Need some help for PUs

[Bob Zombie]

Hello and welcome to my first post! :fing25: lol Ive never bought any SD products and Ive never played a guitar with any installed. I listened to the sound samples but I would rather know a persons opinion who has used it. Im looking for a PU set that works well for hard rock/metal but sounds nice clean at the same time. Also I dont want it to sound scooped like an EMG(used them a lot before but Im trying to get away from that sound). Ive heard a lot about a JB/59 combo or JB/Jazz combo but the from what I can gather the JB seems to have a little less warmth than I like. I also was looking at the Live wire classics but they seemed to have the same issue. I was also looking at the Alnico 2s and the Distortions...Im not sure if the Distortions will sound clean though...seeing how distortion is in the name...but they seem the closest to what i want if they have atleast an ok clean sound. what do you guys suggest?

 

[rspst14]

Re: Need some help for PUs

I think a Demon would work well in the bridge, so would the Custom if you want more output. For the neck, I think a Pearly Gates or Alnico 2 Pro would work well for you...Pearly Gates for a brighter neck tone, Alnico 2 Pro for a warmer neck tone.

Ryan

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: Need some help for PUs

Thanks for the input. Is that about the highest output I would be able to get with the kind of tone I want?

 

[rspst14]

Re: Need some help for PUs

Generally, higher output comes at the expense of a good clean tone. The Distortion will sound decent clean, but it's really not what I would consider a warmer sounding pickup. The Custom Custom is a warm sounding, high output pickup, but it's almost pure midrange, it doesn't have much in the way of bass or treble. I think the Custom is your best bet. For the neck, most people don't use high output pickups because they don't balance well with the bridge. The Pearly Gates or Alnico 2 Pro would give you a warm sound with nice cleans in the neck position.

Ryan

 

[Armotron]

Re: Need some help for PUs

High Output isnt that important is it? You can just crank the amp id say a PG in the neck would be good. Dont know about the bridge tho.

 

[Mephis]

Re: Need some help for PUs

Anything with high output and an Alnico 5 magnet should do you some good, and what EMG's have you used? and in what position? cause to me my current setup is warm with a 60n/89b. i'd suggest a Jazz Neck/SH-5 Custom bridge.

 

[Neeradj]

Re: Need some help for PUs

Custom/Jazz, for ultimate warmth and great bottom end. The Jazz has a really creamy sound and very singing. The Custom is more agressive but has the best (note not spectacular!) clean ups you can get with a medium-high output humbucker.

 

[Russ]

Re: Need some help for PUs

Also I dont want it to sound scooped like an EMG(used them a lot before but Im trying to get away from that sound). Ive heard a lot about a JB/59 combo or JB/Jazz combo but the from what I can gather the JB seems to have a little less warmth than I like.

..Welcome to the SD Forum, Bobby Zombie!:fing25::smokin:

So are trying to say you're looking for the older White Zombie sound & not the new Rob Zombie sound?:scratchch ..I've read that J. used the SH-5 Custom. ..I have one & it can nail his tones. ..If you have a trem, the PATB-1 Parallel Axis pup sounds like it will too. ..Have you listen to those samples yet?
...Neck pups, the 59' & Jazz both sound 'scooped', but are warmer than the EMG's. ..You may like the sound of the Pearly Gates more for the sound you're after.


Cornelius

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: Need some help for PUs

Yeah the Custom/PG set looks like it might fit pretty well...and answering Mephis I have used the following EMG sets:81/81(used to own these), 81/85(used to own these), 85/60(my friend had these), 60/60(my friend had these). They were nice but just not really what I was looking for. I liked them when I was playing heavier stuff but I'd go through a blues phase or something and be hating myself that I didnt have a Strat lol. Maybe when I win the lotto I'll buy a guitar to just have EMGs lol but for now I need something a bit more versatile.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Need some help for PUs

Pearly Gates neck and Custom in the bridge will cover a lot of ground, have good cleans, and OD sounds.

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: Need some help for PUs

Covering ground is exactly what I need lol.

 

[hacker]

Re: Need some help for PUs

The JB is a warm pickup, it is just picky about which guitars and amps it will behave with.