Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

[Butch Snyder]

Hi all,

I have a newly acquired guitar with a mahogany body w/maple top (okay, it's a Samick Greg Bennett guitar). I'm going to gut it. I'm going to take out all electronics; pots, switch, caps, puckups and replace them all. I'm going with CTS 500k pots all the way around.

The pickup setup I'm really leaning towards is a C5/59n comboin zebra. I want a big warm sound that will rock without getting raw. What do you guys think? It's been awhile since I have ventured into humbucker land....

 

[flank]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

i havent tried the C5 or 59 neck....i have tried the 59 bridge

but i just installed this CC/Seth set, and its unbelievable in a les paul.....the bridge position and middle position are amazing sounding.....the seth neck is a little dark for my tastes, but i dont really like the neck humbucker sound in a les paul anyways

if your looking for warm and smooth, this set is it....i imagine the C5/59 would be brighter, a little clearer in the mids, with more bass and more treble

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

You know I also need to remember that the maple top on this guitar is probably a veneer. I might go with a CC/A2Pn combo...

 

[flank]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

You know I also need to remember that the maple top on this guitar is probably a veneer. I might go with a CC/A2Pn combo...

i wasnt tryin to sway you either way, just thought id pass along how cool this CC/Seth set is....and actually, i know your a Tele guy....this CC sounds really good clean, and it kind of has a twangy character.....i throw on some slap back echo on my Twin, and im in rockabilly heaven.....and switch to the middle position and its so warm for those rockabilly jazzy rhythm chords....it sounds sooooooo good

btw, i just made a ghetto little CC clip this morning, you can hear it in link in my signature.....i guess its under some medium gain settings

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

No problem Flank... I'm actually playing more Rock these days. So I need something that's going to get me there. Think Neal Schon, Alex Lifeson and such....

 

[ErikH]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

You know I also need to remember that the maple top on this guitar is probably a veneer. I might go with a CC/A2Pn combo...

+1 there. Good choice. I'm half way to that combo in my Epi LP. Just need to get the A2Pn. The CC sounds great in it.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

The CC sounds great in it.

What does it sound like?

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

Sounds like a great combination, Butch. Either of them, actually. I'm not familiar with the C5, but I know there are some people that love it. Let us know what you decide on.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

What does it sound like?

Read my review of it here:
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=46904

Lew also chimmed in and gave his thoughts in that thread.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

i havent tried the C5 or 59 neck....i have tried the 59 bridge

but i just installed this CC/Seth set, and its unbelievable in a les paul.....the bridge position and middle position are amazing sounding.....the seth neck is a little dark for my tastes, but i dont really like the neck humbucker sound in a les paul anyways

if your looking for warm and smooth, this set is it....i imagine the C5/59 would be brighter, a little clearer in the mids, with more bass and more treble

Exactly.

The CC/Seth set is my fave too, although I agree that the Seth neck could be slightly brighter. The 59N and Jazz N are brighter, but also bassier and I prefer the Seth because it doesn't seem to get as muddy at loud volumes.

Lew

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

Thanks for the feedback everyone... I think I'm going to try the C5/59n combo first. I'll use the 21-day exchange policy if needed....

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

If it's a single cut guitar, I would go with a Pearly gates in the nek. It'll stilll give you a big, fat PAF style tone from the neck, but won't get muddy, and due to the asymetrical (sp?) coils, it still has good cut and top end chime.

Also, due to the bigger mids, the Pearly Gates balances really well with higher output bridge pickups.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

If it's a single cut guitar, I would go with a Pearly gates in the nek. It'll stilll give you a big, fat PAF style tone from the neck, but won't get muddy, and due to the asymetrical (sp?) coils, it still has good cut and top end chime.

Also, due to the bigger mids, the Pearly Gates balances really well with higher output bridge pickups.

I had thought of trying the PGn in the neck and even the PGb in the neck; but I have always heard they the PG's are raw-sounding and I need warm, smooth, and punchy.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

I had thought of trying the PGn in the neck and even the PGb in the neck; but I have always heard they the PG's are raw-sounding and I need warm, smooth, and punchy.

The bridge does have a tendency of being raw, but the neck version is big and smooth. I have the neck version in my LP and it sounds great for jazz, rock, blues, and funk. I also have the bridge version (8.4K) in the neck of my Carvin. It's great for warming up the neck slot of a 24 fret guitar. It really makes a 24 fret guitar sound closer to a 22 fret guitar.

I have it paired with a CC at the bridge, and the tonal curve between both of these pickups is very close. I think it matches up better with the CC than the APH I had in there before.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

I have it paired with a CC at the bridge, and the tonal curve between both of these pickups is very close. I think it matches up better with the CC than the APH I had in there before.

Okay, now that's interesting. I have something else to think on now.....

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

The bridge does have a tendency of being raw, but the neck version is big and smooth. I have the neck version in my LP and it sounds great for jazz, rock, blues, and funk. I also have the bridge version (8.4K) in the neck of my Carvin. It's great for warming up the neck slot of a 24 fret guitar. It really makes a 24 fret guitar sound closer to a 22 fret guitar.

I have it paired with a CC at the bridge, and the tonal curve between both of these pickups is very close. I think it matches up better with the CC than the APH I had in there before.

I got another vote for the CC/PGn combo. Sounds like I might be checking that one out....

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Humbucker Pickup Combos.....

Butch,

The PGb is not as raw and bright as people would have you belive...it has a nice spike in the upper mids that really help it to cut through the mix and is very handy IMO under high gain playing. That said if you'll looking for a hot but smooth bridge pickup the CC is right up your alley. I have my CC paired with an Alnico II pro but I think that Im gonna swap the A2Pro for a PGn...I have a PG set on a different guitar and I love it. The PGn is my favorite neck bucker period, and I m sure it will sound amazing with a CC in the bridge...but the A2Pro is also very nice with it as well...