Parker Fly pickup swap

[Raimundo]

Hey everyone,

I am looking for some advice on what may be the best pickup to replace the bridge humbucker in my Parker Fly P-44. The stock "Stinger" humbuckers sound very muddy, especially since the guitar is tuned to C# standard. I'd like to replace the bridge pickup with something that will give the sound more bite as the stock pickups do not give me the heavy metal sound I am looking for. From what I've read, the SD TB-5 would work well since it has more emphasis on the highs and mids. Unfortunately, the TB-5's seem to have limited availability, so I have also considered the SD P-Rails, which my local music shop sells. I know Tony Iommi's guitars used P-90's, so I like the idea of having a humbucker and a P-90 in one unit. Does anybody have any experience with either of these pickups in a guitar like mine? Which one do you think would suit the guitar better?

thank you for all your ideas!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

Paging LesStrat

 

[ColeJustesen]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

Have you considered a Sreamin' Demon? It is a very tight pickup and fairly bright/airy that would work great for lower tunings. It has a really cool growl to it that works for hard rock/metal. It also sounds good for clean tones, which is something I have very rarely said about any bridge humbucker.

I am am probably one of the few people on this forum who does not like the Custom line. Something just seemed off to my ears, where pickups like the Screamin' Demon, Distortion, and JB really suit my ears. The only version I haven't tried is the Custom Custom and that is because I typically don't like Alnico II pups.

The P-Rails seem like a good option, but the only experience I had with them I walked away a bit underwhelmed. It seemed like all three modes sounded good, but none were amazing. Kind of like the phrase "Good at all, master of none." I would rather have a great version of one style of pickup. If you want a P90, there are humbucker sized versions that people love. Seymour Duncan has the Phat Cat. I think Arcane pickups would provide you another option for a killer sounding humbucker sized P-90.

Best of luck on making your decision!

Cole

 

[Raimundo]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

Have you considered a Sreamin' Demon? It is a very tight pickup and fairly bright/airy that would work great for lower tunings. It has a really cool growl to it that works for hard rock/metal. It also sounds good for clean tones, which is something I have very rarely said about any bridge humbucker.

I am am probably one of the few people on this forum who does not like the Custom line. Something just seemed off to my ears, where pickups like the Screamin' Demon, Distortion, and JB really suit my ears. The only version I haven't tried is the Custom Custom and that is because I typically don't like Alnico II pups.

The P-Rails seem like a good option, but the only experience I had with them I walked away a bit underwhelmed. It seemed like all three modes sounded good, but none were amazing. Kind of like the phrase "Good at all, master of none." I would rather have a great version of one style of pickup. If you want a P90, there are humbucker sized versions that people love. Seymour Duncan has the Phat Cat. I think Arcane pickups would provide you another option for a killer sounding humbucker sized P-90.

Best of luck on making your decision!

Cole

Thanks for your input Cole, you have given me some good pickup options to think about. That Screamin' Demon might just be what I'm looking for as it seems to have good coil-split capability, but I'll have a look at the humbucker sized P-90's too.

 

[ColeJustesen]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

You are welcome! There are so many options anymore, it makes choosing very hard. I just recently tried the Scream' Demon (within the last year) and really wish I would have tried it sooner. Mine is loaded in a 70s Yamaha Studio Lord. This particular model has a maple neck, a maple cap on a mahogany body, and an ebony board which makes the guitar bright. Because of this I ultimately swapped an Alnico 8 magnet and a 300K volume pot to help balance the brightness. This guitar is in standard right now, so I needed a bit of sibilance reduction. I plan on tuning this to a lower tuning like Drop C.

Cole

 

[dominus]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

Thanks for your input Cole, you have given me some good pickup options to think about. That Screamin' Demon might just be what I'm looking for as it seems to have good coil-split capability, but I'll have a look at the humbucker sized P-90's too.

The screaming demon is a very weak, underpowered pickup. A lot of people like using it as a neck pickup. If you have an amp with enough gain it'll be fine, but it could be a huge disappointment.

Just order the TB-5 online. You'll never find a good selection of pickups at local stores, they only stock the basics.

 

[Raimundo]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

The screaming demon is a very weak, underpowered pickup. A lot of people like using it as a neck pickup. If you have an amp with enough gain it'll be fine, but it could be a huge disappointment.

Just order the TB-5 online. You'll never find a good selection of pickups at local stores, they only stock the basics.

Yeah, here in Canada we have no local stores that stock pickups and very few online pickup suppliers which makes getting a hold of any SD pickups a challenge. I'm trying to find a Canadian SD dealer that can order from them directly.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

I used Custom (SH5 version) in my LP tuned to Drop C and it was too thick and thumpy for my taste. I'd say go with Distortion, Alternative 8, Black Winter or Dimebucker with P-rails in the neck.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

the PDF85 that I just ordered comes with DuncanUSM pickups
they are the asian versions of the JB/Jazz

this is my favorite set
may not be yours

If they sound as expected I will be adding triple shot rings

so what I am getting at is

get the Hotrodded Humbucker set and some triple shot rings

 

[Raimundo]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

Well I've been considering the Dimebucker pickups because I can get them locally but they may be too much for my classic rock/old style metal playing. I might just keep it simple and go for the JB TB-4.

 

[dominus]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

I used Custom (SH5 version) in my LP tuned to Drop C and it was too thick and thumpy for my taste. I'd say go with Distortion, Alternative 8, Black Winter or Dimebucker with P-rails in the neck.

His Parker may be a bit thinner than your LP.

Well I've been considering the Dimebucker pickups because I can get them locally but they may be too much for my classic rock/old style metal playing. I might just keep it simple and go for the JB TB-4.

The Dimebucker is a lot more versatile than you'd imagine. There's a thread on underrated Duncans and it's getting a lot of chatter.

 

[Raimundo]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

Are Dimebuckers good for mahogany body guitars? My only real concern with any pickup is that it might cause the low-end sound to sound muddy and thick. That's why I'm looking at pickups that bring out the highs and mids more than the bass.

 

[HALENisking]

Re: Parker Fly pickup swap

The p rails are NOT tight in my opinion, especially for down tuning. I would avoid it.