Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

[Gearjunkie52]

I picked up a 1978 Aria FA-80 hollow body yesterday, and cant get over the quality of this piece for $380..In my opinion, it plays and feels every bit as nice as the 6120 Gretsch Nashville I sold last year..

although it has the "typical" hollow body mellowness tone qualities, I would like some suggestions on PU choices to possibly to transform this closer towards 335 territory.. I know many swear by the TV Jones Filtertrons for the hollowbodies (Gretsch) but wonder what can be bought to give nice honkin bottom end, pronounced note separation in the mids while still being creamy, and nice highs without excessive sharp ice picks..


Would prefer to get a quality set of replacements without spending $200-$300..

All opinions appreciated Thanks in advance !!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

How about a Dyna-Sonic or two?

 

[Gearjunkie52]

Re: Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

Single coils ?? That just might be a dandy choice.

Who make a reasonably priced quality set

What the general consensus on GFS Pups ?

 

[elelpe]

Re: Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

Used Duncans. Or you might like Tonerider AC4 bridge and AC2 neck.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

What the general consensus on GFS Pups ?

Generally worth about what you pay for them.

A hollowbody would like some p90's in humbucker size.

 

[PunkKitty]

Re: Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

There are some exceptions to the GFS rule.

The Surf 90's and Dream 180's are very good. The Surf 90 is one of my favorite pickups.

If you are going to go with the HB sized P90's, I really like the BG Pure 90. It's an outstanding pickup.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

I would like some suggestions on PU choices to possibly to transform this closer towards 335 territory..

The Seth Lover set will do what you're asking for in spades.

HTH,

 

[agentzero12]

Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

There are plenty of people here who have more experience with different pups than I do, but I recently put a Gibson 500t in a hollow body and it sounds great. It may be a bit hotter than you want but I like the brightness of it in the hollow body. It was too bright in an explorer but the hollow body gave it the fullness it needed. I think something similarly bright may work well.

 

[Gearjunkie52]

Re: Pickup options for waking up a Hollowbody

Thanks guys. I have a set of new Seth's to replace the BB Pro 1&2 in my new 335 block and after reading this I might throw the BB's in the Aria and hear what they do to it. Sure has to be better than what's in it now.