What produces better harmonics?

R

Rick

New member
Of the various types of pups out there, which type produces the best harmonics in a mahogany guitar? Would it be high output or vintage?

I'm looking for a new set of pups for my Ibanez S series, my criteria is simple... I want nice string separation, no mud, and massive harmonics.
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

High output pickups make it easier to pull pinch harmonics, it has to do with amp also.

Anyways, EMG81 have lots of harmonics and super clear definition, ask Zakk Wylde.. although they are also compressed, harsh and stiff.

In the passive side of things, try Full shred if string separation it's the most important, Duncan Custom if harmonics it's the main thing
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

I'm considering getting another Hybrid. Also, when I went through the SD pickup selection tool, it suggested the Screamn' Demon. I have both, but neither are in mahogany, so I'm not sure which of the two would have the best in string pinch harmonics. I don't plan on using active pups.

I would say in order of importance would be harmonics, then separation
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Rick said:
I'm considering getting another Hybrid. Also, when I went through the SD pickup selection tool, it suggested the Screamn' Demon. I have both, but neither are in mahogany, so I'm not sure which of the two would have the best in string pinch harmonics. I don't plan on using active pups.

I would say in order of importance would be harmonics, then separation
Click to expand...
For pinch(or overtones) harmonics the JB is tough to beat!
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Love the JB, have one of those too. I recently read here on this forum that the JB is a hit and miss in mahogany though... Thoughts on that?

Also, my style of music is 80's rock... RATT, Dokken, Def Leppard, Tesla... etc etc.
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

I've had good luck with the Dimarzio Steve's Special but that was in Basswood.
I'd probably try the Duncan 59b first, the Steve's Special second, Duncan Custom 5 third, and the Dimarzio AT (Andy Timmons) 4th, and probably the D-Activator 5th.

Once I found the bridge pickup I like best then I would look into a neck pickup that matched that. Dimarzio is doing great things with their pickup's harmonic structure, but something about their overall tone keeps me coming back to Duncan. Every time I hear someone with a 59 in the bridge they just sound right, no matter what the genre.
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

What exactly do you mean by harmonics?
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Right. Well, technique is everything there, you can pull them off using pretty much ANY pickup, but assuming you know that, the Custom will do the job you want.
The Bill Lawrence USA (yes USA) 500XL is ideal for what you want as well.
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Which custom are you talking about? Custom 5 or Custom Custom? I have a Bill Lawrence pup. Not sure if it's the USA version or not. I put it into an alder guitar. Didn't care for it too much, it was rather bright. Maybe I should try it in this mahogany body. Having said that the S series Ibanez is not a full thickness guitar. They are thin.
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

If you want to thicken up a thin (especially floating vibrato bridge) guitar, something out of the Parallel Axis series is wonderful.

I have a PATB-1b in my RG570 which gave me all kinds of trouble with other pickups (JB, stock Ibanez, wasn't impressed with DMZ/IBZ pickups in slightly later versions of the same model, either).

Parallel Axis is designed to give reduced string pull, higher output, increased sustain, better string balance, more articulate, expanded harmonic response, softer attack (but ridiculously dynamic, feels much less compressed than similar output pickups typically do). Tend to be ridiculously responsive to pick articulation, nevermind tone & volume knob adjustments.

If you want a monster distorted pickup with crazy harmonics, PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion is insane. Riffs comparable to Invader, but without losing the high end. Thrash slightly thicker than TB-6 Distortion, but not quite as harsh a bite. Leads have a hint more JB flavor, but with higher output and far more mids.

The PATB-1b is really hard to describe. Very balanced pickup. Mids aren't excessive, extended treble but without harshness. Seems to be the PA version of the Custom 5, but has behaviors more similar to a Custom Custom or maybe an S-Deco (haven't played an S-Deco myself, but I can hear a similar mid grain and singing tone on some samples). Amazing all around rock pickup.

PATB-3 Blues Saraceno is most comparable to a '59b, but higher output without losing the highs. Beefier without bloat, awesome pickup, best bridge option in (non-Custom Shop) Parallel Axis lineup for cleans or low gain. Medium gain it's about even with PATB-1b (both have slightly different tonal strengths there), and past that PATB-1b and PATB-2 edge it out. That's a rough generalization, individual playing styles and tastes of course vary. Some people prefer a lower output PAFish pickup for everything.

(There's also a PATB-1n for the neck, and the Custom Shop Crazy 8 and PATB-78 for more expensive bridge models.)
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Rick said:
Which custom are you talking about? Custom 5 or Custom Custom? I have a Bill Lawrence pup. Not sure if it's the USA version or not. I put it into an alder guitar. Didn't care for it too much, it was rather bright. Maybe I should try it in this mahogany body. Having said that the S series Ibanez is not a full thickness guitar. They are thin.
Click to expand...

Plain old Custom (there's 3 flavours, Custom, Custom Custom and Custom 5).
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Has there been any indication as to how those match up in Mahogany?
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

ibanez s series? skinny mahogany body.
Tone Zone if you want fatter lower mids.
JB if you want scream.
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Rick said:
I'm considering getting another Hybrid. Also, when I went through the SD pickup selection tool, it suggested the Screamn' Demon. I have both, but neither are in mahogany, so I'm not sure which of the two would have the best in string pinch harmonics. I don't plan on using active pups.

I would say in order of importance would be harmonics, then separation
Click to expand...

My hybrid has some pretty mean harmonics. The two resonant peaks produce "thicker" and perhaps more "complex" harmonics and coupled with an amp that screams, it's great. I plugged my guitar into a 5150 60w combo and it seemed almost out of control in the harmonics. I could get those wicked shrill harmonics on the 2nd fret very easily.

I think, as was mentioned, the amp is key as is technique. EVH got some badass harmonics out of PAF type pickups into a Plexi.
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Get a FRED. Best harmonics I've ever heard in a pickup. Does the harmonic thing a lot better than a PG IMO
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

Does the Fred breath? The few Dimarzio pups that I've tried seemed kind of stuffy. I didn't like the ToneZone. I want something that just loves to squeal.
 
Re: What produces better harmonics?

+1 Fred. Squeals like a stuck pig...not a particularly high output or fat pickup though. The Norton (not air version) if you want fatter without getting full on Tone Zone low end.
 
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