Looking for new bridge humbucker

[RockGuitarDude1]

Hello all, I'm looking for some help picking a new bridge pickup.

Right now I have a PRS CE24 with a SD Jazz neck (love it) and a SD custom custom bridge.

While I do like the bridge pickup, I was wondering if there was something that isn't as heavy on the mids (not scooped though) with more clarity.

I don't know if this even really helps with pickups but I would say I'm aiming to get some of that les paul chunkyness/bite (I don't want a les paul, thats just the general direction of the tone) and a bit more dynamics than I currently get (if possible).

If anyone can decipher that, thanks! I'm really bad with all these tone adjectives =\

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

Maybe a custom? It is the custom custom with a cermaic mag. More bass fewer mids, highs cut a little more.

 

[RockGuitarDude1]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

I keep thinking about maybe dropping both the neck and bridge for a pair of 59's...

The lack of dynamics and clarity are kind of bothering me with my guitar. The jazz does sound good but it feels a bit woofy at times.

Would going with more vintage output pickups help with this problem? If so, would 59's do the trick?

With the CC bridge sometimes I feel like my leads sound like a kazoo =\

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

'59 would be better if dynamics and clarity are most important. VIntage output pups are clear and respond best to picking.

 

[hanumanlangur]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

'59 would be better if dynamics and clarity are most important. VIntage output pups are clear and respond best to picking.

+1. The '59 is great for picking dynamics.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

Even cheaper than the 59 - Get an Alnico 5 magnet and switch the Custom Custom into a Custom 5. Less prominent mids, more dynamic. Its basically like a bigger, hotter, chunkier 59.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

A C5 will not have the clarity or dynamics of a '59 though

 

[RockGuitarDude1]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

Prior to the CC i had a C5 and it was a muddy mess in my guitar =\

I find myself using the coil tap way too much, i feel like my tone is complete mud if i have humbuckers on.

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

the '59 is the ticket then.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

'59 would be better if dynamics and clarity are most important. VIntage output pups are clear and respond best to picking.

+1 to that. But since you say that you like the JAZZ in the neck stick with that, and use the 59 in the bridge.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

One trick I've found that increases clarity and dynamic sensitivity quite a bit is to lower the pickup as much as possible and then raise the polepieces up close to the strings. On my VPAF my polepieces are around 3 screw head lengths above the pickup, but it sounds much more vintage and clear. May as well try it because its free!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

I like the 59 but I doubt it has the mids you want. I'd suggest a Duncan Custom. Same pickup with a ceramic magnet instead of alnico 2. More bite to the treble and tighter stronger bass...and very nice mids. Not scooped.

I used the CC for quite a while but I like the Custom a little better. It may be just what you're looking for too.

Lew

Hello all, I'm looking for some help picking a new bridge pickup.

Right now I have a PRS CE24 with a SD Jazz neck (love it) and a SD custom custom bridge.

While I do like the bridge pickup, I was wondering if there was something that isn't as heavy on the mids (not scooped though) with more clarity.

I don't know if this even really helps with pickups but I would say I'm aiming to get some of that les paul chunkyness/bite (I don't want a les paul, thats just the general direction of the tone) and a bit more dynamics than I currently get (if possible).

If anyone can decipher that, thanks! I'm really bad with all these tone adjectives =\

 

[RockGuitarDude1]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

Just curious, so I have a base point for comparison, how do these pickups sound compared to the stock vintage bass and HFS?

Also, which SD pickups are most like the vintage bass and hfs? And where in the spectrum would you place the stock pickups? (bright/dark, high/low output)

(Thanks for all the input thus far btw guys)

 

[RockGuitarDude1]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

bumparoo

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Looking for new bridge humbucker

HFS's have super hot output (about 15k in the one i had). I found the HFS to be bright tho, which is odd considering it is a hot pickup. Perhaps it was built to cut when playing heavy distortion. I dont know what magnets it had. I didnt like it, but to be fair, it was screwed into a tokai strat copy which was a pretty bright sounding body - a far cry from a prs.

May i venture also trying the HFS back in the bridge and have a listen with a fresh set of ears and a new eq? It wont cost you anything at least. It may work out for you. You would be amazed how many people try a bazillion pickups and end up putting the stock ones back in!

Failing that- 59's are very nice. Or a jazz/59 combo - like in my 175!