Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

ColeJustesen

ColeJustesen

New member
Hey guy I just loaded my Yamaha Pacifica 912 with a Custom 5 Trembucker and was wanting to an H-S configuration. Due to the way the neck joint is setup, I don't think I can get a full size humbucker in the neck position. I might be able to, but right now I think that it could probably only accommodate a single coil.

The guitar is an ash body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard and I like to play all sorts of heavy rock, which includes cleans and thick distortion. I typically use the neck position for clean tones and leads, and the bridge for rhythm. This is the guitar:

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I will be ordering a custom pickguard in W/B/W with a neck single coil route (or a humbucker if it fits). My question for you all is what would match the Custom 5 in the bridge? I am thinking either a Lil' '59, a Lil' Screamin' Demon, or a Cool Rails. I am leaning towards the Lil' '59 right now. If I can fit a humbucker, I am assuming the '59 would be a top contender. If you all wouldn't mind giving me your opinion, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!!!

Cole
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

The photographs above illustrate a guitar whose vibrato bridge is decked rather than floating and whose pickguard can be raised without disarranging all of the control wiring.

Put an end to speculation and uncertainty in three easy steps:
1) Slacken (or remove) the strings.
2) Undo seven screws.
3) Examine (or measure) the pickup cavities.

Knowing Yamaha, there is every possibility that you have a rectangular "swimming pool" cavity, encompassing both single coils but equally capable of accommodating numerous other pickup permutations.
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

If you can fit a full bucker in the neck (and I'm pretty sure you can), a Screamin Demon or a Pearly Gates would go quite well with the C5 in the bridge.

I believe Funkfingers is correct about the Pacifica's rout, but even if not it isn't difficult to rout it out to fit a full bucker.
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

Some of the higher numbered Pacifica models had an unusually long neck pocket and heel, extending beneath the pickguard. (The positions of the neck anchoring screws/bolts on the rear of the body would provide the most obvious clue.)

Comparing old catalogue photographs of the 912 and 921, it is a pretty safe bet that the full size HB cavity is already made for the neck position pickup. The only caveat would be the need for short elevator screw lugs so as not to have to cut into any wood.
 
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Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

Thanks for the input guys! It definitely does not have the swimming pool routing. It looks like it is setup for an H-S-H configuration. I started thinking about the 921 model, it has a humbucker in the neck, so it must be able to accommodate one in my guitar. I don't see why they would have two different routings for the same neck joint... It wouldn't be cost effective.

Funkfingers, I believe your last statement is true. Do they sell short elevator screws, or should I just use some cutters or a Dremel tool to shorten the length?

I have an A4 '59 in the neck of two of my guitars (Yamaha SL-700 and Yamaha SG-1000) that sound ridiculously good! I also have an A8 Demon in the SL-700 bridge that sounds good too. I think the Screamin' Demon won't be as thick sounding in the neck as the '59, is that what you guys would gather too?

Cole
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

I was referring to the humbucker baseplate. A regular SD SH-1n '59 model is usually supplied with the full length elevator screw lugs that you would expect to find in a Gibson.

I am not sufficiently up to date to know whether short elevator lug baseplates count as Shop Floor Custom or not? They are certainly manufactured that way for OEM customers.

Since you require the short lugs and you desire an A4 magnet, why not go the whole hog and order your pickup in an unusual colour? HINT - Off-white, no logo counts as a custom colour.
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

I don't necessarily want A4 for this choice, I selected A4 for the '59s in my guitars because they were boomy. Both of those guitars have mahogany bodies and are chunky sounding guitars. I don't know that I would need that in my Pacifica 912. I think a black neck humbucker would be sweet and match the bridge bucker better; you know keep the guitar symmetrical.

After seeing this video, I think that the Screamin' Demon is the way I want to go...

He makes it sound damn good!

Cole
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

ColeJustesen said:
I think the Screamin' Demon won't be as thick sounding in the neck as the '59, is that what you guys would gather too?

Cole
Click to expand...

I find the Demon to have a fuller, thicker sound than the '59. The Demon is one of my most favorite neck pups.
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

It's funny because I've been considering to get a Pacifica (a hardtail model) for H-S project. I'd recommend STK-S7 to pair with Custom5. But if you go with H-H instead, go with Screamin' Demon. ^ Doc says the truth about it. H-S-H? Just put STK-S7 in the middle.
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

Why not just put Hot stacks or rails in both the single positions? For the neck, if you have to have a 'bucker, I'd go with a Jazz. That and a Quarter Pound middle. 7 way switch.
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

Hot Stacks or Rails in both single positions? QP in the middle?

Uh, yeah, that really applies to what he is asking for...
(Jazz in the neck is a viable option).

He's got a C5 in the bridge that he is keeping. He is going for an HH setup and wants a neck bucker to compliment the C5. From the way he is talking (the main quality of a pup is it's color), he can't handle a 5-way, let alone a 7-way (if it even can be found). Actually, come to think about it, that guitar does have a 5-way switch.

So maybe I should assume that you made your post with tongue-in-cheek?
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

The place that carries the pickguards for Pacifica guitars have their templates which I assumed would work. I printed it off to check, and of course it is different than mine. They have the Pacifica 112V template which is completely different than the 912 template. For me to get a custom pickguard to fit my guitar it would cost me $65 just for the pickguard.

It can support a humbucker in the neck, but I am at a halt right now... I might just get a Lil' '59 or Lil' Screamin' Demon for the neck spot and just leave the middle pup there. Which S/C humbucker do you guys think would fit bill with the Custom 5? The other option is to try and cut my own pickguard... I have never done it before, but it might be worth a try.

Thanks for the input guys!

EDIT: I just ordered a blank of W/B/W pickguard material (enough for 2 strat bodies) from Amazon... For just a little over $12 and thanks to my Prime membership, free 2 day shipping. I guess I will see how hard it is to shape a pickguard.

Cole
 
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Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

Not so hard. Just remember to cut it a little bit big and file it down to shape when you bevel it. If you don't have a router and templates for the pup cutouts, cut them small and file them to size.
 
Re: Thinking about doing an H-S setup...

Thanks Doc! That is what I was planning on doing. Cutting it out a bit larger and finishing it by hand. I don't have a dedicated router, but I have Dremel tool and the router base that I plan on using to do the heavy lifting.

Thanks!

Cole
 
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