Replacement pickup for a L500 L on a Washburn N4

[Coverdale]

Hey there!

I bought a 91 Washburn N4... I tried, but I can't like the L500 pickup because it's too bright.

I'm going for a Classic Rock(Zeppelin, Purple, Free)/80' Hard Rock(Whitesnake, Hardline, kind of sound.

My favourite tone (nowadays) is from Doug Aldrich, Neal Schon, Richie Kotzen(yeah I know he uses Teles)

The amp is an ENGL Blackmore, which is already quite bright. I also have a Silverface Princeton Reverb, but that's mostly for home playing and recording.

The pickup will mostly be used for rhythm playing, and a little tapping stuff.

A friend of mine suggested the Screaming Demon... would that be tamer on the bright side?

(oh, the n4 has a 59 on the neck)

Let's hear your suggestions

Thanks

 

[jeremy]

Re: Replacement pickup for a L500 L on a Washburn N4

the demon is a cool pup but i tend to think of it as a little bright, probably less so than the L500.
do you want a high output pup or will something more moderate work for you?

 

[Coverdale]

Re: Replacement pickup for a L500 L on a Washburn N4

Don't need something too hot...Just enough to balance with the 59.

I was going over (again) the samples and description, and now I was thinking about the Pearly Gates... but i'm open to suggestions from you guys!

 

[Dirt123]

Re: Replacement pickup for a L500 L on a Washburn N4

Well, I guess for classic rock tones, I'd start with a '59 bridge, and see if that has enough oomph.

I like the JB in a strat for classic tones, but not everybody likes that. I can cop a pretty good Blackmore tone.

Otherwise, you best bet might be to order an EVH from the custom shop. That should nail tones from Angus to Jimmy to Eddie.

 

[theodie]

Re: Replacement pickup for a L500 L on a Washburn N4

The L500L is designed to be used with a 250K pot. Make sure the guitar has 250K pots in it before changing pickups. A lower value pot is a bit warmer than a higher value pot. The 59 will not sound good in the neck with a 250K though.

My vote is a Custom, it should do the trick. BTW, if you think the L500L is bright, IMO the Demon is like an Ice pick stabbing you in the ear. Wouldnt be a good choice if you want a warmer pickup.

 

[SFW]

Re: Replacement pickup for a L500 L on a Washburn N4

Doung Aldrich, until recently, used Duncan Custom Customs in his guitars. SO I'd recoment either that or a JB.

 

[Coverdale]

Re: Replacement pickup for a L500 L on a Washburn N4

The Custom Custom seems cool too... I will have a friend buy the pickup this weekend, since he's going to the US and pickups are a bit cheaper there.

I already called Guitar Center Boston, but I'll have to give my friend a couple of options, just in case they don't have the one I want in stock.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Custom Custom or the Pearly Gates

I wanted a different pickup than the 59 I have on the neck, so the 59 bridge is out. The Jb has something about it (from clips I've heard) that I don't really like.