Adrian R
New member
Hi Guyz!
I am new to this forum, and this is my first post. Just wanted to share some of my first impressions after installing a new SD SH-15 in my Gibson Flying V. Let me preface this by saying I have installed roughly four different pickups in this unusually dark sounding axe in an attempt to liven it's tone.
The stock bridge pickup was the Gibson 500t. As with most ceramic equipped pickups, I didn't like it's cold nature, although liking it's output. I have had great success installing Dimarzio Tone Zone's (DP-155) in other guitars, and tried it in this particular guitar, and just never could quite get it dialed in to my liking. I tried EVERYTHING with that pickup...as I love the sound of the Alnico V magnet..and it's output, but could just never attain the higher frequencies I desired from this guitar. I then tried an SH-5 and this brightened the guitar's tone, but again, for my ears, had that scratchy, cold ceramic tone. I was then going to try the SH-6 (hard rock/metal player), but decided against it due to it's ceramic magnet.
I then read about the new 'Alternative 8', a pickup that employed the usage of the Alnico 8 magnet.
After installing it, and playing just through my small Marshall practice amp, I was completely astonished by it's performance! This pickup has GOT THE GOODS for this specific guitar. It's very ballsy, good output, great pinch harmonics, yet has that Alnico vintage voice that I crave! It almost reminds me of a GOOD sounding active EMG pickup...and completely compliments the Gibson while still allowing you to *hear* the guitar's wood. Or I could say it sounds like a higher powered version of Gibson's 498t (which I LOVE) Additionally, no pole piece, or height adjustments were required to dial it in..it sounded great right out of the box. Can't wait until tomorrow for band practice in where I can test it with my real Marshall amp and band...
So far I would recommend this pickup to anyone who has a darker sounding guitar needing some brightness, yet at the same time for those who love vintage guitar voices with balls!
I am new to this forum, and this is my first post. Just wanted to share some of my first impressions after installing a new SD SH-15 in my Gibson Flying V. Let me preface this by saying I have installed roughly four different pickups in this unusually dark sounding axe in an attempt to liven it's tone.
The stock bridge pickup was the Gibson 500t. As with most ceramic equipped pickups, I didn't like it's cold nature, although liking it's output. I have had great success installing Dimarzio Tone Zone's (DP-155) in other guitars, and tried it in this particular guitar, and just never could quite get it dialed in to my liking. I tried EVERYTHING with that pickup...as I love the sound of the Alnico V magnet..and it's output, but could just never attain the higher frequencies I desired from this guitar. I then tried an SH-5 and this brightened the guitar's tone, but again, for my ears, had that scratchy, cold ceramic tone. I was then going to try the SH-6 (hard rock/metal player), but decided against it due to it's ceramic magnet.
I then read about the new 'Alternative 8', a pickup that employed the usage of the Alnico 8 magnet.
After installing it, and playing just through my small Marshall practice amp, I was completely astonished by it's performance! This pickup has GOT THE GOODS for this specific guitar. It's very ballsy, good output, great pinch harmonics, yet has that Alnico vintage voice that I crave! It almost reminds me of a GOOD sounding active EMG pickup...and completely compliments the Gibson while still allowing you to *hear* the guitar's wood. Or I could say it sounds like a higher powered version of Gibson's 498t (which I LOVE) Additionally, no pole piece, or height adjustments were required to dial it in..it sounded great right out of the box. Can't wait until tomorrow for band practice in where I can test it with my real Marshall amp and band...
So far I would recommend this pickup to anyone who has a darker sounding guitar needing some brightness, yet at the same time for those who love vintage guitar voices with balls!
