What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

[OsvyRock]

Hello there! I'm selling my Slash Alnico II Pro set + replacing the tailpiece/bridge for a new TonePros one soon.
Deciding to replace the pickups was not an easy decision to make. They do have their pros: clarity, edge, brightness, and some things I do like about their overall tone. Sadly, they must go. My favorite pickup combination are the SH-5/59n' found on my DBZ Bolero. They just rule! I ain't planning to mess with perfection, so that guitar will stay that way, and I will try something new for my Flying V. The thing is... which way to go?

I finally had Slash's pickup set. It's great for pop music, Aerosmith, bluesy rock n' roll vibe; but it isn't it truly doing it. While I love the clarity and how it sounds on volume 10; I can't afford to be on 10 always. I would like something that distorts faster than that, higher output, with more bass than Slash's Alnico II Pro's, and more power and authority.

I have been researching and there has been some that have caught my interest: Black Winter, Distortion Mayhem Set, Whole Lotta Humbucker.
I have also start searching out of Seymour Duncan: Super Distortion, 36th Anniversary PAF's, Dominion... even EMG's like the 57/66 who really caught my attention. Sadly my V ain't the best to have batteries on it. I don't want to mess setup or anything by the need of removing the pickguard, and all that. So I'm going passive!

Of my options, which one would you recommend? My amp is a Blackstar HT-40. I'm something even better than the SH-5/59n combination. What could that be? All suggestions appreciated!

 

[toneseeker74]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

If you don't mind having the Bolero out of commission for a little while you could take the SH-5/59n set out and swap it into the V. The SH-5 should have more low end and output/authority than the Slash bridge. The 59n might have more lows and more cutting highs, I'm not sure. You might miss the mids from the Slash neck pickup.
I have the Distortion Mayhem set, but it's in a Kramer so not a great comparison to your V. This set definitely has higher output than my Seth Lover's or Pearly Gates sets in my SG Specials. The DDb is pretty bright with a high-ish midrange push. The DDn is surprisingly clear and neither too bright nor too dark. I have even done some magnet swapping in the set, and I have liked them with the regular double thick ceramics, UOA5's and A3's albeit for different reasons. Overall I think it's a good set of pickups.
The more I listen to clips of Black Winter's the more I want a set. And from all I've read they can do a lot more than downtuned metal.

 

[Chazzy]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

maybe a try a nazgul or a pegasus, i have the pegasus, its definitely hotter than an alnico pro 2, but not as hot as the nazgul or the distortion or black winter tho

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

What to put on your V? Dragons Blood. Dragons Blood is what you put on your V.

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

If you don't mind having the Bolero out of commission for a little while you could take the SH-5/59n set out and swap it into the V. The SH-5 should have more low end and output/authority than the Slash bridge. The 59n might have more lows and more cutting highs, I'm not sure. You might miss the mids from the Slash neck pickup.
I have the Distortion Mayhem set, but it's in a Kramer so not a great comparison to your V. This set definitely has higher output than my Seth Lover's or Pearly Gates sets in my SG Specials. The DDb is pretty bright with a high-ish midrange push. The DDn is surprisingly clear and neither too bright nor too dark. I have even done some magnet swapping in the set, and I have liked them with the regular double thick ceramics, UOA5's and A3's albeit for different reasons. Overall I think it's a good set of pickups.
The more I listen to clips of Black Winter's the more I want a set. And from all I've read they can do a lot more than downtuned metal.

Greetings! Thanks for your reply! Swapping my DBZ Bolero (SH-5/59n') set to my Gibson Flying V was discussed with my guitar tech. While it's a good option, I'll miss the sound and look it actually has. I used it during KEFAS live CD/DVD concert now on sale. It's also the guitar with my most-sought after tone. That's why I'll like to keep it stock.

The Distortion Mayhem could be a great option for the Flying V. It's a classic metal pickup combination. I have been thinking of the Black Winter set, but some things have me really worried about them. I know they could rule for heavy distortion, but there's not much information about their overall (clean, OD, distortion) sound in mahogany guitars.
I had a Pearly Gates (neck) once, but sold it since it couldn't keep up with the SH-5 on the bridge.

maybe a try a nazgul or a pegasus, i have the pegasus, its definitely hotter than an alnico pro 2, but not as hot as the nazgul or the distortion or black winter tho

Greetings Chazzy! That Pegasus pickup is the one that supposely merges 59' + Jazz properties?
How's their sound compared to a 59'n?
At least there's a decent demo online , but I'm still not convinced. I need to figure out a right pickup combination this time.

What to put on your V? Dragons Blood. Dragons Blood is what you put on your V.

If it could actually exist and enhance tone, why not?

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

Dragon blood finishes are highly flammable and dangerous when wet, but dry almost instantaneously and can never be removed by traditional means, as dried dragon blood is indestructible So if you wish to remove it, you must get under the wood some how and cut it off from the bottom. The finish itself is very dry and thin though, so moisture easily escapes the grain of the wood and keeps it dry/prevents it from swelling or warping, which, if you choose to finish your neck with it, locks your set up in place for all eternity. That could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. It is impervious to scratches so if you like antique or relic looking wear on guitars then it probably isn't for you. You can even light it on fire and the flames will burn cool for an extended period of time, which is great for shows since you can play a flaming guitar and not burn to death (hence Aceman's everlasting quest for the stuff). It's wicked easy to apply too but expensive as all hell and really hard to track down short of killing a dragon, and all of those things moved to space now. Every thousand years some might pop up on craigslist or ebay or something, so keep an eye out.

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

Dragon blood finishes are highly flammable and dangerous when wet, but dry almost instantaneously and can never be removed by traditional means, as dried dragon blood is indestructible So if you wish to remove it, you must get under the wood some how and cut it off from the bottom. The finish itself is very dry and thin though, so moisture easily escapes the grain of the wood and keeps it dry/prevents it from swelling or warping, which, if you choose to finish your neck with it, locks your set up in place for all eternity. That could be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. It is impervious to scratches so if you like antique or relic looking wear on guitars then it probably isn't for you. You can even light it on fire and the flames will burn cool for an extended period of time, which is great for shows since you can play a flaming guitar and not burn to death (hence Aceman's everlasting quest for the stuff). It's wicked easy to apply too but expensive as all hell and really hard to track down short of killing a dragon, and all of those things moved to space now. Every thousand years some might pop up on craigslist or ebay or something, so keep an eye out.

Reading your post reminded me of the Aceman. I wonder if he can provide some help in my current situation.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

r pop music, Aerosmith, bluesy rock n' roll vibe; but it isn't it truly doing it. While I love the clarity and how it sounds on volume 10; I can't afford to be on 10 always. I would like something that distorts faster than that, higher output, with more bass than Slash's Alnico II Pro's, and more power and authority.

custom custom

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

I'd go 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and a 59b in the neck

 

[formula73]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

Lace Alumitones.




























Just kidding. They sound like ****.

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

custom custom

I was considering that option, but I'm afraid of the lack of bass in that pickup. Alnico II Magnet*
Am I supposed to be scared of it in mahogany?

I'd go 59/Custom Hybrid bridge and a 59b in the neck

My guitar tech suggested that hybrid + 59'. Which are the differences between 59' bridge (on the neck) and the traditional 59' neck?
I know Dimebag used a 59 bridge in the neck position*

Lace Alumitones.

Just kidding. They sound like ****.

Never even considered Lace pickups. Are they any good?
I didn't like any video/audio I found about them.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

I was considering that option, but I'm afraid of the lack of bass in that pickup. Alnico II Magnet*
Am I supposed to be scared of it in mahogany?



My guitar tech suggested that hybrid + 59'. Which are the differences between 59' bridge (on the neck) and the traditional 59' neck?
I know Dimebag used a 59 bridge in the neck position*



Never even considered Lace pickups. Are they any good?
I didn't like any video/audio I found about them.

Ignore what it says on the pickup comparison chart. It has plenty of low end. It is a custom after all, its just been tweaked with the spongier warmer a2 mag. I reckon the numbers on the tone chart probably puts a log of people off trying out what is a great rock pickup. It kept me from trying one for many years.

Re: mahogany. Nothing to be afraid of unless you are going for that crystalline super clean jangly 80s sound or a super high gain detuned chugga.
A fat and warm pickup in a fat and warm guitar gives you fat and warm and that's always a good thing. The extra output of the cc gives you plenty of dirt and sustain right at your fingertips when you use the guitar knobs. Fwiw I have one in an SG standard and I use both the volume and tone knobs a lot. All I had at the.time was the 300k pots already in the Axe. I've not found the need to change them because I've never been worried about the sound being too dark. It's a great setup- especially if you enjoy the sound of a dirty Marshall amp.

I was considering that option, but I'm afraid of the lack of bass in that pickup. Alnico II Magnet*
Am I supposed to be scared of it in mahogany?



My guitar tech suggested that hybrid + 59'. Which are the differences between 59' bridge (on the neck) and the traditional 59' neck?
I know Dimebag used a 59 bridge in the neck position*



Never even considered Lace pickups. Are they any good?
I didn't like any video/audio I found about them.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

The 59b is a little brighter and slightly higher output, to me when used in the neck it balances better with the bridge and removes some of the boomy sound in the neck on a 24 3/4" scale mahogany guitar.
Also Screamin Demon sounds awesome in the neck position

 

[Aceman]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

Distortion set

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

Ignore what it says on the pickup comparison chart. It has plenty of low end. It is a custom after all, its just been tweaked with the spongier warmer a2 mag. I reckon the numbers on the tone chart probably puts a log of people off trying out what is a great rock pickup. It kept me from trying one for many years.

Re: mahogany. Nothing to be afraid of unless you are going for that crystalline super clean jangly 80s sound or a super high gain detuned chugga.
A fat and warm pickup in a fat and warm guitar gives you fat and warm and that's always a good thing. The extra output of the cc gives you plenty of dirt and sustain right at your fingertips when you use the guitar knobs. Fwiw I have one in an SG standard and I use both the volume and tone knobs a lot. All I had at the.time was the 300k pots already in the Axe. I've not found the need to change them because I've never been worried about the sound being too dark. It's a great setup- especially if you enjoy the sound of a dirty Marshall amp.

Very interesting! I believe have 500k pots on my Flying V, so that may help in the overall sound. Yesterday I played the guitar thru my Blackstar HT-40 amp. I must confess, I loved the cleans boosted with my MXR 78' Custom Badass Distortion. It's the right sound I have in my head for my original songs. Very clean, funky, and spectacular. But I put on the amp's OD Channel. Yes! I did mess around with the ISF, scooped the mids, and played some metal riffs in standard tuning. It can do that fine (decently at least), but what happens when I really want a really good all-around ''high gain'' tone. It did become mush!!!! I played with the treble, the mids, the bass. It became something ''big'', but not something you could appreciate or enjoy at all times. I also felt that with the gain maxed out, it retained the vintage vibe, holding back the guitar possibilities in that tone world. The SH-5 Custom can cross that border with ease. It will be interesting to know what his Alnico II brother can do.

As I said, I'll miss the cleans (in all 3 positions: bridge/middle/neck), but the OD has to be fixed.

The 59b is a little brighter and slightly higher output, to me when used in the neck it balances better with the bridge and removes some of the boomy sound in the neck on a 24 3/4" scale mahogany guitar.
Also Screamin Demon sounds awesome in the neck position

That's really good to know! I'm a user of the 59n' (I have a Juarez wound one), and it's good neck pickup. Didn't feel it was so boomy, but I did like that bassy presence there. Still, there are some situations when the bass is too much. Regarding your feedback I imagine a 59b in the neck, would operate similar to the Dimarzio PAF Pro on my guitar tech guitar. I felt it had the good qualities of the 59n' with the right amount of bass, mids, and treble. Maybe I'll have a similar result with the 59'b. I will put it on my list*
PS. Talk to me about the Screaming Demon. I heard it was George Lynch's humbucker of choice at a given time.

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

Distortion set

Hello Ace! How'd you been? Just saw your post. The Distortion set is one in my list of pickups candidates. I considered it even more since I read the Black Winter set responds better in alder, basswood woods. The Distortion set is also more accessible cost wise, so it's a good option. I have never used or heard the SH-6 in action.

 

[PizzaMaker]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

What did Randy Rhoads use?

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

What did Randy Rhoads use?

Supposedly it was a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge and a Dimarzio PAF in the neck.
He had other guitar with a SH-6 and a 59' in the neck, according to Scott Olson.

 

[formula73]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

How could you ask if they were any good right after I said they sound like ****? My brain is full of ****.

lol j/k, dude.

The Alumitones I tried, based purely on looks, were disappointing in the fact that they sounded like a cross between a hifi mic and hifi singles. That was awesome for clean but that's not what I was going for. They also had an odd tendency to max out on gain, and by that, I mean I'd go from clean to a little dirt to a little more...and after that point, I could crank the gain with no real noticeable difference. Strangest thing I've ever seen related to guitar.

I hear the Deathbuckers are better-more middy and voiced like humbuckers-and the Drop N Gain seem to get pretty good reviews.

I have to bring up the Detonator...cheap, quality, and big, big bass and mids. For the neck, I'd go with something ceramic like a Gibson 496R or maybe even the Duncan Distortion neck...or whatever the import version of that is.

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: What to put on my Gibson Flying V?

How could you ask if they were any good right after I said they sound like ****? My brain is full of ****.

lol j/k, dude.

The Alumitones I tried, based purely on looks, were disappointing in the fact that they sounded like a cross between a hifi mic and hifi singles. That was awesome for clean but that's not what I was going for. They also had an odd tendency to max out on gain, and by that, I mean I'd go from clean to a little dirt to a little more...and after that point, I could crank the gain with no real noticeable difference. Strangest thing I've ever seen related to guitar.

I hear the Deathbuckers are better-more middy and voiced like humbuckers-and the Drop N Gain seem to get pretty good reviews.

I have to bring up the Detonator...cheap, quality, and big, big bass and mids. For the neck, I'd go with something ceramic like a Gibson 496R or maybe even the Duncan Distortion neck...or whatever the import version of that is.

I get you. Lace Pickups are definitely out of my radar. I was playing the Slash Alnico II Pro (Flying V) guitar. With a really "loud" master volume at 80% and some playing with the gain; I nailed Gary Moore's "Still Got The Blues" tone. Guitar really sounds good, but as I said LOUD! I was thinking today of the Pearly Gates set. I tried the neck once, but sold it because it didn't keep up with a Duncan Custom in the bridge. How a Pearly Gates could work in my situation compared to my actual Alnico II Pro set? I'm still considering all your offers. Just want to make the right decision, before selling pickups to finance new untried one.