Double screw '59 question...

[metalchurch79]

I want to build a Double Screw 59 and I have a few questions regarding it before I begin the search for the donors....

I have a vintage MJ wound AH1B (Alnico5/16.30K) already and it's an amazing pup, so Im not trying to replace it, but rather build something somewhat similar for another project, which is a Maple Strat body with a universal pup route and an OFR, fully scalloped rosewood fretboard.

I'm not really into the JB all that much, but that being said, Ive never tried a Double Screw JB either, so that may just be an option there as well. (Ive read that the Holdsworth/Double screw JB are very closely related) But for now Id rather just stick with the '59 idea.

What coils should I use for this hybrid?
59 bridge screw coil/59 bridge screw coil or
59 bridge screw coil/59 neck screw coil?

If the bridge/neck would work better, which screw coil should be closer to the bridge itself, the 59B or 59N? Get what Im trying to explain here?

Also, what magnet would be better suited for this hybrid? I'm thinkin an A5, A8, or perhaps a Ceramic. Any help or personal experience would be very helpful here. I'm sure what Im trying to do has been done, and Id welcome a pickup that's already been modded, so if anyone's got one, please let me know.

Another question real quick since Im on the subject; Would a 59/JB hybrid or Double screw JB be in the same ball park as an AH1B or a Double screw '59?
How would you guys describe each version respectively?

Thank you very much!!
-Joe

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Double screw '59 question...

I think a bridge and neck hybrid would be awesome as a lot of the old pickups had mismatched coils and some believe this is where the magic is. I would put the hotter bridge coil closest to the bridge as that's where the the least string movement happens so would benefit from the slightly higher output coil.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Double screw '59 question...

The coil placement that you mentioned, was kinda what I was thinking as well. (Use the hotter coil near the bridge) Also the mismatched output of the B/N would be along the same lines as the '59/Custom Hybrid, and Ive read on here that some of the best results are of the Bridge/Neck pup combo.
Regarding the 59/Custom hybrid, is the Custom coil closest to the bridge since it's the dominant (hotter) coil?
Thank you for your insight on this.

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Double screw '59 question...

It wouldn't be as dramatic as the custom/59 as one coil from the custom is around 7k and one form a 59b is around 4k plus they are wound using different gauge mag wire. One coil from a 59 neck would be around 3.7k and both the 59 models use the same wire.

I believe the 59/c hybrid uses the 59 screw coil and the custom slug coil for better splitting. I guess it doesn't matter where the hotter coil goes as much as I thought it would have.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Double screw '59 question...

Right, I realize that it wouldn't be as dramatic as using a hotter coil from a hotter pickup to pair with the '59, so perhaps the end result would be very minimal at best, aside from being able to really fine tune them screws... Ive read that some of the better hybrid results stem from using coils that are around a 4 to 6k difference...So I suppose the very best that I can do is to use a bridge and neck pup to make my hybrid despite the minimal difference...
I know a double screw '59 would get me no where near the output as a double screw JB or even the Holdsworth, I just wanted to try out something entirely different than what I typical use, which are high output pups, and I wanted to try out different mags just to mess around and experiment a little bit that's all. Im not expecting anything ground breaking here and I realize that it's not going to be anything revolutionary mind you.
Once again, appreciate the input man!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Double screw '59 question...

PAF's had offsets of the range of 59b/59n, and they were the 'originators' of the offset idea.
People have tried hybrids with 44 and 42 gauge with quite mixed results. Mostly the conclusion was to only go 1 wire gauge different. A C/JB is supposed to be pretty cool to those who like that sort of thing.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Double screw '59 question...

I see what you mean with the wire gauge offset, and that's a valid point there...
Instead of a '59B/'59N,being the coils/output are so closely related as opposed to say a '59/Custom hybrid, do you think Id get better results from a '59B/DistortionN or perhaps a '59B/Perpetual Burn?
I definitely want to use both screw coils for whatever I build, but I want it to worth my time and efforts at the same time, and both you guys brought up some good points. Im glad that I posted here prior to going it alone. I was mainly hoping that someone on here had already built the pickup that I wanted to build and could give me some first hand experience with it. There's no rhyme or reason for my decision other than to make something neat to mess around with really.
Thank you for your reply

 

[AlexR]

Re: Double screw '59 question...

My last post was saying that PAF's which do have closely wound sets of coils and same wire gauge sound great - so the 59b/59n will be similar......a low output more open tone.

I also did a c/Jazz n hybrid, which I think I like better than the c/59.

The problem with pickups is that no-one has the same tone in their head. The very thing you are looking for could well be the 'bad' pairing that someone else hated. In this way, maybe the best option is to scout out a few pickups secondhand and mod away.