Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

[JacksonMIA]

I'm working on another MIA Peavey Predator, this time for my little brother. He wants a Frankenstrat copy (the black and white one), basically. It's getting to the point that we're going to have to decide on electronics. We've decided on a Custom Custom for the bridge. He's heard mine, and that's what he wants (He might even get mine, and me get a different one.).

My question is, what are some options to consider to get a bigger variety in tone. A single humbucker and a volume knob don't offer many possibilities. Should I add some pickups/switches/knobs to give him more flexibility? What pups should I think about. This will be his only electric, and he's in to pretty much all classic rock as well as some newer rock.

He's not too concerned with keeping it authentic looking, but if we were to go with a single bucker and single pot, do you think it would be better to have it be volume or tone?

If you could answer any or all of the questions, thanks.

 

[Artie]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

Boy . . . there's so many options. Its hard to beat a Distortion (neck) with a "splitting" switch. My Patriot has a C5b/DDn with split combo, and I love it. The Custom might actually be a better match since its a ceramic mag also. The Distortion is a bit unique in terms of Duncan neck pups. If I recall, its the only one in the 10k range.

Artie

 

[jeremy]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

if you only have one control id say volume. i like having a tone control, but i use it. lots of players dont and i didnt really start till a few years ago.

if it were me, id add a neck pup and a tone control

 

[dd12939]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

or you could put a series/split/parallel switch!!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

Throw a single coil in the neck and a push/pull pot to switch between them (ala George Lynch).

 

[paspallum]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

I once had a 1976 Ibanez 'Deluxe '59er' which in fact looks like a Les Paul studio, but is constructed much like a Danelectro crossed with a ES335... and with a bolt on neck.. you might think "wow, that would really suck!" but they were awesome guitars!
The pickups were VERY microphonic... so I tried to waxpot them... in the process I destroyed my bridge pickup... the local guitar shop luckily had a second hand humbucker pickup lying around.. it was the stock PUp from a Peavey Van der berg... man that was an awesome pickup... it really sounded amazing... apparently someone had ripped out the stock PUp's and put in EMG's.... that peavey pickup really rocked!

Paspallum

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

I usually use a on/off/on switch to do series/off/parallel for my one pickup guitars. The parallel is far more usefull than split.

Snowdog

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

Throw a single coil in the neck and a push/pull pot to switch between them (ala George Lynch).

I've actually thought of that, and use the white covers that came on the guitar to contrast the all black hardware and humbucker.

Unfortunately, the body cavity isn't deep enough for a push/pull - at least the one I ordered from Stew Mac for my Peavey. Are there lower profile push/pulls available?

Thanks for all the replies, guys. Keep 'em coming.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

I've actually thought of that, and use the white covers that came on the guitar to contrast the all black hardware and humbucker.

Unfortunately, the body cavity isn't deep enough for a push/pull - at least the one I ordered from Stew Mac for my Peavey. Are there lower profile push/pulls available?

Thanks for all the replies, guys. Keep 'em coming.

I don't know of any lower-profile push/pulls. The Stew Mac ones are pretty standard.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

Also look at an Original Parallel Axis Trembucker or a Blues Trembucker. I have the OPAT in a lightwight superstrat guitar, and I have never been happier with that guitar. Very underated pickups.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

I forgot to mention, the guitar is routed HSS, so anything in the neck or middle would have to be single coil sized. The painting is almost finished, and I don't want to try my hand at routing the first time on a guitar. I need some practice before I tackle something like that.

Jeff, those are definitely worthy candidates, and I may try them out for my guitar when I make the swap. That blues has really grabbed my attention.

As for his, the CC is pretty much set in stone.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

Eminent Bumpage.

 

[shredaholic]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

a killswitch would be a nice touch if it's a van halen replica - then you wouldn't need a volume control

 

[pinto79]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

I found some small push/pull and push/push pots: http://www.allparts.com/categories.php?cat_id=616&cat_name=500K POTS

Look at the 8th down and 20th down.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Peavy Project Options (Van Halen Related)

I found some small push/pull and push/push pots: http://www.allparts.com/categories.php?cat_id=616&cat_name=500K POTS

Look at the 8th down and 20th down.

Yeah, I just saw that 20th one yesterday. It just might fit.

Shred, I hadn't thought of that. I'll have to see what he thinks, but that sounds like it might be the thing to do.