Pickup recommendation for Godin xtSA

[ripper]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this board coming with question:

http://www.godinguitars.com/godinxtsap.htm

Having acquired this extraordinary instrument, I like it a lot. The only limitation seems to be the stock pickups - Godin GHB1, GHN1 humbuckers, GHS1 single) - the tones don't suit my needs fully. Here are my requirements (well I know ):

bridge: a versatile humbucker with good sustain, covering even the harder stuff (hard rock, classic metal, no need for drop tunings and numetal stuff), yet useable when coil-split

neck: lush tone, good sustain (sweet child o'mine sort of stuff), again - useable when coil-split

middle SC: the stock one is too noisy, I would like to get rid of the noise and get as close to strat tones as possible - also something that would work with the inner coils of either humbucker.

Well, it's probably impossible, still I would like to get the best results possible. The brand is not important to me, although SD stuff is best available here. I've been advised to get Tone Zone-Are '58-Air Norton combination by DiMarzio - that brand is hard to get where I live, though. I'll be very thankful for your advice!

 

[Quicksilver689]

Re: Pickup recommendation for Godin xtSA

Sustain...I'm thinking Parallel Axis pu's - how about a PATB-1n in the neck and a PATB-2 (or Crazy 8, if you have the money) in the bridge? You could also try a PATB-1b in the bridge for less of a distortion-class pu with good warmth (but also good articulation and clarity - no "wooly" or "boomy" tone), or the PATB-3b for a more PAF-ish tone. I have used them in guitars with ebony boards, maple necks, 1 swamp ash body w/maple top, and 1 korina body, and these pickups work well in all of them. That being said, YMMV, this is only my personal exp.

Middle SC - if you're wanting to change it, try a Vintage Rails or a Cool Rails for a little more output - both will eliminate the noise.

As far as bridge pu's go, the PATB-2 is the only ceramic mag pu that I have experience with that is NOT harsh or shrill on the highs, though a lot of folks here like the Custom also. Some may recommend the JB, but esp. in combination with an ebony board I'd be weary of that - the strong treble detail of the JB may take the natural brightness of ebony and turn it shrill, though YMMV. Based on my personal exp. though, alnico mag pu's will likely be a better match for you with that ebony board.

Do a search for sound clips (both for HB's and for SC's at the SD site and in these forums) and continue to take in as much feedback based on personal experience that you can. Then go and research your guitar's woods and what they will sound like - even if you think it silly or you believe that you know your guitar's tone well: I've made the mistake in the past of not doing research on my guitar's woods and it always hurts when you choose the wrong pickup(s). One such place is Warmoth's woods descriptions pages for bodies and necks.

I know this sounds like a lot of work, but the reality of it is - it IS a lot of work, because going off of a pickup's sound description alone is the worst thing you can do. I found that out for myself a little over a year ago - while the DiM. A.N. worked great as a neck pu, the D-Sonic was not what I was hoping for in the bridge.


I hope this is of help to you - best of luck in your quest to find YOUR tone!

 

[thucydides]

Re: Pickup recommendation for Godin xtSA

+1 to the Warmoth site for tone wood descriptions.