Inflames626
New member
Hi all,
So for those who follow me I'm on my quest of putting bridge pickups in the neck to see how I like them.
My last experiment was a Custom 5/Custom, which turned out to be very successful with the Triple Shot system because the C5 in the neck gives you a warm sound in series and a great bright clean in parallel. Very versatile pickup in that situaton, IMO.
I have a couple other pickups lying around--a 59/Custom hybrid and a Stag Mag. I'm wondering how I can use them in metal--either neck or bridge position. I am assuming any lack of output can be made up by the amp/boost pedal/DAW.
I'll split them up to make this easier.
1) I tend to think of SD pickups as families. In ascending output, for example: 59 neck, 59 bridge, 59/Custom, Custom 2, Custom 5, Custom (maybe?). I know the 2, 5, and Custom all have the same DCR but I think of brighter/tighter = better for metal.
I'm not sure what role the 59/Custom should play since I'm not a huge fan of the 59. I find it kind of bland and boring sounding and much prefer an Alnico II for a blues sound or a Jazz for a bright clean.
I'm thinking the 59/Custom could be a neck pickup for something else, or a bridge pickup for something with lower output, but I'm not sure.
Ideas?
2) I got the Stag Mag because I thought it would be able to emulate a 3 single coil Strat if I put it in an HSS Strat and split it. I was thinking about combining it with A2PS single coils and using the amp to make up any output difference.
The thing with the Stag Mag is it's competing with a Custom Custom and Jason Becker for an HSS bridge pickup. So I'm not sure what to do with it.
Recommendations from folks help me decide where to begin my trial and error process.
I use Triple Shots on everything now so if you think something would work better in a different wiring configuration feel free to chime in with your thoughts on that.
3) General thoughts on what I like: balanced pickups. In no particular order, Full Shred, Blackouts, 498T, EMG 81, PATB Original (new favorite--like a Full Shred with more output IMO), A2s in the neck for blues, Jazz in the neck for bright cleans, A5s in bridge for rhythm, higher output ceramics in bridge for solos (Distortion), and lately the C5 and JB for high output solos from the neck.
A2s in the bridge are interesting but I find them a little springy in the bottom for rock/metal and prefer them for hybrid picking, country, etc. A5s can be a little boring in the neck, and I think a ceramic in the neck can fight against the bassier tone of the neck position. I tried an EMG 81 in the neck once and it was terrible. A bright pickup in a bassy position resulted in mediocrity in that case.
All of this is very generally speaking as far as magnets. I realize the wind will make a difference.
Thanks as always.
So for those who follow me I'm on my quest of putting bridge pickups in the neck to see how I like them.
My last experiment was a Custom 5/Custom, which turned out to be very successful with the Triple Shot system because the C5 in the neck gives you a warm sound in series and a great bright clean in parallel. Very versatile pickup in that situaton, IMO.
I have a couple other pickups lying around--a 59/Custom hybrid and a Stag Mag. I'm wondering how I can use them in metal--either neck or bridge position. I am assuming any lack of output can be made up by the amp/boost pedal/DAW.
I'll split them up to make this easier.
1) I tend to think of SD pickups as families. In ascending output, for example: 59 neck, 59 bridge, 59/Custom, Custom 2, Custom 5, Custom (maybe?). I know the 2, 5, and Custom all have the same DCR but I think of brighter/tighter = better for metal.
I'm not sure what role the 59/Custom should play since I'm not a huge fan of the 59. I find it kind of bland and boring sounding and much prefer an Alnico II for a blues sound or a Jazz for a bright clean.
I'm thinking the 59/Custom could be a neck pickup for something else, or a bridge pickup for something with lower output, but I'm not sure.
Ideas?
2) I got the Stag Mag because I thought it would be able to emulate a 3 single coil Strat if I put it in an HSS Strat and split it. I was thinking about combining it with A2PS single coils and using the amp to make up any output difference.
The thing with the Stag Mag is it's competing with a Custom Custom and Jason Becker for an HSS bridge pickup. So I'm not sure what to do with it.
Recommendations from folks help me decide where to begin my trial and error process.
I use Triple Shots on everything now so if you think something would work better in a different wiring configuration feel free to chime in with your thoughts on that.
3) General thoughts on what I like: balanced pickups. In no particular order, Full Shred, Blackouts, 498T, EMG 81, PATB Original (new favorite--like a Full Shred with more output IMO), A2s in the neck for blues, Jazz in the neck for bright cleans, A5s in bridge for rhythm, higher output ceramics in bridge for solos (Distortion), and lately the C5 and JB for high output solos from the neck.
A2s in the bridge are interesting but I find them a little springy in the bottom for rock/metal and prefer them for hybrid picking, country, etc. A5s can be a little boring in the neck, and I think a ceramic in the neck can fight against the bassier tone of the neck position. I tried an EMG 81 in the neck once and it was terrible. A bright pickup in a bassy position resulted in mediocrity in that case.
All of this is very generally speaking as far as magnets. I realize the wind will make a difference.
Thanks as always.
