Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

sjturbo

New member
I could use some advice regarding a pickup swap I am considering. I have a Hamer Special with maple on mahogany. Stock it has a JB bridge and 59 neck. I have never cared much for the JB by itself. So can anyone give me some hands on opinion on how that might sound? BTW I play southern rock, 60's/70's rock, and blues. No metal and very little country. Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

With any more dynamic music like you mentioned, I would take the Hybrid all day long. If I was playing straight up 80s rock or metal, I'd go for the JB. But if I needed anything with dynamics, the Hybrid would win every time (for me).
 
Re: Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

Thanks Mincer, sounds like a good recommendation! I guess no one else can speak from experience.
 
Re: Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

I love the Hybrid. The JB is a great lead pickup, but IMO it only does the one thing well. Have never been able to get one to clean up very well using a guitar's volume knob. And the midrange that makes its lead tone so distinctive can become a liability for low-gain tones.

Hybrid is one of my favorite Duncans. Beautiful lead voice, good definition in chords. Cleans up beautifully, super versatile. Can sound vintage, can do modern also. And it splits well too.
 
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Re: Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

I have used the hybrid in an all hog Hamer that came with a JB. I much prefer the Hybrid. That hybrid is now in a Les Paul, doing great there!

I agree with the above posts re the Hybrid vs the JB. For me, the Hybrid a great all around humbucker. To my ears, it has more balance, although not everyone may want that characteristic.

I have it with a neck Jazz. Love the combo.
 
Re: Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

I'd sell the JB in a heartbeat and either use a '59/Custom hybrid with a warm magnet (UOA5 or A2), or one of the Custom variants. For what you're playing JB's aren't one of the best choices. Now, if you're were playing '80's hair metal...
 
Re: Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

If you haven't pulled the trigger yet there is also the Saturday Night Special.

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Re: Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

I'd sell the JB in a heartbeat and either use a '59/Custom hybrid with a warm magnet (UOA5 or A2), or one of the Custom variants. For what you're playing JB's aren't one of the best choices. Now, if you're were playing '80's hair metal...

A2 59/C is by far and away my favorite bridge pickup. If the 59/C is modern with a vintage twist, as they say in the advert, then the 59/C A2 is vintage with a modern twist. Added bonus is that it will sound like EVH with the right amount of distortion, no EQing needed.
 
Re: Please , Some advice needed, 59 Hybrid bridge and 59 neck.

What everyone else said,
I own two, one was a little extra wound (a JB coil) MJ (The Great Winder) called me and said she made the Hybrid with a 59/JB coil by accident so it is closer to 13k than 11.5 K, she said it was just as good and cleans up well. Just like my other Hybrid. So I tried it and I can't tell much diff between the two. I would fail a blindfold test.
So go 59/Custom, pull the trigger. You'll thank us all later. It does come special in parchment, I'f Zebra, Black or White doesn't suit your needs, but there is an up-charge for parchment, making it a special order. 170 bucks or so. Don't quote me, it was my price for what I wanted.
Steve Buffington
 
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