Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

F

ferrinbonn

New member
Hi all. I'm starting to think about doing a partscaster and would like some ideas. It's going to be a HH alder tele body, roasted maple neck, 2 vol, 2 tone, 3 way switch, and two push/pulls for coil splits.

The rest of my stable is a LP Classic with Slash pickups, PRS McCarty with 59/Custom hybrid bridge and A2P in the neck, and a HSS Strat with a 59 bridge. I play thru a Friedman Runt 50 with V30 speakers.

I mainly play lead and do mostly rock, classic rock through alternative mostly with some blues and some more modern stuff mixed in.

I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what I'd get from most of Duncan's more vintage style offerings, but I'm not as clear on the newer stuff that has different types of sound clips. The Perpetual Burn and Pegasus look intriguing on paper but I don't play the types of music that all of the demos tend to show. I've used a SH-5 Custom in the past which I liked quite a bit, although the cleans weren't my favorite (but I almost always play dirty on the bridge).

So for this build I want something versatile, that split well, and that don't overlap too much with my other guitars. Ideas?
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Not to sound sarcastic, but maybe consider another brand for this one? Duncans, Dimarzios, etc. tend to have certain characteristics within their lines. Perhaps the 36th PAF from Dimarzio?

I have a Super Distortion in an alder body, maple/rosewood neck partscaster right now that I like, but it seems like you gravitate to a bit lower output?
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

I don't think that sounds sarcastic at all. I just don't have as much experience with DiMarzio and find them harder to compare. I like the consistent sound clips on the Duncan site since it allows me to hear the apples to apples comparisons.

I had an Air Zone for a while in a PRS CE24 that I didn't really bond with. It had almost no treble. Might have been great in a different guitar, but it didn't do it for me. I have Area Ts in a Telecaster and I like them a lot. So I'd certainly be open to other brands. I'd say in general though that a lot of the guys that endorse DiMarzio (Collen, Petrucci, Vai, Satriani) aren't necessarily my style.

I know the Super D is a classic though. Do you find it to be versatile, or more of a one-trick pony? I tend to think of it for hair metal with a LP.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Based on what you already have...go for something with some kick...Duncan Invader B + DiMarzio HB from Hell neck...just finished a Strat HSH partscaster with that combo and am really digging going outside of my comfort zone...
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Why separate vol/tones over a master of each?

For a "do everything" set that will sound good split, you could do a JB/Jazz set, WLH set, or even a Custom 5/Jazz combo.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Ayrton said:
Why separate vol/tones over a master of each?

For a "do everything" set that will sound good split, you could do a JB/Jazz set, WLH set, or even a Custom 5/Jazz combo.
Click to expand...

I like being able to adjust them separately for each pickup. I can have one volume rolled back and one on full to quickly switch between clean and dirty, or I can have one tone rolled off and the other on full and quickly switch between the two. I like that control layout from playing LPs.

I've definitely been thinking about a Jazz neck. I've heard it's very bright though and I wasn't sure if it would be overkill in with a maple neck and alder body. I'll have to think about the JB and Custom 5 options. Both are pretty mid heavy, huh?
 
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Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

justFred said:
Based on what you already have...go for something with some kick...Duncan Invader B + DiMarzio HB from Hell neck...just finished a Strat HSH partscaster with that combo and am really digging going outside of my comfort zone...
Click to expand...

Go big or go home, right? :1:
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

If you didn't like the cleans on the SH-5 Custom, I wouldn't bet on your liking a Super Distortion more, if you want versatility. If you want a gonzo metal flamethrower, or even just a heavier rock pickup (not that that is all the Super Distortion can do, Al Di Meola was using them in the 70s!), there's plenty of Duncan options I'd pick before the Super Distortion or Invader.

Might consider Saturday Night Specials, or Whole Lotta Humbuckers, if you want something a bit hotter than typical vintage, without being overpowering. SNS are pretty much instant 70s arena rock tones, WLH is similar to a warmer, hotter '59 set.

If you are interested in something a bit more rock to hard rock leaning, but still versatile, JB/Jazz might do what you want, or Custom 5 in the bridge. If Custom 5 is too bright, swap the A5 magnet for Unoriented A5. Magnet swaps are a great way of bringing the upper mids of the JB under better control, as well, if it doesn't sit right in the guitar.

Separate volumes and tones have some benefits. There's some neck + bridge combination tones you get from rolling off neck volume to 60-70%, and bridge volume and tone to 70-80%, that are just unreal in some guitars. Being able to switch from an Angus Young bridge tone to an almost acoustic-like middle position to a fat but not dark neck tone is pretty nice in an SG. Not so nice rolling neck volume too far and having the combined pickups completely drop out, though. Tradeoffs...
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

ferrinbonn said:
DiMarzio (Collen, Petrucci, Vai, Satriani) aren't necessarily my style.

I know the Super D is a classic though. Do you find it to be versatile, or more of a one-trick pony? I tend to think of it for hair metal with a LP.
Click to expand...

I don't care for any of those players either!
I do actually find the Super D very versatile but it is probably not bright enough for your taste. Maybe a PAF Pro or the 36th Anniversary PAF? Or go crazy and try a Super 2.

I did not mean you need to get a Dimarzio, just that "something different" might be best served by trying a different brand. I have had good luck with small independent pickup winders. Vineham is very reasonably priced because he's in Canada, Higher Order (?) is nicely priced, and a guy I found on eBay whose name I cannot remember. And everyone on this forum raves about Zhangbucker. You tell them what you want and they build it for you. Most will even modify it to better suit you once you try it if it is not quite what you hoped for the first time.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

I’m thinking Custom Custom/AP2 set...?
I love the alnico 2 in the neck for killer bluesy tones and the CC is a great rock pickup which splits very well.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Go big! The Black Winter neck and Pegasus bridge do a lot more than the descriptions lead you to believe. They sound great at all gain ranges, from dead clean to metal.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

ferrinbonn said:
Hi all. I'm starting to think about doing a partscaster and would like some ideas. It's going to be a HH alder tele body, roasted maple neck, 2 vol, 2 tone, 3 way switch, and two push/pulls for coil splits.

The rest of my stable is a LP Classic with Slash pickups, PRS McCarty with 59/Custom hybrid bridge and A2P in the neck, and a HSS Strat with a 59 bridge. I play thru a Friedman Runt 50 with V30 speakers.

I mainly play lead and do mostly rock, classic rock through alternative mostly with some blues and some more modern stuff mixed in.

I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what I'd get from most of Duncan's more vintage style offerings, but I'm not as clear on the newer stuff that has different types of sound clips. The Perpetual Burn and Pegasus look intriguing on paper but I don't play the types of music that all of the demos tend to show. I've used a SH-5 Custom in the past which I liked quite a bit, although the cleans weren't my favorite (but I almost always play dirty on the bridge).

So for this build I want something versatile, that split well, and that don't overlap too much with my other guitars. Ideas?
Click to expand...
Have a couple set ups that may interest you.
Would suggest the Hybrid with a Sentient neck if you didn't have a Hybrid in your PRS. They balance very well but sounds like you may want a little more aggressive bridge pickup. One of the more interesting combos I have run was having an Alt 8 in the bridge on my Carvin DC 127 in KOA with a Sentient in the neck. I pulled the Alt for a Hybrid because of what I was using that particular guitar for. That said I really miss that combo IMO it's the JB/ Jazz set brought into the 21st century. Bigger bolder more defined and articulate than the JB/Jazz but still very smooth and sweet when you want it to be.
The other is the set up in my Carvin ST 300. Dimarzios and a really versatile big fat tone but also modern and very articulate and defined. Used the Alnico v pickup from 2 different sets the Liquifire neck from the Petrucci set and the Gravity Storm bridge from the Vai set. Super versatile set that while is a a little on the dark side can cover a lot of ground. Great cleans and split tones fat chewie blues tones and a big open brown sound tone with some articulate solo tones. Would likely be a really nice set in an alder body Tele with a maple neck as that combo would naturally be a little on the bright side from the woods
 
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Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Sounds like it may be a bright guitar, so choose something hotter than the vintage style pickups commomly used in LPs. Dimarzio Transition would probably work well in the bridge. There are other fine suggestions above.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Gtrjunior said:
I’m thinking Custom Custom/AP2 set...?
I love the alnico 2 in the neck for killer bluesy tones and the CC is a great rock pickup which splits very well.
Click to expand...

Mincer said:
Go big! The Black Winter neck and Pegasus bridge do a lot more than the descriptions lead you to believe. They sound great at all gain ranges, from dead clean to metal.
Click to expand...
I've seen you suggest these quite often on here and TGP. I don't think I'd want to go that hot on the neck, but I'm curious about the black winter and pegasus for the bridge. The demos out there are mostly limited to metal though. How would you describe and contrast these two? And how do they compare to the SH-5 Custom? I sold the guitar I had it in (PRS CE24) but I really liked it. It was great for that Marshall style crunch and it was hot without being over the top.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Ascension said:
Have a couple set ups that may interest you.
Would suggest the Hybrid with a Sentient neck if you didn't have a Hybrid in your PRS. They balance very well but sounds like you may want a little more aggressive bridge pickup. One of the more interesting combos I have run was having an Alt 8 in the bridge on my Carvin DC 127 in KOA with a Sentient in the neck. I pulled the Alt for a Hybrid because of what I was using that particular guitar for. That said I really miss that combo IMO it's the JB/ Jazz set brought into the 21st century. Bigger bolder more defined and articulate than the JB/Jazz but still very smooth and sweet when you want it to be.
The other is the set up in my Carvin ST 300. Dimarzios and a really versatile big fat tone but also modern and very articulate and defined. Used the Alnico v pickup from 2 different sets the Liquifire neck from the Petrucci set and the Gravity Storm bridge from the Vai set. Super versatile set that while is a a little on the dark side can cover a lot of ground. Great cleans and split tones fat chewie blues tones and a big open brown sound tone with some articulate solo tones. Would likely be a really nice set in an alder body Tele with a maple neck as that combo would naturally be a little on the bright side from the woods
Click to expand...

The Alt 8 is another one that has almost no demos out there that aren't metal. Can it sound decent with low gain?

How would you describe the Gravity Storm? After not getting along with the Air Zone I'm kind of spooked about going with anything that dark again.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

Gtrjunior said:
I’m thinking Custom Custom/AP2 set...?
I love the alnico 2 in the neck for killer bluesy tones and the CC is a great rock pickup which splits very well.
Click to expand...

I considered the CC in the past but I was worried it might be too honky with my amp. Friedmans have a lot of mids and so do V30s. It might work with this build though. I didn't think it was right for either of the PRS I was considering it for.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

ferrinbonn said:
I considered the CC in the past but I was worried it might be too honky with my amp. Friedmans have a lot of mids and so do V30s. It might work with this build though. I didn't think it was right for either of the PRS I was considering it for.
Click to expand...

Funny you mention the honk....
I play a Quickrod, which has a lot of mids too. And Scott Splawn actually recommended the CC to me a while back. I don’t use the V30 though but still, my rig has mids in spades. But I kinda like that.
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

ferrinbonn said:
I've seen you suggest these quite often on here and TGP. I don't think I'd want to go that hot on the neck, but I'm curious about the black winter and pegasus for the bridge. The demos out there are mostly limited to metal though. How would you describe and contrast these two? And how do they compare to the SH-5 Custom? I sold the guitar I had it in (PRS CE24) but I really liked it. It was great for that Marshall style crunch and it was hot without being over the top.
Click to expand...

I had a Pegasus in a 7 string guitar. Tonally, it sounds really good. Rich sounding and iirc pretty balanced high to low. I just wanted something with more output. It definitely falls into the medium output range.
I can’t compare it to the C5 as I’ve never tried one though
 
Re: Pickup suggestions for an upcoming partscaster

I would recommend going parallel instead of coil split, if you are going to have separate switches for each pickup. Then all your combinations would be noiseless.
 
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