Help me choose some pups, guys

[V-Spot]

Alright, so I started a thread a while back taking suggestions for a new axe, and I think I've settled on some options. Some kind of Les Paul shape, either an Epi model or an ESP LTD EC-1000, perhaps even a Gibson if prices are low. If I can find the EC-1000 model with the Duncans equipped, I won't bother replacing the pups, but if I end up with an EMG model I'm dumping those. However, if I grab an Epi/Gibson I'm going to change the pickups regardless, as I have major gripes with the stock pups used.

I'm thinking of experimenting with a P90 sound, so I'm leaning heavily on the Phat Cat. I've got questions though, would a neck pos. PC produce a nice tone for doing leads and solos in the neck position? I play mostly hard rock in the vein of Boris, Rebreather, Kyuss, Clutch, etc. Heavy a s s.

In the bridge I'm torn between an SH-1, SH-5, and an SH-PG1.

And, to congratulate you for reading all of this, I'll present some pics.

EDIT: Wouldn't mind trying the Jazz in the bridge either

 

[aloha]

Re: Help me choose some pups, guys

I have the much maligned Gibson BFG.

It has a P90 in the neck and a Burstbucker 3 in the bridge. It makes for an interesting combination. I like it, but it's fairly volatile. I don't think that dirty solos are the best, unless you like the 60's style fuzz tone that distorted p90's make (think The Doors).

Personally, I think that your idea would be fun, even if you abandon it along the way. To minimize the $$$ (investment), why not try the Mean/Dream 90's from GFS (www.guitarfetish.com). I have a Dream 90 that is fun (and cheap).

The challenge will be in balancing output.

For the bridge, I highly recommend the JB. I know it's old news, but it has a great sound at full volume in a noisy band, like it sounds you play in...

Good luck and have fun...

 

[tone4days]

Re: Help me choose some pups, guys

hard to give advice til you have the guitar in hand and know what its own native tone is - then you can plot out a path to get it where you want it ...
that said, i do not think of the phat cat as 'heavy a s s'
any reason why you dont want a duncan distortion or a duncan custom?

t4d

 

[uOpt]

Re: Help me choose some pups, guys

I don't think this plan works out. The Phat Cat is too different from a "real" P-90.

If you suspect that P-90s might be your thing that you need to satisfy that suspicion by trying out an actual P-90 guitar. I addition to sound you also have to tangle with noise. Some people don't want single coil noise no matter what the sound improvement is. I'm in the same boat, and I'm not a quick enough shot to figure all this in 10 minutes in a guitar shop. What I will probably do sometime next year is Ebay a PRS SE Soapbar, put some used Duncan or Gibson P-90s in and try it out in peace at home, then resell the SE and then decide future directions.

These ESP LP clones seem to be great guitars.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Help me choose some pups, guys

The Phat Cat is too different from a "real" P-90.

hmmm .... not sure this is exactly the case ...


didnt we have confirmation that the phat cat was a 'real' P90 just in a different shell? ... or am i misremembering? .. i know they sure SOUNDED like real P90s in Brisk's washburn 335 copy

t4d

 

[uOpt]

Re: Help me choose some pups, guys

hmmm .... not sure this is exactly the case ...

didnt we have confirmation that the phat cat was a 'real' P90 just in a different shell? ... or am i misremembering? .. i know they sure SOUNDED like real P90s in Brisk's washburn 335 copy

t4d

Well, it might have a real P-90 coil, but it has A2 magnet(s) and it has a metal cover, the real P-90s have A5 and no sound-relevant cover. The soundclips on the SD site don't tell everything since Phat Cat and P-90 sized pickups are played in different guitars, but what we have doesn't sound close. The Phat Cat is much more - Phat.