Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

DivebombInc

DivebombInc

New member
I've almost completed my Frankenstein Replica and I need to figure out what pickup I'm going to use now. I made the body from Swamp Ash and it's 2-Piece center seam. I made the neck from Birdseye Maple, and it has a nice old Floyd. Any suggestions? Here's a few pics. I'm missing a few key parts still, but they're on the way.
testFit1.jpg

neck1.jpg

trussAdj.jpg
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

If it's for EVH sound I'd get the 78 model. I've heard clips and it captures the sound very very well. Or the PATB-3.

If it's for something heavier I'd get something from the other two PATBs.

For even HEAVIER, I've heard very good things about the Invader in bright superstrats.

BTW, nice guitar!
 
Last edited:
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

custom custom
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Thanks! I made that neck and wasn't going to use it until I distressed it. As you can see in the first pic the fretboard and the main neck wood are different colors. After I distressed it they are perfectly matched and it's going to get used now. I gotta get the cig burns on the headstock still.

I think I might try the 78 in it.

Just saw that one... tell me why the Custom Custom.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

You couldn't go wrong with a 59B...I love that pickup in a Strat.

The 78 would be a great choice but alot more money.

The Custom Custom is a sweet pickup but sometimes could be a little brighter...depends on the amp and player's tastes. I use it and love it, but I like the 78 more.

Lew
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

DivebombInc said:
Thanks! I made that neck and wasn't going to use it until I distressed it. As you can see in the first pic the fretboard and the main neck wood are different colors. After I distressed it they are perfectly matched and it's going to get used now. I gotta get the cig burns on the headstock still.

I think I might try the 78 in it.

Just saw that one... tell me why the Custom Custom.
Click to expand...

A lot of people like the CC for an EVH tone because of its' mids and somewhat spongy feel.

The original frankenstein had an old Gibson PAF, so the 59b is very similar.
Of course you couldn't go wrong with the 78, it did used to be called the E.V.H. (evenly voiced harmonics:rolleyes: )after all.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Very nice job by the way, looks very good. And it's not 20 grand like those new recreations they were talking about in Guitar world a few months back.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

El Dorado said:
Very nice job by the way, looks very good. And it's not 20 grand like those new recreations they were talking about in Guitar world a few months back.
Click to expand...

Thanks El Dorado! It's a far cry from 25 grand actually. Something similar with the same amount of work (but not the EVH paintjob) I would normally sell for $1700-2000. The parts I acquired, the techniques, and the time involved in making a relic guitar are worth that. If it wasn't illegal to sell the EVH painted guitar I'd sure have a lot of fun. It's still fun to make my own tough.
I'm hoping to be playing it soon. I think I might go with the EVH pup. I have a few other small items to get to complete it. When I carved this neck I took so long and made sure it was perfect for my hands. It's probably the best feeling neck I've done (for myself) so far.
 
Last edited:
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Great work so far.

With more or less standard pups I'd go with the 78 or the Custom Custom, depending on what sound you were going for. The CC is more like some of his older stuff, but either will do the job quite well. The 59 wouldn't be a bad choice, either. You may have to tweak your amp a little differently, but it should still do the job.

There are some hybrid pickups that people claim do the job really well, too.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

I's say put a Lil 59 in the neck and a Custom Custom in the bridge. Then you can switch from early to recent EVH and do some cool blending.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

BRHGM said:
I's say put a Lil 59 in the neck and a Custom Custom in the bridge. Then you can switch from early to recent EVH and do some cool blending.
Click to expand...

That's a great idea but then I'd have to wire up a switch. The original had a switch, but it's was screwed sideways into the middle pickup cav.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Go for the A5 Custom/59 Hybrid, one of the best pickups for a superstrat IMO and it cops a wide range of VH tones. Ever since I installed one in my single pickup superstrat, I've been completely happy
 
Last edited:
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Brewtone said:
Go for the A5 Custom/59 Hybrid, one of the best pickups for a superstrat IMO and it cops a wide range of VH tones. Ever since I installed one in my on pickup superstrat, I've been completely happy
Click to expand...

Will Seymour Duncan make those custom, or do you have to get an A5 Custom and a '59, then do the hybrid yourself?

- Keith
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

livewire metal .....haha just kidding....do yourself a favor and get a 78 beleive me it can do more than just the 1978 album, you'll be impressed and you wont have to beat around the bush about VH tone anymore
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

totally forgot, bachtorock will make you a hybrid, hes a forum member here, hit em up and ask about the hybrids.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

I would go a step further and take a look at the Crazy 8. All my experiences with those star pickups (APH for Slash, standard low imp Single Coils for SVR and 78 for VH) showed me that it is hard to get that trademark sound with small amateur gear. Since this guys have real top gear and better skills/force than we, you should count in some extra gain / windings / magnet power to simulate it. For instance the Texas Specials have some more inductance as the original pup of SVR. With them you get a ballsier tone and more bass, this simulates a SVR tone on a small combo better than the originals.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Having seen these guys live before, I can definitely say they are better players than I am. They also used pro level and vintage gear tweaked to their specs. With practice you can approximate their sound, but not their vibe. Stevie Ray and Slash play pretty loud and beat the hell out of their guitars. Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen also used vintage hardware , but used light and accurate fretting. None of them used super hot pickups. Eric Johnson and Stevie Ray played basically the same guitar and amp combo at one time, but totally different sound. Find your own sound and choose your own pickups and amp combo.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

BRHGM said:
Having seen these guys live before, I can definitely say they are better players than I am. They also used pro level and vintage gear tweaked to their specs. With practice you can approximate their sound, but not their vibe. Stevie Ray and Slash play pretty loud and beat the hell out of their guitars. Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen also used vintage hardware , but used light and accurate fretting. None of them used super hot pickups. Eric Johnson and Stevie Ray played basically the same guitar and amp combo at one time, but totally different sound. Find your own sound and choose your own pickups and amp combo.
Click to expand...

HUGE +1!!!!

It's more about the playing style than the gear.
Sometimes we forget that back in those days they didn't have the choice he have today, and they weren't born famous and rich.
Take a look at EVH the guy was nuts! Using a dummy load, removing pickups, cutting the pickguard, pretty crazy things.
More than knowing the gear is understanding and getting inspired by, from that you can make your own tone.
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

Brewtone said:
Go for the A5 Custom/59 Hybrid, one of the best pickups for a superstrat IMO and it cops a wide range of VH tones. Ever since I installed one in my on pickup superstrat, I've been completely happy
Click to expand...
It's the PERFECT pickup for this axe!
 
Re: Need to decide on a pickup for my Frankenstein

KGMESSIER said:
Will Seymour Duncan make those custom, or do you have to get an A5 Custom and a '59, then do the hybrid yourself?

- Keith
Click to expand...

Not sure if the Custom Shop will do one or not. I had a Custom and a 59 just laying around not being used. So, I bought a extra A5 mag and made two!!!

Now I just have to find another guitar for the second one!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top