WLHb vs 59/ Custom Hybrid

Yes. I've used both in my SG and just the 59/C in my LP Studio.

IME Whole Lotta in my SG sits somewhere in between a 59 and a Pearly Gates. It's like an improved 59, softer top end, but enough heat to drive an amp. Has some thick chunk on the bottom also, but not tight like a ceramic mag pickup.

59/C is very even. Not too bright, no ear-poking mids. Plays well with many different neck pickups. It's like an improved Custom 5.

Both pickups sound equally good using split and parallel and can make a variety of sounds. Very useful.
 
Thanks, I have a Hybrid, but I’m always second-guessing whether I should have gone for the WLH. I wanted a more “laid-back” Custom, and the Custom 5 probably lost a tad too much from the mids for
my taste (although it still is a close call, I haven’t actually tried the C5).
 
CaptainWhizz said:
Thanks, I have a Hybrid, but I’m always second-guessing whether I should have gone for the WLH. I wanted a more “laid-back” Custom, and the Custom 5 probably lost a tad too much from the mids for
my taste (although it still is a close call, I haven’t actually tried the C5).
Click to expand...

The WLH bridge in my Epiphone LP was pretty solid. To my ears, the top-end is every bit as bright as the '59. Some forum dudes here have reported their WLH had a regular, polished A5, not a RC A5 as advertised. I didnt pull the cover off mine to check, but i was a little disappointed with how bright it was. Still a good pup.
 
CaptainWhizz said:
Thanks, I have a Hybrid, but I’m always second-guessing whether I should have gone for the WLH. I wanted a more “laid-back” Custom, and the Custom 5 probably lost a tad too much from the mids for
my taste (although it still is a close call, I haven’t actually tried the C5).
Click to expand...

The Hybrid is more of a 'laid back Custom' than the WLH.
 
CaptainWhizz said:
Thanks, I have a Hybrid, but I’m always second-guessing whether I should have gone for the WLH. I wanted a more “laid-back” Custom, and the Custom 5 probably lost a tad too much from the mids for
my taste (although it still is a close call, I haven’t actually tried the C5).
Click to expand...

In my guitars, the WLH had more mids than the 59/C. But if you mean lower output when you say 'laid back', then the 59/C would be that.

Custom 5 is nearly the same heat as a Custom, it's just like taking a mid-tone knob and turning it down on it.
 
CaptainWhizz said:
Is the WLH anything like an A5 Slash set? I like the sounds of the APH-1 and 2 sets, but I’d want tighter/ firmer bass.
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It's not like the Slash set. It's brighter with more low end, but it's more than that. The Slash set is more modern and more dead-center mids. The WLH has the PAF replica in it's DNA.

The WLH doesnt have a chunky, deep bass like the Custom would. Most PAF style winds arent going to do that too well. I've run into this issue with moderate output pickups that dont make root 6 power chords sound strong.
 
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CaptainWhizz said:
Is the WLH anything like an A5 Slash set? I like the sounds of the APH-1 and 2 sets, but I’d want tighter/ firmer bass.
Click to expand...

Not in my experience. Also, my take on the WLH was slightly different than gsammo. In my SG at least, the WLH had softer top end on the bridge and more top end on the neck; while my Slash pickup had more top end on the bridge and my A2P neck had less top end. If you want APH set with tighter bass, the Slash set might be a move in the right direction. The bridge anyway was tighter than a straight A2P set in my LP Studio.
 
WLH is warmer & fuller, rich tone. I like hybrids in the neck slot because they add treble & reduce mids. That's not something I want to do to a bridge pickup, as it's an inherently brighter and thinner-sounding location to begin with.
 
After cycling through a dozen or more humbuckers since making the move back to passives, the WHL is my go to. Just enough of everything without too much of anything. Cleans up beautifully with the volume knob, great articulation for edge of break-up amp settings, wind up the gain and add a boost and the WLH just oozes early VH through 80s hard rock (when guitars and amps still sounded like musical instruments)
 
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