Which SD pickups would you recommend?

A-Ro

A-Ro

New member
I'm looking at acquiring an Ibanez Artcore AS83 or AS93 (ES-335 clone). After playing them I know I will be switching out the pickups.

I know I want vintage, medium output humbuckers but can't decide between: Alnico II Pro's, '59s, Pearly Gates or Seth Lovers (or any combination there of).

I don't play blues. Mostly, I play rock type stuff. I just really like the tone a hollowbody gives out. I'll use pedals for my overdrive.

Any suggestions from those of you that have experience with these pickups?
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

First and foremost, welcome to the SD forum! It's kind of funny how the 335 copy pickup suggestions come in bunches. If you read further down on I believe this first page you will see another member asking the very same question.
You have already mentioned the most popular choices, you may want to add the P-Rails, and of course the Antiquities to your list of possible suspects.
I personally have an Ibanez 335 copy myself that will eventually receive a new set of duncans. I'm leaning towards the Seth Lovers, but the P-Rails are really enticing.
Well, good luck on your tone quest.
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

I know it's not a hollow body, but I just put a PG/A2P set in my Warmoth Iceman and I love them. Will do classic/hard rock, blues, southern rock. For more traditional rock tones, maybe the 59 set, but I don't have expirience with those. I don't think you can go wrong with any combo of these 3 pups.
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

A-Ro said:
I'm looking at acquiring an Ibanez Artcore AS83 or AS93 (ES-335 clone). After playing them I know I will be switching out the pickups.

I know I want vintage, medium output humbuckers but can't decide between: Alnico II Pro's, '59s, Pearly Gates or Seth Lovers (or any combination there of).

I don't play blues. Mostly, I play rock type stuff. I just really like the tone a hollowbody gives out. I'll use pedals for my overdrive.

Any suggestions from those of you that have experience with these pickups?
Click to expand...
Your question has been answered at least 7,000,000,000 times.
Just do a search.
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

wanmei1 said:
Your question has been answered at least 7,000,000,000 times.
Just do a search.
Click to expand...

I did a search before I posted this...sorry, I did not find 7 billion answers. Thank you wanmei1 for your educated response.
 
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Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

i'd go Pearly Gates neck and 59 bridge. and while you're at it, put some push-pull pots in there b/c both of those pickups split REALLY well, especially the 59
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

Captain Crunch said:
i'd go Pearly Gates neck and 59 bridge. and while you're at it, put some push-pull pots in there b/c both of those pickups split REALLY well, especially the 59
Click to expand...

Or put a PG in the bridge & a '59 or Jazz in the neck. That would give the neck more definition, and would warm the bridge.
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

blueman335 said:
Or put a PG in the bridge & a '59 or Jazz in the neck. That would give the neck more definition, and would warm the bridge.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't a PG in the bridge being an Alnico 2 have a lower output than the neck pickup (if it's a '59 or Jazz) since they are Alnico 5's?

For some reason I thought higher number magnets = more output? Is the DC resistance what matters most for output?
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

A-Ro said:
Wouldn't a PG in the bridge being an Alnico 2 have a lower output than the neck pickup (if it's a '59 or Jazz) since they are Alnico 5's?

For some reason I thought higher number magnets = more output? Is the DC resistance what matters most for output?
Click to expand...

Nop .. the neck pups are wound to macth the bridge so u wont have that problem. The Jazz neck is a nice pickup.. I would either go with 59 set or PG set on that guitar...
Welcome to the forum.
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

If it were me... PG set. Fantastic pickups, and don't let the fact that they're A2 fool you. The neck is on the bright side, even in my les paul, and the bridge is pretty bright too, so much so that some people dislike it. But it should sound balanced with some edge in a hollowbody. Just my .02

edit: While I personally prefer the PGn to just about any neck pickup out there, I don't think you'll be dissapointed with either the Jazz N or the 59n. You could also throw a jazz bridge in the neck, that pickup seems to be well liked around here. But you really can't go wrong with any of the duncan low output 'buckers.
 
Re: Which SD pickups would you recommend?

A-Ro said:
I did a search before I posted this...sorry, I did not find 7 billion answers.
Click to expand...

LOL I am sure even if you found the ans you would not find anything specific for what you want. I say again 59 or PG set.. may be a Jazz in the neck instead of 59.
 
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