Single coil size pickup recommendation for a reissue melody maker

[icantbuyafender]

I'm open to suggestions, and I'd like to keep the single coil sound.

But I would rather it be beefier like a P-90 without the shrillness of a standard single coil.

Or should I just keep the stockers and throw a 250k tonepot rather than the 500 it has factory installed?

Note: I already have a pickguard wired and ready to accept a SD single, so all i need are some logical pics.

Im looking for P-90 beef or alnico 2 humbucker buttery-ness.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Single coil size pickup recommendation for a reissue melody maker

Before you modify it, consider trading it for one of the first MM reissues from the early/mid aughts. They are basically a Les Paul Jr. Jr. – A Jr. with a slightly thinner body and the MM headstock...but they have the benefit of having a TOM and tailpiece setup instead of a wraparound. And they are also very cheap. They were $400 when new, as opposed to $500 like the newer ones. I got mine for free along with my '04 LP Standard, and I love it so much that it has become one of my main guitars. I have played it much more than the Standard in the past seven years. IMO, it's up there with the best bangs for the buck ever made by Gibson.

A standard LP Jr. guard will fit perfectly if you don't like the bald look.

 

[icantbuyafender]

Re: Single coil size pickup recommendation for a reissue melody maker

I actually have that same exact model with a guard added!

Im reffering to my '59 reissue double pickup model from '07

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Single coil size pickup recommendation for a reissue melody maker

Maybe you could just have those bobbins rewound for higher output. Should run about $40 to $50 a piece, which would probably be less than "decent" pickups would cost. SD does make a MM pickup if my memory is correct; but it is also quite expensive as I recall. I am not sure if Strat pickup or similar will fit, but it is probably close. IF a Strat pickup will fit the hole, it opens up a world of possibilities.

 

[icantbuyafender]

Re: Single coil size pickup recommendation for a reissue melody maker

Maybe you could just have those bobbins rewound for higher output. Should run about $40 to $50 a piece, which would probably be less than "decent" pickups would cost. SD does make a MM pickup if my memory is correct; but it is also quite expensive as I recall. I am not sure if Strat pickup or similar will fit, but it is probably close. IF a Strat pickup will fit the hole, it opens up a world of possibilities.

They do!

the newer SD mini JB and the likes of those fit perfectly

And Its easy to grind down the fiber baseplates on a stanard strat pup to get them to fit. I did this to an older SD hot rails and it fit like a charm.

I dont mind doing some fitting work.

any suggestions?

 

[marcello252]

Re: Single coil size pickup recommendation for a reissue melody maker

but they have the benefit of having a TOM and tailpiece setup instead of a wraparound

why?
I like wraparound bridges, I think they stay in tune even better, the only drawback I find is the lack of the possibility of intonation setup, but if you use common string gauges is not an issue.