LiveWire II Classic HB...

[despiadado]

So I've been searching for a set of new active pickups for my Agile AL Custom (mahogany body+neck, 3/4" maple cap, ebony board), which currently has the Blackout 1s. However, I find myself not liking these too much, as the bridge is hotter than a Phoenix summer and I am not really digging the tone of the neck (especially for solos, it sounds thin)

In my search, I was going through the active section and saw the LiveWire II Classic HB set. Alnico 2, active, not as hot as the other active pickups. But, there are seemingly no vids or reviews anywhere I looked.

So, has anyone tried them? Does anyone know someone who's tried them? Is there any demos of this pickup? Any help is appreciated

 

[jmcorey]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

I'd like to know people's perspectives, also.

 

[jmh151]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

I tried them in my Les Paul and liked them a lot, better than the Blackouts or EMG's.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

The LiveWire set might be a good choice for you, BUT...

Before you dump the Blackouts entirely, swap the bridge and neck pickups (i.e. put the bridge pickup in the neck slot, put the neck pickup in the bridge slot). Seriously.

It's free and takes just a few minutes to do thanks to the quick-connectors. You may have to play with the pickup heights a little to balance things out, but the result really might surprise you

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

 

[despiadado]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

The LiveWire set might be a good choice for you, BUT...

Before you dump the Blackouts entirely, swap the bridge and neck pickups (i.e. put the bridge pickup in the neck slot, put the neck pickup in the bridge slot). Seriously.

It's free and takes just a few minutes to do thanks to the quick-connectors. You may have to play with the pickup heights a little to balance things out, but the result really might surprise you

Give it a try and let us know what you think!

That actually sounds like an interesting swap, I may just try that. Thanks! If that doesn't work I may ultimately just buy the LiveWires lol

 

[Masta' C]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

Well, definitely report back if you do the swap. Remember to play with the pickup heights a little, as well.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

I like the neck position LWC2 pickup. I find that the bridge position model often has an annoying, artificial-sounding high frequency edginess to it.

My inclination would be to get the Fishman Fluence Classic humbucker pair.

 

[despiadado]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

I like the neck position LWC2 pickup. I find that the bridge position model often has an annoying, artificial-sounding high frequency edginess to it.

My inclination would be to get the Fishman Fluence Classic humbucker pair.

What kind of guitar were the pickups in?

I keep seeing the Fishman Fluencies in multiple guitars, so I shall do some research about that Classic humbucker set.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

What kind of guitar were the pickups in?

I tried LWC2s in a Hamer XT Sunburst, Ibanez RG321MHBK, Ibanez IC200 and LTD EC-401W.

IMO, the neck position pickup always sounded nice but did not always suit the host guitar. The bridge position pickup only sounded acceptable in the Hamer. Everywhere else it always had the annoying edginess and sterility.

 

[despiadado]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

Update: So I swapped the AHB-1 neck and bridge (so the n is now in the bridge, and the b in the neck) last night, and upon first try, it's not too bad. For leads and rhythm both sound really good on a gain channel, and the harmonics sound even sweeter. Only issue so far is that the cleans aren't the best (especially with the AHB-1b in the neck), but still adjusting the pickup heights to find better sounds.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: LiveWire II Classic HB...

Yeah, you'll likely have to adjust the AHB-1b down a ways due to the stronger magnet (Ceramic vs. Alnico in the AHB-1n). Glad to see there was already some improvement, though!