Which pickup do you think?

[big_black]

I pretty much decided before I even got the Nighthawk I was going to change out the bridge pickup. By all accounts I had heard, they ain't to sharp. So now I have a bit of a dillema. Below is a pic of the same model and color Nighthawk I bought. As you can see, the bridge pickup is specially made, so I won't be able to ust slap another one in there so eaily. I am leaning toward putting a lil' '59 in there, but I could also put another minihumbucker in. I'm not sure if it would look good, the mounting ring being a paralellogram shape. The lil' '59 would leave some unsightly space. So brothers in tone, I need your advice. Pull no punches!

 

[Hellion]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

Just to play the devil's advocate, have you heard the pickup that's in there? Most of the Nighthawks that I've heard sound quite good. I would assume the pickup is at least a part of their tone.

Having said that, you could always route it out for a normal sized humbucker. I'm thinking JB, but a '59 would sound good with that thing, too. Make a custom pickguard to cover the area that's not occupied by pickup.

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

The wiring is not stock, it has been rewired. The bridge is split right now, I don't hear a series selection in the wiring for the bridge pickup. I haven't wired it to series because I don't have a whole lot of experience with five way switches, mainly just minis.

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

Having said that, you could always route it out for a normal sized humbucker. I'm thinking JB, but a '59 would sound good with that thing, too. Make a custom pickguard to cover the area that's not occupied by pickup.

I also wanted to avoid routing the top. It is in really good condition for being 12 years old. I have the original case and everything. I would like to be able to return it to stock some day.

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

I forgot to add the option:

"Don't do it, you are crazy for even thinking of changing that pickup."

 

[Stevo]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

That is a cool looking guitar Big Black How about a custom rewind? MJ at Duncan has rewound those. It might be worth the price for a cool axe like that.

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

That is a cool looking guitar Big Black How about a custom rewind? MJ at Duncan has rewound those. It might be worth the price for a cool axe like that.

I never thought of that. Silly me. You might be on to something... What is it, $50 for a custom rewind?

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

No one wants to vote...?

I'll wire it up series (or try to) this weekend. Butin the mean time, VOTE!!

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

What about a Vintage Tallboy or Muy Grande Twangbucker by Rio Grande?

http://www.riograndepickups.com/3.html#twangbucker

You should play that stock pup for a week before buying anything new, though...

Thanks man. What do they sound like, Tele twang, or more PAFish? Those are pretty expensive prices, are they really that good?

 

[Artie]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

Another option might be to make a simple custom baseplate, out of phenolic or something, and mount two SC-sized 'buckers on it. Like a lil 59 and a JB Jr or something. With the right switching, (courtesy of moi), you could get a nice range of sounds.

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

Hmmm...yet another good idea. Thanks!

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

Another option might be to make a simple custom baseplate, out of phenolic or something, and mount two SC-sized 'buckers on it. Like a lil 59 and a JB Jr or something. With the right switching, (courtesy of moi), you could get a nice range of sounds.

Or maybe wood or something. Where can I get this phenolic? Anyone out there that makes completely custom mounting rings? I can't seem to find any.

 

[theodie]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

That is a cool looking guitar Big Black How about a custom rewind? MJ at Duncan has rewound those. It might be worth the price for a cool axe like that.

You beat me to it Stevo!!! Its not on the poll but, it has my vote

 

[Farkus]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

While price might be an issue, I think the custom shop will make you a bridge pickup instead of a custom rewind. This would be good if you want to keep the original pickup 'stock'. That and you'd get SD CS mojo, hehehe.

Also, I agree that you should give the stock some play time before doing anything. I've heard that the pickups are actually quite good.

Mark

 

[theodie]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

While price might be an issue, I think the custom shop will make you a bridge pickup instead of a custom rewind. This would be good if you want to keep the original pickup 'stock'. That and you'd get SD CS mojo, hehehe.

Also, I agree that you should give the stock some play time before doing anything. I've heard that the pickups are actually quite good.

Mark

A duncan rewind is pretty a custom shop deal. It will use the existing bobbins anbd other parts. It will be more cost effective that way. Instead of paying like $160 for a custom shop, you can send the pickup and like $85 to get it wound to anything you want.

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

With the slant of the coils I think they would have a hell of a time getting a mounting plate to build the pickup on. I think that's what I'm gonna do. Thanks guys!

 

[big_black]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

Also, I agree that you should give the stock some play time before doing anything. I've heard that the pickups are actually quite good.

Mark

I would if I could figure out ho to get the bridge in series!

 

[Inge Malmstein]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

Hmm, i think it should be no problem to put in a regular humbucker there.
What do you think about replacing the duncan baseplate with the one of the slanted original pickup?
I would take off the tape from the duncan Humbucker and then try to install each coil on it.
A problem might be the screws of each coil, maybe you could drill some holes on the baseplate.

 

[Artie]

Re: Which pickup do you think?

Or maybe wood or something. Where can I get this phenolic? Anyone out there that makes completely custom mounting rings? I can't seem to find any.

I was using the woord phenolic sorta generically. Anything stiff, like masonite or anything similar would work. Just something thats not too thick, stiff, and easy to work with. Just make a simple mounting base of the slant shape, and mount the two pups to it.

Of course, it sounds easy in theory . . . I haven't actually done it. :laugh2: