The 498T in my Gibson LP Studio has a nice vocal quality to the tone with some OD, but it's a bit lacking in other respects (e.g., can be harsh when played clean). What SD bridge humbucker has a nice vocal quality as well as nice clean tones? Seth Lover, '59, JB, Pearly Gates, CC, etc.?
Which bridge humbucker has the most vocal quality to the tone?
- Thread starter Kelsey
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Lewguitar
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Re: Which bridge humbucker has the most vocal quality to the tone?
Through a great amp, they all do! I think alnico 2 humbuckers like the Seth Lover, Antiquity and Custom Custom compress a little more easily, have more mids, and have more "OW" in thier VOWEL like tones and have a more touch responsive tone than alnico 5 buckers like the Custom 5. But with the tone control rolled back a bit on my Strats with the alnico 5 59 Trembuckers they're vocal as all get out too. A cathode biased amp like the old Fender Tweed Deluxe or Vox AC-30 brings out that vocal quality like gangbusters. Lew
Through a great amp, they all do! I think alnico 2 humbuckers like the Seth Lover, Antiquity and Custom Custom compress a little more easily, have more mids, and have more "OW" in thier VOWEL like tones and have a more touch responsive tone than alnico 5 buckers like the Custom 5. But with the tone control rolled back a bit on my Strats with the alnico 5 59 Trembuckers they're vocal as all get out too. A cathode biased amp like the old Fender Tweed Deluxe or Vox AC-30 brings out that vocal quality like gangbusters. Lew
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Re: Which bridge humbucker has the most vocal quality to the tone?
Yeah, I notice it most with my Orange AD15 and old tweed Gibson Explorer, but also when using the FM or vintage modes with my Fulldrive 2. I was wondering whether a HB with stronger mids than most vintage-style PAFs would get there more readily, such as a CC or JB.
I'm not too impressed with the clean tone of the CC in the SD clips, but that might not be very representative. I've heard more clips and guitars-in-hand with the JB, and that sounds better clean to me. This is where selecting a pickup gets a bit difficult.
Yeah, I notice it most with my Orange AD15 and old tweed Gibson Explorer, but also when using the FM or vintage modes with my Fulldrive 2. I was wondering whether a HB with stronger mids than most vintage-style PAFs would get there more readily, such as a CC or JB.
I'm not too impressed with the clean tone of the CC in the SD clips, but that might not be very representative. I've heard more clips and guitars-in-hand with the JB, and that sounds better clean to me. This is where selecting a pickup gets a bit difficult.
Simon_F
Super Moderator
Re: Which bridge humbucker has the most vocal quality to the tone?
I really like the Seth Lovers in my '96 Standard. They do have that vocal mid-present tone and they manage to be bright and smooth at the same time. They sound great clean or distorted. Huge improvement over the 498T/490R that came stock in that guitar. Perfect for classic rock, blues and jazz tones in a Les Paul.
I really like the Seth Lovers in my '96 Standard. They do have that vocal mid-present tone and they manage to be bright and smooth at the same time. They sound great clean or distorted. Huge improvement over the 498T/490R that came stock in that guitar. Perfect for classic rock, blues and jazz tones in a Les Paul.
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