Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

harmamusic

New member
Interested to know what bridge pickup would match an SD 59 neck to have a comparable amount of low end and less brightness then a 59 bridge for a Yamaha SA2200?

I noticed that the custom 5 has an identical response (6/3/8) with a lower resonance frequency then the 59. I have another guitar with an alder body/maple top with a custom 5 and I've always liked it's tone. With the maple and mahogany neck/ebony board of the SA2200 I think some mid scooping is an effective way to balance the sound of the guitar. The SA2200 comes with 300k tone pots (if I'm correct) so I could also replace the tone pot of the neck with a 500k to raise the resonance freq of the neck pickup a bit to balance the pickups even more.

What suggestions do you have for a more balanced bridge pickup to pair with the 59 neck? This might also include other pickups like DiMarzio 36th, Transition or other brands?

Thanks!
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

In summary, you want a less bright 59 but without boosting the bass?
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

Perhaps a WLH? My first thought was a Custom. It has been my experience with the C5 that height adjustment can make or break that pickup. I tend to run it very close to the string and level to get what I want from it. YMMV.
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

Brobucker.
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

In summary, you want a less bright 59 but without boosting the bass?

Close, the bass level should be relative to the 59 in the neck. A fatter, less bright 59 could be a good option. That's why I thought the custom 5 would be perfect as it has the same frequency response then the 59, mid scooped to fit the mid heavy SA2200 and more output. I'm not sure that the Custom would be a fit since it's got a ceramic magnet and seems too trebly IMO. The DM 36th Ann. Seems to mid heavy.
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

Perhaps a WLH? My first thought was a Custom. It has been my experience with the C5 that height adjustment can make or break that pickup. I tend to run it very close to the string and level to get what I want from it. YMMV.
Custom has a ceramic magnet and seems to have more treble then I prefer. I noticed a new video from Jack Thammarat yesterday with his SA2200. He replaced the bridge pickup with a custom and it wasn't the tone I would be after, too shrill IMO.
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

Another '59 in the bridge, use height to match output. I tried this and it worked for me.
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

I know I prefer a hotter bridge pickup then the neck so I'm pretty sure a 59 bridge will not match. Thanks for your suggestions but I've decided to go for a 59 neck and C5 bridge. Now only to get them in zebra which aren't a lot in stock ;)
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

Custom with a UOA5. Nice mids, not too bright and still enough bottom. I think the Custom 5 might be too bright for what you want.
 
Re: Yamaha SA2200 - Bridge pickup to pair with an SD 59 neck that's less bright

Check my post before yours. I used 250k tone pot for the Custom 5 and a 500k for the 59 making it perfectly balanced.
 
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