What pickups go well with the 78 model?

[GoKartMozart]

Hey gang,
I'm planning on starting a project guitar soon and need some help deciding on pickups. From what I've read about the '78/EVH model, I've GOT to give it a a try. But, I haven't found much info on other pickups that sound good with the '78/EVH.

Body will be a Warmoth VW, probably either alder or ash, and will have a birdseye maple neck. Originally, I thought of just going with the single humbucker in the bridge. Then I thought it'd be really great & versatile to have a single-coil in the neck & mid positions.
Either way, I'd like something that balances well with the '78, without overpowering it.

Any ideas?

[PFDarkside]

Most any of the vintage style Duncans would work. IIRC, the 78 is A2, so maybe another A2 would match well, like a Pearly Gates?

[kjrocks]

I've got SSL-2's with mine it they work together great. Pretty well balanced for volume and the mid and bridge position sounds great.

[aleclee]

I got an EVH neck to go with with the one in my bridge.

[GoKartMozart]

I've got SSL-2's with mine it they work together great. Pretty well balanced for volume and the mid and bridge position sounds great.

Do you have a 5-way switch installed with those? I can't remember, is the SSL-2 the staggered or non-staggered version?

[jeremy]

i would suggest the aps2's to keep with the alnico II

[kjrocks]

Do you have a 5-way switch installed with those? I can't remember, is the SSL-2 the staggered or non-staggered version?

Yes, 5 way like normal. I just dont have the EVH running through a tone pot. Thee SSL-2's are the flat poles and sound very even.

[Robert Delahunt]

My opinion, though I've not used the '78 before, would be a Seth, A2P, or PG. I'd try a Seth first (just my opinion). The '78 is just an A2 pickup at 9k, in my opinion, so a low output Alnico II should work well with it. In my opinion: Seth for the vintage vibe, A2P for the generic Alnico II vibe, and PG for the moderate output "Heart" vibe. Like I said, if it was me, I'd try a Seth first. I prefer wax potted so I'd get a four-wire, wax potted Seth from the Custom shop. Yeah, I'm strange....

EDIT: I didn't see the other options. There's the '78 neck model if you go with an H/H setup, or if you were going with a S/S/H setup I'd recommend the Alnico II Pro single coils (since they're Alnico II and low to moderate output, so they'll match the warmth of the Alnico II '78). Maybe you could ask the custom shop for some single coil versions of the '78 neck model? That would be even cooler.

[theodie]

My opinion, though I've not used the '78 before,

....digging in your butt for an answer again I see.

How far did you reach up there this time?
Did you wear a latex glove?
Dry or lubed?

GoKartMozart, remember that the dude has not had any expereince with it when you look at the rest of his post.

[wolf5150]

Hi
I'm gonna throw spanner in the works here.

I've got the 78 in my Tyler and I've paired it with a pair of Kinmans.
They are an AWESOME match.
The split bridge and mid combination is so musical it's unreal PLUS total silence.
I've had to spend a lot of time getting the 78's height right but now that i have I'm totally in love with this guitar.

[jimijames]

which kinmans are you using?

[wolf5150]

I have a pair of 62's.

I'm a HUGE fan of his stuff.

I have a set of Marvin's in my Suhr, with his K9 switching ( THE perfect strat set up in my opinion )
I'm just having a pair of SCN's ( which are the neck and mid from the Marvin set ) installed in my Anderson because they're quite warm and will be a stunning match for the Anderson H2+.

There are no better strat pickups for using in a live situation in my opinion.
Toneful, Dymanic and TOTALLY silent.

I play 250 shows a year, covering everything from country, funk and hard rock and my Kinman's cover the lot.

PS, I'm nothing to do with the company, just a fan.

[GoKartMozart]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, guys. I really appreciate it.

I really can't decide on which to go with. And over the past few days, I've been thinking more and more about putting some sort of P-90 style pickup in the neck position: something that can do cleans well but with more "body" than a traditional single coil once you crank it.

THIS is the tone I'm looking from the neck position:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD1-j5ZWOmw

My dilmma? I really don't know how an Axis/EVH style guitar would look with a P-90 in the neck and a traditional style humbucker in the bridge.

Decisions, decisions...

[Robert Delahunt]

....digging in your butt for an answer again I see.

How far did you reach up there this time?
Did you wear a latex glove?
Dry or lubed?

GoKartMozart, remember that the dude has not had any expereince with it when you look at the rest of his post.

Better a guess from me than a poop-smelling post from you

EDIT: for what it's worth, there's no harm in one's opinion, especially since I was sure to let the user know that I don't own a '78. Surely you can't expect only those who have used the '78 to answer. That's a very small list indeed. If you're going to be ugly, just forward your replies to a moderator after posting, to save everyone else the trouble of complaining. (For what it's worth, I don't complain, I click reply instead )

[MartinSixStringCustoms]

Surely you can't expect only those who have used the '78 to answer.

Thats exactly who I'd want to answer my question. What the hell sense does it make for someone with no experience to chime in?

[Lewguitar]

Better a guess from me than a poop-smelling post from you

EDIT: for what it's worth, there's no harm in one's opinion, especially since I was sure to let the user know that I don't own a '78. Surely you can't expect only those who have used the '78 to answer. That's a very small list indeed. If you're going to be ugly, just forward your replies to a moderator after posting, to save everyone else the trouble of complaining. (For what it's worth, I don't complain, I click reply instead )

I do own a '78...but it's in a single bridge humbucker Strat.

Still, I think the PGn, AIIPro neck, or Seth Lover neck would all sound excellent with the '78.

I'd stick to an alnico 2 neck pickup.

Lew

[ibanezrocks]

Thats exactly who I'd want to answer my question. What the hell sense does it make for someone with no experience to chime in?

I think we all know who you're really upset at here, and if you guys wanted me to stop posting you could have just asked me nicely

I think as long as someone states they haven't tried the pickup, but are giving an educated guess based on the specs then at the very least its a bump for the thread. I know I would more people to post an opinion in my thread on Telecaster pickups here...

Here's my advice, even though I haven't tried the 78 model, I have tried and am currently still using both the PG and Seth neck models which have been suggested several times already: I would go with the PG if you want a classic tone with more of an edge thats more articulate under hi gain. I would choose the Seth if you want something thats really warm, and lets more of the natural tone of the guitar shine through but sacrifices some of the versatility of the PG.

edit: please realize I'm only joking in the first part of my post, lets keep this thread on topic if possible.

[MartinSixStringCustoms]

I think we all know who you're really upset at here, and if you guys wanted me to stop posting you could have just asked me nicely

I think as long as someone states they haven't tried the pickup, but are giving an educated guess based on the specs then at the very least its a bump for the thread. I know I would more people to post an opinion in my thread on Telecaster pickups here...

Here's my advice, even though I haven't tried the 78 model, I have tried and am currently still using both the PG and Seth neck models which have been suggested several times already: I would go with the PG if you want a classic tone with more of an edge thats more articulate under hi gain. I would choose the Seth if you want something thats really warm, and lets more of the natural tone of the guitar shine through but sacrifices some of the versatility of the PG.

edit: please realize I'm only joking in the first part of my post, lets keep this thread on topic if possible.

Not sure what the **** you are talking about, but okay

[ibanezrocks]

Not sure what the **** you are talking about, but okay

This is why I don't post here that much, I have no experience and when I make stupid jokes about it people don't understand....

EDIT: MartinSixStringCustoms check your PMs, I may have some business for you