Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

[cmedcoff]

I recently bought a 2016 Gibson Explorer that came with 500T which I love. Big, fat, high output, yet crisp at the top without being ice picky.

I was surprised what a big fat tone I got out of the Explorer despite being a fairly light guitar...nothing like a 10 to 13 pound Les Paul that everyone seems to talk about as necessary to that "big" sound.

I'd like to put a very similar pickup in to my PRS Torero - slightly heavier than the Explorer - mahogany body, ebony neck, Floyd Rose so different spacing than a 500T. When I used one of the pickup wizards it points me to a Pearly Gates, which I already have in that guitar when I switched from active to passive and I want to stay passive. The Gates doesn't have the bottom end, and are a bit thin, almost "shrill" compared to the Explorer plugged into the same rig/stack. I realize I'll never get an identical sound, but i'd like to get close.

In summary I"m looking to get that wider spectrum, fat bottom, a top that still cuts, but not shrill, higher output so I can feedback more quickly... like the Explorer does.

Appreciate the suggestions guys!

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

The 500T has enough magnetic pull that I wouldn't worry much about pole spacing.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

A Duncan Distortion Trembucker spaced, if you prefer exact spacing. I agree with Idsnow though...

 

[Mincer]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

I'd also look at a Custom, which sounds big and bold, and certainly not thin.

 

[cmedcoff]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

Yeah, I was looking at the Custom JB-5 and the Distortion JB-6. I think the Duncan's available for less than a 500T per some casual research. I've got a JB in the neck now. Think I should get something else in the neck for a better match?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

define "Better"

If you like it, and it does what you want - there is no such thing as better.

While the 500T sounds great in that Explorer, you may indeed prefer the Custom with a Floyd.

 

[cmedcoff]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

define "Better"

If you like it, and it does what you want - there is no such thing as better.

While the 500T sounds great in that Explorer, you may indeed prefer the Custom with a Floyd.

Ok, how about a more "typical" pairing.

 

[superpete]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

i'd say the most typical neck partners for the duncan distortion would be the 59, the jazz, and the distortion neck.

 

[Chad]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

The 500T in the Explorer I used to own was trem-spaced. Should be fine with a Floyd.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

The 500T in the Explorer I used to own was trem-spaced. Should be fine with a Floyd.

+1

Came here to add that, but was beaten to it. However as Aceman stated, you may find your prefer something else with the Floyd as it won't sound the same. If you're looking for something fat and grindy the Custom is great, and the Distortion should be good too. The JB is more of an upper-mid thing.

 

[cewilli]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

What about the Dimarzio Tone Zone. I have one in the bridge of my Gibson Les Paul Traditional. The mids are scooped a tad but in such a way that it accentuates the treble and bass.
Make sure its "F-Spaced" should you decided to get one.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

I recently bought a 2016 Gibson Explorer that came with 500T which I love. Big, fat, high output, yet crisp at the top without being ice picky.

I was surprised what a big fat tone I got out of the Explorer despite being a fairly light guitar...nothing like a 10 to 13 pound Les Paul that everyone seems to talk about as necessary to that "big" sound.

I'd like to put a very similar pickup in to my PRS Torero - slightly heavier than the Explorer - mahogany body, ebony neck, Floyd Rose so different spacing than a 500T. When I used one of the pickup wizards it points me to a Pearly Gates, which I already have in that guitar when I switched from active to passive and I want to stay passive. The Gates doesn't have the bottom end, and are a bit thin, almost "shrill" compared to the Explorer plugged into the same rig/stack. I realize I'll never get an identical sound, but i'd like to get close.

In summary I"m looking to get that wider spectrum, fat bottom, a top that still cuts, but not shrill, higher output so I can feedback more quickly... like the Explorer does.

Appreciate the suggestions guys!

Most modern Gibson bridge pickups ARE Fspaced

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: Suggestion for 500T like pickup for a Floyd Bridge

I have a spare 500T lying around so i think i will put it in this 1988 Charvel 3DR that is giving me lots of issues in terms of tone. Its very thin and bright sounding so i think this pickup would beef it up quite a bit. If this doesn't work, i am going to go after a Parallel Axis Distortion OR El Diablo blade version (it currently has an EL Diablo "Screamin Demon" style in it which is too thin and bright).