What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

[Jeff_H]

I'm having trouble finding a set of pickups for my Vintage Cherry SB USA Dean Hardtail. For a couple of years I had my Custom Shop Greenie set in her, and I loved them. They now reside in my Gary Moore Standard LP. Since removing the Greenies, I haven't been really happy with any set of pickups in her. My other Hardtail has a set of Seth's in it, and it sounds great; so another Seth set would be too redundant. I've been unable to commit, decide or get excited about anything I have.

For the record, I play mainly classic rock, hard rock, 80's tunes and blues, through a Marshall DSL40c with a 65w Creamback. Nothing harder than Scorpions, Tesla, Mr. Big, Ratt, Great White, older Ozzy, etc. You get the idea. I use the amps distortion/OD on the green channel or OD1. Never really use OD 2. I have some Reverb, Chorus and Delay in the loop as required.

I've tried an APH set which was in it for years, but they don't do it for me now. Currently I have my Brobucker in the bridge and a Seth in the neck, but I just can't seem to dial the Brobucker in just right. It always leaves me wanting in some area. Maybe the best option is to put the Greenies back in her and put something else in the Gibson, which I'm thinking of selling, but not sure? The Hardtail's came stock with JB/59' or JB/PG, which is the set I have. I wasn't crazy about the JB in the bridge overall, but sometimes it sounded good. Just not enough of the time.

I'm going to list the pickups I have below and ask all for all of your sage advice on what to load in her, please. Here's the list:

Seth Set
Antiquity Set
2 APH Sets
Brobucker (currently in it)
Saturday Night Special (bridge only)
JB (newer 2000's model)
JB (late 70's early 80's JB-D, no stamping on baseplate, it's blank except for sticker)
Pearly Gates neck only

I also have my User Group Day pickup, which is an overwound APH at about 9k. They messed up my initial request for the pickup, so when I arrived at the factory they had to improvise quickly and it didn't turn out well. I'm thinking of having it rewound at some point.

Oh, all of these pickups are double cream, except the newer JB, the SNS and the PGn. Color doesn't matter, as I have some spare nickel covers, so..........I have A2RC, A3, A4 and a short and long A5. I'd have to go get them, but the A4 may be rough too, can't recall. Maybe one of the A5's is too. I'm too lazy to dig them out now.

Please help me decide which pups to pair in my Hardtail, or if I should just put the Greenies back in and forget it. Alternatively, I could buy a new set too, if I felt sure they would be great.

Thanks in advance for your help everyone , and peace.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

Greenies in the Dean, PG set in the LP.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

I'd say A2P with an A4 in the neck and SNS in the bridge.

 

[Mincer]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

I'd go with A2P and a SNS. But if I had to choose from any pickups, I'd go with a 59 and 59/Custom Hybrid for what you are going for. I also love the Seths and Antiquities, but not for the harder stuff you are doing.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

I lost track of this thread since my precious little girl passed away, but I'd like some more suggestions. I don't want anything as hot as the Custom series. Please feel free to recommend pickups that I don't have listed in my initial post. I'm not afraid to get something different. I've even been thinking about trying some of the smaller boutique winders out there. I have a set of CM Daugherty pickups in my 57' RI and they are exceptional, but his site is no longer working.

Also, if I take one set of my double cream APH sets and send them in to the Custom Shop to be rewound, what would you suggest? I really love the different flavors of PAF, and I think there are enough variations for me to have 4 guitars with different enough PAF variations.

Thanks everyone. I figure if I get my mind back on some guitar related projects I can help ease some of the pain stemming from my loss.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

I lost track of this thread since my precious little girl passed away, but I'd like some more suggestions. I don't want anything as hot as the Custom series. Please feel free to recommend pickups that I don't have listed in my initial post. I'm not afraid to get something different. I've even been thinking about trying some of the smaller boutique winders out there. I have a set of CM Daugherty pickups in my 57' RI and they are exceptional, but his site is no longer working.

Also, if I take one set of my double cream APH sets and send them in to the Custom Shop to be rewound, what would you suggest? I really love the different flavors of PAF, and I think there are enough variations for me to have 4 guitars with different enough PAF variations.

Thanks everyone. I figure if I get my mind back on some guitar related projects I can help ease some of the pain stemming from my loss.

Dude, I'm so sorry to hear of yoyr loss. My condolences.

As far as getting some PAF's in there, why not a pair of Antiquities? I have one in the neck slot of my Hamer Special and it's fantastic. Very clear and sparkly when clean.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

Try the SNS in the bridge, and then please let us know which neck pickup you like better out the of A2P and Pearly Gates.

 

[Nagisa]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

I’m sorry for your loss. That’s awful

 

[Aceman]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

59/JB and call it a day.

Go JB 2, JB 8, or JB thin ceramic if yo need.

 

[dystrust]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

After trying a set in my 335 I have to suggest the WLH; they're everything a '59 should've been IMO. If 59s are too bright, thin, scooped, boomy or all of the above, a WLH set should be just what the doctor ordered. They'd also be a really cool and unique rewind option for your double cream APHs.

With that said, keep in mind that I don't like A2s in Gibson scale; I find the low mids to be too loose and I don't like the squishy feel with the shorter scale. The WLHs were perfect for me; just a bit more output than truly vintage and the neck was smooth without being muddy or squishy.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

Alright, so it looks like this weekend I will put the SNS in the bridge and try several different neck pickups. APH, PG and even Antiquity. Or, I will put the Greenies back in the Hardtail and then try these examples in the Gary Moore LP. I already know that the Greenies are fantastic in my Hardtail. If I don't find something that works in the Gary Moore LP, I think I'll move it along. It has a great feeling neck and is beautiful, but after getting my 57' RI, the sound is just not working for me.

I'm typically not an A5 guy, but especially in the neck. All of my HB guitars are 24 3/4" scale, so that's likely the reason. I can do an A5 in the bridge. That's why I'm surprised the Brobucker hasn't worked as well for me. The Brobucker is a RCA5, correct? Maybe an UOA5 would be better?

And having a custom set of WLH's wound out of my APH's is a cool idea. I can have the neck under wound a bit, since I like mid 7k necks at the hottest. Maybe I'll ask MJ to use RC UOA5 magnets? Or RCA4 in the neck? Something just slightly different than a standard WLH, but in the same vein. Gives me a lot to think about.

I just can't go back to the JB in the bridge. I dunno.... maybe? Maybe I could try my late 70's JB in it, vs. the newer one?

Thanks for the suggestions fella's. Gives me a project this weekend!

 

[BlueSnMettle]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

Whole Lotta pups are what you need, my man.
Have them in my LP. Love 'em!

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: What Pickups To Use In My Favorite Hardtail - My Quandry

The Brobucker is a RCA5, correct? Maybe an UOA5 would be better?

If I remember correctly, the Brobucker uses a partially degaussed A5. You could try an UA5 in it- might be just the ticket.
Out of what you have on hand, I might also try the Ant neck with the SNS bridge.
In something you haven't already got, 59N & 59/C is a winner for me, although the axe they're in wasn't a difficult case.

It sounds to me as if you could be better off going back to the Greenies you loved; finding a good match for the other guitar might be less problematic.