Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

D

defspace

New member
Howdy all,
I just dropped a SH-11 Custom Custom into the bridge of my '88 LP standard. It had the HB-L/HB-R set in there. I suspect I'll be putting the HB-L back in place.

The SH-11 sounds good, but there seems to be a very sudden drop off in the lower end of the response. Lots of mids, not much bass. I expected it to be much fuller (this may not be exactly the right word to use) sounding. Overall, I like it. I just wish it were a bit fuller on the bottom.

I like how it sounds, but it's just not what I was going for with this guitar. If I had another LP, I'd use it in the bridge there. I want as much "mass" to the sound as possible out of this guitar. A really low-mid, fat, compressed sound. I know I could drop an invader in there and get more bass than I know what to do with, but I'm not crazy on super high output.

Any suggestions?
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Put a UOA5 magnet in it. Keeps the mids for the most part, but adds more bass and top.

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Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Bought new?
Could be exchanged instead of modded,I guess...

I couldn't get that p/up outta my LP fast enough.
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Custom/Custom's don't belong in L.P.'s silly....

Lol, yeah either exchange it or mod it into another Custom variant...

It's easily done by using a polished A5, Ceramic, or you could go with a UOA5 if you want the high end to be a little more rounded??? The C.C.'s A2's are a bit dark for the bridge of a L.P. but they sound outstanding in something a little brighter! It's by far my favorite humbucker for the bridge of a Strat!!!
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Nostalgic Distortion said:
Custom/Custom's don't belong in L.P.'s silly....

Lol, yeah either exchange it or mod it into another Custom variant...

It's easily done by using a polished A5, Ceramic, or you could go with a UOA5 if you want the high end to be a little more rounded??? The C.C.'s A2's are a bit dark for the bridge of a L.P. but they sound outstanding in something a little brighter! It's by far my favorite humbucker for the bridge of a Strat!!!
Click to expand...



+1. CC's have a low success rate here in LP's, too warm and fat, and the low end can be loose. My favorite Customs are with an UOA5 (for a rich vintage tone) or an A8 (warm, high output, with full mids and plenty of firm low end).
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Funny how our ears work. I don't particularly think there's a lack of high end, though it is softer than some of my other guitars. FWIW, I've changed to 500k pots, instead of the 300k that came in it stock. I'll have to listen to it a bit more when I get home tonight. More than anything else, I feel a lack of low end.

I don't think I'll be modding this pickup. I've got another guitar in mind for it. Sounds like if I'm looking for a big, fat sounding pickup then the Custom 5 might be the way to go?
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Sounds like you want a pup with an A8 magnet. you could mod the CC to be a C8 or you could buy a C8 (from the custom shop), or you could buy an Alt 8 (this actually may be your best choice in pups for what you want).
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

defspace said:
Sounds like if I'm looking for a big, fat sounding pickup then the Custom 5 might be the way to go?
Click to expand...



Ah, no. C5's (SH-14) are bright and midscooped, due to the A5 magnet. Not a fat-sounding PU. CC's (SH-11) with A2's are fat, but don't have the strong low end of an A5 or A8.
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Makes me wonder what a CC with ceramic spacers would sound like.

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Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Ignore these rubes. They are dolts and fools.

A Custom Custom is, however, pretty much for a Floyded Super Strat. Some of these guys commenting know nothing of those either….In said Strat it can be magic.

Now - in a Les Paul, the CC is a particular beast. You love it or you don't. But it does what it does. It sounds to me like you didn't really do your homework. But no worries. we will fix you right up!

#1 It HAS bass and highs. It just seems like no because it has so much mids.

#2 To bring out the highs…crank those treble poles up. No problem. The highs will be more present, and still fatter than Rosey O'Donnels @$$ after her third trip to the buffett

#3 To tighten up the lows - which are there but pretty loose…either chop the bass poles short, or swap out for hex poles from something like a full shred. Short poles is the key here.

Give all that a try. Unlike a mag swap, which will drastically change the tone of the pup…these things will preserve the overall tone, and emphasize a few minor things that can irk the mortal Les Paul player.

All of that said…a few things you CAN do with a CC that are super cool.
1. Allman Brothers bridge for slide!
2. Clapton Woman Tone made easy!
3. Monster Metal Crunch (depending on the amp). tighten the bass!
4. Great for some loosey goosey Page/Perry stylings. Don't tighten…
5. Jazz lead your @$$ off!!!!
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

And after all of that - what you REALLY want is a DiMarzio Tone Zone
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Yes Ace, you have some very good points. Doing what you said to the screws will certainly make a difference just like you said...brighten up the highs and make them more noticeable and tighten the bass. (He will have to also play with his amp a bit). But I don't think it will be enough for the OP. I think the bass will still be a bit spongy and the mids will still be way too strong.

While your suggestions will bring about some subtle changes in the right direction, I really don't think it's going to be enough. The OP is describing some very major tonal dissatisfaction. A C8 or Alt 8 is going to be the cure for him.
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Rubes?

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Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

After the experience I just had with the 59 Custom in my Tele I wonder if that pickup might be what you are looking for? Tighter and bigger sounding than the Custom Custom with a more pronounced bottom and less scooped than the Custom 5. The unbalanced coils give it great harmonics in a vintage PAF on Steroids kinda way with a thick chewy bottom.
Check this out!
 
Last edited:
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

^^
That could work too.

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Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

isn't Neal Schon a big fan of the CC? he seems pretty big into Lesters and similar Singlecut style guitars.


Aceman said:
And after all of that - what you REALLY want is a DiMarzio Tone Zone
Click to expand...

oh%20snap%20titanic_zpsg8pkgtha.jpg
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

You guys are a riot. Haha!

I think this just isn't the pickup for this guitar. Maybe I will have to try out a Tone Zone... am I banned now?
 
Re: Dropped SH-11 into LP bridge. Looking for more

Before you give up on the CC, just buy a handful of magnets. Even an A5, UOA5 and A8 will transform the sound, and you will probably be out less than $12. Better than buying another pickup.
 
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