Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

PFDarkside said:
Wow, very nice stuff. So was the original a Tele heel then?
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If you're referring to the neck above it wasn't the original neck. From what I've heard that neck was custom made for Ed some time back. The original neck had a large Strat style headstock and typical Strat heal. The Frankenstein had quite a few necks on it over the years and I guess when Fender started their Replica they of course wanted a Strat head on it so they copied the one like the one I made above. I'm not sure why they went with that heal; it's doesn't sit all the way into the pocket and it seems like it would through the intonation off. When I complete the body for this neck I'll make the adjustments for this when I place the Floyd.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

I see. Off hand, do you know how many different necks he did use on that guitar? Also, is the Strat headstock one from the Black/White one originally?

So you haven't installed the '78 in anything yet? I'm interested in hearing your impression of it once you try it. Also, what amp are you using for your more VH style sounds?
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

I'm going to install it in my replica of this guitar. This is the original Black/Wite version if the Frankenstein. Notice the neck?
blackwhite.jpg

This is my first replica of this guitar. I broke the truss rod and ended up trashing the body. I had some issues with the Swamp Ash that I used. I did a Floyd Rose on this one, but the one I'm doing now will be exactly like the original.
VHI.jpg

This is the current one, but I'm not sure it's up to my standard so I might be starting a new body... again.
testFit.jpg
 
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Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

demartini. really depends on what you're going after...do you wanna go EVH all the way?? if not then theres a lot of options out there so you would have to specify a little more
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

3nz said:
do you wanna go EVH all the way?? if not then theres a lot of options out there so you would have to specify a little more
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EVH all the way! I'm trying to nail the tone of the original. I want the look too of course.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

DivebombInc said:
EVH all the way! I'm trying to nail the tone of the original. I want the look too of course.
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The tone came from Ed, not from that FrankenStrat and Ibanez Super 78 or whatevah pup. No offence, but I get a headache from all the people trying to nail the EVH tone -or RB or RR or anyone else. The majority of the feel in the sound and dynamics, compression, vibrato, pick angle/attack.

Of course, you have to have a humbucker (preferably Alnico II or something like that) equipped rather bright guitar with a Floyd Rose, and Marshall-sounding amp (and Marshalls count too!) Of course, there are the effects, MXR Phase 90 and flanger.

But, if played thru the same rig, I believe none of us mortals would sound even close to Eddie. (of course, some copycats may have studied him and his style solely, and so have no identity, BTW:), but they still wouldn't sound exactly like Ed. This can be used to other so called guitar heroes or what ever.

E: Ed had a great tone, and for the Frankencaster tune, the pup selection is: a hot PAF with A II mags.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Well, I play for my own enjoyment and nobody elses so I'm really not trying to build an identity. When I play a VH tune for fun in my own home I want it to sound as close as I can get it. I know how he holds the pick and have seen how he attacks the strings so what I have left is the setup of the guitar to finish it off.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Dude, it's totally okay to copy the tone, and it really doesn't matter, if you play just at your home. But, I mean, you guys (actually that includes me too) really can't sound just like Eddie. Besides, at home - if it means apartment house, you're not really able to crank your Marshall 1959's there, are you? And for the pup selection: a Custom Custom, or if you want it more accurate, the '78. The latter one is a custom shop recreation of the EVH's Frankie's modded PAF bridge pup.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

I'm in a house so I can turn it up to 11. Actually (and I don't boast here at all because as long as I've been playing I should be better) I can tell I'm on playing style-wise because I hear the inflection in what I'm playing through now which is a StewMac Golden Age Vintage Pickup in a Swamp Ash body and it sounds very much like Ed. If I had the Plexi (which I just made a trade for) and could get the guitar setup "on" I think I might be a lot closer still.
 
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