Pickup recommendations

[kewano]

Hi all. New to the forum and I've been reading through this thing for about 3 hours trying to decide what hum pickup set I should get. I've been playing for 4 years on a (very cheap $100) Dean Vendetta XM. Has a paulownia body which makes it a lightweight (and light sounding). I've changed out the tuners and bridge to upgrade it a bit. I love this guitar, probably bad taste, but the axe has held up amazingly, and now have come to the crossroads of upgrading the stock pups. And I need some opinions and recommendations on what I should get.

Here's the pic of the guitar, I have the satin black version:
http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/9/5/1/313951.jpg


I use a wide variety of amps, from a tube to the cheapo one in my basement, along with a few pedals (ds-1, dd-3, etc). I play a lot of heavy rock (think Chevelle or Korn type sound) & some metal. I wouldn't mind giving up some clean for a good crunchy sound, as long as it isn't too much (I do play lead). The body of this guitar produces a very clean tone with little warmth or crunch. I looked at the SH-8, SH-5, SH-4 JB, SH-6, etc. I'm very unsure how any of these might sound in my guitar, because of the body (paulownia is rarely found in guitars, because it is cheap).

I'm looking for a set for the bridge and neck. If anyone can help give recommendations, I'd appretiate it a bunch.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Pickup recommendations

I'd put a Pearly Gates in the neck and a Custom in the bridge. It'll give you great heavy tones with nice cleans and enough warmth in the neck position to play jazz or blues.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickup recommendations

I'd put a Pearly Gates in the neck and a Custom in the bridge. It'll give you great heavy tones with nice cleans and enough warmth in the neck position to play jazz or blues.

Me too! That has become my favorite pickup combo. Sounds great split too.

Killer humbucking tones and also my favorite single coil tones from split humbuckers.

When the PGn and Custom are combined in single coil mode it reminds me alot of a nice Tele with the neck and bridge pickups combined...my favorite Tele tone for rythym playing.

Lew

 

[kewano]

Re: Pickup recommendations

Thanks a lot. I may try those two. A few q's:

Would they warm out my sound without getting muddy when I use a DS-1 Distortion cranked up?

Would they be a good choice for playing modern heavy rock and some metal?

I'm not too much into the vintage sounds, but if they can create a nice warm sound without getting muddy or too high, I'd be very glad. Thanks for the recommendations. I've also been looking into getting the SH-2n & SH-4b, but, again, I'm not sure how they would sound in an already high sounding body.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Pickup recommendations

Thanks a lot. I may try those two. A few q's:

Would they warm out my sound without getting muddy when I use a DS-1 Distortion cranked up?

Would they be a good choice for playing modern heavy rock and some metal?

I'm not too much into the vintage sounds, but if they can create a nice warm sound without getting muddy or too high, I'd be very glad. Thanks for the recommendations. I've also been looking into getting the SH-2n & SH-4b, but, again, I'm not sure how they would sound in an already high sounding body.

Currently, I'm using this combo in my LP. It sounds warm with no mud at the neck position and has a tight, muscular bass in the bridge. It's perfet for heavy rock, classic rock, and like Lew said, it can get some fantastic clean tones when you split them.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickup recommendations

Thanks a lot. I may try those two. A few q's:

Would they warm out my sound without getting muddy when I use a DS-1 Distortion cranked up?

Would they be a good choice for playing modern heavy rock and some metal?

I'm not too much into the vintage sounds, but if they can create a nice warm sound without getting muddy or too high, I'd be very glad. Thanks for the recommendations. I've also been looking into getting the SH-2n & SH-4b, but, again, I'm not sure how they would sound in an already high sounding body.

I think they'll do what you want...haven't tried them with a DS-1 but I love my MIJ DS-1.

I know Joe Satriani uses the DS-1 and that he also uses the Pearly Gates pickups...so I suspect you'd get a great tone too!

Lew

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Pickup recommendations

If it's light sounding the Custom or EMG 85 will thicken up the sound a bit for you.

 

[kewano]

Re: Pickup recommendations

Thanks a lot for the recommendations all. I Had the SH-5b and SH-PG1n installed at Guitar Center about three hours ago and they sound perfect. First impression: Great harmonics together, awesome sound when played seperate. The neck has that perfect sound with great trebble and mids. And the bridge really drives the sound when playing those crunchy parts. They let me "test drive" it afterwards on a very nice Marshall cab. I think it freaked out the repair guy cause he was amazed at the sound I got out of it. Thanks a lot for the help!

:fing2: