tehorix789
New member
Hi all,
I'd like to swap out the stock pickups of my PRS Santana SE for some vintage-sounding pickups -- to get the Santana SE to come as close as possible to a crunchy Les Paul sort of sound. I've been listening to a lot of Gov't Mule lately, and if possible, I'd like to achieve a tone similar to that on Warren's heavier stuff.
At first consideration, I just figured I'd swap in a set of SH-1 '59s because I got the impression those were just like the standard for a hot, vintage Les Paul sort of sound. But after listening to other models' sample clips on the site, I'm unsure which pickups would be best for getting my Santana SE (which has the tremolo bridge, NOT the stop-tailpiece) to achieve that vintage crunch, yet also be able to crank out some heavy tunes, as well.
I'm most definitely not interested in having my guitar sound anything like a metal or a "Dream Theater" sort of sound, but I would like the guitar to be able to get heavy (with thick distortion, yet not too tinny). I also own a Gibson SG '61 reissue, and those classic '57 pickups are definitely a little too warm and not high enough output for me. I'm looking for pickups that can deliver a lot of sustain, good heavy vintage-style crunch, yet not be too brittle and thin sounding.
If any of you have access to Gov't Mule's stuff, refer to Warren's tone on "Rockin' Horse," "Blind Man in the Dark," "Bad Little Doggie," and "Wandering Child."
As a sidenote, the guitar's body is made of mahogany.
Also, should I take into consideration the fact that my Santana SE has the tremolo bridge opposed to a stop-tailpiece?
And just as a final question, what difference would installing the pickups with covers make?
I'm new to the whole pickup swapping world, and would appreciate any advice on this decision.
Thanks,
Aaron
I'd like to swap out the stock pickups of my PRS Santana SE for some vintage-sounding pickups -- to get the Santana SE to come as close as possible to a crunchy Les Paul sort of sound. I've been listening to a lot of Gov't Mule lately, and if possible, I'd like to achieve a tone similar to that on Warren's heavier stuff.
At first consideration, I just figured I'd swap in a set of SH-1 '59s because I got the impression those were just like the standard for a hot, vintage Les Paul sort of sound. But after listening to other models' sample clips on the site, I'm unsure which pickups would be best for getting my Santana SE (which has the tremolo bridge, NOT the stop-tailpiece) to achieve that vintage crunch, yet also be able to crank out some heavy tunes, as well.
I'm most definitely not interested in having my guitar sound anything like a metal or a "Dream Theater" sort of sound, but I would like the guitar to be able to get heavy (with thick distortion, yet not too tinny). I also own a Gibson SG '61 reissue, and those classic '57 pickups are definitely a little too warm and not high enough output for me. I'm looking for pickups that can deliver a lot of sustain, good heavy vintage-style crunch, yet not be too brittle and thin sounding.
If any of you have access to Gov't Mule's stuff, refer to Warren's tone on "Rockin' Horse," "Blind Man in the Dark," "Bad Little Doggie," and "Wandering Child."
As a sidenote, the guitar's body is made of mahogany.
Also, should I take into consideration the fact that my Santana SE has the tremolo bridge opposed to a stop-tailpiece?
And just as a final question, what difference would installing the pickups with covers make?
I'm new to the whole pickup swapping world, and would appreciate any advice on this decision.
Thanks,
Aaron
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