New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

[deltarider99]

I'm looking for a new bridge pickup for my Toronado GT (mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard). It currently has a Pearly Gates Plus in the bridge. It's an ok pickup, but I typically play heavier/more aggressive music, and it doesn't quite cut it. I'm basically looking for something that's more traditionally suited for metal/aggressive rock. I've heard good things about the JB, and was thinking about going down that route, but wanted to see if you guys had any additional thoughts.

 

[Mephis]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

Duncan Custom.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

One of the Customs...

I like the Duncan Custom best, especially for harder rock styles.

But the Custom Custom is nice too: smoother highs and more mids. Kind of an EVH-ish tone...especially if you have a Marshall Plexi like Eddie's.

The JB is a real classic though and would be a good choice too. I think George Lynch used it for some things... And Jeff Beck used it too, of course.

The PG+ is an alnico 5 version of the PG...more treble and less midrange than the regular PG. Vintage output...sounds like you want a pickup with more output than vintage.

So we're back to the Duncan Custom again...it's what I use.

 

[deltarider99]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

Cool, thanks for replying!

I basically play a lot of chord-heavy/palm-muted rock, so I guess I'm looking for a pickup that's "chug-friendly"...and definitely something with more output than the Pearly Gates Plus. My other guitars have Hot Rails and EMG pickups, so something a little closer to the tone of those.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

The Custom is a cool all 'rounder, but I feel that the Screamin Demon chugs and chunks better, depending on your amp.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

The Custom is a cool all 'rounder, but I feel that the Screamin Demon chugs and chunks better, depending on your amp.

"...depending on your amp." Great point! The amp is often more important than the pickup, IMO. The Screamin Demon is a great pickup. Not as hot as the Custom but hotter than the PG+. I don't know why the SD isn't more popular...maybe the name? Lew

 

[deltarider99]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

I'm currently using a Peavey Bandit 112....not a fantastic tube amp, but it gets the job done. Also using a Boss ME-50 for OD and effects.

 

[deltarider99]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

So it sounds like it's down to the JB vs. SH-5...any thoughts on the Duncan Distortion?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

"...depending on your amp." Great point! The amp is often more important than the pickup, IMO. The Screamin Demon is a great pickup. Not as hot as the Custom but hotter than the PG+. I don't know why the SD isn't more popular...maybe the name? Lew

I'm pretty sure it's the name. I never thought to try it until I got a new one insanely cheap.It's not a PAF, but it feels closer to one than the Custom. It splits the difference between modern and vintage really well. I know it's designed with super strats in mind, but it sounded damned good in my Lester and it rules in my Hamer Special.

 

[deltarider99]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

I guess the main disappointment with my PG+ is that it doesn't palm mute very well.

 

[joeydude]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

So it sounds like it's down to the JB vs. SH-5...any thoughts on the Duncan Distortion?

duncan distortion would be good. very high output. the name really makes sense, its desinged for distortion, not super great for clean but awsome for distorted rock or metal tones

 

[deltarider99]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

Well, I ordered a Duncan Custom, should be here soon.

Had another question, though. Would there be any benefit to putting a coil tap on it? I've always wanted to have a push-pull on one of my guitars, but I've never read too much on how the SH-5 sounds split. Any thoughts?

 

[Artie]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

We don't see Toronados very often. You gotta post pics.

 

[deltarider99]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

Here's a few quick pics I shot. Also included the ol' rig and the Toro's siblings...

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

Nice Viper! What model is it?

 

[deltarider99]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

Nice Viper! What model is it?

The LTD 400. It's in desperate need of a proper setup, but I love it nonetheless.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

The LTD 400. It's in desperate need of a proper setup, but I love it nonetheless.

Ah cool, they're sweet guitars, I love my VB-200.

 

[big_black]

Re: New Bridge Pickup for Toronado GT...help!

The Screamin Demon is a great pickup. Not as hot as the Custom but hotter than the PG+. I don't know why the SD isn't more popular...maybe the name?

Without modification, the Demon sounds like crap to my ears....painful