JB to '59 to ... ?

[Alpione]

Hey folks...

Trying to figure out the next bridge pickup for my PRS SE 245, a fairly dark mahogany guitar.

I initially did the JB/Jazz set because it was my first pickup install and the package was easy to get at Guitar Center. I like the Jazz and it's staying, but the JB had that honky mid that I didn't care for.

Just recently I changed the bridge to a '59. Much more what I'm looking for as far as output and general PAF-like tone. However, it's really boomy with my Fender '68 CDR and is a little too scooped. Considering using the trade-in program to get something else.

What would everyone recommend for a bridge pickup with similar output and tone, but more mids and less bass. It will go with the Jazz. Custom? Pearly Gates? '59/Custom hybrid? We play mostly low-mid gain classic rock kind of stuff with the occasional higher-gain rock out.

Thanks!

 

[gregory]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

59/Custom Hybrid

 

[Despair]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

59/Custom Hybrid

Seems like the best choice of those you listed.

'59/Custom has extended presence from the deliberately mismatched coils, and more even midrange and great dynamic response. Given you have a darker sounding guitar, it's a very likely match.

Saturday Night Special might be another good option, A4 gives it a very even mids and less boom. Tends to be a love it or leave it pickup, though.

Pearly Gates might work, but it's an A2 magnet pickup, rather different feel.

 

[Alpione]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

Seems like the best choice of those you listed.

'59/Custom has extended presence from the deliberately mismatched coils, and more even midrange and great dynamic response. Given you have a darker sounding guitar, it's a very likely match.

Saturday Night Special might be another good option, A4 gives it a very even mids and less boom. Tends to be a love it or leave it pickup, though.

Pearly Gates might work, but it's an A2 magnet pickup, rather different feel.

Thanks. From the sound clips I'm just a little worried that the 59/Custom is going to be a little "too" chewy in the mids and not bright enough.

 

[gregory]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

The Jazz Bridge would be the next obvious (to me) choice.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

Thanks. From the sound clips I'm just a little worried that the 59/Custom is going to be a little "too" chewy in the mids and not bright enough.

The 59/C takes a coil from two already scooped A5 pickups. The coil mismatch further thins out the mids and brightens it up. You should have no issue with excessive mids or lack of treble.

 

[Despair]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

Hm, I've generally heard the '59/C as a bit less scooped than the Custom 5 or '59. The combination of the differing resonant peaks makes for a broader, less sharp resonant peak, in any case.

I've almost never heard of anyone finding the '59/C Hybrid too dark, and excessively bright isn't that much more common a complaint. It doesn't have the focused resonant peak of a lot of the love it or leave it pickups. Which is not to say it's bland or hides the character of the instrument, very much the opposite.

 

[blueman335]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

The 59/C takes a coil from two already scooped A5 pickups. The coil mismatch further thins out the mids and brightens it up. You should have no issue with excessive mids or lack of treble.

+1. For me, the '59/Custom is too bright with the stock magnet, and an UOA5 or A2 works much better.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

I also highly recommend the 59/Custom hybrid. I would also recommend the Custom Custom SH-11. if you want a Van Halen 1984 tone, this IS your pickup!

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

Another vote for the Hybrid. Fabulous humbucker- my favorite Duncan, and I have quite a few.

 

[Alpione]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

Thanks all. Sounds like the Hybrid is the general consensus. Looking forward to trying it, though I'm a little concerned that most of the demos on it are metal-based. I'm a classic rock kind of guy. But we'll see!

 

[Despair]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

Thanks all. Sounds like the Hybrid is the general consensus. Looking forward to trying it, though I'm a little concerned that most of the demos on it are metal-based. I'm a classic rock kind of guy. But we'll see!

It's one of those pickups that is great for many uses. It does have great harmonics, and is one of several good ways to approach EVH tones, but it's great for AC/DC or other lightly overdriven rather than massively distorted sounds.

For non-harsh brightening of a darker toned guitar, with a gamut from vintage to hard rock, it seems exactly what you are asking for.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

Whole Lotta Humbucker.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: JB to '59 to ... ?

I also highly recommend the 59/Custom hybrid. I would also recommend the Custom Custom SH-11. if you want a Van Halen 1984 tone, this IS your pickup!

Combine both your ideas. An A2 in a Strat with a 250k volume and no tone will get you right into the heart of the EVH tone. Chats with the man himself actually started the pre production 59/C craze, it was originally made with A2s or A4s. Funny how Eddie got the most killer tone knowing absolutely nothing about modding. His greatest guitar was in his opinion a flop and it still rocked the world.