What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
- Thread starter matthewseed
- Start date
Diego
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
I'm a Duncan user and loyalist, but for a basswood shredstick, I haven't tried a better pickup than the Dimarzio Breed. Warm but articulate, fat mids and big bass.
It's truly wonderful and if I come across another shredstick, I'll drop one in.
I'm a Duncan user and loyalist, but for a basswood shredstick, I haven't tried a better pickup than the Dimarzio Breed. Warm but articulate, fat mids and big bass.
It's truly wonderful and if I come across another shredstick, I'll drop one in.
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
This makes me happy (it will make you happy too!).
This makes me happy (it will make you happy too!).
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
Thanks! I hear ya, some people frown upon mixing them. It is a very cool mix–my go-to-mix for Basswood. I found the Screamin Demon to do everythign the JB did without the harsh bright tones. The Liquifire is such a cool pickup–very warm and glassy with almost piano like cleans. It is warm and blossoms very well. I did not care for the Crunchlab it was supposed to be paired with...was a perfect match for the Screamin Demon.
The JB is one of SD's best selling pickups–been one of the best selling aftermarket pickups for a reason. It definitely would nail the classic to hard rock tones. IMO, it can get icepicky really quickly...just too bright sometimes.
There are some very good recommendations here–definitely some great options to investigate for your guitar.
hey that's a cool mix! It is kinda taboo to mix both brands but hey many of us love 'em both and sometimes only one of them offer exactly what you may be looking for in either a bridge or neck pickup so you just gotta mix them
How do you find your Liquifire? It's a really good pickup I must say! I have its successor in my alder Charvel San Dimas and dig it's ultra smooth, pretty rolled back than most in terms of treble but bold sound John said he wanted from that pickup.
Thanks! I hear ya, some people frown upon mixing them. It is a very cool mix–my go-to-mix for Basswood. I found the Screamin Demon to do everythign the JB did without the harsh bright tones. The Liquifire is such a cool pickup–very warm and glassy with almost piano like cleans. It is warm and blossoms very well. I did not care for the Crunchlab it was supposed to be paired with...was a perfect match for the Screamin Demon.
The JB is one of SD's best selling pickups–been one of the best selling aftermarket pickups for a reason. It definitely would nail the classic to hard rock tones. IMO, it can get icepicky really quickly...just too bright sometimes.
There are some very good recommendations here–definitely some great options to investigate for your guitar.
matthewseed
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
This is so tough as we all know selecting pickups. But you guys have been a real help, so thank you to you all it is much appreciated.
Mincer, i hope your right and it makes me happy.....I have a good feeling about it.
I of course will report back in a couple of weeks with the results.
Thank you again for your responses and friendly help. great forum.
Matthew
This is so tough as we all know selecting pickups. But you guys have been a real help, so thank you to you all it is much appreciated.
Mincer, i hope your right and it makes me happy.....I have a good feeling about it.
I of course will report back in a couple of weeks with the results.
Thank you again for your responses and friendly help. great forum.
Matthew
matthewseed
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
One question i do have guys. is does the B M T fully denote a pickups warmth or depth etc.
For example a lot of guys are suggesting the Custom Custom as a fat full bodied bridge pickup, yet its B M T is Lower bass to mids/highs ratio. Bass compared to the Duncan Custom which is higher bass to mids/highs ratio.
Thanks
Matthew
One question i do have guys. is does the B M T fully denote a pickups warmth or depth etc.
For example a lot of guys are suggesting the Custom Custom as a fat full bodied bridge pickup, yet its B M T is Lower bass to mids/highs ratio. Bass compared to the Duncan Custom which is higher bass to mids/highs ratio.
Thanks
Matthew
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
I’m sure somebody with more knowledge will chime in but as I understand it, the BMT graphs aren’t exactly a good representation of what you’ll get from a given pickup.
I don’t know that I can explain any better than that but I’ve read many posts here from people saying that.
I’m sure somebody with more knowledge will chime in but as I understand it, the BMT graphs aren’t exactly a good representation of what you’ll get from a given pickup.
I don’t know that I can explain any better than that but I’ve read many posts here from people saying that.
matthewseed
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
I still feel strong about the bridge : Custom Custom Neck : A2P but I am struggling with the middle pickup, i don't have much knowledge of them.
I am having my guitar wired up with a 3 way blade to go like this:
Position 1: Bridge Humbucker
Position 2: Middle Single coil
Position 3: Neck Humbucker
Then I have a toggle switch that splits the two Humbuckers, so my 3 way blade becomes:
Position 1: Bridge Single coil
Position 2: Middle Single coil
Position 3: Neck Single coil
With that said, Any ideas on what might work in the middle with this in mind. I don't know how it workd with balancing up pickup outputs. So, for example is i got a Humbucker of 20 DCR and coil tapped it, would that be 10 DCR, so then should i be looking for a middel pickup of about the same so when i blade between the 3 single coil positions i get a balanced output.
Or does it not work that way.
Thanks
Matthew
I still feel strong about the bridge : Custom Custom Neck : A2P but I am struggling with the middle pickup, i don't have much knowledge of them.
I am having my guitar wired up with a 3 way blade to go like this:
Position 1: Bridge Humbucker
Position 2: Middle Single coil
Position 3: Neck Humbucker
Then I have a toggle switch that splits the two Humbuckers, so my 3 way blade becomes:
Position 1: Bridge Single coil
Position 2: Middle Single coil
Position 3: Neck Single coil
With that said, Any ideas on what might work in the middle with this in mind. I don't know how it workd with balancing up pickup outputs. So, for example is i got a Humbucker of 20 DCR and coil tapped it, would that be 10 DCR, so then should i be looking for a middel pickup of about the same so when i blade between the 3 single coil positions i get a balanced output.
Or does it not work that way.
Thanks
Matthew
matthewseed
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
Sorry to be a pushy posting person. I am ordering my pickups tomorrow and just need to make that final choice on the middle single coil, you guys have been so helpful I would really appreciate a last minute bit of advice.
In my last post i asked the question about the DCR and also about judging a pickup by its BMT readings on the site. I would love someone in know to help with this info please.
Thank you guys
Matthew
Sorry to be a pushy posting person. I am ordering my pickups tomorrow and just need to make that final choice on the middle single coil, you guys have been so helpful I would really appreciate a last minute bit of advice.
In my last post i asked the question about the DCR and also about judging a pickup by its BMT readings on the site. I would love someone in know to help with this info please.
Thank you guys
Matthew
allbutromeo
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
As someone else said the BMT charts aren't a very accurate representation. The Custom Custom for example has low bass and lots of mids and highs according to the graph, but the way the pickups eq curve is it has a lot of low mids and upper bass frequencies and the highs are in the lower treble range. So the result is that you don't get that really tight percussive low end generally associated with A5 or ceramic, but you also don't get brittle icepick highs either
As someone else said the BMT charts aren't a very accurate representation. The Custom Custom for example has low bass and lots of mids and highs according to the graph, but the way the pickups eq curve is it has a lot of low mids and upper bass frequencies and the highs are in the lower treble range. So the result is that you don't get that really tight percussive low end generally associated with A5 or ceramic, but you also don't get brittle icepick highs either
Mr. B
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
... and that EQ is exactly why I don't like the CustomCustom in basswood. I love it in an alder superstrat. I like it in a thick mahogany/maple singlecut. I did not like it in any of my basswood Ibanez guitars. The maple top on your basswood body might make a difference. Mine are all just straight basswood. The basswood guitars needed more solid bass than the CustomCustom could provide.
... and that EQ is exactly why I don't like the CustomCustom in basswood. I love it in an alder superstrat. I like it in a thick mahogany/maple singlecut. I did not like it in any of my basswood Ibanez guitars. The maple top on your basswood body might make a difference. Mine are all just straight basswood. The basswood guitars needed more solid bass than the CustomCustom could provide.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
Maybe those charts work for some people but they don't at all for me (they seemed to be only "textbook" and not truly practical.)
Wish I could be of more help on the middle single coil pickup–the STK-s4m you mentioned earlier seems like a good candidate on paper, but I've not used that one so I will defer to others.
Maybe those charts work for some people but they don't at all for me (they seemed to be only "textbook" and not truly practical.)
Wish I could be of more help on the middle single coil pickup–the STK-s4m you mentioned earlier seems like a good candidate on paper, but I've not used that one so I will defer to others.
allstarrme
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
If you find the custom custom too loose on the low end just swap out the A2 for an A5, A8 or ceramic for a custom 5, 8 and regular custom. It’s like 4+ pickups in one and spare magnets are super cheap. You will like one of them.
I love the custom 8 with an a2pro neck.
If you find the custom custom too loose on the low end just swap out the A2 for an A5, A8 or ceramic for a custom 5, 8 and regular custom. It’s like 4+ pickups in one and spare magnets are super cheap. You will like one of them.
I love the custom 8 with an a2pro neck.
matthewseed
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
Thanks for that, your worrying me now about the custom custom, most folks on here seem to think that was a good choice. I do want a tight fat bottom end, I just don’t want the highs to prominent? I looked at the custom 8 ones too they looked interesting. Thanks.
Thanks for that, your worrying me now about the custom custom, most folks on here seem to think that was a good choice. I do want a tight fat bottom end, I just don’t want the highs to prominent? I looked at the custom 8 ones too they looked interesting. Thanks.
matthewseed
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
I have just found out I cant not have the STK-S4M in the middle position, the cavity isn't deep enough.
DAMM !!!!
The single coil really has me stumped, i can not make a decision has anyone else got any kind of hot rodded strat style guitar with HSH and have a single coil tale to tell ?
Matthew
I have just found out I cant not have the STK-S4M in the middle position, the cavity isn't deep enough.
DAMM !!!!
The single coil really has me stumped, i can not make a decision has anyone else got any kind of hot rodded strat style guitar with HSH and have a single coil tale to tell ?
Matthew
matthewseed
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
Nahhhh, I can’t see me doing that. I’d like a slightly less risky solution.
Nahhhh, I can’t see me doing that. I’d like a slightly less risky solution.
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
The Custom Custom isn't the deepest bass or the punchiest attack, but definitely fat and not harsh. But it isn't squishy and buttery in all guitars, either. I've heard plenty of people get great blues to classic metal tones with them, leaning most towards hard rock. Eddie Van Halen used them in some guitars in mid-80s, for example...
Custom 8 sounds closest to what you want, but it does depend on the guitar. Has nearly all of the bass punch of the ceramic Custom, with highs more like A2... But attack is more towards ceramic, but without the (IMO excessive) present bite. [I don't get on with most ceramic pickups, nearly all have really ugly presence to my ears, but the original, ceramic Custom is one of the least ugly, and probably my 2nd favorite ceramic pickup after the gonzo metal PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion.]
For stock pickups, I'd try the Custom Custom, and if it isn't punchy enough, try A8. If A8 is too hot or too deep a bass, there's Roughtcast A5, Unoriented A5, and Roughcast Unoriented A5 (from brightest & punchiest to darkest & smoothest, though all are brighter than A2).
If excess mids are a problem, A5 or Roughcast A5.
The Custom is incredibly flexible platform for magnet swaps.
The Custom Custom isn't the deepest bass or the punchiest attack, but definitely fat and not harsh. But it isn't squishy and buttery in all guitars, either. I've heard plenty of people get great blues to classic metal tones with them, leaning most towards hard rock. Eddie Van Halen used them in some guitars in mid-80s, for example...
Custom 8 sounds closest to what you want, but it does depend on the guitar. Has nearly all of the bass punch of the ceramic Custom, with highs more like A2... But attack is more towards ceramic, but without the (IMO excessive) present bite. [I don't get on with most ceramic pickups, nearly all have really ugly presence to my ears, but the original, ceramic Custom is one of the least ugly, and probably my 2nd favorite ceramic pickup after the gonzo metal PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion.]
For stock pickups, I'd try the Custom Custom, and if it isn't punchy enough, try A8. If A8 is too hot or too deep a bass, there's Roughtcast A5, Unoriented A5, and Roughcast Unoriented A5 (from brightest & punchiest to darkest & smoothest, though all are brighter than A2).
If excess mids are a problem, A5 or Roughcast A5.
The Custom is incredibly flexible platform for magnet swaps.
RolanTHUNDER
New member
Re: What would Guthrie Govan Do ????
Yeah that's it! Nice description of the Liquifire. I would like the Screamin' Demon too! Agreed on the JB being too harsh in most cases. I found that especially true in E standard tuning and even Eb but lower alternative tunings like drop B in a mahogany guitar (ESP V) it really shone nicely and brought the thick low texture of drop B to the fore nicely
Yeah that's it! Nice description of the Liquifire. I would like the Screamin' Demon too! Agreed on the JB being too harsh in most cases. I found that especially true in E standard tuning and even Eb but lower alternative tunings like drop B in a mahogany guitar (ESP V) it really shone nicely and brought the thick low texture of drop B to the fore nicely
