Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

[FlyingVictorAxman]

Hey everyone,

Longtime lurker and new member here. I'd like to start first off by saying this forum has been instrumental of my learning and understanding of the tech side of guitars. I come from a family of tradesman and military who value their hardware and tools above all else. It's so surprising to me that many of my friends, and some of the professional musicians I know don't make it a priority or care to delve into the hardware/tech side of guitars, it's as if this is the lowly work of their guitar squire (aka guitar tech lol) with themselves being the knight in shining armor. As myself being a former Marine you are taught the inner workings and concepts of a rifle, and proper maintenance. How this facet of a guitarist is not of priority by many beginning and intermediate players is beyond my scope to speculate.

TLDR:

1) I have a epiphone korina V that I adore. I want the sound of alnico II and the ability to split to single coils. Naturally the SH-11 CUSTOM CUSTOM is a winner. Has anyone ever ran two SH-11 CUSTOM CUSTOMS bridge and neck together? I think it would have the same appeal as the Tony Iommis from Gibson, being highly dependent on changing the pickup height for desired sound.

2) What are the sonic implications of running a SH-11 CUSTOM CUSTOM with the ALnico V 59 Hybrid? I'm considering that setup as well, its a bit hot with that nice over wound magnet to split to.

Thats it folks, I know many of you would just say buy it all and try it all. I try to remain frugal with the GAS and get it right the first time if possible.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

At first thought the CC seems too dark and middy for the neck, but Hamer has shipped guitars with this (JB in the bridge I believe) and Brian Blush of the Refeshments used it for thick, smooth soloing.

You'd have to do some serious pickup height adjustment if you go CC/CC.

I think an easy choice would be CC/A2P or CC/PGn.

 

[FlyingVictorAxman]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

THanks Darkside, i'm still wondering if the Custom Hybrid 59' in the neck, with a CC or C5 would be a good combo as well.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

I think an easy choice would be CC/A2P or CC/PGn.

+1. An A2 neck PU would be my choice. When you put a hotter bridge PU in the neck slot you lose treble and definition, and it can be prone to sounding muddy. Don't really see the appeal in that.

Nice guitar BTW, I have one myself.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

I can't imagine how a CC in the neck of a Korina V would be appealing...unless of course, you like lots of dark mud. For my ears, even the CC in the bridge sounds dark and lack-luster. You mention the C/59 hybrid as a possibility for the neck with a CC in the bridge. Keep in mind that the CC is very middy and soft (tonewise) and the C/59 is pretty bright with a sharp attack. Not what I would consider a good combination. I would think that you'd want a neck pup with A2 mag and fairly evenly wound coils to go with a CC in the bridge.

 

[FlyingVictorAxman]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

Thanks Yoda, and bluesman. I blame all y'all for giving me TOO many damn options lol. With relative ease of mag swaps it a whole new sonic territory for my tinkering tastes. I def like the Custom Custom and A2 magnet I think it better flavors the more nasal sting of the V and korina more so than a les paul. With ability to swap in A5's to both the Custom Custom and A2 neck pup its a damn good choice. I might also try the 59 Custom Hybrid in the bridge and the Whole Lotta Humbucker. The WLH sounds DAMN good and definitely fits the philosophy of use i'm trying to put into the V. I guess I should've stated i'm looking for a versatile setup to give me the early proto-british metal bands e.i. Sabbath, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Deep Purple.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

Thanks Yoda, and bluesman. I blame all y'all for giving me TOO many damn options lol. With relative ease of mag swaps it a whole new sonic territory for my tinkering tastes. I def like the Custom Custom and A2 magnet I think it better flavors the more nasal sting of the V and korina more so than a les paul. With ability to swap in A5's to both the Custom Custom and A2 neck pup its a damn good choice. I might also try the 59 Custom Hybrid in the bridge and the Whole Lotta Humbucker. The WLH sounds DAMN good and definitely fits the philosophy of use i'm trying to put into the V. I guess I should've stated i'm looking for a versatile setup to give me the early proto-british metal bands e.i. Sabbath, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Deep Purple.

The WLH set is a great choice. The '59/Custom hybrid is too bright for me with the stock A5 magnet. I like it much better with a warmer, fuller, magnet, like an UOA5 or A2.

Yeah, the options with so many PU's and magnets to choose from can be overwhelming, and frustrating at times, but it gives you a much bigger tone palette to use, so that you can dial in what you really want your guitar to sound like.

 

[saladin]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

If I had to choose, I'd go Custom/59n...but than again, I hate a2 mag pickups!

 

[FlyingVictorAxman]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

Well i'm looking to purchase within the next couple days. After many audio samples, you tubes, and your guy's input, I'd think I've come down to the custom custom bridge, and the whole lotta humbucker neck. I'm just following what my ears tell me. I realize the CC is Alnico II and the WLH is Alnico V, is that an issue? Either way I plan on swapping magnets as needed, whether it turns into running a C5 and WHL or a CC and WHL Al II abomination time will tell.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

Many of us pair up PU's with different magnets. What magnet is ideal for the bridge isn't necessarily the best for the neck, and vice versa.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

At first thought the CC seems too dark and middy for the neck, but Hamer has shipped guitars with this (JB in the bridge I believe) and Brian Blush of the Refeshments used it for thick, smooth soloing.

You'd have to do some serious pickup height adjustment if you go CC/CC.

I think an easy choice would be CC/A2P or CC/PGn.

The guitar was the Hamer Monoco Superpro and it had a CC neck and Custom bridge.

I kept the Custom bridge but changed the neck to a Seth Lover in mine.

But the CC actually sounded fine...I was just putting the Seth Lover neck in everything at the time.

The Seth did seem better than the CC. At the very least, the Seth gave me the tone I was after.

 

[FlyingVictorAxman]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

I def tossed that idea around about having an unpotted pup in the neck Lew. I'm glad you shared your insight with me about that, at this rate I might as well buy a few more V's off Fleabay now that they are flooded the market.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

I def tossed that idea around about having an unpotted pup in the neck Lew. I'm glad you shared your insight with me about that, at this rate I might as well buy a few more V's off Fleabay now that they are flooded the market.

I know, just after I bought a L.P. too... There are some awesome deals on used V's right now, wish I would've held out!!!

 

[FlyingVictorAxman]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

Lol, just don't spread the word. I want them all to myself!

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

I was asked by someone if I wanted to trade my L.P. for his 05 V & I seriously considered it! I do want one, badly, but I don't think I want one as my only H/H Gibson so I declined? If he had an Explorer, same year, same condition, I would taken the deal.

I'm too old these days to do all my playing standing up!!! I had a beautiful hand made V when I was a kid so I know you sorta get used to playing them sitting down with time but it never really becomes comfortable. On the other hand definitely one of my all time favorite guitars to play standing up! I love the way they hang off you with the strap button behind the neck heel, kinda like someone cross-bred a S.G. & a Fender!!!

 

[FlyingVictorAxman]

Re: Help and Opinions Flying V SH-11 and what NECK?

Don't know if you are partial to Gibson but Reverend makes an excellent V that has a slightly smaller wing on one side to play easier sitting down. It's to the point where you can barely tell in the pictures. Reverend V's are a damn good value, korina, locking tuners, inlays, binding, and a bass contour that some ppl on SD have messed with on their own. I just buy cheap epiphones then proceed to **** them up, since I have to convert to left handed anyhow. V's are very forgiving conversions since the controls naturally align along a lefties strumming hand. I imagine Albert King though the same lol!