Looking to replace my 59/Custom Hybrid

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Looking to replace my 59/Custom Hybrid

If that's an issue, an A8 will work in the 59/C. It has a pretty similar tone to an A2 but it's louder. The A4 in the 59n will have a negligible difference in output to the A5.

As for off the shelf pickups, a Custom Custom will give what the OP wants in the bridge.

Agree with your first statement, not with the CC suggestion however. A C8 would be much better.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Looking to replace my 59/Custom Hybrid

Dude the 59/Custom hybrid is such a great pickup. Why on Earth would you want to replace it? Well, I get it so anyway... Look, believe it or not, the AT-1 makes an excellent pickup for mahogany and alder guitars. It has a bit too much sizzle with ash. Based on the pickups you mentioned and wanting to get away from the usual, these are what I'd recommend:

Bareknuckle Riff-Raff/Mule set - Loud, but output is less than an AT-1
Bareknuckle VHII set
Bareknuckle Black Dog set

All of these pickups are rather unique in my opinion and are a departure from your circle of pickups, but not too far off or too high in output. Now, I'm going to give you a suggestion, but I've been really impressed with this pickup, so hear me out. Try a Dimarzio Transition. In mv output according to Dimarzio, the AT-1 is rated at 320 and the Transition is rated at 390. Even so, it's really not as hot as you might think. Lowering it a bit from the strings will give you the perfect output. At first, it seems like a pretty straightforward pickup, but it will sing for you like a canary. It will respond to your pick attack like you're in total command of a battleship. It has clarity and definition, but it's warm and will give you whatever you want with the turn of a dial. It cleans up fairly well, so if you have a Marshall and want clean tones, it will be only a little hotter than an AT-1 in terms of how much it will push your amp into overdrive. If I'm wrong, you can always exchange it.

Lastly, I suggest putting your 59/Custom hybrid in the neck position and putting a Duncan Custom in the bridge. You'll freak out on how good of a neck pickup the 59/Custom hybrid will make. Overall, it will be on the hot side, but the tone will be so damned good dude.

I've put together close to a dozen hybrids (including several 59/C hybrids) and IMO they ALL sounded better in the neck than the bridge. That's not to say that they won't sound good in the bridge (especially with an A8), just that there are so many other bridge pups that work better than the hybrid in the bridge, and sound great together with the hybrid in the neck position. Also, I like the hybrid better in most cases with an A2 or UOA5 in the neck (it does tend to be a bit bright and mid-scooped).

 

[Ascension]

Re: Looking to replace my 59/Custom Hybrid

Might want to look at a Perpetual Burn. Just dropped one in one of my guitars and also have a Hybrid in my Modern Player Tele. Output is a little higher bottom is tighter it's more modern sounding and has a lot more mid punch. Sounds close to what you are talking. I dropped my PB in a 17 Keisel DC 135 but from the 1st have thought bet this thing would REALLY sound good in the bridge of a Les Paul!

 

[SavageRiffer]

Re: Looking to replace my 59/Custom Hybrid

I've put together close to a dozen hybrids (including several 59/C hybrids) and IMO they ALL sounded better in the neck than the bridge. That's not to say that they won't sound good in the bridge (especially with an A8), just that there are so many other bridge pups that work better than the hybrid in the bridge, and sound great together with the hybrid in the neck position. Also, I like the hybrid better in most cases with an A2 or UOA5 in the neck (it does tend to be a bit bright and mid-scooped).

Glad someone else noticed this. The 59/Custom bridge is the best Seymour Duncan neck pickup I've got in any of my SD equipped guitars. I think it's also a great bridge pickup though. It pairs very well with a Jazz neck.

 

[Stretch Guitarstrong]

Re: Looking to replace my 59/Custom Hybrid

I decided on a different direction and I'm going with an Abraxas set. I'll just keep the Shiflett as my one flamethrower. I prefer hot PAF sounds as it fits most of what I do and with the Kemper, I can tailor the amp sound to the pickups and what I want to get out of them. This Les Paul Trad Pro II is a little brighter as is. With the Obsidianwire 50s kit, that notches it up a bit more too. We'll see. The thing with Bare Knuckle though is they are spendy brand new. Bit of a reach I guess but hoping these sit in the right way on this puppy. Thanks for all of the knowledge and suggestions here.