"Matched" Set

thefallingdarkness

thefallingdarkness

New member
Hey guys,

First off, I apologize if this issue has been covered previously on this forum.

Having said that, I was wondering when you see the term "matched set", does that mean the pickups were actually matched to fit each other (either via calibration or whatever), or are they simply two individual pickups packaged together?

The reason I ask is, I was looking into a Mayhem set (twin Distortions) in black/white zebra, but the only sell the "matched" Mayhem set in black from what I can tell. I see dealers that sell the individual neck and bridge models in black/white zebra and was wondering if there would be any difference in buying two individual pickups or a "matched" set.

Thanks for any help you guys can give me. This forum and its members have become a great source of information for me as I start to pick up (no pun intended, ha-ha) guitar again for the first time in years.

TFD
 
Re: "Matched" Set

a "matched" set often implies that the two pickups together are matched output wise, with the neck being weaker to compensate for it's greater signal recieved than the bridge pickup.
 
Re: "Matched" Set

yeah what super rad said, but don't be afraid to get whatever colors you want. my sh-1's I bought separately are as matched as any other sh-1's.
 
Re: "Matched" Set

+1 Idk why they don't do more hb sets, such as cc/ pgn and custom 5/59n sets would be much better, all around, than a jb/jazz n, Imo.
 
Re: "Matched" Set

"Matched" sets are a marketing term. For your tastes, in your guitar, there's probably a better PU to go with the other one. "Calibrated" means the bridge coils have more windings than the neck coils (and therefore more output), not that they're a magical combination. You can make a "calibrated" set yourself, like a C5/'59N, which is very popular on this forum, but Duncan doesn't call it a matched set. If you look around, the majority of aftermarket PU's are not sold as matched. Most of us like to get the two PU's that sound best together for our needs, and that often has little to do with whether a manufacturer pairs them together or not. It's about tone, not names. With some PU's, especially PAF's, you can use the bridge PU in the neck slot.

The way I look at it is: I want a well-defined neck PU, usually a PAF type or P-90, and then based on the guitar design & wood tone, whether I want a vintage, medium, or high output bridge. All options are on the table.

Some of my self-matched pairs:
- C5/'59N
- Fred/Bluesbucker
- Fred/'57 ClassicN
- Air Norton/Virtual PAF
- 498T/Golden Age
- 490T/Phat CatN
- '57 Classic/Phat CatN
- C5/Phat CatN/'59N (in an SG Custom)

And then you can take officially 'matched' pairs and swap magnets, so you essentially make a new PU or two, like I've done:
- C8/'59N
- JB A2/JazzN
- 498T A8/490R A5
- 60ST A6/50SN
- Phat CatB A8-A4/Phat CatN A5-A4

In the pursuit of tone, don't let anything stand in your way. Let your ears decide.
 
Re: "Matched" Set

Mark Cearlock said:
+1 Idk why they don't do more hb sets, such as cc/ pgn and custom 5/59n sets would be much better, all around, than a jb/jazz n, Imo.
Click to expand...

Hell yes that would be great.
I use a varied combination of different models in different positions, and it would help if they sold certain ones together. It would cut down on people not knowing what model matches up with which.
 
Re: "Matched" Set

Hey mind if I ask a Question on this topic?
I was looking for some new p/u's for my Ibanez
its the RG2EX1 it doesnt have a tremolo , but it has a Tremolo-like bridge , the spacing at the bridge is just over 2 inches (2.085 inches / 52.96 mm , so says my handy dandy calipers )

any ways the set i was looking at was at MF.com the "hotrodded humbucker set" with the SH-2 Jazz model at the neck and SH-4 model at the bridge

my question was;
will the standard sized SH-4 work on the bridge of my guitar or should I go out side the set and get the SH-2 Jazz model for the neck and a trembucker version of the SH-4 for the bridge ?

also i was thinking bout instaling the TS-1 set and would the trembucker fit in that rascal?

oh and also my 5 way switch .......

naw I'll save that for another thread

so many questions
so few brain cells
too many brainworms

thanks

Ehd
 
Last edited:
Re: "Matched" Set

I think matched sets are an insult. I know how to go on the website, read descriptions, and listen to clips. Sometimes I bounce ideas off the forum, but ultimately I'm responsible for the pickups I choose for my guitars. I don't need additional packaging and marketing to tell me what goes with what. Guitars have selector switches for a reason.
 
Re: "Matched" Set

thank you both , as I said I have looked at the websites , listened to the sound clips ( on the sites that had them ) and decided on the pair that i wished to possess

it is a common pairing and seems to be a favorite for some reason

heck I like the sound of them on the bites

the fact that the "matched set" is less expensive than the two indiviually is just a bonus

thank you

I'm really not into finding new rock god tones just something better than the V7 and V8 p/u's i have

I think I read some where that those were made by EMG for Ibanez , but I may be mistaken

any ways

thank ya'll

EHd
 
Re: "Matched" Set

Actually, the V7 and V8 are made by my colon, exclusively for Ibanez.
 
Re: "Matched" Set

Mark Cearlock said:
Try harder, and crap me out some duncan's, will ya?
Click to expand...

Sorry -- throwaway OEM pickups, only. I've got some Squier Bullet Strat pickups, and some Epiphone humbuckers. (Don't worry; they'll clean up!)
 
Re: "Matched" Set

Theoretically a matched set of pickups should do a number of things:

  • Compensate for volume differences from neck to bridge. (neck is usually louder)
  • Compensate for tonal differences. (neck is usually darker)
  • Compensate for clarity issues. (the bridge is usually brighter, clearer and weaker)
However that doesn't account for the traditional role of pickups as envisioned by the instrument designers and the players stylistic preferences. Historically neck pickups were designed for rhythm playing. The designers wanted thick bass heavy rhythms and bright stinging leads from the bridge. The question is who plays a tradition neck rhythm and bridge lead style? Yes blues, Jazz and Country players still do it, but rock players don't.

Another question that arises is if you are a rock player do you want the neck and bridge to sound the same? If you know the neck tends to be dark, muddy and lack definition wouldn't you like a pickup that overcomes that positions inherent weaknesses? Especially if those weaknesses are equal and inverse for the bridge? Judge each position separately and then develop stylistic nuances to overcome the differences.
 
Last edited:
Re: "Matched" Set

idsnowdog said:
Theoretically a matched set of pickups should do a number of things:

  • Compensate for volume differences from neck to bridge. (neck is usually louder)
  • Compensate for tonal differences. (neck is usually darker)
  • Compensate for clarity issues. (the bridge is usually brighter, clearer and weaker)
However that doesn't account for the traditional role of pickups as envisioned by the instrument designers and the players stylistic preferences. Historically neck pickups were designed for rhythm playing. The designers wanted thick bass heavy rhythms and bright stinging leads from the bridge. The question is who plays a tradition neck rhythm and bridge lead style? Yes blues, Jazz and Country players still do it, but rock players don't.

Another question that arises is if you are a rock player do you want the neck and bridge to sound the same? If you know the neck tends to be dark, muddy and lack definition wouldn't you like a pickup that overcomes that positions inherent weaknesses? Especially if those weaknesses are equal and inverse for the bridge? Judge each position separately and then develop stylistic nuances to overcome the differences.
Click to expand...

yup, you don't want the problems that can be present in many other pickups, where you put in a neck pup and it's mellow, and the bridge is a screamer and the EQ gets thrown off completely. At least with a calibrated set, you know you shouldn't have to do much, if any, tweaking of EQ on the amp or the guitar to get a smooth transition from one pickup (or pickups) to the other.

And err.... idsnowdog, :bling: on the avatar... nearly made me lose focus at the answer you made.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Rex_Rocker
Alnico II Pro matched with a JB?
Replies
6
Views
134
Mincer
Mincer
Mincer
Seymour Duncan Announces The Joe Bonamassa "Bolin Burst" Humbucker Set!
2 3
Replies
40
Views
335
Masta' C
Masta' C
xxxplorer
Purple rail pickups?
Replies
13
Views
117
xxxplorer
xxxplorer
D
Theoretical Wiring Idea: 4PDT Switch to Change Controls
Replies
10
Views
110
jeremy
jeremy
Mincer
Cracks in bobbins?
2
Replies
24
Views
167
Artie
Artie
Back
Top