Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

surface54

New member
ok just got done with the tests

this not the DDn but probably the jazz or 59, or similar but with a stock ceramic magnet @ 7.7k output

now i only test what matters to me as a rock & metal player
so if anyone wants it in a blues setting i can only laugh and say sorry

imo
ceramic is pretty damn good cause its very tight
has a slighty harder sharper boxy sound to it, works against fluidity

A2 has a squishy property i like.
this is the most neutral one and i like how it doesnt mess with the mids or try to shape them harder, rolls off 5-10% of the highs which is fine, i like this one the most, that squish is really cool. i also like the height doesnt make as much of a difference compared to the ceramic or A8

A8 is like pressing the loudness button on old stereos, i actually think its the hardest to work with, it def makes it meaner sounding.
i dont like how it really shaped the mids and almost weakened them, bass has a more metal accent though.
i tried many different height settings and overall it was either too close and bland or too far away and the mids fell away in the 200hz range

this is by FAR the lowest output pickup ive tried and im pleasantly surprised.
finally get to hear a pickup that doesnt scream and i never thought i would like it but i do.
all those times were i was turning back the input level on my boost pedals in some way was actually similar to have a lower output pickup and keeping the level full..but this way is wayyy clearer and cuts alot less than the pedal volume method.

later do0ds!
peace

 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

Yeah, I'm digging the ceramic and A2 best also.

The A2 i thought had a lot of that old Alice In Chains kinda vibe...solid heavy rock sound, and that squish in the low end adds a lot of character to the chugs.
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

Yeah, I'm digging the ceramic and A2 best also.

The A2 i thought had a lot of that old Alice In Chains kinda vibe...solid heavy rock sound, and that squish in the low end adds a lot of character to the chugs.

damn boy
u and i r on the same wave length
i totally thought AIC when hearing A2
that squish really carrys that alternative metal sound well, its like it spreads out and sounds more real than a super tight pickup without any squishy bleed over

:)
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

also the A2 seems to gain more range and treble the higher it gets to the strings
almost the opposite of most situations
the ceramic just got more bass the closer it got and it rolled off the treble detail into the mids

the A8 just didnt work for this pickup imo
works great for the custom its output supports that mag way better
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

yeah, I've only recently started playing with A2, and I'm really REALLY liking it.
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

yeah, I've only recently started playing with A2, and I'm really REALLY liking it.

i see
Fender '62RI Strat - HB103(A2)/Ibz stack/HotRails parallel

saaaweet :)

so that is more like the JB with a A2
the JB2 is really sweet sounding pickup, real loose but strong feel to it
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

haha yeah, The only thing i don't like about the hb103 bridge, is that despite it being modeled after the DD, the 103B is wound to about 15.3 k, which i think is what makes the high end a bit harsh and abrasive sounding.

I think when i get some more cash to dump on gear stuff, I'll upgrade to a proper seymour pickup, likely a JB2 or maybe a '78 or somethin.
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

haha yeah, The only thing i don't like about the hb103 bridge, is that despite it being modeled after the DD, the 103B is wound to about 15.3 k, which i think is what makes the high end a bit harsh and abrasive sounding.

I think when i get some more cash to dump on gear stuff, I'll upgrade to a proper seymour pickup, likely a JB2 or maybe a '78 or somethin.

oh yes
i see the 102 was the JB, 103 is DD
yea really, u cant have a DD @ 15.3k that is asking for treble trouble
needs to be a bit higher to bury those extra highs
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

I liked the A8 a little better as well..... but just a touch.
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

Ceramic and A2 are slightly more open sounding than the A8 although I thought they all sounded equally good in the mix tbh.

On a separate note to the OP, I'm really digging your stuff on soundcloud. Reminded me of those Red Alert soundtracks.
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

Ceramic and A2 are slightly more open sounding than the A8 although I thought they all sounded equally good in the mix tbh.

On a separate note to the OP, I'm really digging your stuff on soundcloud. Reminded me of those Red Alert soundtracks.

wasnt red alert like the command and conquer games?
thanks ive been mushing out electronic tracks since 1996, but it all started coming to a stop when ive become addicted to guitar gear stuff..

i think the A8 in this particular pickup sounded the most aggressive in the high end, like it *almost* starts to scratch instead of crunch.

ive always ignored A2s tried it in JB 2 years ago, really liked it but at the time couldnt stick with it more than 30 mins.
now totally different setup and this lower output pickup is giving some really nice breathing room to the guitars now.
i may never look at high output pickups the same way again.
ive done with this lower output ive been trying to do with higher output the whole time. evil but warmer overdrive.
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

Sounds good with all 3 magnets. What is your setup exactly in this recording? Amp(s), Pre-amp(s), pedal(s), guitar? Also this was the HB103 7.7k dc neck model installed in the bridge?
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

Schecter Blackhawk Basswood/Rosewood
Boss SD-1 for 2 layers, Guyatone OD2 for other 2
B-52 AT-100

and yes that is the HB-103n 7.7k dc installed into the bridge
im never changing the bridge again, just amazing
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

Yeah it does sound good. What do you use for recording and what mics? Your setup sounds pretty simple but I'm digging it.
 
Re: Metal with HB-103n 7.7k PAF style (mag swap tests)

wasnt red alert like the command and conquer games?
thanks ive been mushing out electronic tracks since 1996, but it all started coming to a stop when ive become addicted to guitar gear stuff..

Yea, command and conquer. Hearing your SurfaceX stuff (which is hella awesome btw) made me all nostalgic haha.
 
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