Pickups for a Semi-Hollow Schecter

[GuitarDreamer131]

Looking to put new pups in my C-1 EA semi hollow...

I've been thinking of going with a Seth Lover Neck and a Custom 5 in the bridge.

I'm mainly looking to play jazzy clean stuff for chord melody with the neck pickup, and I wanted a little bit hotter bridge sound that is tight on the bottom and softer on top.

Will these two match well?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups for a Semi-Hollow Schecter

PAF's of any kind work well in the neck slot. They retain clarity & definition. One of the most common pairings with a C5 is a '59N. The C5, however, is not soft on top. To get that from that PU you need either two 250K pots or an A8 magnet (making it a C8).

 

[GuitarDreamer131]

Re: Pickups for a Semi-Hollow Schecter

thanks blueman, I appreciate the reply.

I've tried a few different bridge pups in one of my other guitars (solid/alder body ibanez) and the first one I tried (the Custom 5) was always my favorite. It was clear and open, and sort of had a vintage and modern sound at the same time. It was tight on the bottom end and soft on the top end.

That's why I figured I might try it first in this guitar, because I liked it's overall character a lot. I figured since it's a mahogany guitar, it's gonna be warm, and the extra brightness of the pickup shouldn't be a problem.

Also, a little side note...I tend to like to turn the treble down and the mids up on amps I play more then most people. I don't necessarily like it muddy, but I don't like a bright/crisp sound. I like more of a rounder, smoother sound when it comes to my highs. So having the extra highs from the pickup to me tends to balance it out, if that makes sense.

I'm not opposed to trying something else either. It was just my first guess.

What else would you recommend? Also, based on what I said (with turning down the treble and mids up on the amps I play), would there be a better neck pickup for me? Thanks again for the help!

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups for a Semi-Hollow Schecter

I do the same thing on my amps, have the mids set higher than the treble. I get a full, rich tone that cuts thru on stage much better than brighter guitars. Has a lot of punch to it. I can't stand bright, thin tones for solos.

For the neck, the PGN is one of the most loved PU's on this forum. To me, Gibson neck PAF's with A2's (490R, '57, BB) need A5's to get enough clarity for my tastes (and then they sound very good). Like some guys here, I find the JazzN to be bland and kind of lame. My favorite neck PU is a '59N. It always sounds good. You can get one cheaper than a Seth, especially a used '59.

In a warm guitar (335 or LP) I like a '59B, Fred (medium output), and 498T, along with a C5 & C8. If a bridge PU turns out to be too bright, a 250K or two will take care of that. JB's are very hit or miss depending on how they react to the wood, and disappoint a lot of players. I play blues & classic rock, and don't like any ceramic PU in the bridge slot. They just don't have that alnico color and character. I have the Fred in an LP and like it a lot. I use C5's and 498T's interchangeably.