Yes, again... carvin pickup idea

[Robert Delahunt]

Ok, so I may get a Carvin bolt tremolo guitar. I was thinking alder body, ebony fretboard, rock maple neck, i.e. default bolt guitar kit. After extensive research, I found my goals to be versatility and pickup clarity. I will be going with SSS pick guard, again a default. I decided on an Alnico II Pro Flat neck, Custom Flat RWRP middle (tappable), and a Hot bridge (tappable). I'll put a S-1 switch for turning the tap for both of these on or off. Anyways, comments / suggestions: is this a good combo for versatility, in your opinion? Let me know.

[Robert Delahunt]

Bump.

Let me explain. I want very beautiful cleans from the neck, classic rock / pop from the middle, and heavy rock (ala "So Hot" by Kid Rock) from the bridge. I want the middle and bridge to be tappable so that I can instantly have the same output as the neck in the other two pickups, almost like having "two guitars". I prefer true single coils.

Please, if the poll isn't working, just reply to this thread. Once again, I appreciate everyone's input on this forum, and without you guys I wouldn't be a Duncan addict

Again, this will be a Carvin Bolt with Wilkinson tremolo. The default woods are alder body, rock maple neck with ebony fretboard. It's 12" radius so I'm going to assume "flat" rather than "staggered" when pickups are suggested. Thanks!

[blueman335]

Sounds like a good plan to me. I rewire Gibson clones with HB's, & try to get all the versatility I can from them with push-pulls. You're on the right track. The body, neck & fretbaord woods sound like they'll be bright, could be VERY bright. Not sure if the bridge is going to have enough warmth. Have you thought about which pots & caps to use? Mini-toggles? Also, what about phase?

[Benjy_26]

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[arellanon]

Ok, so I may get a Carvin bolt tremolo guitar. I was thinking alder body, ebony fretboard, rock maple neck, i.e. default bolt guitar kit. After extensive research, I found my goals to be versatility and pickup clarity. I will be going with SSS pick guard, again a default. I decided on an Alnico II Pro Flat neck, Custom Flat RWRP middle (tappable), and a Hot bridge (tappable). I'll put a S-1 switch for turning the tap for both of these on or off. Anyways, comments / suggestions: is this a good combo for versatility, in your opinion? Let me know.

Hmmm, when/if you order your Bolt try getting an AP-11 in the neck, an S60 in the middle, and a SH60 in the bridge. That way you wind up wth three different pups and hopefully at least one of them will stay in your axe

I know you wish for a reverese-wound pup in the middle but if you ever opt out for a "bucker" I recommend the Cool Rails; I have mine in my Strat and love it

[ubertwerp]

Everybody seems to love the coil tap on the pearly gates neck -
thats what I would try if I was going with a totally new rig.

Off topic,but my very first guitar was a carvin back in the 1980's-DC 400
candy apple red -lefthanded .
To this day I have yet to play a lefty with action as good as that guitar

Enjoy your carvin..

_Ube

[Ascension]

The stock Carvin AP11's are pretty cool I would try them in both the neck and middle before I would go anywhere else for the tones you seek. That set up with say a SSL-6 or a SSL-3 hot For Strat in the bridge would most likely work well. The AP11's are fat sweet and really quite nice don't sell them short. The S60's on the other hand are just plain NASTY sounding really thin, tinny,abrasive and harsh stay away FAR away from those !

[thucydides]

The AP11s are good, so give them a chance. I know people say that Carvin pups are vanilla, and, for the most part, I'd agree. Not the AP11s, though.

I've tapped the pups on a number of gtrs through the yrs...good idea.

[darnright]

I agree with the Ap-11's and your idea for other pickups sounds good. I've had 2 of the carvin kits, both with trem. I just found the neck uncomfortable, almost too large radius, making the neck really thin. I mean that's just me, some guys prefer it that way. I'd try the AP-11's 1st, after all you can order with them for not much extra.

[Mephis]

How are you going to get a classic rock sound from the middle?

All the middle pickup on a strat is good for is clean rhythm, and notch positions.

The classic rock tones will be from the bridge, if from anywhere. I'd stick with the A2 stock carvin pickups in the neck and middle, they're great. For the bridge I'd go with something mildly hot, possibly even a 1/4 pound.

[Robert Delahunt]

How are you going to get a classic rock sound from the middle?

All the middle pickup on a strat is good for is clean rhythm, and notch positions.

The classic rock tones will be from the bridge, if from anywhere. I'd stick with the A2 stock carvin pickups in the neck and middle, they're great. For the bridge I'd go with something mildly hot, possibly even a 1/4 pound.

You must not use your middle pickup as much as I do. Even an A2P middle sound classic rock in there with an overdrive pedal.