Does anyone have any experience with Suhr Doug Aldrichs?

[Vrad]

I'm building a Charvel clone and I'm going thru my pickup choices. Duncan distortion is in the lead for the bridge position, but I'd like to hear some opinions.

Body swamp ass.
Neck 1 piece 1/4-sawn maple
floyd
22 frets

 

[thenine]

duncan custom would be my choice

9

 

[EvilHomer101]

I've always liked the Anderson Flamethrower, but I've never heard it in a swamp ass guitar.

 

[Vrad]

duncan custom would be my choice

9

I was also thinking Custom 5.

 

[Vrad]

I've always liked the Anderson Flamethrower, but I've never heard it in a swamp ass guitar.

I never really liked most of the Anderson pickups I've heard. Is the flame thrower bright?

 

[tnourse]

I had a set of Aldrich PUs in a PRS (Johnny Hiland) I had. They sounded really good! Aggressive tone, but clear. They are on the bright side though. So in a Swamp Ash guitar, they might be too bright.

Normally, my favorite PU is the Duncan Distortion, but I would really like to try out a Duncan Custom soon....

 

[MrDan666]

I would choose the Aldrich bridge humbucker over the Distortion in a Charvel clone. My GMW is basically a San Dimas type Strat, with an ebony board.. naturally bright sounding guitar anyway.. The Aldrich pickup sounds amazing with it!

 

[Vrad]

I would choose the Aldrich bridge humbucker over the Distortion in a Charvel clone. My GMW is basically a San Dimas type Strat, with an ebony board.. naturally bright sounding guitar anyway.. The Aldrich pickup sounds amazing with it!

Is it smoother-sounding than the Distortion?

 

[MrDan666]

I would choose the Aldrich bridge humbucker over the Distortion in a Charvel clone. My GMW is basically a San Dimas type Strat, with an ebony board.. naturally bright sounding guitar anyway.. The Aldrich pickup sounds amazing with it!

Is it smoother-sounding than the Distortion?

IMO yes. I tried the Distortion before the Aldrich, and i found the Distortion had much more top end sizzle. The Aldrich is clearer sounding, and still cuts through plenty.. but it doesnt have the sizzle i heard with the Distortion!

 

[Vrad]

I would choose the Aldrich bridge humbucker over the Distortion in a Charvel clone. My GMW is basically a San Dimas type Strat, with an ebony board.. naturally bright sounding guitar anyway.. The Aldrich pickup sounds amazing with it!

Is it smoother-sounding than the Distortion?

IMO yes. I tried the Distortion before the Aldrich, and i found the Distortion had much more top end sizzle. The Aldrich is clearer sounding, and still cuts through plenty.. but it doesnt have the sizzle i heard with the Distortion!

What amp were you playing?
Got any clips?

 

[cobrahead1030]

how is the low end on the aldrich pickups....say compared to a JB or 81?

 

[MrDan666]

IMO yes. I tried the Distortion before the Aldrich, and i found the Distortion had much more top end sizzle. The Aldrich is clearer sounding, and still cuts through plenty.. but it doesnt have the sizzle i heard with the Distortion!

What amp were you playing?
Got any clips?

I wish i could make some clips for ya, i just dont have any recording gear! But the amps i tried both pickups out with were: a stock JCM800 2204 (50watter), my Cameron modded 79 JMP and also my Mesa Boogie MKIII. After trying the pickups out thru each of these rigs, with the same guitar.. i came to the conclusion that i liked the Aldrich pickup better!

Also.. maybe its just me but the Aldrich seems very touch responsive in a similar way to how an old PAF does.. Whereas the Distortion was very compressed and felt like a typical high output pup!

 

[Bob Savage]

I tried them but preferred my Duncan Custom and Jazz over them. They were too smooth for my taste.

 

[Bob Savage]

Is it smoother-sounding than the Distortion?

Yes, and smoother than even the Custom.

 

[Vrad]

I guess I'll just have to plop something in that guitar, play it for a few months... then plop something else in there...Oh well... All part of the fun! LOL

 

[thiswaythatway]

I've always liked the Anderson Flamethrower, but I've never heard it in a swamp ass guitar.

I never really liked most of the Anderson pickups I've heard. Is the flame thrower bright?

Funny, i love the Anderson pickups because Iv'e heard them in non-Anderson guitars and i think they sound great. Paige had an Anderson in that red GMW he had. I like how they have a lot of output but still sound clear.

Personally, most Suhr guitars to me, IMHO, sound bland/weak. I'm partially blaming the pickups. Funny how Suhr's cost over $3000 and you can easily get a cheap Ibanez that will sound as gopod as most of them. IMHO.

 

[MrDan666]

Personally, most Suhr guitars to me, IMHO, sound bland/weak. I'm partially blaming the pickups. Funny how Suhr's cost over $3000 and you can easily get a cheap Ibanez that will sound as good as most of them. IMHO.

I dont agree on it being due to the pickups, as i have heard other non-Suhr guitars guitars that sounded great AND had Suhr pickups. But i do know that a lot of guys have tried Suhr's and found that they dont sound that great. Others love them. I know most Suhr's are Basswood bodies with a maple top.. perhaps thats to do with it? i dont know..

I do think that John makes great pickups... but GMW would get my business before Suhr or other Custom Shops.. because they build amazing guitars with the best quality, for the best prices!