Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

[Whammy]

So I’m building a one pickup guitar and I’m looking for a pickup (trembucker although I’m not against the idea of a slanted humbucker). Something that is versatile but also able to deliver tight/aggressive metal tones which is important to me.
I would be using the pickup split or in parallel for cleans but if the cleans in series are nice that would be great as it would be another tonal flavor to play with.

Generally speaking I prefer a ceramic in the bridge, but seeing as I’m looking for a bit more versatility I’m leaning away from that.
I’m quite curious about using a pickup with an A2 magnet as I never have. So right now the Custom Custom and IM1 are standing out to me.
I’m not sure if the Custom Custom would be tight/aggressive enough while at the same time I know very little about the IM1 (apart from the online opinions relating to VH style tone which I’m not trying to replicate) although it does intrigue me. But I’m not going to throw down that kind of money without a better idea of its abilities.

After that the JB catches my eye as I know it will deliver the tight high output tone I’m used to, but I’m not impressed with the series clean sounds.
A JB with an Alnico 2 magnet sound interesting but that is basically a RTM, right?

I’m leaning away from the distortion as I don’t like the high end saturation (same goes for the black winter). I do like the pickup and I like bright pickups, just not the high end which feels like it saturates too much. I guess that’s a small nitpick. The ceramic Custom is off the list. I like it too, but the mid scoop doesn’t drive an amp the way I prefer for this application.
Not interested at all in the Nazgul or Pegasus.

I like modern metal tones but I believe the amp and cab are primarily responsible for the tone. Pickup wise I want something hot enough, tight low end, pushing midrange and cleans up well with or without splitting. Ideally the split and series clean tones should be nice.

Thanks.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

The IM1 is essentially a degaussed Custom Custom, and you're right, the RTM is for all intents and purposes, an A2 JB. They could both pull the big midrange that you want, but neither have very tight low end. For that I'd recommend an A8 humbucker, maybe the Crazy 8, Alternate 8, or a JB or Custom with an A8 swap.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Well, most A2 pickups won't be tight and aggressive. I love the CC, but it isn't as tight as the Custom 5 or regular Custom. You might try something like the 59/Custom Hybrid, which is tight, versatile, and sounds great split, too.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

You claim that the Custom is too scooped to drive an amp the way you like, but have you actually played one? It's one of my favorite pickups that SD makes, and I'd describe it as similar to a JB, but with a lower frequency focus. It also happens to split well and have a good clean sound for a hotter humbucker. It's actually the first thing I thought of when reading your post.

+1 for Mincer's A2 comments; generally speaking A2 pickups tend to be squishy as opposed to tight and aggressive. For that type of tonality you want A5, A8, or ceramic.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

If you have 'Whammy' guitar, i would recommend a PATB 2 or a Crazy8.
My fixed bridge Superstrat went thru different pups: JB with a RCA5 (best parallel clean sound btw), JB8, Alt8, JB ceramic5, Screaming Demon and now Screaming Demon8. The least one is the best for clean and dirty IMO.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Why weren't there any inquiries about the kind of wood?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Why weren't there any inquiries about the kind of wood?

Right now we are just generalizing about pickups to get a general idea of what he's looking for, but I assume we will get to wood later. The type of wood won't change a nuanced, civilized pickup into an ballsy rock machine.

 

[Whammy]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Thanks for the replies guys.

Okay I think my terms may have been used too vaguely in my original post.
By aggressive I meant medium to high output pickup with a strong midrange. That is turn will work with an aggressive amp to get the sound that I want.
And by tight I mean a low end that isn’t overbearing. Once it doesn’t overpower the midrange I would consider it tight.

Surly the Custom Custom falls into that range, no?

I hear A2 being described as squishy.
How would the low end compare between a Custom Custom and a 59/Custom?
On paper the Custom Custom has less low end. Just curious.

Thanks for the other suggestions. I shall have a look into them. Never looked at the PATB2. Nor have I really looked into A8 pickups for that matter.

@ dystrust
Yes I have tried one. It’s aggressive, but in a way that the midrange doesn’t sound focused. That low focus drives the amp, but just in a way that feels messy to me.
Now I forgot to mention that I tune down, usually around B. So my experience is based off that. If I was in Standard I’m sure my opinion would be different.

I left the wood type out intentionally. But if your are interested it is a basswood body, maple neck. At this stage I normally don’t put too much emphasis into the wood type. I’ve played many guitars with similar wood specs and they all sound somewhat different unplugged. So I tend to stay clear of making assumptions based on what species of wood is in a guitar. It just doesn’t feel right to me.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

I’ve played many guitars with similar wood specs and they all sound somewhat different unplugged.

This is precisely why you audition a guitar out first before choosing a pickup, especially when you are particular about midrange and bass response.

That said, certain woods have certain tendencies, hence it is important to know what you're working with.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

@ dystrust
Yes I have tried one. It’s aggressive, but in a way that the midrange doesn’t sound focused. That low focus drives the amp, but just in a way that feels messy to me.
Now I forgot to mention that I tune down, usually around B. So my experience is based off that. If I was in Standard I’m sure my opinion would be different.

Tuning definitely makes a difference; I'm typically in either Eb or Drop-C#, and I likewise wouldn't pick the Custom for B tuning. When you're tuning that low, tightness is even more important which makes an A2 pickup an even worse choice than in standard tuning. Have you thought about actives? My first choice for a single pickup in basswood tuned to B would be an EMG-89R. I'd choose the R version because it places the "split" coil farther from the bridge for a bit more fullness and less twang.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Thanks for the replies guys.

Okay I think my terms may have been used too vaguely in my original post.
By aggressive I meant medium to high output pickup with a strong midrange. That is turn will work with an aggressive amp to get the sound that I want.
And by tight I mean a low end that isn’t overbearing. Once it doesn’t overpower the midrange I would consider it tight.

Surly the Custom Custom falls into that range, no?

I hear A2 being described as squishy.
How would the low end compare between a Custom Custom and a 59/Custom?
On paper the Custom Custom has less low end. Just curious.

Thanks for the other suggestions. I shall have a look into them. Never looked at the PATB2. Nor have I really looked into A8 pickups for that matter.

@ dystrust
Yes I have tried one. It’s aggressive, but in a way that the midrange doesn’t sound focused. That low focus drives the amp, but just in a way that feels messy to me.
Now I forgot to mention that I tune down, usually around B. So my experience is based off that. If I was in Standard I’m sure my opinion would be different.

I left the wood type out intentionally. But if your are interested it is a basswood body, maple neck. At this stage I normally don’t put too much emphasis into the wood type. I’ve played many guitars with similar wood specs and they all sound somewhat different unplugged. So I tend to stay clear of making assumptions based on what species of wood is in a guitar. It just doesn’t feel right to me.

the Hybrid's low end is tighter. The CC takes up more sonic space in a mix- great for 1 guitar bands, or brighter guitars. Both are great, but if you want tight, or if your style needs percussive attack, that ain't the CC.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Why aren't you interested in the Pegasus? It is extremely versatile: anywhere from clean to metal.

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Though I've never tried it, I've been hearing a lot of good things about a JB with a standard Ceramic mag. It might be what you're looking for.

I was gonna say JB, but it can be kinda bottom heavy in certain guitars.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[gregory]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Disregard if fast bass attack is absolutely necessary, otherwise...

JB with an Alnico 2 and a treble bleed with 500k volume and 1M or 500k no-load tone. With the JB wind, the A2 will fit the tightness criteria as specified by the OP just fine. Use a rough, unoriented A5 if the basswood provides too much midrange.

When going from A2 to RUA5 the bass attack will no longer be a problem due to the decreased metal content; but still only as fast as what A5 can provide.

 

[Whammy]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Tuning definitely makes a difference; I'm typically in either Eb or Drop-C#, and I likewise wouldn't pick the Custom for B tuning. When you're tuning that low, tightness is even more important which makes an A2 pickup an even worse choice than in standard tuning. Have you thought about actives? My first choice for a single pickup in basswood tuned to B would be an EMG-89R. I'd choose the R version because it places the "split" coil farther from the bridge for a bit more fullness and less twang.

I have thought about actives and for the most part I really like their midrange from experience with the 81. But I just don’t gel with the feel of them while playing.
I have been thinking about giving the 57 a shot as it’s been a while since I used an active. I would also add their EXG instead of a normal tone control. The EXG pulls the mids while boosting the highs and lows. It would help to simulate a single coil vibe for cleans. I’d probably connect it to a switch to just instantly turn on.

But yeah, just an idea and probably a little off topic as I’d say the odds are low that I’ll experiment with active pickups.

the Hybrid's low end is tighter. The CC takes up more sonic space in a mix- great for 1 guitar bands, or brighter guitars. Both are great, but if you want tight, or if your style needs percussive attack, that ain't the CC.

Hmmm that’s interesting about the CC. Guess I’ll stay away from that pickup.
But before I do one last question.
Is this video a good representation of the differences between the SH-6 and SH-11?
https://youtu.be/R3lweyMdHi0

In the video the Custom Custom does have a bit more of an old school vibe compared to the distortion, less low end grunt too. But it just seems to have way better clarity and definition. Something that I’m finding hard to let go of because it’s a quality I really want.

Why aren't you interested in the Pegasus? It is extremely versatile: anywhere from clean to metal.

Disregard if fast bass attack is absolutely necessary, otherwise...

JB with an Alnico 2 and a treble bleed with 500k volume and 1M or 500k no-load tone. With the JB wind, the A2 will fit the tightness criteria as specified by the OP just fine. Use a rough, unoriented A5 if the basswood provides too much midrange.

When going from A2 to RUA5 the bass attack will no longer be a problem due to the decreased metal content; but still only as fast as what A5 can provide.

I just really dislike the Pegasus. I’d go into details but it’s just quicker to say I think the Custom 5 does a better job in all aspects. If I was in standard tuning I’d probably be sticking a Custom 5 in my guitar.

Fast bass attack isn’t super necessary. Nice, but a tube screamer usually helps with that.



As it stands I think I’m going to go with a JB and grab a few different magnets and see where my ears lead me.
I know I like the JB and it seems that all different magnet versions are close to what I’m looking for.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Hmmm that’s interesting about the CC. Guess I’ll stay away from that pickup.
But before I do one last question.
Is this video a good representation of the differences between the SH-6 and SH-11?
https://youtu.be/R3lweyMdHi0

In the video the Custom Custom does have a bit more of an old school vibe compared to the distortion, less low end grunt too. But it just seems to have way better clarity and definition. Something that I’m finding hard to let go of because it’s a quality I really want.

Well, I don't use quite the amount of gain as in the video, so I never managed to get my Custom Custom that saturated. But you can hear the attack being more present on the Distortion, while there is a slight 'bloom' on the CC that I really like. In that clip, I like the clean CC better, too.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

My favorite single pickup guitars have either a P90 or Tele/Esquire bridge pickup...but I know that's not what the OP is looking for.

But were I building a single pickup rock n roll guitar I'd try a SH16 Hybrid just because I want to see what all the fuss is about and find out if I like it.

 

[gregory]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

But were I uilding a single pickup rock n roll guitar I'd try a SH16 Hybrid just because I want to see what all the fuss is about and find out if I like it.

Then build one, or are you trying to proffer the idea that you know the OP is interested in what all the fuss is about and wants to find out if *he* likes it?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Then build one, or are you trying to proffer the idea that you know the OP is interested in what all the fuss is about and wants to find out if *he* likes it?

Nah. Just mentioning a pickup that a lot of guys think is great and one which I am curious about.

But like I said, were I to build a one pickup guitar it'd be one with a P90. I already have an Esquire. A real one. A '54.

Sounds like the OP wants a hot humbucker.

One of my favorites is the Duncan Distortion. Lots of fun.

He could get a Distortion and pretty much turn it into a JB (or vice versa) with a magnet swap.

But me? (Not you. Not the the OP. ) I'd try a Hybrid.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: Pickup for a one pickup guitar?

Basswood body, maple neck guitar? PATB, any of them.