Not sure I'm digging the Fishy Classics - what to do next?

[Rex_Rocker]

I mean, some days I love them. Some days, I find them way too fat. This is in a Gibson Les Paul Tribute that we're talking about which is very fat, growly, and a tiny bit dark (but not dead-sounding).

Voice 1 is a bit too harsh for my liking under high-gain. Voice 2 is perfect in the high-end, nice and smooth with a hint of JB-ish upper-mid cut. It's also got a nice slightly squishy compressed feel. But Voice 2 is REALLY fat. Even if I am using a Wylde OD which cuts a lot more low-end than a TS808.

So I'm torn between three options:

1. Go for a hot ceramic passive. I have the 500T and Black Winter laying around. I'm thinking I might go for the Winter here because it's tighter/leaner.

2. Go for an Alnico Fishman whith more of an active voicing. I have the Fishman Modern Alnico or the KSE Alnico. I have tried the Modern Alnico and know I like it, but I could also give the KSE Alnico a try.

3. Go for a different pickup altogether. This would be the most fun, but also the most expensive. I've been wanting to try some mid-output A5 passives for a while. But I could also play it safe and get a 498T which I know I love and would get along well with my Les Paul.

Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[Frater106]

As far as a hot passive ceramic, I really like the Duncan Custom. It’s ceramic, but has a pretty traditional tonality.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

As far as a hot passive ceramic, I really like the Duncan Custom. It’s ceramic, but has a pretty traditional tonality.

But it has more low-end than the JB, and its high-end is a bit higher up (making it slightly harsher IMO), which is kinda the opposite of what I'm aiming for.

Think of the Fishman Classic Bridge in Voice 2 as pretty much a straight up slightly more polished JB. I just basically want a JB, just tighter. Maybe more metal-voiced. Maybe.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Nevermind, LOL.

I just needed to raise the gain on Voice 1 to get rid of the harshness/scratchiness.

I guess Rectos have a bright cap, because the more you raise the gain, the darker and smoother they become.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Too bad. I was going to make you a lowball offer for them.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Hahahaha. Nah.

Well, now I guess I'm back in love with A5 PAF-types.

 

[Mincer]

It is time for the SLUG!

 

[Coryd]

But it has more low-end than the JB, and its high-end is a bit higher up (making it slightly harsher IMO), which is kinda the opposite of what I'm aiming for.

Think of the Fishman Classic Bridge in Voice 2 as pretty much a straight up slightly more polished JB. I just basically want a JB, just tighter. Maybe more metal-voiced. Maybe.

JB but tighter? Suhr Aldrich ?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Nevermind, people. I figured it out. Started using Voice 1. Just raised the gain on my amp sim and was immedatiaely less harsh (and less fat from using the PAF voicing).

Thank you all!

JB but tighter? Suhr Aldrich ?

Isn't the Aldrich fatter and darker?

 

[Coryd]

Nevermind, people. I figured it out. Started using Voice 1. Just raise the gain on my amp sim and was immedatiaely less harsh (and less fat).

Thank you all!


Isn't the Aldrich fatter and darker?

Awesome!

I’ve just always heard the the Aldrich is like better JB. Almost like a JB but with none of things people don’t like about the JB. I could be way off though.

 

[frankfalbo]

Nevermind, people. I figured it out. Started using Voice 1. Just raised the gain on my amp sim and was immedatiaely less harsh (and less fat from using the PAF voicing).

Thank you all!

Nice. And don’t forget the HF Tilt. Do you use it? That’ll round out the PAF voice if an amp (or sim) is really pushing top end into the drive section.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Nice. And don’t forget the HF Tilt. Do you use it? That’ll round out the PAF voice if an amp (or sim) is really pushing top end into the drive section.

It's the Open Cores. I don't think they have it.

 

[Overlord]

I just basically want a JB, just tighter. Maybe more metal-voiced. Maybe.

I was on a similar search last year, but with an all mahogany BC Rich neck thru beast.
Love the JB is some guitars, but it can be really loose sounding in others. Even with an OD pedal like you mentioned.
I don't really need huge amounts of gain, I prefer clarity.

Other pickups I tried that were similar in output and that old school hot rodded feel, despite the magnet used:
- original Parallel Axis Trembucker
- Duncan Distortion
- Dimarzio Evo2
- Wolftone Timberwolf
- EMG Marty Friedman passive pickup
- 498T
- Bare Knuckle Nailbomb

 

[Artie]

It's the Open Cores. I don't think they have it.

I have the Open Core Classics. (Thanks Frank F.) They definitely have the high frequency tilt function. (HFT)

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I have the Open Core Classics. (Thanks Frank F.) They definitely have the high frequency tilt function. (HFT)

Ohhhh!!!

I guess I missed it because I didn't see it on the quick connect pins.

I'm tempted to try it next string change. I also wanted to have the sincle coil mode be the outer coils.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I guess Rectos have a bright cap, because the more you raise the gain, the darker and smoother they become.

A lot of Boogies are that way.

 

[Artie]

I guess I missed it because I didn't see it on the quick connect pins.

Their idea is that you do a solder bridge across that pad and ground. I want to solder two wires to those two pads and run it to a switch, so I can hear it in & out in real time. And you don't have to use that GND pad per se. Just switch to any ground. Saves soldering one connection to the bottom of the pup.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Their idea is that you do a solder bridge across that pad and ground. I want to solder two wires to those two pads and run it to a switch, so I can hear it in & out in real time. And you don't have to use that GND pad per se. Just switch to any ground. Saves soldering one connection to the bottom of the pup.

I wouldn't want to make it switchable, TBH. I barely ever switch voicings. I never switch to single coil either because I don't love the inner coils.

I did try it on my Moderns and wasn't in love with it, but maybe this time would be different since these have A LOT more going on up top.

But I want to try turning off the buffer in my Polytune first to see if that helps any. It's not like I feel like they 100% need it, TBH. I could also just slightly lower the tone knob on my boost pedal. Many ways that are less of a hassle to try first, hahaha.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

A lot of Boogies are that way.

And Marshalls.