Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
- Thread starter Infi-del
- Start date
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
Depends a bit on the guitar.
Sustainiac doesn't recommend asymmetric or dual resonance pickups [like many DiMarzios, or the P-Rails or '59/Custom Hybrid], because of much higher noise with the magnetic sustain system active.
PATB-3 Parallel Axis Blues Saraceno is like a hotter but still punchy PAF with singing harmonics. Might be the best of these if you want something more like a classic PAF tone, but a bit hotter without losing dynamics.
PATB-2 Paralllel Axis Distortion if you want gonzo metal. Terrific harmonics, extreme output. My favorite ceramic pickup, doesn't have the ugly high end that annoys me with most ceramics. Can be woolly with some amps, but great growl.
JB is good for harmonics and growl, but it doesn't sit right in every guitar. Some people compare the Pegasus to a JB, but a bit less hot and with more usable clean tone, and more likely to work for guitars/people who have trouble with the JB.
Custom with an A8 or Unoriented A5 magnet are great in a lot of guitars. [A8 is punchier, but not harsh on high end, UOA5 is just right for many players who don't like the low end of ceramic or A8]. For Stock Custom models, maybe the Custom Custom [Custom with an A2 magnet] would be a good place to start. Warm, fat, singing tones.
Depends a bit on the guitar.
Sustainiac doesn't recommend asymmetric or dual resonance pickups [like many DiMarzios, or the P-Rails or '59/Custom Hybrid], because of much higher noise with the magnetic sustain system active.
PATB-3 Parallel Axis Blues Saraceno is like a hotter but still punchy PAF with singing harmonics. Might be the best of these if you want something more like a classic PAF tone, but a bit hotter without losing dynamics.
PATB-2 Paralllel Axis Distortion if you want gonzo metal. Terrific harmonics, extreme output. My favorite ceramic pickup, doesn't have the ugly high end that annoys me with most ceramics. Can be woolly with some amps, but great growl.
JB is good for harmonics and growl, but it doesn't sit right in every guitar. Some people compare the Pegasus to a JB, but a bit less hot and with more usable clean tone, and more likely to work for guitars/people who have trouble with the JB.
Custom with an A8 or Unoriented A5 magnet are great in a lot of guitars. [A8 is punchier, but not harsh on high end, UOA5 is just right for many players who don't like the low end of ceramic or A8]. For Stock Custom models, maybe the Custom Custom [Custom with an A2 magnet] would be a good place to start. Warm, fat, singing tones.
Sirion
Well-known member
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
In cases such as this, I think it is worthwhile to begin with the JB, which seems to do what you want well on paper, and to go from there if you find that it doesn't work. Once you know what you want it to do differently, getting that will be a piece of cake.
In cases such as this, I think it is worthwhile to begin with the JB, which seems to do what you want well on paper, and to go from there if you find that it doesn't work. Once you know what you want it to do differently, getting that will be a piece of cake.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
Crazy 8 anyone? It has the natural sustain of the Parallel Axis series, combined with A8 low end, and a warm, friendly attitude. That is, until you turn the gain up. Then it'll break its toe kicking your dog and sue you for the medical bills. It splits really well too, if you're into that.
Crazy 8 anyone? It has the natural sustain of the Parallel Axis series, combined with A8 low end, and a warm, friendly attitude. That is, until you turn the gain up. Then it'll break its toe kicking your dog and sue you for the medical bills. It splits really well too, if you're into that.
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
It's going to be an Explorer type mahogany body with Gibson scale neck with ebony board and stainless frets. But it'll have a falter Fender style hardtail bridge. So it's gonna have a lot of mass to the body. I'm not wanting to limit the guitar to just metal tones so I want to avoid a super high output pickup. Besides I've discovered lots of high output pickups get muddy. I want this guitar to live in the midranges. Good punch, warm pur when pushed... but CAN do metal if I pour a bucket of gain on it. I can always add more gain.
It's going to be an Explorer type mahogany body with Gibson scale neck with ebony board and stainless frets. But it'll have a falter Fender style hardtail bridge. So it's gonna have a lot of mass to the body. I'm not wanting to limit the guitar to just metal tones so I want to avoid a super high output pickup. Besides I've discovered lots of high output pickups get muddy. I want this guitar to live in the midranges. Good punch, warm pur when pushed... but CAN do metal if I pour a bucket of gain on it. I can always add more gain.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
That's what I like about the Crazy 8, it has plenty of mids to go around and the sustain as well as the harmonics really interact well with the sustainer. I really think it'll work well in your Explorer.
That's what I like about the Crazy 8, it has plenty of mids to go around and the sustain as well as the harmonics really interact well with the sustainer. I really think it'll work well in your Explorer.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
That's what I'd say, puncher than a PATB-1, but more open and dynamic than a PATB-2.
That's what I'd say, puncher than a PATB-1, but more open and dynamic than a PATB-2.
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
What string spacing on the bridge? If having strings not align perfectly with polepieces bugs you, PATB models probably aren't right for older Gibson spacings...
I love the PATB-1b [in a basswood guitar that had too little bass but too much lower mids and REALLY hated the JB I tried in it], but it may not have the mids you are looking for with A5. With UOA5 or A8, though...
Crazy 8 can be great, but it's a bit bright for an A8 pickup, not everyone gets along with it. I don't know that punchy and tight is quite where I'd start for a violiny tone, though. Especially if you want to keep harmonics rather than roll off to get smoother tones. It does have Parallel Axis harmonics, but it doesn't seem like where I'd start for a violin tone, either. It is a less strong coil than the PATB-1b, relying on the magnet for it's output. I don't have persona experience with the Crazy 8, though it's not that I think it's incapable of doing the job, just don't know it's best for the job...
If you want punchy, particularly outside of Sustain modes, and have a warm amp to go with the warm guitar, the Crazy 8 might also be exactly right.
I'm not sure I'd be inclined to start right off with a Custom Shop order unless I was very sure it was the right one for the guitar. 1 standard pickup plus an array of magnets gives you a lot of options for tweaking and figuring out what sort of sound you like/don't like in that guitar.
If you don't go PATB, I'd probably start with a Custom Custom, should be pure violin tone. If you need faster attack, then try UOA5 if only a bit more, A8 if you want more bass [Surface54 had some great samples of Custom 8 for thrashy/industrial stuff, oddly vintage metal roar, surprisingly open for a midheavy pickup into that much gain], or roughcast A5 if the mids are too much on the other magnets.
What string spacing on the bridge? If having strings not align perfectly with polepieces bugs you, PATB models probably aren't right for older Gibson spacings...
I love the PATB-1b [in a basswood guitar that had too little bass but too much lower mids and REALLY hated the JB I tried in it], but it may not have the mids you are looking for with A5. With UOA5 or A8, though...
Crazy 8 can be great, but it's a bit bright for an A8 pickup, not everyone gets along with it. I don't know that punchy and tight is quite where I'd start for a violiny tone, though. Especially if you want to keep harmonics rather than roll off to get smoother tones. It does have Parallel Axis harmonics, but it doesn't seem like where I'd start for a violin tone, either. It is a less strong coil than the PATB-1b, relying on the magnet for it's output. I don't have persona experience with the Crazy 8, though it's not that I think it's incapable of doing the job, just don't know it's best for the job...
If you want punchy, particularly outside of Sustain modes, and have a warm amp to go with the warm guitar, the Crazy 8 might also be exactly right.
I'm not sure I'd be inclined to start right off with a Custom Shop order unless I was very sure it was the right one for the guitar. 1 standard pickup plus an array of magnets gives you a lot of options for tweaking and figuring out what sort of sound you like/don't like in that guitar.
If you don't go PATB, I'd probably start with a Custom Custom, should be pure violin tone. If you need faster attack, then try UOA5 if only a bit more, A8 if you want more bass [Surface54 had some great samples of Custom 8 for thrashy/industrial stuff, oddly vintage metal roar, surprisingly open for a midheavy pickup into that much gain], or roughcast A5 if the mids are too much on the other magnets.
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
Modern Fender Spacing. The above picture of the body is just reference. I ordered it with Standard American Flat Mount bridge.
Thank you for this info. You've given me quite a bit to think about.
Modern Fender Spacing. The above picture of the body is just reference. I ordered it with Standard American Flat Mount bridge.
Thank you for this info. You've given me quite a bit to think about.
Re: Violin tones with a Sustaniac?
That makes things easy, any TB/PATB should work for the bridge and line up just fine for string alignment. Ideal for Parallel Axis minimizing string pull.
Let us know what you wind up trying and how it works for you!
That makes things easy, any TB/PATB should work for the bridge and line up just fine for string alignment. Ideal for Parallel Axis minimizing string pull.
Let us know what you wind up trying and how it works for you!
