Most Versatile SD's For My Lead III?

[JamesPaul]

First I am going to blame the "What Guitar Are You Playing Today?" topic for making me overthink this.

I will also admit to reviewing Aceman's "What Is The Most Versatile Pickup Duncan Makes?" topic to gather some historic insight.

The guitar has plenty of tones available. It is HH, with a switch for B/B+N/N, and a second which splits the B or N to single coil. As already noted, I am not hating the stock pickups. Of course as they are not Duncans, I had to start thinking if some Duncans might make it more versatile?

I would be inclined to put my favored Custom/Jazz set in it. Still, I know I have seen those topics about how well a Black Winter or a <insert any SD hotter than a Distortion> will clean up.

If needed, it is an Alder body and Maple board/neck.

So, considering traditional humbuckers, not looking to rewire, add controls, etc., does anyone have a set which will get me some more tonal variety without losing the Custom/Jazz center?

Edit: It must have been a Freudian slip but somehow I switched from my Jazz neck to a JB neck in that last sentence. Corrected.

 

[Mincer]

I'd think a 59/Custom Hybrid is more versatile than a Custom or a JB, which are generally only used with at least some gain.

 

[Aceman]

Wow - I asked that question in 2014. That's a Golden Moldy!!!

Back then I said 59, JB, Custom.

Today I would say 59, Custom/59, and P-Rails.

And of those three - P-Rails. A P-Rails with a triple shot and a really good volume knob...just wow.

The P-Rail runs through a rail single, a P90, or an 18k Series Humbucker, with split, parallel, and series options. What CAN'T you play with that?

 

[Mincer]

Thing is, a JB and a Custom does essentially 1 thing really well, which is be a great rock pickup with anything higher than Plexi-levels of gain. In no way I'd call them versatile, though. I'd never do a jazz, country, blues, or early rock gig with them. Lower output pickups can be boosted after the fact, and retain touch-sensitivity when you aren't using any gain.

 

[JamesPaul]

Thanks for your replies!

Indeed, going lower on the spectrum will be more versatile.

Some more of my thoughts, in random order.

My versatile LP setup is to switch between 3 LP's as needed. They are Distortion/Jazz, P-Rails w TS/P-Rails w TS and EMG 81/60 for tuned below standard. So I agree with Aceman's P-Rails TS. I just don't want to put that much effort into this Lead.

My signal chain is still typically: Guitar > TU-2 > JSX 212 . Truly needing effects it's usually: Guitar > Vypyr VIP III . Plenty of headroom for good clean tones, a C50 Lead channel in the middle and a tweaked Triple XXX channel on top.

Open to anything this info changes, but if not - a 59 Custom Hybrid bridge and what are your thoughts on a good match for the neck?

​

 

[Aceman]

Thing is, a JB and a Custom does essentially 1 thing really well, which is be a great rock pickup with anything higher than Plexi-levels of gain. In no way I'd call them versatile, though. I'd never do a jazz, country, blues, or early rock gig with them. Lower output pickups can be boosted after the fact, and retain touch-sensitivity when you aren't using any gain.

I hear what you are saying Dave, but I don't know that I agree.

Caveat: I want a solid volume and tone pot.

Example:

A JB played quieter, is like a PAF with a mid boost. Still sits great in the mix, just doesn't punch you in the face.

Turn it down and use the tone, now we will get some blues tones. Jazz? Maybe not. Could I do country with it? Sure...but not not twangy plucky country...unless I split it, or maybe went out of phase.

I could hear 50's rock on a Les Paul with a Custom turned down. The ceramic characteristics would seem stray to me....but on a Les Paul.

I nice 50's wiring/Treble bleed can really let you change up the out put and retain a lot of character...

 

[JamesPaul]

Checking in and noticing I had a mistake in my OP. I must be wanting to get some of my JB's out of storage and put them in something! But not this one...

I had a hybrid set I was going try in a LP, but never got around to it. Think I split & sold them to Ace & Beau. The bridge was the 59/Custom hybrid and neck was a PG/A2P hybrid.

Thoughts on a PG/A2P neck?

 

[beaubrummels]

Those were Theodie-made. Did I sell that PG/A2P on? Or do I still have it? If I have it, I'd sell it back to you.

 

[hamerfan]

Thing is, a JB and a Custom does essentially 1 thing really well, which is be a great rock pickup with anything higher than Plexi-levels of gain. In no way I'd call them versatile, though. I'd never do a jazz, country, blues, or early rock gig with them. Lower output pickups can be boosted after the fact, and retain touch-sensitivity when you aren't using any gain.

Objection, Your Honor. JB does 2 things well. It's the best sounding SD humbucker in parallel wiring next to the Screaming Demon.

 

[JamesPaul]

Those were Theodie-made. Did I sell that PG/A2P on? Or do I still have it? If I have it, I'd sell it back to you.

No worries! The stock pickguard, pickups and knobs are black, and with that one being double creme it would attract a lot of attention. If it is a good pairing with the 59/Custom, I can look around the Trading Post, Reverb, etc. to see what I can find. Black would keep the stock look or Zebra should work.

 

[hamerfan]

Thanks for your replies!

Indeed, going lower on the spectrum will be more versatile.

Some more of my thoughts, in random order.

My versatile LP setup is to switch between 3 LP's as needed. They are Distortion/Jazz, P-Rails w TS/P-Rails w TS and EMG 81/60 for tuned below standard. So I agree with Aceman's P-Rails TS. I just don't want to put that much effort into this Lead.

​

Just for the Distortion in a LP:
I did a lot of swapping around (just to clear this: one of my LPs has a quick change system). The contenders were a Gibson 500T, Distortion, DM SuperD, Custom and a overwound PAF. All did not work so well, I even modded the 500T by extracting one side magnet. Until I got a SH-6N.
Wow, not as grainy as the Distortion, clearer and more articulate than a Custom, more beef than overwound PAF. It still has qualities of Distortion but less pronounced.

 

[Artie]

Objection, Your Honor. JB does 2 things well. It's the best sounding SD humbucker in parallel wiring next to the Screaming Demon.

Hmmm. I may have to try this. My fav, in parallel so far, is the Invader.

 

[Mincer]

Objection, Your Honor. JB does 2 things well. It's the best sounding SD humbucker in parallel wiring next to the Screaming Demon.

Imma gonna havta object to that...

 

[JamesPaul]

Another random thought, if hybrids are the solution. I would have the option of choosing which bridge and neck coil it splits to. Open to suggestions on this.

 

[JamesPaul]

Feeling a little guilty about dragging the JB into this due to my OP brain fade. Still, I do enjoy reading peoples thoughts on the JB.

 

[JamesPaul]

I have not utilized the Pickup Finder, likely since I joined this forum. So I just found it on the website, with it's new to me picture oriented interface, and gave it a try.

Choosing I play "Hard Rock/Metal", I want "More Variety" and supplying my Lead III values for the remaining inputs, it generates these sets:

1. P-Rails/P-Rails
2. JB/Jazz
3. Slash/Slash

I am against 1. as, more work than I want to do.

We have touched on 2. and I think the JB will not offer much more than my favored Custom. Jazz is no change from my favored default.

Initially I would expect 3.'s center to be below the level of the Custom/Jazz center.

At this point I am liking the idea of the 59 Custom Hybrid in the bridge.

Any thoughts on sending what I have to the CS and tell them I want something like a Jazz Plus or Minus? Or send the CS a "with a 59 Custom in the bridge, what is the most versatile neck option you can create?"

 

[Mincer]

Well, with neck pickups, it is simpler. They aren't really high output, so they have the dynamics you'd want in something versatile. I'd then go with whatever EQ your guitar needs. More bass? 59. More mids? Alnico II Pro. More treble, less of everything else? Jazz.
There really isn't a 'flat' EQ passive neck pickup. So pick the EQ you want to hear more or less of.

 

[JamesPaul]

I may just try a 59 Custom hybrid in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck. The Jazz seems to be my go to neck pickup and has worked well wherever I try it.

 

[JamesPaul]

At this point, I think I'm off in the weeds about as far as I can get.

While researching the 59 Custom Hybrid, I came across a Parallel Axis honorable mention or two. In addition to all the other positives, those topics noted relatively significant tonal variety in the PA's. I have at least 2 Parallel Axis scattered among my storage facilities; a PATB-3 and I *think* a PATB-1n. Although given my recent track record actually locating anything, when needed, among those units, I do not expect to see those until I have a permanent dwelling once again. Back on topic, I forgot how interested I once was in trying out those PA's.

Then Satan said, "Try a Parallel Axis set based on the 59 Custom Hybrid and Jazz." After all, it was a Sunday morning, his audience was below average, so he could devote time to guys like me.

Considering that advice, I know of only 1 place I might find such a set, it was a Sunday morning, so emailing the Custom Shop should buy me a day or 2 to contemplate the situation. Only it didn't. Apparently someone was staffing the Custom Shop email when my request arrived inquiring could they build such a set? I haven't done the timestamp math, but in significantly less than 8 hours I had a reply in my Inbox translating my over-worded request concisely into the fields one supplies to the "Build Your Own Humbucker" e-form. Also this piece of advice from the CS, "I would note, changing to the Parallel Axis poles, they tend to interact with more magnetic strength with the string resulting in a more bright and focused tone", which is consistent with the PA topics I've reviewed in the past 24 hours.

If you are still reading and have any thoughts regarding me throwing a Parallel Axis set based on the 59 Custom Hybrid and Jazz into my Lead III, now is the time to sound off. The best thing that could happen is - tonal bliss for this guitar. ...then of course I'll need to purchase another of my favorite maple neck and a Kahler to call it done. Worst case I can keep a little more dust off my parts shelf, once it is again available in a permanent dwelling.

 

[Mincer]

Well, kudos to the Custom Shop for getting back to you so quickly!