Please help choose a pickup

[nedcronin]

I have a mahogany ESP eclipse, basically an LP copy. When I bought it I had the EMG's swapped out for a set of SD 1959's. I found the bridge pup a tad scooped and I went to a Madhouse design hot n soggy, which is a custom wound hotter PAF. I find it sounds sort of like an old JB, except all mids. Great for leads. But, it sounds pretty bad clean, and worst of all, it is wound out of phase from every other production pup. So, it sounds like **** in the middle position. Yes, you can back the volume down on either pup buy it still loses the magic of the middle position. This pup really lacks bass in a big way and the top end is a tad harsh. Time has come to get rid of it. I'm between putting the '59 back in or going for a Dimarzio 36th. I think the Dimarzio may give me the mids the 59 lacks but Also not be just mids like what I have now. Thoughts?

[darthphineas]

what kind of music are you playing, what kind of tone are you looking for and what kind of rig are you using?

[nedcronin]

Oh hey, I play classic rock. I use either a Marshall TSL with a 4x12 of old g12m-65's, or an Orange TT with a single 1x 12 Greenback cab. I like basic dynamic vintage tube amp breakup. I like a real Fat tone, with a mellow top end. I play like lower - mild gain over driven tones.

[darthphineas]

sounds like you're on the right track with the '59. maybe even the 59/C Hybrid.

I'm more of an 80s high-gain guy, so I'm not gonna be much help, but there are plenty of cats that should be along before long that are more well-versed in what you're looking for.

[LtKojak]

Oh hey, I play classic rock. I use either a Marshall TSL with a 4x12 of old g12m-65's, or an Orange TT with a single 1x 12 Greenback cab. I like basic dynamic vintage tube amp breakup. I like a real Fat tone, with a mellow top end. I play like lower - mild gain over driven tones.

Man, I simply LOVE those G12-65s.

Get a couple of A4 mags for you '59 set and call it a day.

HTH,

[AlexR]

An A4 will make a small change to a '59....like the last 2% tonally. If you think thats all it needs then thats a cheap way to tweak your tone.

The c/59 adds in some clarity (or removes stuffiness) but also adds some midrange due to the custom coil and the higher output.

Some folks like the 36th, other don't. PAF flavours are all quite different

[LtKojak]

An A4 will make a small change to a '59....like the last 2% tonally.

Alex... you can't put a % on tone. It's VERY misleading. Said like that makes it sound insignificant... and it's not!

Remember the famous Neil Armstrong words:

"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"

In this case, it applies the same concept: even if by some esoteric algorythm you could even assess that's a 2%, when the magnet takes away what's not desirable and brings to the forefront what is, tonewise it'll be like day and night.

I hope my point is clear.

HTH,

[GuitarDoc]

Kojak makes a very good point and I agree. Sometime a tone that is really good but not exactly like you want can eat at you until you hate to hear it and don't even like to play. Making that one little change can make you love it and want to play all day long. Magnets are a great way to fine tune your tone into what you will love. Makes a world of difference!

If you basically like the sound of the 59, but just find it too scooped (the 59 is noted for it's scooped mids), a simple mag swap to an A4, UOA5 or A2 can reduce the highs and beef up the mids. If you also want to increase the output as well as the mids, an A8 is the ticket.

If you would rather find another pup that will be a PAF sound but with more mids you could try a Screamin Demon (not what the name implies), a very good yet underrated pup.

[nedcronin]

Hmm, food for thought thanks guys. I have never thought about swapping the magnets. What's involved in that process? Does the pup need to be un wound?

[GuitarDoc]

It's a very simple uncomplicated proceedure that takes about 10 minutes and less that $5. It's almost as easy as tying your shoes. You don't have to do anything to your pup that is irreversible or damaging in any way. ConvoysToNothingness put together a really good video to help firsttimers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXbzqQZu-Qk

[phaze90]

I haven't played one yet but I would try the 59 custom Hybrid as well. From what I understand it gives you the brown sound. I'll be trying one in an 86 Charvelle that I'm rebuilding. The 59 c hybrid in the bridge and Alnico II Pro in the neck.