SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

stephen78

New member
I'm looking for a versatile bridge pickup for my Gibson Explorer. I need something that can do everything from classic rock to metal. I was considering the SH-6, but after some research it sounds like it may be too aggressive. Then there is always the JB, which is versatile and I have tried before...but I want to go for something different this time.

I'll be playing in E standard through an Orange Dual Terror, with a Bad Monkey for a boost. I have an RS modern kit in the guitar with 500k pots. I currently have a Bare Knuckle Miracle Man in the bridge and it's tuned to C#, but I've decided to go a different route with this guitar.

For the metal side of things I'll be mainly playing Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, & Iron Maiden. For classic rock it will mainly be Led Zep, AC/DC, Sabbath, Skynyrd, etc. Will the SH-5 work in a thick mahogany guitar like an Explorer and meet my tone needs? Any other pickups that will work better? Thanks for any suggestions on advance.
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

I used a Sh-5 for about 3 years in an Explorer. It works great for that type of guitar.
Plus, if you get bored with it, just slap an A8 mag in it and bam, you got yourself a C8, and that's a beast in it's self. I still have my C8 in my Explorer.

Good luck in your search!
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

The SH-6 is more dead-on for old Metallica.

But the SH-5 is great, and more suited to the lower gain rock, without losing the tightness wanted for speed metal. Still a bit high output for AC/DC, but it's surprisingly dynamic for a ceramic pickup.

[It's also a great platform for magnet swapping, if you want to get into that. With an Unoriented A5 magnet, it'd be killer for classic rock and 70s metal, but less tight for thrash. If it's just too bright, you could try A8 to keep the beef but round off the highs.]
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

I used a Sh-5 for about 3 years in an Explorer. It works great for that type of guitar.
Plus, if you get bored with it, just slap an A8 mag in it and bam, you got yourself a C8, and that's a beast in it's self. I still have my C8 in my Explorer.

Good luck in your search!

Ditto!! Custom is great! C8 is more great! I have a C8/59b combon in my explorer. C8 just adds alittle more warmth and vibe
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

Some may disagree, but I think you can totally rock out the classics and the metal equally with an SH-5. It truly is the best of both worlds.
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

Some may disagree, but I think you can totally rock out the classics and the metal equally with an SH-5. It truly is the best of both worlds.

This. For my money, it doesn't get much better than a Custom, ceramic or not. I don't even know why I bother trying other stuff. I've had one in the bridge of my Hamer Korina Vector since soon after I bought it (59b/n combo and wanted some more muscle) and it worked out like a champ. I can do gutsy Mal AC/DC cowboy chords on it, no problem.
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

I really think you can't go wrong with the Custom. In the worst case scenario, you spent less than $10 and less than 15 minutes swapping out the magnets, and you have an entirely new pickup. I would imagine at LEAST one out of three members here with 4-digit post count have done it, and I don't think I've ever read a story of someone messing up a pickup trying. So SH-5, SH-11, SH-14, whatever. Pick one of those up.
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

you will be happiest with either the SH5 or C8..
SH5 as a stiffer feel but never gets too aggressive, just at that right amount of cocked foward but not the SH6 distortion amount of foward aggression. does this make sense?
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

Yes, it makes very good sense. That's pretty much what I'm looking for.

Thanks to everyone here for the quick replies. Great forum!
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

Had a a explorer in the mid/late 80s with an ebony board (and may have been an alder body-not sure, was a long time ago) I pulled the DF out of put in a SH5/59 combo. Worked very well in that guitar. I've since had the SH5 in other guitars and its either sounded awful or brilliant. Really depends on the individual guitar. In a Rosewood board explorer I'd be a bit hesitant to throw an SH5 in there, as with the low mid and mid focus of the explorer, and the low mid and mid focus SH5, it can get really muddy in the top end and bass. Mid overkill (kinda like a JB in a Les Paul)

Cannot hurt to try however, and if you do get that extreme mud in the mids/low mids, swapping to an A5 mag should even things out and still get that whallop the explorer is known for. Over the years I came to prefer a more PAF type EQ for Explorers personally- and I play alot of hard rock/classic metal.
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

Well I finally got the Custom installed in my Explorer, along with a Pearly Gates neck pickup. I am very happy with the results! The Custom is so versatile...it does classic rock very well, and it sounds great for metal. Thanks for the help everyone!

Oh and the Pearly Gates sounds great in neck...it has a lot of bite in my Explorer!
 
Re: SH-5 in a Gibson Explorer?

PG/Custom is what's in my Caddy. LOVE THEM!!!!

I was going to say if you will ever want to go up to metal, just get the Custom. You can always go C5 or C8 anytime for a few bucks.

PG/Custom is a tasty combo! It's like the heavier version of the 59/JB.
 
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