Pickup Help for build

[DReid4]

I am building an Explorer and for the pickups, I'm having trouble deciding what I want. It's going to have 3 humbuckers (and a wlkinson trem.). At first, I was going to go with the PATB-2 Distortion in the bridge, PATB-1 Original (Bridge) in the middle, and PATB-1 Original (Neck) in the neck. Then I started looking around a bit more and thought about ordering a '78 from the CS for the bridge instead, then I thought about emailing the CS describing the kind of tone I'm looking for, then I was told to ask here first and if you great people can't think of pickups that are already out, then order from the CS. So, here are the kind of tone specs i'm looking for:
I'm looking for something I can get sort of an early Michael Schenker UFO tone with but with more treble, and could get that kind of first 2 Def Leppard albums type of tone, but still may be able to get those early Dokken/early Van Halen kind of tones.
Sorry if that's a bit confusing lol
And I'm primarily looking for the bridge pup, but feel free to recommend mid and neck pups to.
And also, body wood on the guitar is mahogany, ebony fretboard, and like I said, wilkinson tremolo. And the amp im playing through is a 1986 JCM 800
Thanks for the help guys, highly appreciate it

 

[jeremy]

Re: Pickup Help for build

welcome to the forum!

the custom shop can make all your dreams come true! as long as you have the cash to cover it. the 78 nails those early vh tones thru the right rig and can cover a fair amount of ground but if you are going custom shop they can probably get you something a little different that would suit all your needs better. not sure what production pup would work best for you since that is very much not my style. hopefully someone else will chime in shortly with better adivce

 

[DReid4]

Re: Pickup Help for build

The only reason I don't really wanna settle for the '78, is because there are already so many people that try to get that tone and I don't want to do the same.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Pickup Help for build

the '78 is a great pup regardless of style. its a slightly overwound a2 paf type tone. i play blues/rock/funk and its an awesome pup for that stuff too.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Pickup Help for build

The only reason I don't really wanna settle for the '78, is because there are already so many people that try to get that tone and I don't want to do the same.

Just because you have the pickup, doesn't mean you'll get the sickness!

No two players sound the same, even through the same setup, and, chances are, your setup is unique to you anyways. You're not going to buy a pickup that someone else hasn't already used at some point, so don't get hung up on that idea.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Pickup Help for build

You proabably won't go for this, since you're posting on the Duncan forums, but I would STRONGLY recommend giving the Dean USA DMT "Lights Out" pickup set a try in that guitar. Try the neck model in both the neck and middle positions! You can buy the pair for what one SD Custom Shop pickup costs!

I've owned a handful of Dean pickups now and my guess is that particular set might just blow your mind! Then, you'll only have one spot to fill...

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Pickup Help for build

Here's a link to Dean's website with a brief clip (not Schenker playing):

http://www.deanguitars.com/dmt_lightsout.php

Medium output neck, High output bridge and pretty much designed for your type of guitar!