WLH vs DiMarzio 36th

[smitty302]

I have 3 SG's and I play everything from blues, classic rock, 80s metal all the way to Pantera. I have one SG with 57 classics, it does it's job well taking care my alnico 2 needs. I also another one with a custom sh-5 and a jazz neck. That takes care of my heavier needs. But I'm getting tired of the burstbuckers 1 and 3 in my 3rd one. I think the main reason is I don't want another alnico 2 and looking for something fresh. This 3rd SG that I'm talking about came with coil taps, even though I don't ever use the. Well I can't decide if I should go WLH or try the 36ths out. What do you guys think, and what is the biggest difference. I would love to have a kick ass but tamed alnico 5 that I could get some good pinch harmonics out of. I know everyone will respond that p.h. are technique. I can get them out of my burstbucker 1 in the neck position of that guitar all over the place. But I still know there's a difference in pickups. My 57 classic plus will produce pinch harmonics but nothing like the custom sh-5. So just looking for an alnico 5 set that will be between my sh-5 and 57 classic plus. I kinda narrowed it down to the WLH or 36th. Just please help me. Thanks.

 

[jimlp]

Re: WLH vs DiMarzio 36th

I had the WLH is a very clear sounding Korina guitar and I did not like them as in that guitar they sounded kind of flat and smooth, they were OK but not great. The 36th Anny set is a nice option as well but I would get a 59 set if you can deal with less mids, I like the beefier low end of the 59's.

 

[Mincer]

Re: WLH vs DiMarzio 36th

Or go for something way different and get the Alnico 4 Saturday Night Special set. This set really has a remarkable sound in an SG.

 

[jimlp]

Re: WLH vs DiMarzio 36th

Or go for something way different and get the Alnico 4 Saturday Night Special set. This set really has a remarkable sound in an SG.
I

This a great suggestion as well, I have a set of these and love them.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: WLH vs DiMarzio 36th

I would like to know as well.

I have the PAF 36th Anni neck model in one guitar and the WLH bridge in another. I really like them both, but I'm really curious about the PAF 36th bridge model and how it compares to the WLH bridge.

I had the WLH is a very clear sounding Korina guitar and I did not like them as in that guitar they sounded kind of flat and smooth, they were OK but not great. The 36th Anny set is a nice option as well but I would get a 59 set if you can deal with less mids, I like the beefier low end of the 59's.

59's are nice too, and I agree, to me, they have a bit deeper low-end (although less low-mids and more highs) than the WLH's.

 

[UTGrad]

Re: WLH vs DiMarzio 36th

Love the WLH set in my Epi SG. Tone sounds great and Zep like on the mahogany body.


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[stratguy23]

Re: WLH vs DiMarzio 36th

In my experience, the WLH and 36th pickups are pretty similar. They are PAF-type Alnico V pickups with more mids than the usual scooped A5 PAF, and a rounded top end, and overall slightly more output than a typical vintage recreation PAF.

The WLH has even EQ response, whereas the 36th pickups, to my years, have a noticeable mids hump. I had never encountered mids-heavy PAFs until the 36ths.

I would equate the non-bridge 36th with the Burstbucker 3 in terms of output (perceived, not measured numerically), The bridge 36th is pretty darn hot and mids-heavy (could be mids-congested with an SG).

I don't have a specific recommendation in this case, other than to observe that your results likely won't differ greatly between the WLH and 36th pickups.

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: WLH vs DiMarzio 36th

I own both sets, but in very different guitars. Here's what my experience has been with them. I hope it helps.

My WLH set is in a Fender Blacktop Strat. It has an Alder body with a 22 fret all-maple neck that has a gloss finish. To my ears, this guitar has always had more low end than the average Strat. The WLH set sounds edgy, kind of has some grit in tonal texture. Not in output, it's by no means high output. But it has a sort of irreverent, rock tone that makes it sound lively and ready to crunch out some great tunes from Zep, or Hendrix, or Foo Fighters. I'd describe the feel of it, tonally speaking, as that reckless tone ready to really make people go wild in the audience. Good high end, not too much mid-scoop, and a tight enough bottom end that any palm muting doesn't sound muffled. It defintely feels like a PAF with just a bit more push, but definitely not high-output.

I also have an ash-bodied strat with a WLH bridge pickup. Same overall vibe, but more accentuation on the highs, the treble, and to my ears, that wonderful irreverence that makes this pickup put a devilish grin on my face.

Now, I put my 36th Anniversary set into an Epiphone LP with the standard tone woods. The sound to me is very different, but unmistakably PAF. I kinda think that it amounts to how there are so many "classic Les Paul" tones I've heard over the years that aren't the same, but are identifiable as tones of their era and set a rock standard going forward. To me, they sound warmer and have less scoop. More balanced in EQ. But there is this great PAF rock tone that really makes me happy. I get fatter tones out of neck and bridge than my WLH pickups and they don't have that "irreverent tone" that I dig in my WLHs. That said, these to me sound closer to the average Gibson Burstbucker, but also, BETTER than the average Burstbucker.

Again, I have these pickups in very different guitars so it isn't a 1-to-1. For my tastes, I'd make your decision on what type of tonal character suits your needs. Want something unmistakably rock-and-roll with warmth and balance? Go with the 36th Anniversary set. Want a more treble-infused tone with a sense if reckless irreverence? Go for the WLH set. Remember to take this advice with a healthy pinch of salt. I used to get told I would love the Custom and Custom Custom. Nope. Custom 5 or 59/Custom Hybrid for me. The other two have just never suited my tastes.

If you can... I'd buy both! But that's my complete obsession with pickups talking. :arms: