Take 2 - pickups for Godin

AniML

AniML

New member
I recently got a mint ~2007 Godin SD 22, HSS Maple core / poplar wings, 24 3/4" scale maple/maple neck, 6 point trem.

I swapped in a C59 / Vintage Stack / Custom stack with 500K pots and .033 cap. The bridge is too bright and forward sounding, the stacks are too "toppy" with even mild gain. I've tried adjusting the pup height, but cannot find an obvious sweet spot

My first thought was to try a 250K tone pot, but still this really isn't the overall sound I had hoped for. Im looking for something that holds together better to play harder rock (Sabbath, GnR, and old metal, but not stiff or sterile and versatile enough to play more mainstream.

So I am thinking for the bridge either an A2P, PG or CC and for the neck a Cool Rails. As for the middle I am considering leaving the Vintage Stack or swapping in a Vintage Rail or another Cool Rails.


If I didn't love the feel of this guitar I would return it to stock and flip it. But I want to make it work. What combo gets me there?
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

What setup do you play through and why can't you just turn down the treble/presence?

If both the humbucker and the singlecoils are too bright, it shouldn't be an issue, no?
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

JesusCrisp said:
What setup do you play through and why can't you just turn down the treble/presence?

If both the humbucker and the singlecoils are too bright, it shouldn't be an issue, no?
Click to expand...

Just playing at home mostly into a DSL-1 OR Peavey Classic 20 into a G12H clone.

The bridge has more output than I like, the stacks seem to not like too much gain. The tone control becomes usable nearly halfway down. It's just all around a harsh sound so I think I need warmer pickups or another guitar
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

I fought with an SD22 for awhile also. The 59/C in the bridge was way too midrange forward for my tastes. The brightness could be coming from the stock bridge saddles. I have a Mannmade trem in mine. Ended up with the 59/C and SSL2s in the middle and neck, both pots 500K with 50's wiring. Would not recommend 50s wiring for you, though, since it increases treble content. The 250K tone pot may be just the ticket for you.


FWIW, the Dimarzio 36th was the perfect pickup in that guitar.
 
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Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

I think it may be a Godin thing. I fought with my SD for a while, as well. Currently it has a Rio Grande Muy Grande humbucker in the bridge and a pair of MIM Fender singles in the neck and mid. It sounds like a hotter, fatter strat.

The next best combo I tried was a pair of Choppers and a PATB-1/Demon hybrid in the bridge. It was nice, but too mid heavy.

I blame it on the silver leaf maple body.
 
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Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

What about the pickups I mentioned in the first post? Has anyone tried any of those?

I've never tried a dimarzio and nothing against them, but I'd rather not muddy the waters further.. or expand my spending opportunities.
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

Sorry bud. I've never played around with Duncan stacks. The hybrid I've had has been in a LP, where it had good bottom and mids while still keeping the air in the top end, similar to a PAF type. I can see where it'd be bright in a Godin.
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

Like Benjy said, I blame the silver leaf maple. I have not tried any of the pickups you have listed, but I have tried AP2 in the m&n and they were decent but didn't balance well with the 59/C. I think my main problem was trying to force the 59/C to work in that guitar.

The guitar now with the 59/C and two SLL2s is very good but not perfect. Honestly in looking back, I believe the 36th will make it perfect. It was the best HB in there thus far.
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

Well, the Cool Rails probably won't help with the high end thing. A neck Hot Rails might be a better idea. For the bridge, I'd go with a Custom Custom.
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

A2P with some APS2 should be a lot less bright, but should work with the 500k pots. If you want noiseless singles, DiMarzio Areas get great reviews and I really liked Duckbuckers. They aren't perfectly stratty, but a decent option.
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

I have an A2P is in my LP and want to roll that into this for a try. I'm ok with stratty in the middle but want more gain in the neck.

Also wondering about a DD bridge..
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

I have a Squier Jazz 5 bass with soft maple body and she's a bit bright (but that's what I wanted for my jazz bass). So yes silver leaf maple can be bright also.
I have a Godin Exit 22, with mahogany body, so it's not bright to begin with. The Exit 22 has a brass bridge block, what's in the SD?
I put a set of EB 11-48 strings on it so it's got a bit darker (was brighter with DR tite-fit). Maybe try a different set of strings.
I put a stack tone (neck and middle on top and bridge on bottom). This also helped to fine tuned.
IMG_2599_rotated.jpg
 

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Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

I can't think of any duncan bridge p'ups that are low gain & dark sounding at the same time.

If theres space under the pickguard then an additional tone knob or volume knob could help keep the 59/c from being overly bright & overpowering the singles.

Apart from 250k pots, a high cap cable would help too a bit.
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

FWIW, in my maple body SD22 the CC was a complete fail. It was SO dark and lifeless that there was zero string to string definition. If you're gonna go that route I hope you have better results than I did. Whatever you do, don't confuse the all maple SD22 with an Ash- or Alder-bodied Stratocaster. The CC shines in a Strat but was beyond horrible in the SD22.

Good luck
 
Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

Well.. this is becoming discouraging. Seems any pickup is going to be lipstick on a pig. I'm not seeing a goldilocks bridge pickup being recommended here. Maybe best to just write this one off as a bad experiment and cut bait, rather than force the issue.
 
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Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

Seriously, try a Dimarzio 36th bridge. This thread has convinced me to pull my 59/C and reinstall the 36th. It was perfect, but I yanked it because I hated the Dimarzio single coils and did what you're trying to do, keep everything one brand.

No doubt I am yanking my 59/C asap. It's a great pickup, just not in the SD22.
 
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Re: Take 2 - pickups for Godin

The CC and two Cool Rails would tame the high end.

Dimarzios tend to have less high end transparency than Duncans, so a 36th bridge and two area 58s or area 61s would move you closer to where you want to be, also.
 
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