Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Chuck_Norris

Chuck_Norris

New member
Hi everyone

It's been a while :)


I'm planning to get a Yamaha Pacifica 212V (alder body, maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, 25.5" scale) and I've almost settled on SSL-1's for the neck and middle positions (Frusciante influence).

I'd like to try a JB in the bridge but I'm affraid it will overpower those single coils.

The sound I'm aiming for ranges from pristine cleans over Hendrix/SRV bluesy stuff to Andy Timmons/Joe Satriani instrumental rock.

What are your suggestions, gentlemen?
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

If you like Timmons you could always get his pickup, the DiMarzio AT-1, and wire it up for a coil splitter for when you have pickup combos.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

I suggest the SD Pearly Gates Plus.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

General question:
Should I stick with low output pickups or are mid/high output pickups also an option?

I never had an HSS setup before so I really need some quality advice here.

Funkfingers, how about a regular Pearly Gates?
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Yamaha Pacificas are really nice guitars.

You might want to take into consideration the value of the volume and tone potentiometers. The Pacificas have a master volume and tone controls so the same pots will be used for the humbucker and the single coils.
A problem I had with my Pacifica was that no matter what I did, I always got a thin and shrill single coil sound. The culprit: factory 500k pots.
I replaced both pots with 250K from CTS. The single coils came back to life BUT the bridge humbucker tone got a bit warmer too...
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Def a jb mate. Run the lot with 250k pots and fit the kinman treble bleed mod . I have that exact set up and its amazing. For extra versatility add a push push pot coil split for the jb and you'll also have a very usable bridge single. I also use a 0.01 tone cap . Much more usable.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

After some additional research, the remaining candidates are the PG and the JB.

Both should work well with 250k pots.

The 2 x SSL-1 / JB combo should be quite versatile yet very unbalanced.

The 2 x SSL-1 / PG combo looks like a more balanced option.

What do you guys think? JB or PG?
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

I'm a personal fan of the JB in an alder strat. It's just classic to me. I love the midrange. I like the fact that I can switch to the bridge bucker for an extra kick too...like a built in boost :)

That said, you can check out a cool YouTube clip that has a strat with a PG in the bridge and TX specials in single positions. The clip is done by Musikschmidt. I believe you just search for "Fender Road Worn Player Strat"...it's red w/black pickguard in the demo.

You could also consider the 59 or 59/Custom hybrid. The Custom Custom is also an option...it's supposed to be for brighter guitars and some say perfect bucker for a strat.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Running the JB with 250K pots cures most of "problems" players report having with the JB - namely it being "too bright". They're also the perfect value for SSL-1's.

That said, I don't think single coils like the SSL-1 and classic humbuckers belong on the same guitar. Always a compromise.

But like all things, you'll have to find out for yourself if it works for you.

It never has for me.

I like single coils on one guitar and humbuckers on my other guitar and the freedom to tweak my amp a little differently for either pickup's tone and style.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Looks like the JB is the favorite here. That's good cause I always wanted to try one :)

One last question:

Do I need a regular humbucker or a trembucker for the Pacifica?
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

can't answer that one mate but i prefer the tone of the regular spaced one. I have both and the trem spaced one is a tiny bit thinner sounding .
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

By the way, when you're getting the job done, seriously try the control setup i have. The volume and tone controls will become much more useful. Plus i love the split JB`s tone.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Chuck_Norris said:
Looks like the JB is the favorite here. That's good cause I always wanted to try one :)

One last question:

Do I need a regular humbucker or a trembucker for the Pacifica?
Click to expand...

Since you have a trem on that thing you'll need the Trembucker.

What wolf5150 is talking about with the TB version being thinner sound... :confused: No idea why that could possibly be.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

i don't know why either. I've just ordered a pair of bare knuckle single coils and Tim said he prefers the tone of normal spaced humbuckers too.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

also, not all trem equipped guitars need trem spaced pickups. My Anderson doesn't.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Consider Jazz bridge too for more balance set. Great for clean and instrumental rock (let the amp push it).
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Pacificas have quite a narrow string spacing. Either will work, though. I have a regular spaced Custom 8 in the bridge of mine and it sounds great.

A P-rail could be an interesting pickup with that setup.
 
Re: Which bridge HB to pair with SSL-1's in a Yamaha Pacifica?

Kramer used the JB with SSL1's in the 80's.

I had the JB wired with a 300k volume & 250k tone, worked great with enough highs but it was not harsh.

If you want your HB to see 500k and your singles 250k use this wiring diagram.
 
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