Re-pickup'ing a guitar today

[Shreddy Mercury]

It's time to pull these DiMarzio X2Ns with burl wood covers (probably altering the sound in a way I don't like) and replace them to test them out. Sure, I could order a Norton/Air Norton set and wait several days, or I could pop in some Duncans I bought years ago and never used.

I've got a Full Shred bridge and neck, and a Custom Custom bridge. Assuming neither of the bridge pups are f-spaced (I don't think they are), what are going to be some major sound differences in the choice between a FS bridge or CC bridge? I have a guitar with a CC bridge and I always loved that pickup, but I mean c'mon...the other one is called a Full Shred. Granted, the guitar will basically just be used for playing lead lines, composing neo-soul phrases to annoy you guys, maybe dabble in some fusion, but mostly just play good ol' rock n' roll solos and noodle about.

 

[ChurchHill]

IME, the CC is sweeter on top, thicker but not overbearing in the mids, and a little pillowy in the lows. Not loose or bloated, but not exactly tight, either. The FS is bright, very bright, not quite scooped but close, and tighter. The FS also feels a little lower output to me, although they should be fairly similar, probably due to the difference in mids. My preference is the CC by a long shot, although I could see the FS being decent for rhythm. For leads, the CC, every time.