What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

[crazytooguy]

I'm building an electric specifically for slide (no frets, higher action, no lower horn on body) and I'd like some pickup suggestions. I'm leaning towards a Pearly Gates for the growl, but I'm open to other ideas.

As far as a sound, think early Billy Gibbons (hence the Pearly Gates...), other blues-rock type of styles. It'll be plugged into a tube amp set for pretty heavy distortion, and I prefer a glass slide, although I've used brass. I haven't decided if it will have two pickups or one (that'll probably depend on how much I can afford to spend on pups!), but I lean towards being versatile, so I imagine I'll want two.

So, any suggestions? Thanks!!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

Actually, the JD in my tele gets very close to a lot of slide tones Gibbons has recorded with.

The Pearly Gates does a good job of it too in my LP as did the Seth in my Sheraton, though it is a bit smoother than the PG.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

The pearly gates would be my 1st pick for a slide guitar. But if your
playing with heavy distortion , Any good HB will do. Aslong as your good
at strings damping

 

[Brett Valentine]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

Another vote for the Pearly Gates/ glass slide. What's the body wood?

 

[crazytooguy]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

Thanks, guys. I really like the PG. Been considering putting a set in my old LP, too.

The body of this guitar is pretty odd. I've been a cabinetmaker and luthier for about 25 yrs now, and back in the early eighties, there was the start of the "alternative tropical hardwoods" movement. So, I built this body out of two of the sustainable woods of that era. The core is a very dense, very hard wood known as masaranduba. It has the consistency of stone, only slightly softer. The 3/8" thick surface laminates, front and back, are bocote, one of the Dalbergia rosewoods, but a lesser known one. Very hard, very resonant. This thing would weigh a ton if it didn't have most of the lower body missing. The neck is set into a 4" mortise and is made of mahogany and pau ferro laminated. It should have tons of sustain and sing. I built the body in about 1985, and just picked it up recently and decided to finish it. I still need to make a fingerboard, which will have white epoxy in the fret slots instead of frets, and glue the neck and fretboard in place. Then, lots of sanding and scraping. It should be really interesting when its done. Or just really weird...

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

Dense woods are usually bright. I'd keep in mind that the PG has an emphasis on the high mids, which might make it abrasive sounding in that guitar.

 

[Lee_M.]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

Our SD fan favorite, Kellie S., once told me that she has shipped several CC's to Derek Trucks - most likely for use in his Washburn electrics. Although I haven't used the CC, I would think it is a very good choice.

 

[pickngrin16]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

warren haynes uses antiquities in his les pauls

 

[Brett Valentine]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

Sounds like a great guitar! You've got to post pictures when it's done. You know, considering the wood choices, I haver to agree. You might want to consider the CC for the bridge. It's tone in my DC400t (maple neck, top, ebony fingerboard, mahogany body wings)was closer to the PGb in my Brian Moore (mahogany neck body, thin maple cap, rosewood fingerboard). Something to consider.

Brett

 

[crazytooguy]

Re: What's a good 'bucker for slide playing?

Hmm. Never tried a CC. I'll have to look into that. I don't want this guitar to be too bright, since slide playing has a "sharp" edge to it anyway. Thanks!