Which of these would you choose for a Les Paul?

[Masta' C]

So um... kinda ordered the Aldrich, LOL. I hope it's hot, because I see a lot of reviews saying "it doesn't feel as hot as the JB". The DCR seems to suggest otherwise, especially since it's running on the same mag, but we'll see.

I tend to think of the Suhr SSH+ as a "5% underwound" JB and an Aldrich as a "5% overwound" JB, because that's basically what they sound like. If you're looking for a JB that is "5% hotter" and *slightly* smoother/fuller, then the Aldrich is a safe bet. But I will say, they are very similar pickups and you may or may not notice a huge difference. Definitely take some time to dial it in height-wise before you make any judgements calls.

One other thing to consider is how we tend to perceive "hotness". Sometimes, as you thicken up a pickup and tame its treble response by adding winds, it can seem less "hot", even if the actual output is greater. That said, the Aldrich is pretty much a perfected JB sound that isn't really trying to be anything else. I hope you like it!

 

[Masta' C]

P.S.- I know Dean pickups never get discussed much anymore, but the Baker Act is a great JB-alike that is both hotter and smoother than the JB/Aldrich.

 

[Archer250]

I tend to think of the Suhr SSH+ as a "5% underwound" JB and an Aldrich as a "5% overwound" JB, because that's basically what they sound like. If you're looking for a JB that is "5% hotter" and *slightly* smoother/fuller, then the Aldrich is a safe bet. But I will say, they are very similar pickups and you may or may not notice a huge difference. Definitely take some time to dial it in height-wise before you make any judgements calls.

One other thing to consider is how we tend to perceive "hotness". Sometimes, as you thicken up a pickup and tame its treble response by adding winds, it can seem less "hot", even if the actual output is greater. That said, the Aldrich is pretty much a perfected JB sound that isn't really trying to be anything else. I hope you like it!

Yeah this actually tracks.

I've been measuring TB4s, SSH+ and Aldrichs resistance and that's about right too.

​​​​​​

 

[Rex_Rocker]

P.S.- I know Dean pickups never get discussed much anymore, but the Baker Act is a great JB-alike that is both hotter and smoother than the JB/Aldrich.

I've been wanting to try the Tyrant ever since it came out, but I guess I forgot about it.

I hope the Aldrich is what I'm looking for. If not, well, then at least I tried another pickup.

 

[Masta' C]

I've had the Tyrant twice now. It's essentially Dean's "Equalizer" model with Invader-style pole pieces added (I've also owned the Equalizer). The Tyrant smooths out and tightens up the typical "JB" sound, but it isn't really any "hotter" than the JB in my experience (that's where the Baker Act comes in). The Tyrant is very "crisp" and percussive...not nearly as dark as you might expect it to be with the big hex cap poles.

I hope you like the Aldrich, though! When recorded, it sounds a whole lot like the JB, but there's also that "in person" factor to consider and the Aldrich is a pretty dang fun pickup to play!

 

[Ascension]

On the list, the Suhr by far.
One pickup to consider is the Dimarzion Gravity Storm. Have run a Breed in a couple guitars and IMO the Gravity Storm kills them. Like the Breed, but to me, they are a little bland. The Zone is a pickup I have run a few times also in all maple Carvin guitars. I wouldn't recommend one in a Les Paul myself, it would be on the muddy side. The Storm is a unique pickup, in particular the Bridge. Big fat and round but very touch sensitive and articulate at the same time, I had one for a while but sold the guitar it was in with it.

 

[AdrianSD]

Rex Rocker try JB8. Seriously, it's that good for heavy styles it should be production. Might match quite well that particular guitar you want it for.

 

[Masta' C]

Rex Rocker try JB8. Seriously, it's that good for heavy styles it should be production. Might match quite well that particular guitar you want it for.

He's been recommended this a bunch of times. Eventually he'll come around, ha ha!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, I guess I'm predisposed with A8 because people usually claim it has more low end and it's tighter... but it's always one or the other, LOL. I don't find pickups with more low end are tighter. I suppose I just had a bad experience with the Custom where I just couldn't get the low-end under control compared to all my other pickups which aren't as bassy. It just sounded so thuddy no matter what.

But I'm sure it's worth a try if the Aldrich doesn't work out. Especiall for this guitar where I want a fatter/looser pickup.

 

[Masta' C]

Especially for this guitar where I want a fatter/looser pickup.

Wait, you want fatter and looser? Tone Zone, baby! Loose as a goose and thicc where it counts.

Aldrich is just a refined JB, but would actually be a good candidate for mag swapping, also!​

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Wait, you want fatter and looser? Tone Zone, baby! Loose as a goose and thicc where it counts.

Aldrich is just a refined JB, but would actually be a good candidate for mag swapping, also!​

Well, I just want a bit more girth than the JB currently has. So loose-er, but not loose loose, LOL. Custom was too thuddy/boomy.

 

[Masta' C]

Well, I just want a bit more girth than the JB currently has. So loose-er, but not loose loose, LOL. Custom was too thuddy/boomy.

Got it...then, yeah:

JB -> Aldrich -> AT-1 > JB8 -> Baker Act -> Alt 8

Or something like that, LOL!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Got it...then, yeah:

JB -> Aldrich -> AT-1 > JB8 -> Baker Act -> Alt 8

Or something like that, LOL!

Controversial opinion here, but I actually find the AT-1 to have less low-end than the JB. TBH, though, I've never had them both in the same guitar to know for sure, so I admit I might be wrong there. But the AT-1 tightened up my Strat when no other pickup could. My Strat is abnormally fat and blunt for some odd reason. Like fatter than the Les Paul that I'm dropping the Aldrich in.

 

[Masta' C]

That order was more for overall "girth", not just bottom end. As you go up my (completely arbitrary) scale, you'll generally find that the pickups are hotter/middier/warmer/thicker, giving you that sense of "girth" you're looking for.

Also, I'm not doubting your experience, but my AT-1 isn't lacking bottom end at all. It's a fairly tight response, like you said, but in my Jackson Rhoads, which is a guitar most pickups tend to sound a bit thin in, it's very full and rich from bottom to top.

On their own site, DiMarzio ranks the bass and low mids of the AT-1 just a half notch below the Tone Zone and Air Zone. I know that doesn't tell the whole story about how a pickup sounds and their rankings might be a bit generous in this case, but it certainly confirms the bottom end isn't lacking. Your result could just be a characteristic of your particular Strat or how you have the pickup adjusted.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

That order was more for overall "girth", not just bottom end. As you go up my (completely arbitrary) scale, you'll generally find that the pickups are hotter/middier/warmer/thicker, giving you that sense of "girth" you're looking for.

Also, I'm not doubting your experience, but my AT-1 isn't lacking bottom end at all. It's a fairly tight response, like you said, but in my Jackson Rhoads, which is a guitar most pickups tend to sound a bit thin in, it's very full and rich from bottom to top.

On their own site, DiMarzio ranks the bass and low mids of the AT-1 just a half notch below the Tone Zone and Air Zone. I know that doesn't tell the whole story about how a pickup sounds and their rankings might be a bit generous in this case, but it certainly confirms the bottom end isn't lacking. Your result could just be a characteristic of your particular Strat or how you have the pickup adjusted.

Did you mention yours was de-aired? That might account for the added girth. The Airbucker thing, among other things, brightens and/or thins out a pickup if I understand it correctly. Less metal from the lack of keeper bar!

Once the Aldrich gets here, I might try the JB in the Strat just to compare.

I'm not sure if I always agree with the DiMarzio EQ charts, personally. The Dominion is the one that comes the most to mind. That pickup is super lean, focused, tight, and dry, yet they have the bass really high on their chart. Not my experience whatsoever.

 

[Masta' C]

Did you mention yours was de-aired? That might account for the added girth. The Airbucker thing, among other things, brightens and/or thins out a pickup if I understand it correctly. Less metal from the lack of keeper bar!

Once the Aldrich gets here, I might try the JB in the Strat just to compare.

I'm not sure if I always agree with the DiMarzio EQ charts, personally. The Dominion is the one that comes the most to mind. That pickup is super lean, focused, tight, and dry, yet they have the bass really high on their chart. Not my experience whatsoever.

Yes, I did eventually de-air the AT-1 in my Rhoads with a metal spacer to increase the output a little and thicken the top end a bit more. Honestly, the low end wasn't affected all that much by the change. I also had a stock AT-1 in another guitar for a while, which is what made me decide to get the one for my Rhoads.

Side Note: You can kind of simulate the effects of "airing" by backing a pickup away from the strings an extra turn or two more than you normally would. The "air" technology is just meant to reduce the strength of the magnetic field. I actually think half-airing is more useful as a tweaking "tool" in most cases.

Also, I totally agree with you about DiMarzio's numbers. I tend not to put too much faith in them. It was just another point of support for the idea that the AT-1 isn't lacking bottom end.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

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Stay tuned for a review tonight!

 

[Aceman]

P.S.- I know Dean pickups never get discussed much anymore, but the Baker Act is a great JB-alike that is both hotter and smoother than the JB/Aldrich.

Which reminds me I need to get my Baker Act installed in my Black Caddy!

In the Super Distortion similar zone, I have a set of dean Lights Out in my Schenker V

 

[soulforger]

Which reminds me I need to get my Baker Act installed in my Black Caddy!

In the Super Distortion similar zone, I have a set of dean Lights Out in my Schenker V

I've been a fan of the DMTs as well, I had Time Capsules (real Super D'ish!) and the Baker and Mountain of Tone Leslie West pickup. Great stuff! I always wanted to try those Lights Out as well, Schenker has gone to Gibson but I really loved those Dean Vs!

 

[Aceman]

I've been a fan of the DMTs as well, I had Time Capsules (real Super D'ish!) and the Baker and Mountain of Tone Leslie West pickup. Great stuff! I always wanted to try those Lights Out as well, Schenker has gone to Gibson but I really loved those Dean Vs!

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