Hardcore Punk Humbucker

T

thompson182uk

New member
Hi there,

I have a MIM Fender Lonestar Strat, with a HSS set up.

I want to update the PG+ to something hotter, like the American Special HSS, which has a Fender Atomic Humbucker.

Any suggestions for modern hardcore punk tone?

Something like the start of this song by Turnstile sounds cool to me:
https://youtu.be/MDRUwlqa6N0

Thanks.
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

You could probably find out exactly what pickups that dude uses?
Just about anything can make those sounds with the right amp, amp settings, possibly pedals, and right hand technique.
I favor the Dimarzio Super Distortion myself but I also have a smoother sound than that guy.
You can pick up a used Atomic Humbucker pretty cheap if you are patient.
What is your budget?
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

Dave Locher said:
You could probably find out exactly what pickups that dude uses?
Just about anything can make those sounds with the right amp, amp settings, possibly pedals, and right hand technique.
I favor the Dimarzio Super Distortion myself but I also have a smoother sound than that guy.
You can pick up a used Atomic Humbucker pretty cheap if you are patient.
What is your budget?
Click to expand...

I've read the Atomic Humbucker is overpriced and mass produced, so I'm looking at the Seymour Duncan range.

Budget wise. £75 for a new SD such as the JB or Custom is fine.

But I'm torn... worried that the JB is unpredictable/picky with Alder Strats, vs the Custom (potentially bland compared to the JB).
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

The JB could be a little bit bright in the strat, but you could just EQ out the treble a little bit. I would personally go with the JB.
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

Yeah, I'd think the Custom would do just fine.The EQ is better for punk than the JB which I think more of a hard rock pickup. The EQ should would well with the other 2 single coils, too. Just remember that if you get an SD humbucker, you will have to reverse the hot and ground wires for it to be in phase with Fender's pickups.
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

i agree, the custom is a good choice for that but the amp is what is going to determine how close you get to that tone
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

not a bad choice either. again, amp is gonna make a big difference though. a distortion could get you there too
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

Distortion or Alternative 8.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

thompson182uk said:
I've read the Atomic Humbucker is overpriced and mass produced, so I'm looking at the Seymour Duncan range.
Click to expand...

Hold yer horses there pardner! Before we goes with things you readed on the intarwebz, how about we get this geetar and actually LISTEN with your ears then decide for yourself if you even need new pickups. I did read correctly that you are getting a whole new guitar, right? Live with them for a few weeks, week the poles/height and work the amp knobs and then see if you need anything.

And what amp exactly? Might just need a choice $40 pedal...Could be an Amp problem, not the pickup. Can't tell you how many peoples come to these parts looking for a pickup to make their Crate GX15 sound better.

Then - if that doesn't do "it" for you, get with us and tell us what the issue is; Too hot, too muddy, too much treble, not enough mids, etc.

But now, to answer the question: I'd go with an Invader first, then a Custom, and depending on the amp/pedal and how dark the guitar was, maybe - just maybe a Distortion.

Like I said though - your "reason" is that the Atomic is Overpriced and Mass Produced. Duncan is mass produced too, and a number of GFS fans would say over priced....
 
Last edited:
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

Aceman said:
Hold yer horses there pardner! Before we goes with things you readed on the intarwebz, how about we get this geetar and actually LISTEN with your ears then decide for yourself if you even need new pickups. I did read correctly that you are getting a whole new guitar, right? Live with them for a few weeks, week the poles/height and work the amp knobs and then see if you need anything.

And what amp exactly? Might just need a choice $40 pedal...Could be an Amp problem, not the pickup. Can't tell you how many peoples come to these parts looking for a pickup to make their Crate GX15 sound better.

Then - if that doesn't do "it" for you, get with us and tell us what the issue is; Too hot, too muddy, too much treble, not enough mids, etc.

But now, to answer the question: I'd go with an Invader first, then a Custom, and depending on the amp/pedal and how dark the guitar was, maybe - just maybe a Distortion.

Like I said though - your "reason" is that the Atomic is Overpriced and Mass Produced. Duncan is mass produced too, and a number of GFS fans would say over priced....
Click to expand...

Hey Aceman,
Thanks for the response.

I've actually had my guitar for a few years now. The Lonestar has a PG+ in it which is around ~8k with an alnico 5 magnet.
What I mean by not doing it is, lacks a bit of drive and punch. I'm looking for something hotter that breaks up nice without loads of gain.

FYI, I have a Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 18 combo, I have this on the 5W setting for bedroom playing. No pedals.

Thanks
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

Mincer said:
Yeah, I'd think the Custom would do just fine.The EQ is better for punk than the JB which I think more of a hard rock pickup. The EQ should would well with the other 2 single coils, too. Just remember that if you get an SD humbucker, you will have to reverse the hot and ground wires for it to be in phase with Fender's pickups.
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree...the Custom (ceramic magnet) would be a WAY better choice than the JB! It's extremely rare when I recommend a pup with ceramic magnets (I totally hate the sound of ceramic mags), but this is exactly the sound that YOU want.

Great amp, by the way.
 
Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

jeremy said:
not a bad choice either. again, amp is gonna make a big difference though. a distortion could get you there too
Click to expand...

Agree. The Invader could do it. It's a much heavier and fuller tone than the Custom with more mids and with a muted top end, but depending on the amp settings it could also do the job.

Yeah, the Dist could do it as well...probably easier than the Invader, especially if you aren't using any stomps.

But I would still lean toward the Custom. It's cleaner and has a brighter high end which you'll need when overdriving your amp that much.
 
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Re: Hardcore Punk Humbucker

The Invader would not be the best for punk because I think that a lot of punk guitar has more high end. I agree with GuitarDoc go with the custom.
 
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