Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

[bullo]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum. I would like your opinion on this:

I have a Godin Guitar with Hum-single-hum configuration. I Bought a Sustainiac sustainer (www.sustainiac.com). The sustainer works as an active pickup when off. According to the manufacturer, the sound is similar to a ’59 (neck).
I wanted to replace middle and bridge pick up too.

For the bridge, I already bought a Duncan JB model (sh-4), since it is supposed to be a good match for the '59 pickup (is it?).

The question:

What good Duncan pickup could it be good for the middle position?
Sonically, I would put a regular single coil, since I like the classic 'quack' sound of the middle/ bridge or any combination with the Mid. But I will buy a “single coil humbucker”: I simply do not want any hum.
The JB model (sh-4) is a High Output pickup. So, for the middle, should I go with a High output too, like the Hot Rails for Strat? What could balance with my existing pickups? Would it be too much? Should I have a moderate output pickup as the Duckbucker SDBR-1?

I would appreciate any comment on this matter.

Best regards,

Danny Bullo
:thanks:

 

[bullo]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

anyone can answer please?


I would really appreciate it.

thanxs

Danny Bullo

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

I don't think many people here own sustainers. Middle position pickups are often the least popular and most people want to use it in conjunction with another position. The duckbucker would be useful if you like notch positions 2/4. Keep in mind though that with a h/s/h configuration the 2/4 positions are going to be a compromise and maybe not as distinctive as a strat.

A lot of people want to try and make the middle position more usefull by putting a high output type there but usually it just ends up too dark. I would also consider a JB jr neck, HS3 or Little Screamin Demon neck for the middle position. I think the combo of the JB jr and the sustainer would be sweet.

 

[wickenspoet]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

I don't know how it would sound in a Godin, but I'm about to put a Sustainiac in the neck of my mahogany Jackson SLSMG, a PATB-1 in the bridge, and if it had a single coil middle position... probably the PATB Stack pickup.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

Ummm, in regards to the whole '59 neck thing...yeah it's sorta there, but really, a Sustainiac pickup has it's own sound, enough difference from a 59 that would easily notice.
I like the sound of the Sustainiac pickup, but if you honestly expect it to sound very similar to a '59 neck, you will be a little disappointed. Take it for it actually is, and you'll learn to love it.
I've played the single coil sized stack version, and I assume, the humbucking sized one, has the sustainaic function in one coil and the actual pickup for when the sustainiac is set to off in another. That obviously gives it more attack and a more stinging single coily vibe than a true full size 'bucker.
In short, it's in the ballpark of a '59, but it's got enough characteristics of it's own too.

 

[brrmich]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

I built a Squire for my son with a Sustainiac in the neck, Duckbucker in the middle and Cool Rail in the bridge. Currently have different pick up on order for the bridge but the Duckbucker is a cool sounding pickup. A little bit of twang. Little darker than the Fender Texas but sounds good. The Sustainiac turns off all pickups and only uses the bridge and of course the neck driver while in use so it will not use the 'bucker during sustain. When used as a pick up the sustainer sounds good mixed with the 'bucker. The sustainer can also be wired to a switch to increase the output and sound more like a humbucker.

 

[brrmich]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

Oh, another thing... I split the Duckbucker and got what to me was a surprise. You get top three or bottom three strings. Placed a "middle on" pot on that and had some interesting possibilities. Click on the bridge pup and blend in some duckbucker high 3, you had some deep growl from the bridge but interesting highs dialed in to the level you want on the split 'bucker. Same only opposite sound when splitting to the low 3 and use with the neck pu.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

The Sustainiac turns off all pickups and only uses the bridge and of course the neck driver while in use so it will not use the 'bucker during sustain.

So the sustainer system only uses the bridge pickup and not positions 2/3/4 on the switch?

 

[brrmich]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

While in sustain or active mode it only uses the bridge pickup no matter where the pick up selector is. Once you switch off the sustainer the neck changes from sustain to regular pick up and the switch works as normal. You also have to use the two farthest pickup positions because of potential feedback on the three pick up style. Much more info can be had by e-mailing the sustainiac website. They are very helpful... and yes, I paid full price and am not an employee. Good people need a positive plug now and then. Look on youtube for examples of what it can do. In the right hands it can make a guitar scream until the batteries run out.

 

[brrmich]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

A good example of a few songs it works perfect on would be the beginning of "That Smell" and "War Pigs"

 

[bullo]

Re: Recommended pickup for Sustainer.

Thank you all for sharing the info!

BTW, i have the sustainiac in a 'humbuck' style. It is actually the same as the single coil:

1) The second 'coil' is dummy.

2) When you buy you specify the company if you want a hum sound or a single coil. They give you the corresponding circuit board for your choice.

I think you can still route more switches/ports and get both 'emulation' sounds (single and double/'59ish)

Danny