Which pickup/s for me?

[waylay00]

Hello, I have a mahogany PRS Santana SE, and quite frankly, the stock pickups just aren't cutting it. The bridge sounds way too shrill (although I do like brightness, along with good mids though), and the neck pickup is too bassy and muddy. The bridge also gets muddy too, especially at high gain settings.

I was thinking of going with a SH-2 Jazz for the neck, but I'm clueless on the bridge. I've looked at the JB, but I've heard it's too shrill. I also was looking at both the SH-6 Duncan Distortion and the SH-5 Custom. What exactly is the difference here?

See here, I want a hot pickup for good classic type rock sounds (a la AC/DC, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, etc). My EVO 2 in my Ibanez RG is very hot, but it's more for the modern-ish Vai type sound.

So which pickup would best compliment the Jazz, while still fulfilling my requirements?

Thanks

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

For classic rock, you don't need high output, so a 59 would do very well.

If you still want high output, the Custom would be the one to go with.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

welcome to the SDUG forums

if you want a bit more 'kick' than a 59, try a custom-5 ... sounds great in the bridge - doesnt mud out with gain

highly recommend

cheers
t4d

 

[waylay00]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

That's the exact one I was looking at. It seems like a happy medium between a 59 and a SH-6 Duncan Distortion, which is exactly what I want.

Thanks!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

The Jazz is a good choice for rock styles. The PGn and Alnico 2 Pro neck HB's would have a little less bass, more mids and a nice crisp high end too.

The Distortion is a JB with a ceramic magnet instead of the alnico 5 magnet used in the JB. More mids, more sizzle to the treble...a little more output.

The Jazz and the Duncan Custom would be nice if you want a hotter than vintage bridge pickup.

The Jazz and the 59B would be nice if you want vintage output.

Generally, if you're hearing alot of mud you're using to much bass on your amp and should back it off or your pickups have to much bass for the tones you are going for.

I usually suggest alnico 2 pickups for the players who are trying to back off on the bass response of thier pickups.

So going in a totally differant direction, you might like a set of either the Alnico 2 Pro or Pearly Gates...and if you wanted a hotter than vintage bridge pickup maybe go for the Duncan Custom Custom or for a little more sizzle, the Duncan Custom.

 

[waylay00]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

Yeah, so would a SH-6 Duncan Distortion and a Jazz be a bad combo?

And what's hotter, the SH-5 Custom or the JB?

 

[waylay00]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

Anyone? I need to know ASAP, as I want to buy them today.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

If you think the PRS is too shrill then the JB or the DD is not want you want. However, it sounds like you want a high output bridge pickup, and if you don't get one you will always wonder...

Go with the Custom Custom or Custom5 for the bridge and the jazz for the neck....

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

Welcome bro.

Im gonna say Jazz for the neck for sure, as for the bridge if you want to stay with a vintage output pickup go for a 59, if you want something hotter try a Custom...should do you just fine!

 

[Dying Flesh]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

Yeah, so would a SH-6 Duncan Distortion and a Jazz be a bad combo?

And what's hotter, the SH-5 Custom or the JB?

I like the DD/Jazz combo,
the Custom sounds like what you want.

It's got more cut than the DD

 

[john5959]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

Hi again Waylay,
When I play my JB I'm not hearing shrill I'm hear thick beutiful midrange.
There must be a reason why the JB is one of the most popular replacement pups of all time.
But a pair of 59's is a good choice too.

 

[waylay00]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

Yeah, I actually might go with the JB. If it is as good as everyone says it is, then I need to try it.

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

If you like the Jazz in neck go for the Screaming Demon in bridge , they have same qualities , see my recent post .
Nothing is better than this combo , especcially in a quality builded guitar .

 

[Robbiedbee]

Re: Which pickup/s for me?

I'd go with the 59 myself. The JB just doesn't give a sweet enough tone for me. The 59 has a sort of warmth that the JB doesn't. As john5959 said, a pair of 59s would work well, or Jazz/59 is good too.