Most versatile set

[CarlosG]

Hi!
I would like to build my second guitar.
In the previous one I have JB and 59, which I like but I would like something different, better.
I mainly play heavy/glam metal 80s and hard rock, but I want versatility.
I really like the dynamics when I can adjust the distortion level with the force of my picking, something the JB lacks.
The JB also has a tendency to be spiky in the highs and muddy in the bass at times.
In terms of dynamics, the vintage output is great, but they tend to be thin compared to the neck pickup, they lack balance (bridge - spike, neck - mud).
I've read a lot of good things about the 59 Custom Hybrid. In Seymour Duncan's recording, you can see that he's great at controlling gain with picking force.
7:07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK9IVy43dqY&ab_channel=SeymourDuncan
I also considered pearly gates.
Are there any other bridge humbuckers worth considering?
Which neck pickup will fit?
59 is great, but sometimes it overwhelms with bass and lacks clarity, sounds like the tone knob is turned down.
Let me mention right away that I don't like Jazz. I'll mention right away that I don't like Jazz. It seems to be cut out in the middle and is too shiny.

 

[beaubrummels]

I hate to say it, but IME being able to control the distortion with picking force is way more in the type of amp and its setting than the pickup.

But the most versatile humbucker sets I've used were
Whole Lotta Humbucker set
59/UOA5 bridge, 59/A4 neck (very similar to WLH)
​Pearly Gates set
Pearly Gates bridge / Jazz neck, and vice-versa
Jazz set
59/Custom bridge, Seth neck (or Jazz neck)
'78 Model bridge, Jazz neck

People might not agree some of those are versatile, but IME a lot of the versatility is in your hands and the amp, and how you set it all up; the guitar set up, the amp setup, etc.

Also, there are other versatile HH combinations, I just haven't tried them.

 

[Mincer]

Get some P-Rails with Triple Shot rings. They aren't thin sounding, and you get good dynamics. And a whole lot of sounds from them.

 

[ehdwuld]

I was gonna say the Custom/59 is popular
like the JB/Jazz set
JB/59 is common as well

but PRails and Triple shot rings sound like the ultimate

 

[weepingminotaur]

Black Winter set. I said what I said.

 

[Chistopher]

Super Distortion bridge and put the money you save by not buying a neck pickup into a book or instructional video on a genre you don't know a lot about. It will take you a lot further as a musician than a spool of wire ever will

 

[Rex_Rocker]

FWIW, I think the Gibson 498T is also pretty versatile and can cover lots of ground.

If you like the JB, I think the 498T just a bit wider EQ and a bit less compressed.

 

[CarlosG]

FWIW, I think the Gibson 498T is also pretty versatile and can cover lots of ground.

If you like the JB, I think the 498T just a bit wider EQ and a bit less compressed.

Thanks. I listened to many demos. From Gibson I like Burtsbucker 2 but it doesn't have wax. I also like the hated by many Burstbucker Pro

 

[CarlosG]

I hate to say it, but IME being able to control the distortion with picking force is way more in the type of amp and its setting than the pickup.

I can't agree . Some of the most compressed pickups I've ever played were the SH-6 and if I remember correctly the EMG 81. After that I used more heavily wound PAFs. I thought they were dynamic until I played an Epiphone SG with a p90. I hate the hum, but the dynamics they gave were awesome. I'm also considering a stacked P90.

 

[Chistopher]

Thanks. I listened to many demos. From Gibson I like Burtsbucker 2 but it doesn't have wax. I also like the hated by many Burstbucker Pro

Burstbucker 2 is potted if you can find one that someone yanked out of a stock Gibson or Epiphone. They only come unpotted aftermarket.

 

[beaubrummels]

I can't agree . Some of the most compressed pickups I've ever played were the SH-6 and if I remember correctly the EMG 81. After that I used more heavily wound PAFs. I thought they were dynamic until I played an Epiphone SG with a p90. I hate the hum, but the dynamics they gave were awesome. I'm also considering a stacked P90.

What amp do you use and how do you have it set up? For very hot pickups, sure, you might need to roll the volume a bit, but I've gotten dynamics out of a Duncan Distortion using my hands. The range isn't as great as a lower output pickup, but IME it's there.

Also, I'd consider the new Silencer P90, if you are leaning P90.

 

[Artie]

HB-101's are a sweet set also. Clean and clear. Nicely balanced EQ. I think I like them better than USA 59's. Problem, of course, is finding a used pair.

 

[DKSEARS]

A couple of my favorite sets for versatility are the DiMarzio Transition set and the DiMarzio Breed set.

I also have an old Jackson SLS with a set composed of the Pearly Gates in the bridge and the Jazz in the neck that I like a lot for its versatility, too.

 

[GuitarDoc]

For absolute best tone and versatility you can't beat a good P-90 set. If you don't like the buzz/feedback issue, then try the JJN silencer P-90. The P-Rails with Triple Shot mounting rings is also a very good suggestion.