Neck Humbucker for Charvel San Dimas?

[tonelizard]

Hey all,

I have a 2017 San Dimas that is very bright and articulate. It came with a SD '59 neck and a JB bridge. The JB was was too bright/sharp for this guitar and that mid range honk was bugging me so after reading lots of positive reviews here I swapped it out for a TB-11 and couldn't be happier. The highs are tame now and it sounds great for 80's hair metal and if I turn the volume knob down a bit I can get hard classic rock tones. I'm debating about swapping the '59 too because its also very bright and almost sounds like a single coil in this guitar. Is there a good, neck humbucker that would pair well with the CC and give me a thicker more singing lead tone? What about the WLH? That seems to fit the bill on paper. Btw, I'd like to stick to the SD line and off the shelf is preferred. Thanks for any advice!

Evan

 

[daenius]

Re: Neck Humbucker for Charvel San Dimas?

WLH isn't exactly the "thickest" sounding pickup with its A5 magnet and relatively low turns. The 59 Neck also has an A5 and you mentioned that it wasn't quite thick enough for you.

While magnet isn't the only thing that dictates the tone of a pickup, if you're looking for a warmer smoother thicker sound in the neck, you should look at things with A2 magnets. Try the Slash Neck, Alnico II Pro Neck, or the Pearly Gates Neck.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Neck Humbucker for Charvel San Dimas?

I agree with daenius and put another vote in for an Alnico 2 equipped humbucker at the neck spot of your San Dimas. Alnico II Pro or Pearly Gates if you prefer a little more bite.
You can also try and swap the magnet in your 59 to an Alnico 2 bar, you may like it that way, and it will save you money on getting a new pickup!

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Neck Humbucker for Charvel San Dimas?

Pearly Gates is probably what I would suggest from SD, Liquifire is something to seriously consider as well is you want something warm and thick without being muddy.

 

[JimmyO]

Re: Neck Humbucker for Charvel San Dimas?

I recently made the switch from a JB/59 to a custom custom/pearly gates in a San dimas and couldn't be happier. The pearly gates pairs perfectly with the custom custom bridge. The Pearly Gates has a real juicy and soulful tone. I liked the 59 too but the pearly gates is a bit more vocal at least in this guitar.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Neck Humbucker for Charvel San Dimas?

My choice is the Alnico II Pro. The CC/Alnico II Pro is my favorite combo. And you will get that thick lead tone you like.

 

[tonelizard]

Re: Neck Humbucker for Charvel San Dimas?

Thanks for all the replies so far. I have had Pearly Gates neck pickups in an Ibanez JS 1000 and a Gibson Les Paul, sounded stellar in both guitars, its definitely my favorite neck pickup but I wasn't sure how it would sound in the San Dimas. I'll seriously consider it. I was thinking an A2 magnet might be the way to go. So I guess it's Alnico II, Slash or Pearly Gates...