Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

[CarmenJuandeago]

I emailed Gibson questioning about the differences between the MHS II humbuckers they use in their new 2019 es-335's.. got this reply:

The original MHS is based on early PAF humbuckers. The adjustable coil has more turns than the slug coil, the wire is 42 gauge, enamel insulated and the long magnets are Alnico 2 for bridge pickup, Alnico 3 for neck.

The MHS II is based on Gibson mid-60’s patent number humbuckers. Both coils have the same number of turns, the wire is 42 gauge poly coated and the magnets are short Alnico 5.

Neither pickup is wax-potted


I've read before on some pickup forums enamel = good, poly = bad, but I don't know how much stock to put in that.

I'll have a pretty good idea of how the MHS I humbuckers are.... Just pulled the trigger on a 2018 Memphis Antique Red ES-335, 7.5 lbs... really hope it doesn't neck dive, but I guess I can switch the Grovers to Klusons it it does. (Lightweight guitars that have good balance are sort of my thing, 7.5 lbs was one the lighest ES-335's i saw. I sold a 2013 Dot ES-335 because the truss rod sort of maxed out and the high E string would slip off the fret real easy, the string spacing wasn't that great. Hopefully this more carefully selected 2018 model will get me back on the 3x5 train. Although the Epi Sheratons/Epi 335's I've tried it at GC tend to have ahem "ass-dive" if that is a thing :O

I might have to replace the bridge with something potted cuz I do plan to play with high-gain. Any recommendations that would pair well with the A3 neck? Most people seem to like the MHS I neck pickup a lot.

 

[plasticscouse]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

Good choice. I have a 2014 59 Es 345 with MHS in them. I think it was the first year, maybe even 1st model. Any others had bb1 & 2 in them. Truly the best sounding guitar I have. The only issues I have high gain, for me at least, comes from the hollow body not the pickup.

Mines not a bright guitar, and needed treble bleeds for lowering the volume, but I think it was how it was wired than the pickups.

Good choice and play it before you decide. You might just want to think about just potting the pickup instead of a full replacement.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

No reason to be afraid of Poly wire pickups. I am a PAF nut and the APH1 and the APH2 are two of my favorite pickups. Slash did everything from AFD to the Snakepit stuff with the APH1, and now with his new Gibson Sig guitars he uses the APH2 to get the new LP's to sound like his old Derrig Copy with the APH1'S. They sound great for anything from classic rock and blues to much harder rock. They also sound great clean and both are poly wound.

Just a side note, but Seth Lovers are Magical in a 335.

Good luck.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

Hmm... sounds like MHS 1s are PAF replicas and MHS 2s are more of a T-Top replica.

If you want to play with high gain, the Custom Custom would work well in the bridge and still match the A3 MHS of the neck, assuming it is just a no frills PAF type pickup.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

If you like the bridge
Just pot it
May be cheaper than swapping
You can always swap it if that don't work out

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

I
I've read before on some pickup forums enamel = good, poly = bad, but I don't know how much stock to put in that.

Invest zero stock in that. Most pickups use SPN (poly-nylon) coating. Only one company makes “plain enamel” anymore, and it’s not the same as it was anyway. It used to contain benzene, which is banned.

But both of these are enamel coatings and are just to insulate the wire. The only difference between coatings is the thickness. If they are both single build they will sound the same.

I use PE for vintage restorations, but normally use SPN. Gibson was known to use purple SPN in place of PE a few years back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CarmenJuandeago]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

After some research, i think I might try out the Saturday NIght Special in the bridge for my 335. never tried an alnico IV pickup before, will it go well with the stock mhs I A3 pickup in neck?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

it may? ive never tried the mhs but id think it would be fine

 

[chewy65]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

I might have to replace the bridge with something potted cuz I do plan to play with high-gain. Any recommendations that would pair well with the A3 neck? Most people seem to like the MHS I neck pickup a lot.

Far be it from me to try to tell someone how to enjoy their Gibson , but I would urge you to take a moment to explore these pickups for a bit before you trade them out. I have a RI ES-345 with MHS HB's in it as well as a LCPG-260 Peter Green model Les Paul with un-potted pickups. I'm finding after I play them and then play something with potted pickups in a higher gain setting, the un-potted pup's sound bigger with more character (and the feedback, when it occurs, is controllable). I mean, after all we learned to love this sound originally by listening to Peter green, Eric Clapton, Mike Bloomfield, Duane Allman, Jimmy Page etc. and even now there is no more crushing sound than Joe Bonamassa playing a 59 Les Paul.

 

[chewy65]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

Jeez, just noticed the date on this post... is this thing on... hello... never mind.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Gibson explains MHS II vs MHS I pickups differences

Alnico 3 in the neck and alnico 2 in the bridge is my favorite humbucker set.

I've done it with Duncan 59's and with Antiquitys.

I do use roughcast magnets. Gives a little fuller and more textured sound I think.