humbucker comparison

[midnite_man]

I have a classic rock/blues-playin Gibson LP Studio currently equipped with an old Gibson PAF humbucker in the neck and a very old (mid 70's era) JB in the bridge, the Gibson measured somewhere in the 7's as I recall, both potted w/ss covers. Not quite enough output in the balance when in the middle position. I have a few options on hand....I have a 59/N wAlnico 5, rated at 7.6k -Pearly Gates/B w/Alnico 2, rated at 8.2k (might be a sweet set to consider, especially being that they're also potted w/ss covers).....also have a black SD Distortion/N w/ceramic rated at 13.00k plus a black DiMarzio PAF Joe/N w/Alnico 5, rated at 7.89k.
I could leave the JB in the bridge and try the Distortion in the neck but am not sure if the different magnet types could conflict....the PAF Joe might match up better as far as magnets go....?? Who knows what ultimately sounds good in any particular guitar, I don't think a person can ever get too far off track...lol. But was wondering if anyone has had experience with the Dist/N in a mahogany body, or that PAF Joe which I believe came out of an Ibanez Joe Satriani guitar? Any and all thoughts are appreciated!

It's been several minutes since the last time I was signed in, but I've always enjoyed the positive input people have for each other in this forum. It's good to be back. :bigthumb::wave:

Side note: I imagine some 'buckers might be suited better for certain amps as well. I'm an old timer now and use either a Deluxe Reverb or one of a couple of small 15Wr's...although I like it I don't play super heavy metal...lol.

 

[midnite_man]

I've been using a ZOOM G3Xn processor in front of my amps for several pretty nice effects and a few amp models. It's a great unit and a space saver.

 

[hamerfan]

My secret sauce in the bridge slot of a Les Paul is the Distortion Neck pickup. Not as heavy as the Distortion Bridge, but growlier than a Custom.

 

[Seashore]

I also liked the Distortion neck in the bridge of a "mahogany"-ish LP style guitar, although it didn't wind up being a keeper for my needs at the time.

If what you need is more output specifically in middle position, also consider wiring your volume pots to be independent. There's a sweet spot with independent volumes when you have them both up full and then back off the neck volume slightly, it mitigates the parallel "scoop" and makes the sound a bit more full.

 

[midnite_man]

My secret sauce in the bridge slot of a Les Paul is the Distortion Neck pickup. Not as heavy as the Distortion Bridge, but growlier than a Custom.

I believe you, bro! There isn't any reason to not experiment with pickup combos regardless of position. Those frequencies can produce some very cool unique vibes.
I've got a similar situation with the neck pickup actually being a Gibson bridge turned upside down. At the time I put the JB and Gibby PAF (and these two pups are aged back to late 70's early 80's and used professionally by a good friend) in that Pauly I was hoping for a middle position that didn't lean too far one way or another and gave a nice, slightly warmer overall tone. Sounds nice on it's own but never did quite cut the mustard in the mix.
I guess the key question is whether that ceramic magnet in the Dist would conflict at all with the Alnico 5 in the JB? Do magnets matter? Am I going to end up with something too hot to handle? I mean, I'm a blues/classic rock/heavy rock player but I'm no shredder.
I could just as easily swap both pups out with a PG into the bridge and that 59 into the neck, but I don't have a solid body guitar with that level of output in the neck. I'd like it to remain a great overall guitar for all genres...and that JB is the best bridge humbucker I own.
Common sense says to do it one way but I'm always up for a little extra mojo in my life as long as it's respectable...lol

 

[hamerfan]

I currently run the Dist. neck in the bridge slot with a P-rails in the neck. The p-rails works as a p90. By not a shred stick, but a solid rock combo. For me the art of balancing lays in the way the bass side of both pickups are treated. The treble side is more or less the same distance, when the high e is pressed down on the highest fret.
Bass side on the neck is at a point that als strings are on the same volume (of course with radiused pole screws, while g screw is low). After that i dial the bass of the bridge humbucker until the inbetween and the bridge humbucker sound great. This last point is crucial. On some guitars i even have to go to 8 on the bridge tone pot to get it right.

 

[jeremy]

the sh6n used to be the sh7 seymourizer ii, same pup just rebranded as the distortion neck rather than a bridge pup

 

[gimmieinfo]

Pearly gates are great. I have a set in my studio session and they absolutely decimate the stock classic 57s. Not to mention the middle setting is great. It has that clucky chicken pickin tone when set clean or in between. Bridge will cut your head off when u want it to depending on your picking. I'm not so sure the guitar wouldn't be in craigslist right now had i not tried the PGs in it. But with them i believe it's a keeper.

 

[jeremy]

i love the pg set. many people love the neck, but i think the bridge is the big winner. its like a great tele pup on steroids, if you know how to use your tone control, it can do anything

 

[uOpt]

I like a PG in a Stratocaster with a tremolo.

 

[midnite_man]

I like a PG in a Stratocaster with a tremolo.

About 20 years ago I bought a Fender HH Strat that came with a PG set installed from the factory, a set neck, and a tremelo. I think they only did one year of production, and I bought it mainly because of the pups and the set neck. Pearly Gates humbuckers have been my favorites since I first heard of Seymour Duncan.
Thank-you, Uncle Seymour!

 

[midnite_man]

I think the SH6 might be a shove above the net result I want; plus, loving the classic sounds that I do; I think that perhaps a double swap is in order by installing a PGb and either a 59n, that I have, or buying a PGn to make it a complete set.
Has anyone had any experiences with DiMarzio's, specifically the PAF Joe? It's an Alnico 5 humbucker 7.89k. I only ask because it's one that I have, and was cheap when I bought it...never used anything but stock pickups or SD's.

 

[beaubrummels]

I wouldn't lean to heavy on what the magnets are and trying to match magnets and DC resistance. I've learned to only go by the actual sound of the pickup and how much drive I get out of it when matching up 'sets.' DCR can be deceiving, especially when the pickup has a particular hot spot mid or something, it can sound louder than it is.

 

[Mincer]

While I don't own an LP, I have a semi hollow single cut Howard Roberts Fusion, with a set of non-potted Antiquities, and they are fantastic. I use a Deluxe too, and play on the jazzy side of rock.