The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
- Thread starter vejiita
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C-Martin
New member
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
theres no such thing as a perfect bridge humbucker... it all depends on each ones own preference and what guitar its goin in but from what ive discovered after trying a ton of pickups in my guitars these are my favorites so far:
in my les paul: Custom SH-5 is realy hard to beat for me, it just sounds huge and tight and heavy and has enough vintage vibe for me when i roll off the volume and tone.
in my ash strat: SD Custom Shop 78, i used to love the custom in this axe, i still do but when i tried the 78 it just blew my mind i just couldnt go back to the custom anymore even if i tried, the 78 just sounded that much better in it.
in my alder charvel: JB, it came stock with it.. i tried a custom, i tried a distortion, i tried a 59, even a 78.. but im sold on the JB for this one, it just screams and growls and has an awesome lead tone. It just sounds right in this axe.
theres no such thing as a perfect bridge humbucker... it all depends on each ones own preference and what guitar its goin in but from what ive discovered after trying a ton of pickups in my guitars these are my favorites so far:
in my les paul: Custom SH-5 is realy hard to beat for me, it just sounds huge and tight and heavy and has enough vintage vibe for me when i roll off the volume and tone.
in my ash strat: SD Custom Shop 78, i used to love the custom in this axe, i still do but when i tried the 78 it just blew my mind i just couldnt go back to the custom anymore even if i tried, the 78 just sounded that much better in it.
in my alder charvel: JB, it came stock with it.. i tried a custom, i tried a distortion, i tried a 59, even a 78.. but im sold on the JB for this one, it just screams and growls and has an awesome lead tone. It just sounds right in this axe.
korovamilkdud
WhoDatologist
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
Kind of depends on the guitarist doesn't it?
Well...after years of experimentation I came up the the "Chris Bradley Signature Model"
or "Korovamilkdud Sig model".
or whatever.
A Custom/Pearly Gates hybrid with an alnico III magnet and allen head screws over the custom coil, slugs for the PG coil. 4-conductor wiring to allow for switching madness, you have a tight, clean, but slightly hot-sounding PAF. Perfect for blues, country, even pulls off the metow. Perfect. For me.
Kind of depends on the guitarist doesn't it?
Well...after years of experimentation I came up the the "Chris Bradley Signature Model"
or "Korovamilkdud Sig model".
or whatever.
A Custom/Pearly Gates hybrid with an alnico III magnet and allen head screws over the custom coil, slugs for the PG coil. 4-conductor wiring to allow for switching madness, you have a tight, clean, but slightly hot-sounding PAF. Perfect for blues, country, even pulls off the metow. Perfect. For me.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
switch out the a3 for an a8, and that's what i'd be rocking if i could afford to get a new pickup(to make the hybrid
)
edit: the super rad sig:laughing:
switch out the a3 for an a8, and that's what i'd be rocking if i could afford to get a new pickup(to make the hybrid
)edit: the super rad sig:laughing:
Quicksilver689
New member
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
+1 - that is the one element of truth that will stand up to and surpass all opinions, including mine...
Right now in my Schecter C-1 Classic (maple neck thru mahogany wings, maple top, rosewood fingerboard), I'm having good luck so far with the Custom 8, which can be made using any of the Custom-coiled Duncan models with the magnet swapped out for an A8 (mine started life as a TB-11 Custom Custom). The stock JB was way too focussed on treble detail for my tastes.
It comes down to the usual discussion that is always had about construction methods, woods used, etc., etc. I have come to understand for myself that it even goes beyond that, and you pretty much have to approach each guitar (even 2 of the exact same model) as a separate case.
One thing I have noticed in my last couple guitars is that A8 magnets in a bridge HB pu have a certain kind of magic to them. The A8 magnet seems to work with the EQ of the coil windings very nicely, while rounding off the highs but still allowing enough brightness and clarity, keeping the mids just right, and ensuring a tight yet punchy low end (never boomy), and giving the overall output a nice boost. And it's able to do this while still allowing for nice clean sounds too. Before my Custom 8 in this guitar I had an Ed Roman Quicksilver with korina body and maple/ebony neck using bolt-in construction, and I had a Crazy 8 in that guitar - and although the Crazy 8 is definitely more of a distortion-class pickup, it had the same kind mojo that my Custom 8 in my Schecter has now.
+1 - that is the one element of truth that will stand up to and surpass all opinions, including mine...
Right now in my Schecter C-1 Classic (maple neck thru mahogany wings, maple top, rosewood fingerboard), I'm having good luck so far with the Custom 8, which can be made using any of the Custom-coiled Duncan models with the magnet swapped out for an A8 (mine started life as a TB-11 Custom Custom). The stock JB was way too focussed on treble detail for my tastes.
It comes down to the usual discussion that is always had about construction methods, woods used, etc., etc. I have come to understand for myself that it even goes beyond that, and you pretty much have to approach each guitar (even 2 of the exact same model) as a separate case.
One thing I have noticed in my last couple guitars is that A8 magnets in a bridge HB pu have a certain kind of magic to them. The A8 magnet seems to work with the EQ of the coil windings very nicely, while rounding off the highs but still allowing enough brightness and clarity, keeping the mids just right, and ensuring a tight yet punchy low end (never boomy), and giving the overall output a nice boost. And it's able to do this while still allowing for nice clean sounds too. Before my Custom 8 in this guitar I had an Ed Roman Quicksilver with korina body and maple/ebony neck using bolt-in construction, and I had a Crazy 8 in that guitar - and although the Crazy 8 is definitely more of a distortion-class pickup, it had the same kind mojo that my Custom 8 in my Schecter has now.
T
theodie
Guest
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
Most of the time not usually. Maple is a very underrated tone wood.
well thats good to hear. I have no idea why kramer decided to make the body's of the reissue out of solid maple?!?!oed: the highs that come out that guitar are like razor blades against a chalk board
Most of the time not usually. Maple is a very underrated tone wood.
korovamilkdud
WhoDatologist
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
Yeah, I like weaker mags. And gracias. *meow*
switch out the a3 for an a8, and that's what i'd be rocking if i could afford to get a new pickup(to make the hybrid
edit: the super rad sig:laughing:
Yeah, I like weaker mags. And gracias. *meow*
Christopher Caruana
New member
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
oh ya its a very good sounding guitar, but the highs are a little strong........but its not 100% the wood's fault........most of it is probably the pickup too. thats why im switching tho the CC, smooth out the highs, vintage tone with increased output. and It is supposed to work well in bright guitars
oh ya its a very good sounding guitar, but the highs are a little strong........but its not 100% the wood's fault........most of it is probably the pickup too. thats why im switching tho the CC, smooth out the highs, vintage tone with increased output. and It is supposed to work well in bright guitars
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
Right now I'm using a PGn in the bridge of my strat. It's not as bright as it may seem, and the ridiculously low output really makes my amp happy, because it has to work really hard. It cuts through really great, something my Invader sometimes couldn't do. I was very close to buying a Full Shred, but for the last few months I have only set the amp to "stun" a couple of times. Not worth it.
The PG is super middy, and when set to that point where it's on the verge of breakup it drifts between clean and dirty really nicely. Given some boost from my DS-2 (boost, not distortion) it can be talked into some nasty crunchy aggression. I guess I've just come to terms that most amps carry more than enough gain and power for the heaviest that I play on a heavy day. Too much gain and it's either feedback city or muddy bass, since I don't have a gate...
I'm all about the PAFs now...
Right now I'm using a PGn in the bridge of my strat. It's not as bright as it may seem, and the ridiculously low output really makes my amp happy, because it has to work really hard. It cuts through really great, something my Invader sometimes couldn't do. I was very close to buying a Full Shred, but for the last few months I have only set the amp to "stun" a couple of times. Not worth it.
The PG is super middy, and when set to that point where it's on the verge of breakup it drifts between clean and dirty really nicely. Given some boost from my DS-2 (boost, not distortion) it can be talked into some nasty crunchy aggression. I guess I've just come to terms that most amps carry more than enough gain and power for the heaviest that I play on a heavy day. Too much gain and it's either feedback city or muddy bass, since I don't have a gate...
I'm all about the PAFs now...
blindedbysilence
New member
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
Brobucker does it for me. I love this pickup and plan on installing it in all my guitars.
Brobucker does it for me. I love this pickup and plan on installing it in all my guitars.
ugrkoglu
New member
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
My perfect bridge humbuckers are hybrids: CC/APH-1 in my Super Strat and Custom/'59 w/A4 in my SG. Combine any Custom coil with any vintage output coil, choose a magnet depending on the wood and you get best of both PAF and hot bucker worlds! Very lively sound. Powerful yet airy.
My perfect bridge humbuckers are hybrids: CC/APH-1 in my Super Strat and Custom/'59 w/A4 in my SG. Combine any Custom coil with any vintage output coil, choose a magnet depending on the wood and you get best of both PAF and hot bucker worlds! Very lively sound. Powerful yet airy.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
By now I am firmly in the camp of hand-wound things with tuned magnets. SD Antiquity, WCR crossroads, SD '78, Lollar Imperials (for "women" tones).
My quest will be cruising along more WCR and SD Custom Shop pickups.
The artillery pickup I like best is a JB with A2. At this time I'm not fond of any Custom series pickups, although I think the DC in a Flying V or similar will kick good.
By now I am firmly in the camp of hand-wound things with tuned magnets. SD Antiquity, WCR crossroads, SD '78, Lollar Imperials (for "women" tones).
My quest will be cruising along more WCR and SD Custom Shop pickups.
The artillery pickup I like best is a JB with A2. At this time I'm not fond of any Custom series pickups, although I think the DC in a Flying V or similar will kick good.
Christopher Caruana
New member
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
it just depends on the wood. I dont know if this has anything to do with it either, but like i found with the JB, the CC sounds better in strat/super strat style guitars. A buddy of mine put his CC in his LP and it was muddy and just stuffy sounding. I put my CC in my kramer and it was wonderful! same exact story with the JB. That same friend went to the JB for his LP....still the same muddyness...another friend had a JB in an 80' charvel supersrat and it sounding very articulate and raw sounding.
Usually the CC goes in a brighter sounding guitar. My kramer sis made of maple, so the low mids from the CC really stick out and make it sound chuncky and fat souding. same thing with my friends JB. My only guess is that even though les pauls have a maple top, the mahogany body must be what makes those two pickups stuffy sounding......just a guess though.
it just depends on the wood. I dont know if this has anything to do with it either, but like i found with the JB, the CC sounds better in strat/super strat style guitars. A buddy of mine put his CC in his LP and it was muddy and just stuffy sounding. I put my CC in my kramer and it was wonderful! same exact story with the JB. That same friend went to the JB for his LP....still the same muddyness...another friend had a JB in an 80' charvel supersrat and it sounding very articulate and raw sounding.
Usually the CC goes in a brighter sounding guitar. My kramer sis made of maple, so the low mids from the CC really stick out and make it sound chuncky and fat souding. same thing with my friends JB. My only guess is that even though les pauls have a maple top, the mahogany body must be what makes those two pickups stuffy sounding......just a guess though.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
+1. This varies with the wood, magnet, amp, speakers, room acoustics, etc, and many of us have widely different opinions of what a good tone is. There is no perfect PU, bridge or otherwise.
+1. This varies with the wood, magnet, amp, speakers, room acoustics, etc, and many of us have widely different opinions of what a good tone is. There is no perfect PU, bridge or otherwise.
veryhungrycaterpilla
New member
Re: The Perfect Bridge Humbucker??
Area T (technically bucks hum) or a JB
Area T (technically bucks hum) or a JB
