Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

[Econ]

Hello folks:

I have a Fender Japanese Hot Rod Reissue that sports a basswood body and a floyd rose. The guitar came with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and I don't like it. I mainly play 80's metal and "shred" type music and use a Line 6 Vetta head with a Genz Benz cab. I would like a humbucking pickup for the bridge that will give me enough bass response, but will not be muddy nor too bright. What would you recommend?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

59 Trembucker...killer early EVH tone, IMO.

Lew

 

[slash857]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

welcome to the forum

maybe a screamin demon? also, ive heard good things about the custom not getting muddy under full distortion

 

[RGN]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

I just put a '59 in this and really, really like it. It is basswood also. Mine is just a regular Sh1B (non-trem) b/c I can't really tell much difference betweem the trem and non-trem spaced most of the time. It is nearly perfect for that early VH/80s type stuff. If you wanted to go a step hotter you can't go wrong with the Custom Custom.

 

[Econ]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

Thanks for the replies guys. I have to be honest and say that my experience with Duncan pickups has been limited. I had a Duncan Custom on a maple bodied guitar and found it too bright. I also had a JB on a mahogany guitar and thought it lacked punch. I haven't given up on Duncans, but had no clue about what would be the best choice for this guitar. So a 59 or a Screaming Demon, huh? Please keep the suggestions coming. I'l start doing some research on the 59 and the sc.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

Thanks for the replies guys. I have to be honest and say that my experience with Duncan pickups has been limited. I had a Duncan Custom on a maple bodied guitar and found it too bright. I also had a JB on a mahogany guitar and thought it lacked punch. I haven't given up on Duncans, but had no clue about what would be the best choice for this guitar. So a 59 or a Screaming Demon, huh? Please keep the suggestions coming. I'l start doing some research on the 59 and the sc.

Do you play mostly at home or do you gig alot and actually play out? The reason I ask is that the Custom is not generally thought of as being to bright nor is the JB generally thought of as lacking in "punch". What I've noticed is that the guys who play out and have a raging rock band surrounding them appreciate the way the highs of the Custom or the punchiness of the JB help them cut through...but that guys who tend to play alone or at home often will find that a pickup that will help them to cut through onstage is to bright at home. Just asking. Lew

 

[Econ]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

Lew,

Yes, I only play at home. Based on your statement, what pickup would you then recommend for my situation?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

I've played out before but been playing at home the last several years due to lack of time to get something going to play out. My JB's I find anything but lacking. I will also agree that the Custom Custom would be a great pickup to consider for that guitar. I have one in a maple bodied Kramer Baretta and it's so perfect for that guitar, better matched to it than my alder strat but it still sounded sweet in it and I gigged with it in the alder strat for a few years. I only recently swapped the pickups in those two around (JB is now in the alder strat).

 

[Econ]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

I went to the Tone Chart section of the Duncan site and noticed that the majority of the Duncan pups have more highs than lows. Based on the chart, the Original Trembucker, the Blues Saraceno Trembucker and the Invader have more lows than highs, but still they seem have their mids scooped. Since I play a modeling amp and have always complaint about the lack of punch and extreme highs of the Duncan pups I've used, I think these three options could work well with my guitar.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

Lew,

Yes, I only play at home. Based on your statement, what pickup would you then recommend for my situation?

I think ErikH's suggestion of the Custom Custom is a good one. It's a hot, fat sounding humbucker with lots of mids and very smooth highs...sounds great playing at home but also sounds great on the gig. Good call! Lew

 

[slash857]

Re: Humbucker for basswood bodied guitar

the invader might not be a good choice, ive heard it was way too much low end, but does retain clarity under lots of distortion. its been mentioned hear that the blues saraceno is a very underrated p'up, but the custom custom sounds like a good idea to me.