Humbucker helper?

[chadd]

I've got a guitar I love, but can't find the right bridge humbucker and I'd appreciate any suggestions. I'm normally an A2 guy and love a thicker tone without too much output. My other main guitars for gigs are a Schecter Corsair with APH1 set, R7 with Slash set and PRS S2 with SNS set.

The guitar is Spanish cedar I and just has a soft, mushy tone that lacks in high end and definition. It came with the SNS set and sounded dead with them. I tried a handful of other pickups, the most recent being a 59/Custom and a Slash set. The 59/Custom was still a little flat and I'm trying to figure out where to go next. Custom 5 seems the logical next step, also thinking about a Screamin Demon with double thick A5. I've absolutely hated the C5 in everything else over the years, and that has me questioning the next step. Any suggestions would be appreciated. And yeah, selling it is an option, but I'm trying to avoid going there.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbucker helper?

A Custom or Custom 5 might be a good choice, and even a Distortion might do it, too.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Maybe a Distortion Neck in bridge position? It was originally a bridge pickup named the SH-7 Seymourizer.
Fat, bright, and nice & firm thanks to a double thick ceramic.
Not at all mushy, not even a little bit.

Its wind is a bit lighter than the Custom and IMO the character is more open and the feel a little more dynamic.
Often overlooked as a bridge option simply because of its name.

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Why not a PATB-3?

It has snap, its construction is a bit different... So don't judge it with the standard screws and studs PAF kinda pickups. Mine measures 9.4K and is a snappier and more present version of a Brobucker. Has sorta V eq. And has presence.

SNS sounding dead is what worries me tho...

Another one I thought was the Jazz bridge. Hell of a good bucker for the right guitar. So why not go that way instead of going the Custom 5 route?

B

 

[chadd]

Re: Humbucker helper?

A Custom or Custom 5 might be a good choice, and even a Distortion might do it, too.

I'm not generally a high output guy, even the customs are often a little hot for me in most guitars. I was thinking of the C5, concerned the stock custom may still be too thick.

Maybe a Distortion Neck in bridge position? It was originally a bridge pickup named the SH-7 Seymourizer.
Fat, bright, and nice & firm thanks to a double thick ceramic.
Not at all mushy, not even a little bit.

Its wind is a bit lighter than the Custom and IMO the character is more open and the feel a little more dynamic.
Often overlooked as a bridge option simply because of its name.

Great idea, I had not considered that one at all.

Why not a PATB-3?

It has snap, its construction is a bit different... So don't judge it with the standard screws and studs PAF kinda pickups. Mine measures 9.4K and is a snappier and more present version of a Brobucker. Has sorta V eq. And has presence.

SNS sounding dead is what worries me tho...

Another one I thought was the Jazz bridge. Hell of a good bucker for the right guitar. So why not go that way instead of going the Custom 5 route?

B

PATB-3 didn't work there either, that was one of the first things I tried. Jazz bridge is another good idea, I may throw an A5 in my Slash bridge and give that a shot as sort of a Jazz+

I appreciate the suggestions

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Humbucker helper?

I'm not generally a high output guy, even the customs are often a little hot for me in most guitars. I was thinking of the C5, concerned the stock custom may still be too thick.


Great idea, I had not considered that one at all.


PATB-3 didn't work there either, that was one of the first things I tried. Jazz bridge is another good idea, I may throw an A5 in my Slash bridge and give that a shot as sort of a Jazz+

I appreciate the suggestions

Sorry to hear that. It is sad to admit but sometimes the guitar is not right you know...

B

 

[chadd]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Sorry to hear that. It is sad to admit but sometimes the guitar is not right you know...

B

Yeah, I'm rapidly approaching that point, and probably a little past there. The sad thing is, it plays great and sounds good acoustically. Those have been great indicators for me in the past. Next step is to pull the pots and caps to verify they aren't failing, but all the components are top quality.

Oh, and the SNS set is uninspiring to me in several guitars, they just sound too flat. They're "good enough" in my S2, and I use that for my drop D guitar.

 

[BRHGM]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Have you considered a Fullshred set or a Jazz set for more high end and moderate output. For higher output JB/Jazz set would work. You can clean up a JB by turning back the volume a bit. Cedar is kind of warm sounding and chips very easily.

 

[chadd]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Have you considered a Fullshred set or a Jazz set for more high end and moderate output. For higher output JB/Jazz set would work. You can clean up a JB by turning back the volume a bit. Cedar is kind of warm sounding and chips very easily.

The Full Shred neck sounded great in there and the bridge is certainly worth considering. Given the JB's that I've tried over the years, I don't see that working at all. That's the one pickup that has never worked for me in any guitar.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Can you get a pickup conversion ring and try a single coil in there? Soft mushy tone that lacks high end and definition is like . . . the description of all humbuckers.


Or maybe try a Dimarzio Bluesbucker.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbucker helper?

If you want lower gain, look at a 59/Custom Hybrid. That may work without getting too compressed. It would be the 'next step up' from the SNS set.

 

[chadd]

Re: Humbucker helper?

My favorite guitars are those I loved right from the get go. Didn't have to talk myself into liking them.

Sounds like you have a dud and you're trying to find a way to like it.

I doubt it'll ever be a favorite guitar.

I also think if you've never liked the Custom 5 you probably won't like it in that guitar either.

I actually love playing it and don't expect it to be my favorite. I'm just looking to make it work with my existing Kemper profiles that work with my other guitars. Plus, I'm fairly picky.

If you want lower gain, look at a 59/Custom Hybrid. That may work without getting too compressed. It would be the 'next step up' from the SNS set.

That's what I had been using until throwing in the Slash set. It was ok. Usable, but still lacking.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Humbucker helper?

OK, what do you find lacking...EQ? Output?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Pearly Gates set - you need some brightness.
if that doesn't work
Jazz Set

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Yeah, I'm rapidly approaching that point, and probably a little past there. The sad thing is, it plays great and sounds good acoustically. Those have been great indicators for me in the past. Next step is to pull the pots and caps to verify they aren't failing, but all the components are top quality.

Oh, and the SNS set is uninspiring to me in several guitars, they just sound too flat. They're "good enough" in my S2, and I use that for my drop D guitar.

If the guitar plays great and sounds good acoustically, then there's gotta be something fishy as you say.

How about a Phat Cat set? I know it's not HB and all, but A2 and single coil you know... it could be exactly what that guitar needs. And if that's a good fit, then voila! You'd have of a great guitar.

No?

B

 

[ToneFiddler]

Re: Humbucker helper?

i have a LP which that tends to be quite warm, mid heavy, muddy and dull with most PUs. UNplugged it also doesn't sound bad. kind of round and sweet. not really honky. the bass is way softer than on my other Black Beauty.
Maybe they are similiar?

PUs i tried in there:

59n in the Bridge. quite bright but very alive sound/and feel. 59b sounded a bit dull.

Screamin' Demon was the clear winner. the bass was perfect: tight and deep. what makes this PU so much bigger to my ears than the 59s. Also this PU is bright, The Attack is really cutting. Some single coil qualities in there. Tons of definition with this PU.

SH-14 Custom 5 was too compressed and dead sounding. not very inspiring.
Did nothing better than the Demon.

Pegasus in that guitar was too middy, compressed and kind of grainy.

SH-7/SH-6n sounds good, but not as open as the demon, quite a bit hotter also.
But this might be your "fat".

Jazz and PG sets might be a good suggestions and i may try them in that guitar, too.

So i say try the Demon since it's one of your own suggestions. I don't have any experience with double thick A5s though.
THe stock demon is not what i would call a fat PU at all.
But in some guitars it can really sound BIG! Especially because of it'S broad frequency range with the deep bass and brilliant highs but enough growl and grunt.

 

[chadd]

Re: Humbucker helper?

So i say try the Demon since it's one of your own suggestions. I don't have any experience with double thick A5s though.
THe stock demon is not what i would call a fat PU at all.
But in some guitars it can really sound BIG! Especially because of it'S broad frequency range with the deep bass and brilliant highs but enough growl and grunt.

I tried a stock Demon in there a few months back and it was lacking a bit in output, hence the musings on a double thick magnet. I appreciate the input, thanks.

 

[Jigsisme]

Re: Humbucker helper?

Full Shred, it sat well with the Kemper and stood out, tracked great when blended with other pickups. I built a single bridge HB guitar just to try out all the options I can. The FS has beat out 5 others and this started when the Covid crap did, so I've been having fun! Kemper's gone though, just wasn't me. FYI, I hated the FS for years!! (in an alder maple neck thru...way too bright). In a Mahogany or Basswood body was a world of difference and it handles all the alternate tunings and down tunings the best, to me. Its got a chewy way with gain too. I will say, it will have a "knack" to it though...all your mistakes are very clear with a FS. Still wanna try others but the FS hasn't stayed on the shelf very long.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Humbucker helper?

I tried a stock Demon in there a few months back and it was lacking a bit in output, hence the musings on a double thick magnet. I appreciate the input, thanks.

You might just try the Demon with an A8 mag.

 

[chadd]

Re: Humbucker helper?

You might just try the Demon with an A8 mag.

I love the demon, but I've found it unusable with an A8 magnet. I find the high end far too abrasive