Charvel bridge pickup.........never completely satisfied

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EyesOfTheSouth

EyesOfTheSouth

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I have asked this question before, but I need some more recommendations for the bridge of my San Dimas.

Comparing different pickups is difficult because my ears tend to forget in the downtime of soldering/re-stringing.

I have tried the JB, Distortion, Custom Custom, Alnico 2 JB, and Suhr DSH+................I "think" I am happiest with the DSH+. But sometimes it seems too round and not aggressive enough for what I'm trying to do........which is typical 80's/classic metal. The DSH+ kind of "blurs" the notes together in chords.

I never really gave the stock JB a fair shake as I have never liked that pickup in other guitars. I basically pulled it out after a few days. But now my rig is different and I'm wondering if I should pop it back in there and give it another go round.

I love the guitar but I always eventually hear something that makes me want to swap pickups. Its starting to be a pain in the ass. So I'm wondering if I can get some opinions..............
 
I always liked the Custom 5 or JB2 in mine, but also had very good results from the BBQ bucker.
 
Alder.

I also have a Duncan Custom and Dimarzio Norton (not Air Norton) in my parts drawer that I have yet to try.

Anybody know how the SH-5 Custom works in a superstrat ?
 
Well, in general, higher output pickups will tend to "blur" more because of the compression. So here is the eternal question, more gain, more compression, more fluid notes with a higher output pickup, OR: more aggressive attack, bigger chords with less blur and a little less fluid notes and less compression with lower output pickups?

In my opinion, they all have their benefits. But I personally like lower output with high gain amps. You do need to dig in more, but to me it's worth it tonally.
 
I had the same issue in my San Dimas with the JB. I went with an Aldrich bridge and neck and problem solved. :thumbsup:
 
I use Seymour Duncan screamining trembuckers in all of my Charvels. I have used a Dimarzio Evo and liked it too.
 
Alder is a very balanced tone wood. You need to figure out what is missing in your tone and choose a pickup that is geared towards what's missing.
 
I don't get all the JB love. They're cool for leads but muddy for rhythm. Can get icepickish easily.

Try and Anderson H2+. My favorite bridge pup for rock.
 
EyesOfTheSouth":244rnud8 said:
Alder.

I also have a Duncan Custom and Dimarzio Norton (not Air Norton) in my parts drawer that I have yet to try.

Anybody know how the SH-5 Custom works in a superstrat ?
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The SH-5 is my favorite pickup in a Les Paul, but in my Charvel, it is a bit bright for my tastes. If you have a tone knob in your Charvel, it might not be as bright.. I have a JB in one Charvel, but my favorite pickup in an alder body Charvel is the SH-6 DD.
 
I just put a Motor City Nasty nasty in the Charvel and the thing is super sweet,the name fits the bill,and at 10 k it has lots of aggression and stays fat and clear,probably my new fav from wade,!!!
 
OUTLAW1969":jk3zf4ex said:
I always liked the Custom 5 or JB2 in mine, but also had very good results from the BBQ bucker.
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Another voter for the BBQ bucker! One of my favorites. :thumbsup:
 
If you like the DSH+ but think it's too round then check out the Aldrich or SSH+, both of which have a bit more top end. Alder bodied guitars + JB's are the sound of a lot of the great 80's rock tones though too.
 
I have one alder Charvel with an Arcane Brownbucker. The Arcane is my absolute favorite for early EVH type tones of the dozen or so other pickups that are supposed to do that tone.

In another alder bodied Charvel I have a Duncan Custom which to my ears sounds phenomenal. It is articulate and percussive but still has enough output to drive that ame for a mean tone.
 
I have two of the pro-mods. One of them i put in a Super Distortion and the other a Duncan Custom Custom.

I like them both. The Custom Custom has more crunch to it and has nice full mid range sound. If you want 80s metal/hard rock i would suggest this.

With regards to the Super Distortion i find it sounds more open than Custom Custom and has really great string speration. Maybe a little "scooped" in comparison but has good mids, highs and plenty of tight bottom end. Has balls. I pick up the Super Distortion guitar more.

I would say Super Distortion is a Van Halen I type sounds and in comparison the Duncan is kinda more Fair Warning like.

On a different note anybody else really dislike the 59' in the neck, i cant stand it. Really muddy with high gain...
 
EyesOfTheSouth":19sdel9p said:
Anybody know how the SH-5 Custom works in a superstrat ?
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That's like asking if Coke goes well with food. There are many variables that will determine whether or not a Custom works well with a superstrat...you simply need to try it out with the guitar in question and see for yourself. No amount of questions or comments will determine if a particular pickup is "right" for a particular guitar.


Mr. Willy":19sdel9p said:
I don't get all the JB love. They're cool for leads but muddy for rhythm. Can get icepickish easily.
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Muddy and icepickish??? Thats like saying its hot and cold. FWIW, I've never found the JB to be the least bit muddy...I'll agree on the potential for "icepickishness" though :thumbsup:


Mr. Willy":19sdel9p said:
Try and Anderson H2+. My favorite bridge pup for rock.
Click to expand...
Mine too...a great choice in most cases although I've found a few guitars where it was a bit too sterile sounding. Once again, you gotta try them out and see if they work for you. They have about the same output as a JB with bigger lows and more clear highs but without the high-mid harshness of the JB.
 
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