seeking insight on HBs for B.C. Rich/Kramer

[coleman]

Hello!
New member, first-time posting.

Let me first say, in all transparency, in no way, shape or form do I claim to have advanced technical knowledge of pickups or even guitars for that matter.
I've been playing on & off for around 25-30 years, just for fun. I've never felt like getting too "in the weeds" about all the gear tech details - just always played what I've had and enjoyed my time doing it.

However, I've recently acquired a new guitar and it's left me rethinking things a bit.

I've been playing a 1980's made in USA B.C.Rich ST 3 for as long as I've been playing.
The 2 single coils are DiMarzio's of some kind, not sure what. The HB has no identifiable markings that I've seen.
Generally, I don't have issues with the single coils, they sound nice to my ears on clean channels, perhaps a bit noisy in some situations, but not the end of the world.
I don't really have too many complaints with the HB - sometimes I wish it had a bit more sustain and... articulation i think would be the right description. Mostly sounds really good on dirty/distortion, but some notes get lost and or don't ring out as much as I'd like in certain situations

I recently acquired a 1988 Krammer Baretta 1 with an SD Invader.
Not 100% sure what i think of it just yet. I like it's mean & nasty church/chug... It "may" have a bit more sustain than the HB in the BCR, but it too seems to loose a bit in the middle and can sound a bit too dark on certain settings.

From what I understand the JB was widely used in the Kramers and it sounds like that may be a good option for this guitar... Without another pickup options or any tone control, whatever goes in this guitar needs to be a jack of all trades... Outside of the JB, what other ideas would be a good fit?

And since I can't stand my "main b**ch" to be outdone by the new kid - what options would you recommend for the BCR HB? I wouldn't want the SAME sound obviously, maybe something a bit heavier, but still with great all around sound.

Even though these 2 axes scream "80's Hair Bands" that's not exactly my tastes these days...while i do have fond memories of these times.
I play several different "styles" I like everything from sparkling clean little ditties to down and dirty crunchy-munchy punch.

Any ideas/suggestions greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Hsb]

Re: seeking insight on HBs for B.C. Rich/Kramer

Take a look at the custom family of SD pickups. The Custom or Custom 5 seems to be the way to go for most who like a jack of all trades pick up. Theres also alot of talk on here the Black Winter can do a large range of music, not just heavier stuff.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: seeking insight on HBs for B.C. Rich/Kramer

The ST-3's generally came with a DiMarzio DP-100 Super Distortion so it could be that because some aren't marked. Post up a pic and maybe we can help in that respect.

Kramers generally came with Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB's, SH-6 Distortion, SH-10 Full Shred, PATB-1 as stock equipment on most of their models and I might be forgetting one or two. The Baretta generally came with an SH-4 JB

To save some money and to get aquainted with soldering you can simply swap the humbuckers with each other and see what that does cause it's free and may solve your issues.

I had a 1988 USA ST-3 reverse headstock in green/blue/purple crackle last summer and it came with a Super Distortion but I didn't like it so much so I went thru a few pickups ultimately ending up with a shielded Bill/Becky Lawrence L500XL in it, but ultimately put it back to stock before selling it to my buddy.

At the moment I'm using Full Shreds in my Kramers and for me they work great and couldn't be happier but everyone's setup and ears are different.

 

[coleman]

Re: seeking insight on HBs for B.C. Rich/Kramer

Take a look at the custom family of SD pickups. The Custom or Custom 5 seems to be the way to go for most who like a jack of all trades pick up. Theres also alot of talk on here the Black Winter can do a large range of music, not just heavier stuff.

I'll look into the customs. I've heard of the Black Winters but assumed they were more on the heavy side - good to know they have more range.
Thanks!

 

[coleman]

Re: seeking insight on HBs for B.C. Rich/Kramer

The ST-3's generally came with a DiMarzio DP-100 Super Distortion so it could be that because some aren't marked. Post up a pic and maybe we can help in that respect.

Kramers generally came with Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB's, SH-6 Distortion, SH-10 Full Shred, PATB-1 as stock equipment on most of their models and I might be forgetting one or two. The Baretta generally came with an SH-4 JB

To save some money and to get aquainted with soldering you can simply swap the humbuckers with each other and see what that does cause it's free and may solve your issues.

I had a 1988 USA ST-3 reverse headstock in green/blue/purple crackle last summer and it came with a Super Distortion but I didn't like it so much so I went thru a few pickups ultimately ending up with a shielded Bill/Becky Lawrence L500XL in it, but ultimately put it back to stock before selling it to my buddy.

At the moment I'm using Full Shreds in my Kramers and for me they work great and couldn't be happier but everyone's setup and ears are different.

Yeah, I thought about just swapping. Probably the best way to start, especially to get some practice with wiring/soldering...
Just curious what advantages the Full Shred has over the JB in your opinion. I'm not bias in any way, just seems I keep hearing about the JB. Definitely wanting some different points of view.

Impressive line up of Kramers BTW!
Really digging mine so far. I was hoping to find a Pacer Deluxe or Imperial, but came across this Beretta at a good price and couldn't pass it up. The market for these seems a bit crazy right now, felt like I had to act or risk never being able to find another American version within reason.

 

[Aceman]

Re: seeking insight on HBs for B.C. Rich/Kramer

I'd like to know what amp and fx you you are playing, or if these are for live or just at home. But - let's don't wait for that!


Here are my suggestions:

For the BC: Get a Custom/59 hybrid. Middle of the road hotness, with the ability to rely on the tone of that 59 coil to clean up or the Custom coil to get loud. Great range of performance! Nice tight bottom, cutting highs. Definitely more articulate than the (likely) SuperD in there now.

For the Kramer: Consider either of these;
1. Get a Custom Custom. Great pup for a Floyded Superstrat. Think VH 1984. Great even response in there, nice mids. Again, not too hot.

2. Try a Screaming' Demon. A PAF style capable of way more than George Lynch styles. Not at all mega hot, definitely articulate, and very flexible IMO.

 

[coleman]

Re: seeking insight on HBs for B.C. Rich/Kramer

I'd like to know what amp and fx you you are playing, or if these are for live or just at home. But - let's don't wait for that!


Here are my suggestions:

For the BC: Get a Custom/59 hybrid. Middle of the road hotness, with the ability to rely on the tone of that 59 coil to clean up or the Custom coil to get loud. Great range of performance! Nice tight bottom, cutting highs. Definitely more articulate than the (likely) SuperD in there now.

For the Kramer: Consider either of these;
1. Get a Custom Custom. Great pup for a Floyded Superstrat. Think VH 1984. Great even response in there, nice mids. Again, not too hot.

2. Try a Screaming' Demon. A PAF style capable of way more than George Lynch styles. Not at all mega hot, definitely articulate, and very flexible IMO.

I've been playing a Cyber Twin for a long, long time... I like that it has a wide variety of "amp models" and various fx w/o having all the pedals and cords running everywhere.
...and I'm just a home player. Once upon a time i recorded some of my more inspirational moments, but haven't in some time. Keep saying I'll do it again, but just don't ever seem to have the time/motivation. Funny how those 2 rarely show up at the same time and place these days.
It's not crucial for me to get the "perfect" pickup or anything... Just looking for something to put a smile on my face.

The more I think about it the more I think I want the Kramer to be a true 80's rocker anyway, so maybe something like the Custom Custom you mention could be perfect: EVH? Yes Please!
I was listening to a post form the SD blog - it was from a while back.. but it had the tracks of the same PU (not sure which off hand) with different magnets playing the same riff. To my surprise the Alnico 2 sounded the best to my ears. Just seemed to have the best articulation of the bunch - to me. I see Custom Custom has A 2's, so that could be a good choice...

As for the B.C. Rich, I'm thinking about slapping the Invader in it... the more I play it in the Beretta the more I like it. But it does seem limited in being the only PU with no tone control. In the BCR I have 2 single coils for cleaner/brighter stuff...

Thanks for you input!