Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

[jpistolas]

I've had 2 different ESP Hybrid II's over the years and now only have one left. Seafoam green model. I've got the stock neck tele pickup which I'd like some more output from. Currently no bridge humbucker but I've had a JB in it which was pure mud in that guitar compared to the other guitars I have JB's in.

Any suggestions for the two?

 

[CTN]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

What kinda tones/sounds are you looking to get? What genres? Any artists in particular you are trying to emulate? What kind of amp/effects are you playing through?

Also, do you know what wood the body is?

 

[DoomBuggi]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

What kinda tones/sounds are you looking to get? What genres? Any artists in particular you are trying to emulate? What kind of amp/effects are you playing through?

Also, do you know what wood the body is?

I second this ^

 

[jpistolas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

Through the bridge pu I'm looking for something I can cross from hard rock to all out metal. Love stuff from Page, Iommi, Scott Ian and most recently Josh Homme.

As far as the neck pu I'd just like something with more output to balance better with the bridge humbucker.

Playing through a Mesa Boogie DC-5 head. Mesa 2x12 metal grill cab. Occasional Morley wah and a chorus through the loop for clean.

Honestly, I'm not totally sure of the body wood. I've tried some research and nothing concrete. Lots on the LTD newer neck through models but not the older II MIJ models. Judging by weight and it's leaning towards being a tele I'd guess ash or more likely alder. Has one big chip in the finish and the wood is quite light colored.

 

[tonaholic]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

Through the bridge pu I'm looking for something I can cross from hard rock to all out metal. Love stuff from Page, Iommi, Scott Ian and most recently Josh Homme.

As far as the neck pu I'd just like something with more output to balance better with the bridge humbucker.

Playing through a Mesa Boogie DC-5 head. Mesa 2x12 metal grill cab. Occasional Morley wah and a chorus through the loop for clean.

Honestly, I'm not totally sure of the body wood. I've tried some research and nothing concrete. Lots on the LTD newer neck through models but not the older II MIJ models. Judging by weight and it's leaning towards being a tele I'd guess ash or more likely alder. Has one big chip in the finish and the wood is quite light colored.

Given that you're referencing a JB as a target with a different EQ, probably a good idea to look at other high output pickups like the Custom series or maybe the distortion for the bridge.

 

[CTN]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

Some research suggests it's probably an alder body.

I don't have experience with Duncan tele pickups, but for the bridge pickup, a Duncan Custom or Custom Custom might be what you're looking for. Moderate to high output, and a very versatile, classic sound. The Duncan Custom would probably be more suited for the heavier stuff, but that's not to say that the Custom Custom can't also pull it off, especially with your rig.

on second thought...if the JB was too muddy, you might find the same in the Custom Custom. Check out the Duncan Custom.

You could also try a higher value pot for the JB to help brighten it up a bit.

 

[jpistolas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

Alder was always my first guess. Simply from having alder teles and strats in the past.

The Custom is sounding like a good suggestion. I had a Custom Custom in another guitar and didn't care for it. Any thoughts on a 59/Custom Hybrid for the bridge? I've read when it's tapped it sounds good as well.

 

[CTN]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

I don't have any experience with the '59/C hybrid, but it's definitely a strong contender as well... very versatile, and yeah, if you split it to the custom coil, it should give you a nice strong single-coil sound.

probably a bit less output than a straight up Custom, but just as versatile.

 

[m4nd1ng4]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

Alder was always my first guess. Simply from having alder teles and strats in the past.

The Custom is sounding like a good suggestion. I had a Custom Custom in another guitar and didn't care for it. Any thoughts on a 59/Custom Hybrid for the bridge? I've read when it's tapped it sounds good as well.

Hi, i have both the Duncan Custom (SH-5) and the Duncan Distortion (SH-6) in different solid body guitars with bolt on neck, (a bich and a virgin, both bc rich respectively) i can tell you each guitar has its own sound but considering their biggest difference is the pickups, i can tell you the Distortion pickup has a very clear and loud sound, distorts very well with the gear i've used in the last 8 years or so..., the Duncan Custom is also a loud pickup but it sure has a smoother tone, distorts very nice but is more Rock - Heavy Rock oriented, while the SH-6 is all Heavy-Rock / Metal, not that you cant do a blues-rock with a sh-6 but you'll prefer a sh-5 for estrictly "versatility".

As far as rock humbuckers thats what i can tell, never used a JB, hope that helps.

 

[jpistolas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

I don't have any experience with the '59/C hybrid, but it's definitely a strong contender as well... very versatile, and yeah, if you split it to the custom coil, it should give you a nice strong single-coil sound.

probably a bit less output than a straight up Custom, but just as versatile.

The ability to have a strong single sound in that particular guitar is something I can see enjoying. I currently don't own a real tele and being able to coax some tele type sounds would be great.

Also, should I be looking into a F spaced humbucker? It's not a strat obviously but I've read tele strings line up better with F spaced humbuckers better than standard spaced.

 

[CTN]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

yup, fender-style bridges require trembuckers/F-spacing.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

I'm thinking El Diablo.

 

[jpistolas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

I'm thinking El Diablo.

Excellent suggestion! If Iommi and Ian used them they're more than good enough for me. Aren't they custom shop order only? I'm looking more into off the shelf and preferably used. Custom shop stuff is a bit out of my range right now.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

I'll second the Diablo.....every now and again they come up used....maybe keep an eye out for a used Gibson Iommi, not exactly the same pup but would be a good fit for that axe IMO...... Maybe a Diablo with a Quarter Pounder in the neck perhaps....

 

[jpistolas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

yup, fender-style bridges require trembuckers/F-spacing.

The JB that was in the ESP originally was a standard spaced model. Could this have contributed any to the muddier tone? Considering giving the TB-4 a try.

 

[jpistolas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

I'll second the Diablo.....every now and again they come up used....maybe keep an eye out for a used Gibson Iommi, not exactly the same pup but would be a good fit for that axe IMO...... Maybe a Diablo with a Quarter Pounder in the neck perhaps....

I've been reading some on the Quarter Pounder. It does sound like a good match to go with a high output bridge HB.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

Never used the QP tele neck, but if it goes with the bridge QP it would probably be really cool with a diablo.

 

[jpistolas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

Just an update. Got my hands on a f spaced super distortion. Going to give it a try.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

The difference between standard-spaced and f-spaced won't be enough to be giving you the issue you're suggesting. If you are used to the JB and the Super D doesn't work for you, how much have you worked with the height adjustment on the JB. Without getting into some of the models from the Custom Shop, I think the hybrid could be a nice option. Much more versatile than people expect, and does well with different wiring options.


Sent from my armored space station using Tapatalk on iPad

 

[jpistolas]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an early 90's ESP Hybrid II Bridge & Neck

Other than one of my Ibanez Artists I haven't had a Super D in a guitar in forever. Found a gread deal on an older one that will look dead on as this guitar has a road worn look but from it's long life. :smack: It'll look great in it. Falls right in with it's natural "relic" look.

Biting my lip waiting on it to arrive. I've missed playing that guitar.

If this doesn't work out I'm going TB-5 Custom.