Hollowbody pickup general questions

[iamthesuck]

I may have a warmoth mooncaster (starcaster clone) in my future. Swamp ash with quilt maple top, HH routed, not sure about the neck construction yet (although I'll take advice!), with 6 control holes routed out (I may use some stacked pots and toggle switches). I currently have a Black Winter Neck lying around that I was hoping to use in this build. If not I could swap in a Dimarzio Air Classic if high output is a problem. The guitar that would come out of can have a tone zone or alt 8 in the bridge. I don't really have a suitable bridge pickup at the moment for the warmoth, and that's where I was hoping to solicit some advice. I'd want to use it for rock rhythms, lower register soloing, and mostly clean playing in the style of the grateful dead (so ideally medium output). I'd like clarity with some warmth and sweetness.

A few notes on gear: I have lots of pedals including an eq, overdrives, distortions, filters, but importantly a compressor so that the output differences would be minimal. I think I would like it in the Black Winter neck in this guitar because I like clear, smooth and round distortion (In the spirit of Trey Anastasio's tone). My budget for the bridge is max 160, although I'd like to spend less if possible. I've never chosen pickups for a hollowbody before so I don't know what is different for that construction. Any thoughts would be appreciated!


Side note: I'd be willing to hybridize the air zone and the BW neck to tame the output if needed. I'd probably keep the three ceramic magnets but am willing to experiment to save a few bucks.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

The BW is a nice pickup, and it does more than the description might reveal. It is good clean, and it is good with a little overdrive, too. I'd opt for a 59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge, which is more open, yet has a really good balance of vintage & modern. It also splits really well.

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

I think that I can get along with the BW neck. Especially in a little brighter sounding guitar. I was also looking at the 59/custom, but I worry it won't be mellow enough in the top end. A custom custom was my first inkling. What magnet comes in the 59/custom? Perhaps an A2 or A4 could help smooth it out if I have issues.

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

I was just looking at some revel pickups, either the perfect pete or the cynic. I might get them overwound. The guy seems pretty good about custom winding pickups for a good price. I may get a set if it works out but I a) really want to give the BW a fair shot in this guitar and b) haven't even gotten the guitar yet lol. I love getting excited about pickups

 

[Mincer]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

59/ Custom has an Alnico 5 mag. I don't really think it has an overt high end. I think a Custom Custom is a great pickup too, but you have to really like mids.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

Are we talking a true hollow body or a semi-hollow? In true hollows, hot PU's tend to feedback easier. I go with a PAF set (or P-90's) in my hollows.

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

^^ That was my concern about the BW's. It is a fully hollow design so I was worried about the output. I think the custom/59 would be right up my alley output wise, and I suspect it would work well for me. I just need to get the guitar first lol. I also think an a4 might smooth it out if I don't get an even enough response out of the c/59.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

That's the thing, with hollows you have to be careful about the output. That low-end howling isn't very pleasant.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

I thought the Mooncasters were semi-hollows...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

Wow, yeah, they are. And I think the top is a little thicker than a standard semi. I played a few Starcasters, and they were between a solidbody & semi hollow sound. Not really like a hollowbody, and not really like a 335, either.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

Wow, yeah, they are. And I think the top is a little thicker than a standard semi. I played a few Starcasters, and they were between a solidbody & semi hollow sound. Not really like a hollowbody, and not really like a 335, either.

I think that is a fair comparison. I played one and really liked it–cool guitars.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hollowbody pickup general questions

That's the thing, with hollows you have to be careful about the output. That low-end howling isn't very pleasant.

Right, it's the low end that causes most feedback issues. I talked to JP Soars at a recent Bonita Blues Festival. He plays an Epiphone Joe pass with Gibson P-94's in it. I asked how he managed to eliminate feedback on stage. He said he dialed the bass way down on his amp.