Hybrid pickup ideas

gsammo79

gsammo79

New member
have any of you guys had any hybrid pickups made from the Custom Shop? Aside from the 59/custom, I was wondering about having one done, but hate to experiment too much.
 
Re: Hybrid pickup ideas

You need to define your hybrid goals. Mismatched coils don't cancel as much treble, or add as much midrange as matched coils do. Some single coil sound comes thru, the bigger the difference in coils, the more single coil sound leaks out. So, where do you want the added high-end and clarity, neck or bridge?

I've made hybrids to get what I want for my neck HB tones: sharper high-end & no mud. To do it I pair two PAF coils, one from a bridge PAF and one from a neck (same model or mix and match). That's enough difference to be easily heard (about 10%). I personally see little point in pairing up two coils with similar resistance (like two neck PAF's). Since manufacturers won't reveal their winding secrets, we don't know how much alike, or how different the winds are on various PU's. You could pick two coils that have almost the same wind, and if the resistance is similar, what's the point? At least with different resistances, you know they will be unmatched and the magic will happen. I can make a '59B/'59N hybrid, add a warm magnet (A2 or UOA5), and it will have more high-end than a stock '59N. The warmer magnet also gives more texture, and doesn't have the bassy A5 low-end either. That's what I'm after. What are your goals?

I've also done some bridge hybrids; you don't need the huge coil difference of a '59/Custom (7K vs 4.2K). I think it's more interesting to make hybrids with less of a difference, and use a warm magnet.

Two DiMarzios that have a big difference in coil resistance are Fred & Bluesbucker, and those coils are good for making hybrids with.
 
Re: Hybrid pickup ideas

blueman335 said:
You need to define your hybrid goals. Mismatched coils don't cancel as much treble, or add as much midrange as matched coils do. Some single coil sound comes thru, the bigger the difference in coils, the more single coil sound leaks out. So, where do you want the added high-end and clarity, neck or bridge?

I've made hybrids to get what I want for my neck HB tones: sharper high-end & no mud. To do it I pair two PAF coils, one from a bridge PAF and one from a neck (same model or mix and match). That's enough difference to be easily heard (about 10%). I personally see little point in pairing up two coils with similar resistance (like two neck PAF's). Since manufacturers won't reveal their winding secrets, we don't know how much alike, or how different the winds are on various PU's. You could pick two coils that have almost the same wind, and if the resistance is similar, what's the point? At least with different resistances, you know they will be unmatched and the magic will happen. I can make a '59B/'59N hybrid, add a warm magnet (A2 or UOA5), and it will have more high-end than a stock '59N. The warmer magnet also gives more texture, and doesn't have the bassy A5 low-end either. That's what I'm after. What are your goals?

I've also done some bridge hybrids; you don't need the huge coil difference of a '59/Custom (7K vs 4.2K). I think it's more interesting to make hybrids with less of a difference, and use a warm magnet.

Two DiMarzios that have a big difference in coil resistance are Fred & Bluesbucker, and those coils are good for making hybrids with.
Click to expand...

I shoulda clarified. The hybrid ideas I have are for a bridge humbucker.

Maybe a PG/Jason Becker, or a APSlash/Custom 5?
 
Re: Hybrid pickup ideas

Discharged said:
Then the '59/Custom Hybrid fills the needs you're describing to a T.

/Peter
Click to expand...

Thanks, Discharged. I've never played the 59/Custom, but I notice the mids are shown as pretty pronounced on the SD website, not even moderately scooped. Is it a mid-heavy pickup?
 
Re: Hybrid pickup ideas

gsammo79 said:
Thanks, Discharged. I've never played the 59/Custom, but I notice the mids are shown as pretty pronounced on the SD website, not even moderately scooped. Is it a mid-heavy pickup?
Click to expand...


Not really, between the A5 magnet and the mismatched coils. If you want clarity & articulation, or use a lot of distortion and need a tone that will cut through, a '59/Custom would work well. For me, a warm magnet is mandatory for bridge hybrids.
 
Re: Hybrid pickup ideas

I don't think the chart is accurate. The 59/Custom isn't mid heavy like, say, the Custom Custom. It still sounds PAF-y to me. It has more power than a 59, but not as much as a Custom- yet still does dynamics well. It is an excellent blend of the 2.
 
Re: Hybrid pickup ideas

Mincer said:
I don't think the chart is accurate. The 59/Custom isn't mid heavy like, say, the Custom Custom. It still sounds PAF-y to me. It has more power than a 59, but not as much as a Custom- yet still does dynamics well. It is an excellent blend of the 2.
Click to expand...


There's been many members that disagree with the EQ's listed on this site. One problem is that there's one rating for a set, and neck's are almost always warmer and have more mids and lows than the bridge. I don't see a one-size-fits all EQ rating working for a set. PGB's are fairly bright (brighter than some members have expected), and I find PGN's to be pretty warm. How can one EQ rating cover all that?
 
Re: Hybrid pickup ideas

I've heard someone comment that a JB/Custom hybrid is a good combo. It's probably like a hotter 59/Custom.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: Hybrid pickup ideas

A stock 59/Custom Hybrid with A5 should fit your needs... I prefer it with an A2 which softens it up a bit and has more flat response than scooped.
The JB/Custom Hybrid is excellent with an A5... crunchy!
 
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