Most open sounding humbucker?

[Natman]

Hi guys haven't been around here in a while.

I have a long and storied pickup journey but I'll get to the point: I want a humbucker set that leans toward a single coil sound for a semi hollow D'Angelico DC.

In my experience that means low output. I rather dig filtertrons for that reason but I'm not specifically going for a Gretsch sound.

I had Seth Lovers in my Hamer and they were close, but not enough crispness in the highs or "boing" on the low strings.

I have 4 sets prepped for surgery but I'd rather get it right the first time so your advice is helpful! Currently learning toward the Retrotrons so I put them in order of what I think will work for what I'm after:

-GFS Memphis Retrotrons
-Seths
-Unpotted Pearly Gates
-59/C5 hybrid set with A2

Notice all of them use A2? That was not intentional I swear! I was trying to approximate Seths when I bought the other pickups for other guitars. I also have a few magnets which could swap in easily if it will get me there.

I found PAFs overdrive really well and sing under gain but the clean tones could stand to open up more. This is why I tend to dislike higher output pickups; no chugging needed here! In other words I'd like more snap/zing, clarity and dynamics (ie less compression).

Thanks for your help!

 

[jeremy]

i might try uoa5 seths, little more top and bottom than a2, but without going too far. i havent tried that magnet in seths, but ive done uoa5 in antiquitys and 59s and they sounded great.

ive never seen the memphis retrotrons but that might be a good option too

 

[hamerfan]

It sounds you like underwound A2 pickups like the asymmetrical wound Bareknuckle Stormy Mondays. Cleans starting at 3:00.

 

[jeremy]

The goal here was to recreate the cool vintage sounds. Not just the same boring PAF stuff that everyone's doing- after all- how many times can a grown man play "Stormy Monday"??

 

[justFred]

humbucker from hell is worth a listen to for that....

 

[Mincer]

Check out the Antiquity as well.