I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

[MrBlik]

Ok, so I've been trying to build a knowledge base on pickups, but it's kinda like information overload. I don't have the money to be able to just try different pups out, swap in, swap out, see what I think. I pretty much have one shot, maybe two to try to get it right. I was hoping the collective wisdom of the board would be helpful.

Here's what I have - Schecter C-1 Elite (Mahogony body, Mahogony neck, Rosewood fretboard) running through a Budda SuperDrive 18. The guitar comes with the DD HB102 (basically the Korean JB/Jazz set).

I gotta say, I was very surprised at how amazing the guitar is - I don't know if Schecter just makes good guitars generally (especially for imports) or if it I just happend to find that one special instrument that just happens to bless us now and then. But the tone and resonance on this guitar is like nothing I've ever played (in any price range), and I've been auditioning guitars for a long time.

The one weakness is the pickups. I'd like to replace the DD pups with actual SDs. The question is which????? Should I get the JB/Jazz set since that was obviously what they had in mind when the designed the guitar? Should I go with the CC/A2Pro combo (which I've read so many good things about around here)? Should I get a hotter one to drive the Budda a little more - like a Duncan Distortion? I just don't know and I get so confused looking over the tone charts, reading reviews, and following the threads here.

Music style that I'm trying to go for - predominently hard rock, but I'd like to have the versatility to tone it down a bit or to crank it up a bit. Go from something in the Sister hazel/Matchbox 20 world, then to EVH land, to Stray Cats vibe, and then something in the Green Day/Offspring arena. I want it to really crank, and I'd like it to clean up reasonably (now and then). Most of the time, though, I'm in the hard rock area.

So, suggestions?????

 

[ugrkoglu]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

I owned a Schecter C-1 and experimented with different pickups. To me, CC was too warm and thick as this guitar is pretty dark sounding. If you want a hot bridge pickup, try Custom. Althogh I think vintage style pickups are a lot more versatile. They will do hard rock just fine but also give you a wider dynamic range to play other styles. I would recommend a set of APH-1 or Pearly Gates in that guitar. APH-1 is sweeter and butterier whereas PG is a little ruder with the mids that give it a sweet squawk. On my Schecter, I ended up with an APH-1 neck and a PG bridge and I was very happy with it.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

Duncan has a 21 day "no suck" policy. If you're not happy with your choice, exchange them for something different. If your dealer doesn't want to cooperate, contact duncan tach support (Scott Miller) and they'll help you get it done. A2p/CC is just killer. (Slash neck/ van halen fair warning bridge)

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

I can tell you this...

The Seymour Duncan website is RELATIVELY accurate - NOT perfect, in recommending pickups. I would also say the same for the TONE WIZARD. You came to A GREAT FORUM FOR ADVICE!!!

I do agree the jump to real American made Duncans will be a good move. So you use a Budda? I am quite familiar with the SD30 model, and must say you have good taste!

You have to choose your pickups not only by style, but also FEEL. The JB/Jazz set will be cutting, bright, and articulate. If you use the CC/A2Pro you will find a slightly "rounder", more spongy feel. This is due to the A2 magnet in large part. The "spongy" feel is literally like the difference between a solid state and tube rectifier. The TUBE rec has a slight sag. If you want to test this concept, grab any Mesa boogie amp or even some new Buddas that have 2 rectifiers and a switch to choose between them. The A2 will feel like the change to a tube rectifier.

I personally am not a huge fan of using a high power pickup like a JB or a CC for the "Stray Cats" vibe. If you want the Matchbox 20 vibe, I think the JB would do pop/rock - which is a little softer - a little better than a CC. I think the bright tight JB does Stray Cats better, NOT the best of the selection, just better than a CC. The Green Day / Offspring Arena, hmm I would still say JB. I think Billie might use a JB, and older 80s Marshall, in fact.

For EVH, I wouild go CC/A2Pro - Van Halen loved a round tone not only from his pickups, but in his use of the Variac - which softens the voltage and feel of the amp. I use a real Variac a lot, so I can confirm this tone for you.

You are kind of on opposite ends of the spectrum with your tone choices. You cannot get it all in one, but you can sure try! I do not want to confuse you. I will say - you can consider the JB/59 as well. I prefer it, because I like a neck that is robust. I am a huge fan of the A2Pros in both the bridge and neck. You will NOT get the HUGE kick in the pants distortion of a CC or JB, but for Brian Setzer, etc - you want a lower output bridge. It will work well for the EVH and Green Day tones as well. IF the A2 magnet does not sound like your cup of tea, consider the 59's in both positions. If you want some rude bite in the bridge, try the Pearly Gates. For pop/rock and anything "polite" sounding that is softer in the mids and sweeter in tone I am a huge fan of the Custom 5/59 combo.

Confused yet? Basically, I think you will love the JB/Jazz combo unless you are familiar with the softer feel of the A2pro and CC. I think you should go JB/Jazz - though be prepared for tight and bright. I threw in the other ideas in case they pique your interest. Also consider putting in a SERIES/PARALLEL switch for a nice twang and silent recording. Great way to add versatility to your tone. A person like you obviously wants a lot of cool sounds in one rig.

If you want to venture to other brands, there are a couple I would offer as suggestions as well.

Drop me a line if you need me to confuse you more! lol

 

[wildstar]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

Dude, I have the same guitar and feel exactly the same way about it! (Just wish the neck were meatier...) I went through so many pickups, just experimenting and seeing what I liked/disliked. Here's my 2¢:

i'd say don't go hotter than the Custom-series of pickups, except maybe a JB. JB sounds pretty kick-a$$, and is versatile. Wasn't my favorite though...

Custom 5 sounded totally whacky on my elite.

Custom sounded aggressive (in a good way!) but could clean up well

Custom Custom sounded awesome, fat and tasty but only OK when cleaned up. It was my 2nd favorite bridge pup.

APH-1 Bridge sounded bright but smooth, articulate but meaty. My favorite! I thought it didn't really handle super-heavy music very well, but I never play metal stuff anyways.

For the neck, the APH-1 is sweet and smooth (think Slash), but the 59 is bit more versatile. the 59 was still sweet and fat, but not as much, and had the nice chimey thing going on.

Since SD has the 21-day exchange policy, you really can't go wrong. If you end up with something you don't like, you can use that as a comparison for figuring out what you DO want!

My overall recommendations that will match well together: APH-1 set, CC/APH-1 neck, Custom/59. Hmm, now I'm thinking you should go with the Custom/59...

Cheers

 

[MrBlik]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

Thanks guys. Awesome feedback so far. Not sure I'm off the "I'm Confused" ledge, yet, but this is helpful.

I was probably getting too greedy throwing in the Stray Cats reference. And while I'd like a degree of versatility, at the end of the day I want it to really kick on the hard rock side of things. That's where it should really shine. I just don't want it to be a one trick pony (like my Charvel - does metal like nobody's business, but not much else).

 

[Nightburst]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

I'd say a '59/C5 would really hit the spot, it's the ultimate vintage modern Combination! You might find the C5 too scooped but it'll drive your amp really well for harder stuff and cleans up nice too. (much better than the ceramic custom which had a nasty clean tone in my ears)
If you want to lower the gain there's always pots on your guitar remember?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

I'd go for the Custom 5/59, and if you play a lot more heavy than clean, the Custom/59 would be good.

 

[pinto79]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

I'll throw another curve-ball at you. I've become a huge fan the the DiMarzio Breed. It's thick and articulate at the same time. I have a neck one and absolutely love it. I've played the bridge model and it smooth and fat but with plenty of cut. They both split well to get you your softer/more polite tones.

Or get in on the cutom run of 10k's, they should fit the need nicely. at least for the neck slot...

 

[MrBlik]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

Thanks. I might be sold on the Custom 5 (bridge)/59 (neck). And if so, I'm definitely in on the custom run of 10K 59's for the neck.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

Does your guitar seem to have more bass than you need and do you think your guitar would sound better with more mids and less bass and a smoother treble?

If so, try the alnico 2 set: A2Pro neck and Custom Custom.

Or if you think the opposite and you'd like big but tight bass response and more bite to the treble and upper mids go for the Jazz neck or 59 neck and the JB.

If you're a rocker who tends to play distorted most of the time, then the 59n might be a better choice than the Jazz neck...the Jazz neck has more highs and a slightly clearer and zingier tone.

 

[wildstar]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

Lew is right on.

I found my C-1 Elite to be very balanced across the tonal spectrum, so the C5 sounded whacky to me. Big bass and edgy treble. The Custom and JB, to my ears, are a bit more even and so work well in that guitar. I loved the CC because I'm all about a rich, crunchy midrange.

 

[MrBlik]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

Would the Jazz pickup match well with a Custom (SH-5)? Most people seem to match the Custom with the '59. Will the Custom fit naturally with a Jazz?

 

[Nightburst]

Re: I'm So Confuuuuuuuuuused!!!

Yes absolutely! I paired the Custom in my LP with a Jazz for a long time but wanted a more vintage tone so I went with the '59/C5 instead.