H-S Pickup advice

[Whammy]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

So the JB & JB Jr sound nothing alike! Well that's misleading.

The Black Winter seems to be getting more love than the Distortion. I assumed that the Black Winter was the more compressed of the two, due to having 3 ceramic magnets. Obviously I misunderstood how multiple magnets work in a pickup.

The only thing annoying me about getting a Black Winter is that I would want it to have a normal logo and non-colored screws/slugs. So I'd have to pay extra just to make it look like normal. That kinda sucks. If I'm going down that route I may as well add in some extra flavor.
How would all screws or all slugs change the sound?
All screws would subtlety add more pick attack and less bass, correct?
What would all slugs do?
All slugs would make it look like the Lundgren M6 which I think looks awesome.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

How would all screws or all slugs change the sound?
All screws would subtlety add more pick attack and less bass, correct?
What would all slugs do?
All slugs would make it look like the Lundgren M6 which I think looks awesome.

depends on the alloys used.

 

[Whammy]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

Ah of course. Forgot to take that into account.

Question about the Black Winter specs.
Why did they change the EQ response (BMT) from 6-6-6 to 5-9-7?
5-9-7 is what is currently up on their page. I remember a year or two back it was shown as 6-6-6.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

Ah of course. Forgot to take that into account.

Question about the Black Winter specs.
Why did they change the EQ response (BMT) from 6-6-6 to 5-9-7?
5-9-7 is what is currently up on their page. I remember a year or two back it was shown as 6-6-6.

Sounds like a question for tech support.

Maybe they thought the 6-6-6 sounded more metal \m/ \m/

 

[Mincer]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

So the JB & JB Jr sound nothing alike! Well that's misleading.

The Black Winter seems to be getting more love than the Distortion. I assumed that the Black Winter was the more compressed of the two, due to having 3 ceramic magnets. Obviously I misunderstood how multiple magnets work in a pickup.

The only thing annoying me about getting a Black Winter is that I would want it to have a normal logo and non-colored screws/slugs. So I'd have to pay extra just to make it look like normal. That kinda sucks. If I'm going down that route I may as well add in some extra flavor.
How would all screws or all slugs change the sound?
All screws would subtlety add more pick attack and less bass, correct?
What would all slugs do?
All slugs would make it look like the Lundgren M6 which I think looks awesome.

The JB and JB Jr do sound a like. Just not exact. You can tell they are from the same family.
You might be able to order the Black Winter with your choice of logo, and poles as a Floor Shop Custom. They might not charge for this (your dealer will know, or you can contact the factory). I would think, sound-wise, I'd prefer all screws rather than slugs. I'd rather they be adjustable than not (I have a double screw 59/Custom Hybrid that I love).

 

[Whammy]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

That's good to know I might be able to order those changes (normal logo with non-colored slug screws) as a floor shop custom. I'll contact a dealer to find out.

I've used all screw humbuckers before. But so far I have never adjusted any screws or bolts on any of my pickups. I use fairly flat radius guitars though. Once I've got the overall height right, I've never felt any need to alter the height of the individual screws.

I still do like the idea of an all slug pickup like the Lundgren M6. I might just do that and go the full custom shop route. I'd specify to them the tonal qualities that I wouldn't want altered and leave it up to them.

 

[Whammy]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

Thank you everyone for your input Looks like the Black Winter is the winner.

However just when this seems closed,
Semour Duncan's customer support finally got back to me. I emailed them last week with with following after I posted it in this thread.

I am putting a Little '59 in the neck. But I am unsure about the bridge.
I am looking for a tight low end. Strong midrange (enough to make the pickup growl). Highs that are still present, not dull or warm.
Output, medium to hot (I like to righthand tap). Harmonics are important.
I'd prefer if it didn't feel compressed, or always on. I don't want super dynamic, just not compressed. A happy medium would be nice.
And last but not least, the voicing of the pickup. I prefer character over clinical.

They got back to me and recommended the '78 but warned of its low output.
I have to admit, I am intrigued by the pickup, the the output is scaring me away from it.
If the '78 is a good candidate would the IM1 not be more suited for what I'm looking for?
How is the low end on either of these pickups compared to the Black Winter or Distortion?
Is there any merit to their suggestion?

Sorry guys for opening this up again. I swear I'm nearly done

 

[Whammy]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

Anyone?
I know there are a few IM1 users here

Would anyone know (educated guess even) how an IM1 with a small ceramic may respond?
Also does it use 42 or 43 gauge wire?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

Anyone?
I know there are a few IM1 users here

Would anyone know (educated guess even) how an IM1 with a small ceramic may respond?
Also does it use 42 or 43 gauge wire?

yeah. I have both.

whoever told you the 78 has less output than the IM1 appears to be going by the "resistance = output" fallacy. plus, the 78 doesn't have a tight low end...a little bit of sag. and the 78 can be a little particular about the wood of the guitar it goes in when it comes to the high end.

to be frank, the wire gauge isn't relevant. nor is if it all-slug and/or looks like the Lundgren M6.

I'm not seeing much about the guitar you are putting it in or much about the rig you are using or the type of music you play...all those factor in.


email and messages boards have their place, but it can be a huge waste of time in some instances when it can be easy to call in and speak to someone and hammer it all out in a few minutes. given all the turnover in cust serv, I'd only deal with Boomer if it were me. unless you want to spend the big $ with a custom and then I'd only deal with MJ.

 

[Whammy]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

Being in Sweden, I can't exactly call the customer service. And at the end of it I have to place an order through a dealer hoping they relay all my additional requests correctly, along with making it that bit more difficult if Seymour Duncan have a question with my order or want to clarify something.

Just trying to get some opinions of people who use the equipment (you've actually been a great help)

Boomer?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

more information about the guitar, amp, music style/influences, etc. would be a helpful to anyone wanting to help out.



until then... you mentioned the Distortion. it's been around for a long time, as has the JB. one has more grit, the other has more tone. find a regular spaced ceramic to put in the JB and you split the difference for tighter low, plenty of mids and edgy highs.

 

[Whammy]

Re: H-S Pickup advice

Well the guitar is an Ibanez Rg. Basswood body, maple neck and fretboard. Guitar sounds rather dull unplugged. Pinched harmonics are difficult.
Normally I'd use a 5150 with V30's or greenbacks.
Playing style is as the video shows although the guitar tone is all digital and probably not a good example of my normal tone.
Influences are too board to mention to be useful.

You are right though. I should grab a distortion and see where I go from there.