I have this Hamer Explorer Xt series guitar laying in my case for a year or two... i somehow deicide to bring that guitar in action again. body is maple, with korina top, neck is also maple, but with rosewood fingerboard. the guitar, i think is in pretty good condition. however i wanted to tune it down to c standard, to play some riffs, in the style of Kyuss, Electric Wizard, Acid Bath etc. and puts on Ernie Ball 12-56, to go to Drop A# sometimes.. the SD pickups that first come into my mind are: SH11 Custom Custom, or maybe SH5 Custom, but i am a little afraid that SH5 with ceramics will sound in this guitar to ice picky. but what about some EMG's ? what to look for to balance the brightness of that guitar ? are there so type of EMG's that go well with maple ? and which drive/boost pedals can make that guitar sound more warm, darker ? maybe EH Metal Muff ? fuzz pedals ?:scratchch
Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
- Thread starter Lux84
- Start date
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
Well, i don't really now. but i was thinking that would be less harsh if i tune it that low... so, which bridge pickup to suggest? SH5 Custom or EMG 85 ? or something else ? ps:. i have had very bad results with that guitar with stock designed sh6 distortions on bridge position. it was really annoying ice picky sound ( because guitar is made 80 % of maple + i have it in standard e when i buy it ) so i have pull them out and sell them ! plus i am planning to replace the SH5 Cusom bridge pickup in my les paul with SD 59 but all that in the future.. would be Custom in C Standard better than Distortion in E Standard ?
Well, i don't really now. but i was thinking that would be less harsh if i tune it that low... so, which bridge pickup to suggest? SH5 Custom or EMG 85 ? or something else ? ps:. i have had very bad results with that guitar with stock designed sh6 distortions on bridge position. it was really annoying ice picky sound ( because guitar is made 80 % of maple + i have it in standard e when i buy it ) so i have pull them out and sell them ! plus i am planning to replace the SH5 Cusom bridge pickup in my les paul with SD 59 but all that in the future.. would be Custom in C Standard better than Distortion in E Standard ?
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Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
A Custom in C standard will be much less ice-picky than a Distortion in E standard. But, each of those pups have ceramic magnets and THAT'S the main problem.
Both of those pups are great pups, but you have to do a little surgery to coax out the truly magnificent tone.
The Distortion with an A2 mag would sound super in your guitar. Also the CC would be a much better choice than the Custom. I was never impressed with the tone of the CC in any of my guitars, but you may like it. My favorite Custom is the C8 (any of the Customs with an A8 mag). The Dist. with an A8 is terrific but stil a bit bright. I've currently got a Dist. with A2 in my #2 guitar and it fits my tonal needs to a tee.
A Custom in C standard will be much less ice-picky than a Distortion in E standard. But, each of those pups have ceramic magnets and THAT'S the main problem.
Both of those pups are great pups, but you have to do a little surgery to coax out the truly magnificent tone.
The Distortion with an A2 mag would sound super in your guitar. Also the CC would be a much better choice than the Custom. I was never impressed with the tone of the CC in any of my guitars, but you may like it. My favorite Custom is the C8 (any of the Customs with an A8 mag). The Dist. with an A8 is terrific but stil a bit bright. I've currently got a Dist. with A2 in my #2 guitar and it fits my tonal needs to a tee.
vinta9e
New member
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
Active EMGs can be sick in maple. Sick as in roar and bite your head clean off!
I have not yet heard about a single successful attempt at taming an all-maple guitar. For that reason, I'd rather try to find an aggressive but balanced sound than work completely against the wood. If she wants to scream, let her scream loud and clear.
I think you should try active pickups first. Only if they fail, here's two more suggestions:
Someone swore by a JB loaded maple body as well. Lynch runs a Demon in his mostly maple bodied ESPs.
Active EMGs can be sick in maple. Sick as in roar and bite your head clean off!
I have not yet heard about a single successful attempt at taming an all-maple guitar. For that reason, I'd rather try to find an aggressive but balanced sound than work completely against the wood. If she wants to scream, let her scream loud and clear.
I think you should try active pickups first. Only if they fail, here's two more suggestions:
Someone swore by a JB loaded maple body as well. Lynch runs a Demon in his mostly maple bodied ESPs.
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
Active Blackouts can be sick in maple. Sick as in roar and bite your head clean off!
Active Blackouts can be sick in maple. Sick as in roar and bite your head clean off!
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
What would you want from a new pup beside a less ice picky sound? The first two pups that come to mind are either a Invader or a Alt 8 but those are both high output. Does high or low output matter to you?
What would you want from a new pup beside a less ice picky sound? The first two pups that come to mind are either a Invader or a Alt 8 but those are both high output. Does high or low output matter to you?
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
Among passives. The George Lynch Demon medium output pickup is known for working good in maple. The JB with 250k pots might work actually. The maple will tighten up the JB's low end. I finally installed a Tone Zone in my all maple guitar back in the day. It's still there. The Air Zone didn't exist yet. The Air Zone should be better than the TZ in maple though.
Among passives. The George Lynch Demon medium output pickup is known for working good in maple. The JB with 250k pots might work actually. The maple will tighten up the JB's low end. I finally installed a Tone Zone in my all maple guitar back in the day. It's still there. The Air Zone didn't exist yet. The Air Zone should be better than the TZ in maple though.
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
Jerry Cantrell seems to do well with his maple body/neck - ebony fretboard rampage with a JB or Motor City Afwayu. Definitely not ear-piercing.
And the harshness always associated with ceramics is not always the case. In the DD, there is a lot of mids and plenty of low end, just a bright pickup, but no ice pick and is easily tamed with an EQ knob. If you have a presence knob, turning that way down helps with ceramics.
You do not need to immediately throw in magnets without even trying the pickup yet. All new Seymour Duncan pickups have a generous 21 day exchange policy where you can swap pickups at no charge, but swapping the magnet will instantly void this.
A CC downtuned is going to be incredibly loose in the low end and usually is not recommended for anything below Eb or D standard.
Jerry Cantrell seems to do well with his maple body/neck - ebony fretboard rampage with a JB or Motor City Afwayu. Definitely not ear-piercing.
And the harshness always associated with ceramics is not always the case. In the DD, there is a lot of mids and plenty of low end, just a bright pickup, but no ice pick and is easily tamed with an EQ knob. If you have a presence knob, turning that way down helps with ceramics.
You do not need to immediately throw in magnets without even trying the pickup yet. All new Seymour Duncan pickups have a generous 21 day exchange policy where you can swap pickups at no charge, but swapping the magnet will instantly void this.
A CC downtuned is going to be incredibly loose in the low end and usually is not recommended for anything below Eb or D standard.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
Invader. Nothing else. Just my opinion.
Invader. Nothing else. Just my opinion.
DeanSweden
New member
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
EMG81 so you won't loose any clarity
EMG81 so you won't loose any clarity
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
Totally agree with the Rampage & JB. I have one of the import tribute models with the stock A5 poor mans JB and it sounds great! Nothing icy about it. To my ears and through my rig it sounds quite warm. Granted, the stock A5 JB clone isn't wound as hot as a real JB. It's a little shy of 14k and a real JB is 16-17k.
Totally agree with the Rampage & JB. I have one of the import tribute models with the stock A5 poor mans JB and it sounds great! Nothing icy about it. To my ears and through my rig it sounds quite warm. Granted, the stock A5 JB clone isn't wound as hot as a real JB. It's a little shy of 14k and a real JB is 16-17k.
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
So, today i was cleaning my living room, and behind the couch i found that guitar in hard case, and first i did i put it out, and it really looks awesome..
so i am thinking again about puting some pickups in it.. there are basically two tunings to chose, and that's E Flat, and Cis Standard.
But since i have as my main amp there JCM 800 2204, which is already the bright amp, i have some thoughts on it. yeah, i am thinking too much. But i would like to know, all that pickups you people mentioned have very strong mids: Invader, Tone Zone, or even JB. What you think about some SD Alnico 2 Pro pickups on both positions ? And if i choose Invader and put the guitar in Cis Standard or even C would you think it should sound warmer than if i put Alnico Pro on bridge and tune it to E Flat ? What's about maple wood frequencies, i already know that it has really hi end, and a bit loose low end, but i don't know about mids, is that wood already heavy on mid frequencies, or the opposite from that ? i definately need a good low end, not too much mids, and smooth highs.. as the neck pickup goes, i would rather choose Alnico Pro than some Pearly Gates. i don't care about distortion that much, because the JCM was modded and alreafy have the tones of distortion, even if it's not boosted sometimes. i would like to play some Sabbbath tunes in Cis Standard, Master of reality and that stuff. i would also like to play in that tuning direction like some doom/stoner bands like Kyuss, Acid Bath, Electric Wizard, Mastodon, Monster Magnet, and then also some heavier stuff like Crowbar, Down, Corrrosion Of Conformity, and some heavy fuzzy stuff.
So, here's the main question: what do you guys think about Invader on bridge and Alnico Pro in the neck in that particular guitar in the c tuning and with JCM 800 2204 Hottroded amp. and what do you think about the mid question and about Alnico Pros on both positions in the E Flat tuning ?
The speakers i choose for that amp are four G12H30 Annies in my Marshall 1960 Angled Cabinet and they started to break in and sounds amazing.
I also got the MXR 10 Band EQ in the active fx loop.
Oh, and i forgot to mention, if i tune that guitar in E Flat i would like to play stuff like Guns'N' Roses, Kiss, Slayer etc.
So what do you guys think about the both directions ?
So, today i was cleaning my living room, and behind the couch i found that guitar in hard case, and first i did i put it out, and it really looks awesome..
so i am thinking again about puting some pickups in it.. there are basically two tunings to chose, and that's E Flat, and Cis Standard.
But since i have as my main amp there JCM 800 2204, which is already the bright amp, i have some thoughts on it. yeah, i am thinking too much. But i would like to know, all that pickups you people mentioned have very strong mids: Invader, Tone Zone, or even JB. What you think about some SD Alnico 2 Pro pickups on both positions ? And if i choose Invader and put the guitar in Cis Standard or even C would you think it should sound warmer than if i put Alnico Pro on bridge and tune it to E Flat ? What's about maple wood frequencies, i already know that it has really hi end, and a bit loose low end, but i don't know about mids, is that wood already heavy on mid frequencies, or the opposite from that ? i definately need a good low end, not too much mids, and smooth highs.. as the neck pickup goes, i would rather choose Alnico Pro than some Pearly Gates. i don't care about distortion that much, because the JCM was modded and alreafy have the tones of distortion, even if it's not boosted sometimes. i would like to play some Sabbbath tunes in Cis Standard, Master of reality and that stuff. i would also like to play in that tuning direction like some doom/stoner bands like Kyuss, Acid Bath, Electric Wizard, Mastodon, Monster Magnet, and then also some heavier stuff like Crowbar, Down, Corrrosion Of Conformity, and some heavy fuzzy stuff.
So, here's the main question: what do you guys think about Invader on bridge and Alnico Pro in the neck in that particular guitar in the c tuning and with JCM 800 2204 Hottroded amp. and what do you think about the mid question and about Alnico Pros on both positions in the E Flat tuning ?
The speakers i choose for that amp are four G12H30 Annies in my Marshall 1960 Angled Cabinet and they started to break in and sounds amazing.
I also got the MXR 10 Band EQ in the active fx loop.
Oh, and i forgot to mention, if i tune that guitar in E Flat i would like to play stuff like Guns'N' Roses, Kiss, Slayer etc.
So what do you guys think about the both directions ?
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Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
For the Eb guitar, a Custom Custom first choice, or second choice a JB, should work very well. The neck could be either a Pearly Gates or an Alnico II Pro. For the C standard guitar a standard Custom, Invader, or Black Winter in the bridge should do it. The Distortion and Black Winter neck models should also work well in the neck.
For the Eb guitar, a Custom Custom first choice, or second choice a JB, should work very well. The neck could be either a Pearly Gates or an Alnico II Pro. For the C standard guitar a standard Custom, Invader, or Black Winter in the bridge should do it. The Distortion and Black Winter neck models should also work well in the neck.
daan
New member
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
I have an 80's neck-thru guitar, maple neck and "soft maple" body. I have a set of Hot Rails in it and it sounds great. It did have SSL-something (whatever the vintage sounding SD Strat singles are called, it's been A few years) and those were too bright. For me anyway. You could always do lower-number pots (250's with HB's) which can help. Although I gotta say, it's easier to darken down a bright guitar at the amp, than try to brighten up an overly dark guitar....
Sent from my butt using last night's tacos
I have an 80's neck-thru guitar, maple neck and "soft maple" body. I have a set of Hot Rails in it and it sounds great. It did have SSL-something (whatever the vintage sounding SD Strat singles are called, it's been A few years) and those were too bright. For me anyway. You could always do lower-number pots (250's with HB's) which can help. Although I gotta say, it's easier to darken down a bright guitar at the amp, than try to brighten up an overly dark guitar....
Sent from my butt using last night's tacos
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
JB totally
JB totally
Re: Pickups suggestions for maple body guitar
I think i am gonna go with Tone Zone for the bridge... what do you guys think about Tone Zone for lower tunings ? is it good for low tunings like C Standard ? i decided to tune that guitar down to C. here s another question, which gauge of strings should be ok for me in C Standard, if i have on my Les Paul which is tuned to standard E 10-48 strings ?
I think i am gonna go with Tone Zone for the bridge... what do you guys think about Tone Zone for lower tunings ? is it good for low tunings like C Standard ? i decided to tune that guitar down to C. here s another question, which gauge of strings should be ok for me in C Standard, if i have on my Les Paul which is tuned to standard E 10-48 strings ?
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