Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

[UsrName]

I haven't posted in a long while, but usually lurk every now and then. I recently became bored with the tone of the HFS pickup in my PRS CE24, so I decided to start experimenting. First I tried the JB, then Sreamin' Demon, and now a Distortion. The JB sounded kinda muddy; the SD sounded pretty cool but I didn't like the scooped mids and lower output. This one sounds alot better in my strat! The distortion took care of all my problems. I can get heavy with it and still play some classic rock and metal with lower gain. Also the guitar its in is strung with 10s, which is probably why it balances so well with the DD.

So now I'm looking for a good neck pup to go along with it. I'd like something with nice cleans and for some good high gain solo work without a boomy bottom end. Maybe something with a bit higher output than a normal; maybe a bridge model, would that ruin the cleans? Also what give a close strat neck single coil sound when split?

I've been seeing alot of Jazz recommendations, but also Pearly Gates. I also see alot of Demon in the neck suggestions as well, but I have the TB version, so I'm not sure how it will sound. I mainly play stuff like Dokken, Maiden, Priest, Testament, Megadeth, but also some hair metal, KISS, Tool, Soundgarden, and even some classic rock like Rush, Zep, etc.

Anyway, sorry for the long winded post, I'll probably try the SD first and take it from there. My local GC lets me just exchange pups there, which saves me alot of time. Wonderful thing that return policy, thanks Seymour!

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

you might like a jazzB. it's got output to match the DD, clarity, and not so much of the boomy lows. the jazz also splits pretty well, sounds glassy/stratty.

 

[nemesis92]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

get the jazz model....its the perfect neck pickup....dave mustaine used the jazz and jb set b4 he went to his custom live wires...which arre based on the same set..but active...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

I vote Demon, especially if you'll be splitting or performing series/parallel operation a lot. It has a clean low end, gutsy mids, and enough output to split nicely.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

jazz

 

[Aceman]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

I'm gonna throw this out there, and it's not really a sexy combo - but I think it will totally work for you - especially if you throw a split in there:

Distortion neck

 

[EEF13]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

or a fullshred in the neck

 

[supernosher]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

The DDn sounds great - I'll second Aceman's rec. In my head I don't see the Jazz working with the DDb - too bright compared to the DD.

 

[UsrName]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

Great ideas! Here's my shortlist for now:

Screamin' Demon
Jazz (B)
Full Shred

Not sure the DD would be warm enough with the ceramic? Any others?

 

[metlking]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

I like the 59n paired with a DD in my Les Paul and McCarty......although, some hear the 59 as boomy and muddy, I find it warm.............to each his own!

I've also tried the JazzN, PGn, AIIPn......I keep coming back to the 59'

 

[supernosher]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

I just played a Super Reverb RI today, and even with the bright switch on, the DDn is not harsh on the highs. I normally play through a MESA Studio Caliber which is totally mid heavy so I thought maybe the amp had alot to do with the sound being so smooth. I'm not convinced. Super Reverb with bright switch on did not sound icepicky or harsh at all. The guitar I have the DDn in is mahogany / maple neck. Not sure how your PRS sounds. I would think they are on the bright side. In which case, I think the 3 pickups you're considering would just take things OVER THE TOP!

What about a Dimarzio 36th anniversary? Someone has a black bridge model for sale here on the trading post. $45

 

[Marshall_Abuser]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

The Full Shred neck is awesome, but I think I might like the Screamin Demon in the neck better, I still think the FS neck lacks some thickness.

Me thinks I need a Breed set quick to end my need for thickness !

Bottom line is : can't go wrong with all those pickups you mentioned for neck.

 

[UsrName]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

Which one will split the best?

 

[phil_104]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

Man, I am so glad you posted this thread. I have a CE24 maple top, and although I was happy with the pickups until recently, I realize that they lack a little character.

I was considering the distortion, and glad to hear someone else is happy with it.

I would give the jazz a shot if I was you. I have tried it in an all mahogany guitar, and loved it. I can only imagine that it will be better with the maple cap.

 

[UsrName]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

Cool, glad to be of some help! Yeah, I'll give the Demon a try first and if that doesn't work out, Jazz for sure.

The HFS really didn't sound horrible, just a little too dark for me. If I stay with the Demon in the neck, I'll probably throw the HFS in my strat. I think my string guage has alot to do with it. The 10s I have on this one really thicken it up and gives the whole guitar a deeper sound. That plus the HFS, which is fairly thick, plus the darker tone of the Boogie was just too dark a tone and the lower strings were mudding up, so the DD definitely balanced things out for me. They also seem to have around the same output as well. I definitely recommend the DD for a little added character.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

Cool, glad to be of some help! Yeah, I'll give the Demon a try first and if that doesn't work out, Jazz for sure.

The HFS really didn't sound horrible, just a little too dark for me. If I stay with the Demon in the neck, I'll probably throw the HFS in my strat. I think my string guage has alot to do with it. The 10s I have on this one really thicken it up and gives the whole guitar a deeper sound. That plus the HFS, which is fairly thick, plus the darker tone of the Boogie was just too dark a tone and the lower strings were mudding up, so the DD definitely balanced things out for me. They also seem to have around the same output as well. I definitely recommend the DD for a little added character.

I think you hit the nail on the head. I also play through a boogie, although mine doesn't sound to dark imo. That's the problem with the HFS I think. They sound good, just not great. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what they could do better, but it's totally obvious that they could be improved on.

Sorry to jack the thread, but would you happen to have any clips of the bridge pickup in action?

 

[orpheo]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

distortion neck. kinda smooth, but not too much. tight, but not too much, loose, but not too much, and transparant, and as you guessed it; not too much

 

[UsrName]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

I think you hit the nail on the head. I also play through a boogie, although mine doesn't sound to dark imo. That's the problem with the HFS I think. They sound good, just not great. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly what they could do better, but it's totally obvious that they could be improved on.

Sorry to jack the thread, but would you happen to have any clips of the bridge pickup in action?

Sorry, not really set up to record yet. I'll say the clip on the SD site is close, but in my guitar, it's smoother and not as percussive, if that makes sense.

 

[austin]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

Custom in the neck. That's right.

-Austin

 

[phil_104]

Re: Finally settled on an SH-6 Distortion bridge, now what for the neck?

Sorry, not really set up to record yet. I'll say the clip on the SD site is close, but in my guitar, it's smoother and not as percussive, if that makes sense.

Thanks for the info man, I really appreciate it.