfect. Like Lucy, but with flame. Really stands out and looks rock and roll. I'm still getting used to the uncovered black pickups, though.
frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
You would know right away if it was butyrate. It is my recollection that they were not. Doesn't change whether you like the way they sound though!
Guitar Rod
New member
Re: Custom Shop Whole Lotta Humbucker vs retail SH-18
Yeah, there is no smell in the case and the neck pickup never left it. Butyrate would only matter to me if buying a PAF clone for the R9. And even then, it wouldn't be a deal breaker.
Yeah, there is no smell in the case and the neck pickup never left it. Butyrate would only matter to me if buying a PAF clone for the R9. And even then, it wouldn't be a deal breaker.