Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

OsvyRock

OsvyRock

New member
Got a PRS Starla SE in the States since I had to left my guitars when I moved here from Puerto Rico.
There I have guitars with the following combinations:

Squier Affinity Strat: TB-4 JB/ STK-S7 / STK-S6
SG Standard: 498T/490R
DBZ Bolero: SH-5 Duncan Custom / 59'nJ
Gibson Flying V: Super Distortion / PAF Pro


My favorite ones are the Flying V, Squier & Bolero. Bolero was my #1, but I started digging the Strat vibe, and I love the tone of the Super Distortion.
The thing is I don't want to repeat pickup combinations, but would like something hotter, but that can pull out good cleans too. Just got one volume knob + one tone knob so the balance between both pickups have to be on point.
I have considered a Distortion Mayhem set, a TB-6/Jazz set, the Pearly Gates set, the Custom 5 as a bridge, and even the new Jupiter set. Which one would you recommend for me?
This guitar has a very woody percussive tone, full mahogany, wide fat neck. Don't play the hardest/darkest of all metal, but like to play with high gain a lot, but also appreciate good clean tones.
Feel free to ask me any questions and if someone's selling something, please let me know. Made a post on the Trading Post, and nobody replied or anything. This are definitely hard times for all but if you have good pickups for sale, let me know. Really looking for Seymour Duncan or (some) Dimarzio at this time.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

I have a Custom 5/Jazz set in my mahogany LTD sounds really good, Jazz that almost chimey strat tone which is great for cleans and distorted tones as is the C5. I also have a distortion in the bridge of my mahogany with maple cap Iceman, that is the tone for me. Not everyone is a fan of ceramic pus, but based on what you already have, you dont seem to mind them.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

Hsb said:
I have a Custom 5/Jazz set in my mahogany LTD sounds really good, Jazz that almost chimey strat tone which is great for cleans and distorted tones as is the C5. I also have a distortion in the bridge of my mahogany with maple cap Iceman, that is the tone for me. Not everyone is a fan of ceramic pus, but based on what you already have, you dont seem to mind them.
Click to expand...
How has been your experience with both, the C-5, and the Distortion in the bridge? I just don't want it to be too dark or "too metal". I read they're amazing for 80's rock!
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

Couple set ups come to mind. One the Saturday Night Specials. That classic Arena rock tone and with the A4 mags have some unique tones. Have a set in my carvin AE 185 semi hollow. the other with be the PSYCLONES hot Filtertron tones that are pretty unique and would be a great match fr a Starla IMO!
Here is a demo of the Psyclones.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

The Custom 5 is absolutely not dark. It has no real mids, which is wonderful for certain kinds of music or a mid-heavy guitar. It is a pretty bright pickup with a very present, tight bass.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

Ascension said:
Couple set ups come to mind. One the Saturday Night Specials. That classic Arena rock tone and with the A4 mags have some unique tones. Have a set in my carvin AE 185 semi hollow. the other with be the PSYCLONES hot Filtertron tones that are pretty unique and would be a great match fr a Starla IMO!
Here is a demo of the Psyclones.
Click to expand...


Both amazing recommendations! I was thinking of trying those many years ago, but ended up with the Super Distortion & PAF Pro combination for my V. The Dimarzio PAF Master are supposedly similar to the SNS because of the Alnico IV Magnets. I did like the PAF Master neck pickup and have considered getting one for my Starla, but it's bass lacking. Getting the Psyclone is also a good idea since they would prefer what makes the Starla such a unique instrument, the Filtertron/Humbucker style pickups.
Anyone knows how or where I could get those for next week? I'm still open for ideas here. Just would like more clarity and power at the same time.

Mincer said:
The Custom 5 is absolutely not dark. It has no real mids, which is wonderful for certain kinds of music or a mid-heavy guitar. It is a pretty bright pickup with a very present, tight bass.
Click to expand...

So it's quite different to the SH-5? The SH-5 is dark and kinda mids lacking. I hope it's not scooped as hell. I do like ''scooped'' sounds, but I turn my mids up on my gear. I'm kind of weird really in that department.
I have read that it's like a hotter/high-gain version of the 59' pickup.
 
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Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

If you turn your mids up might want to look at the Hybrid. Because of how it hits in the mix it feels a lot hotter than the Custom 5 but really isn't and also splits amazingly well. Its one of my all time favorite pickups The harmonics they pull are amazing!
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

Ascension said:
If you turn your mids up might want to look at the Hybrid. Because of how it hits in the mix it feels a lot hotter than the Custom 5 but really isn't and also splits amazingly well. Its one of my all time favorite pickups The harmonics they pull are amazing!
Click to expand...

It's also a good recommendation man since I'm a Custom + 59' combo user. Now, which one would be the right one for the neck: 59, WLH, Jazz, PGn, SNS, etc?
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

A lot of people like the Sentient in the neck with the '59/Custom Hybrid. '59, Jazz & PGn all have followers (PGn particularly for people who swap an A2 or unoriented A5 magnet in on the '59/C).

For people into really hacking pickups, a '59/Jazz hybrid is a top contender for best match for the '59/Custom. Sentient has a bit similar a sound in that it sounds similar to both the '59 and the Jazz, but higher output (without being muddy).
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

OsvyRock said:
Both amazing recommendations! I was thinking of trying those many years ago, but ended up with the Super Distortion & PAF Pro combination for my V. The Dimarzio PAF Master are supposedly similar to the SNS because of the Alnico IV Magnets. I did like the PAF Master neck pickup and have considered getting one for my Starla, but it's bass lacking. Getting the Psyclone is also a good idea since they would prefer what makes the Starla such a unique instrument, the Filtertron/Humbucker style pickups.
Anyone knows how or where I could get those for next week? I'm still open for ideas here. Just would like more clarity and power at the same time.



So it's quite different to the SH-5? The SH-5 is dark and kinda mids lacking. I hope it's not scooped as hell. I do like ''scooped'' sounds, but I turn my mids up on my gear. I'm kind of weird really in that department.
I have read that it's like a hotter/high-gain version of the 59' pickup.
Click to expand...

The Custom 5 has, like, no mids at all. It is extremely scooped, which many people like, especially for heavier music. While I don't play heavy music at all, it works for me in mid-heavy guitars. The Custom is closer to being a higher output version of the 59.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

Despair said:
A lot of people like the Sentient in the neck with the '59/Custom Hybrid. '59, Jazz & PGn all have followers (PGn particularly for people who swap an A2 or unoriented A5 magnet in on the '59/C).

For people into really hacking pickups, a '59/Jazz hybrid is a top contender for best match for the '59/Custom. Sentient has a bit similar a sound in that it sounds similar to both the '59 and the Jazz, but higher output (without being muddy).
Click to expand...

How clear/bright is the Sentient? I know it's the neck meant to match the Nazgul and the Pegasus bridge humbuckers.

Mincer said:
The Custom 5 has, like, no mids at all. It is extremely scooped, which many people like, especially for heavier music. While I don't play heavy music at all, it works for me in mid-heavy guitars. The Custom is closer to being a higher output version of the 59.
Click to expand...

May be too much. I like my mids and then scoop them in my amp/EQ if I need to. I imagine it could work for chugs and all that stuff, but it's not all that I want to do. If it's similar to the 498t (like I have read), it may not be the pickup for me. I don't even play my SG anymore. Something with the clarity + output of the Super Distortion would be nice and something even more clearer than a 59' neck. The hardest thing is making them actually work. I didn't have a good experience using the Slash Alnico II Pro due to pickup EQ mismatch and the lack of output, but the clarity was good!

I'm still considering the Psyclones. The regular ones seem better than the hot/darker ones. Anyone had them?
I'll wait until Monday or Tuesday to make a decision. PS. Heard the Psyclones are not humbucker sized? Would my Starla be normal or trembucker sized?
 
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Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

I'd say the vintage versions, then. You can always boost the signal after the fact.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

Mincer said:
I'd say the vintage versions, then. You can always boost the signal after the fact.
Click to expand...

Just want to make sure (and it's important). Are Psyclones capable of being coil-tapped aka do they have a four-conductor cable?
I don't want to lose that from my current configuration.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

From their own page:

Four-conductor lead wire provides plenty of wiring options and the choice of nickel or gold covers means Psyclone humbuckers will look perfect in any guitar.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

I reckon a Starla would be a perfect bed for the Vintage Psyclones. That's certainly the way I would go. I have a 'normal' sized Vintage Psyclone in the neck of my Tele and I love it.
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

Mincer said:
From their own page:

Four-conductor lead wire provides plenty of wiring options and the choice of nickel or gold covers means Psyclone humbuckers will look perfect in any guitar.
Click to expand...

stevie_bees said:
I reckon a Starla would be a perfect bed for the Vintage Psyclones. That's certainly the way I would go. I have a 'normal' sized Vintage Psyclone in the neck of my Tele and I love it.
Click to expand...

Would these be the correct HB size ones? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084KH3G4L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_B6yfFb4SN3PYF

I agree. This is not meant to be another humbucker guitar by design. I'm just a humbucker guy, and really would like something clearer, and more powerful!
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

The right ones for normal humbucker routes are these...with the tabs:

Filtertron-gold-neck-11305-07-Gc.jpg
 
Re: Which Seymour Duncan Should I Go For Now?

Mincer said:
The right ones for normal humbucker routes are these...with the tabs:

View attachment 105867
Click to expand...

Thanks!!! Do they fit perfectly without any problems? I read that they may be smaller than humbucker size. Just won't like to have any problems. If not, I'll go the normal humbucker route.
Think these may be regular humbucker size, not TB? I'm actually looking for them. They have been sold out in almost every website.
 
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