What Pickups for a Flying V

[ChurchHill]

The « classic » 70’s specs V design (with all mahogany construction) definitely went through the very early 80’s, I have 81-82 in mind for the last examples; similar timing to the shift in design of the LP Custom when those went back to mahogany neck / lost the volute / added weight relief and the very last years of the Kalamazoo plant.

Yep! I think that some late '70s or early '80s had the neck set further away from the body, too, but I'm not sure exactly when that was. Those were mahogany, IIRC. Might be more details in this video, it's been a while since I watched it, but details a 1980, mahogany, but otherwise similar in construction to my The V. These really are amazing guitars.

 

[Clay K]

In my custom shop Dean V I just put in the Emg 57-66 set for a high output vintage(sort of) vibe. Still getting used to the difference between those and the 81-85 set.

 

[Clay K]

they come with metal pickup covers as well I believe. Something different but I like it

 

[Exo-metal]

Lundgren M6...Masterbuilt Shannon is on the bench.

 

[Anje]

@ChurchHill , I'm curious what you ended with?

Here's the old V I was mentioning before:

Recently had it refretted & full checkup done, really cool one.
I was considering putting some early Duncan pickups in it at the same time, but in the end went for the classic/original option with some old T-Tops.
I guess you can guess who one of my big influences is

 

[ChurchHill]

That V is gorgeous! So nice...

For now, I've stuck with the stock 498/490. They're decent enough. I'm leaning towards a set of Ron Ellis Signatures, but I've got another guitar I'm thinking about putting them in, so IDK. I've wanted to try some Throbak KZ-115s, too, but I'm not in that much of a hurry. The 498 covers a lot of ground, and I've got Dirty Fingers and Burstbuckers in other Vs. So, for now, the 498 is a good compromise between those two.

I see that Gibson just released a T-Top Reissue, along with their T-Types. Not quite sure what the differences are, but that's possibly another option. Still waiting on seeing some reviews.

I bet those old T-Tops sound great in your V! Man, that thing is beautiful! Some nice amps there, too.

 

[Anje]

Thanks!
Yes old T-Top have been underated for decades IMHO; they are great pickups I love them. Very clear, balanced, open and tight with a natural cut; they really let the guitar « speaks » and have its voice come through.

I still have some old Duncan ifever I feel the need for a change, but « stock » it is for now.

 

[Rottweiler]

I have a few hours on the Gibson 70s tribute and I think it is going to stay. 14.8k alnico 5. Thats the hottest pickup I've owned in 20 years. Sounds fantastic in my 50cl even on the high input. The DSL doesn't like it with OD2 but that is a crazy amount of gain. Being a hotter wind, it sounds a little stuffy and compressed on the DSL od2

I've been wanting to try the T top. I really like the clarity with the lower output pickups

 

[Music&Chaos]

That V is gorgeous! So nice...

For now, I've stuck with the stock 498/490. They're decent enough. I'm leaning towards a set of Ron Ellis Signatures, but I've got another guitar I'm thinking about putting them in, so IDK. I've wanted to try some Throbak KZ-115s, too, but I'm not in that much of a hurry. The 498 covers a lot of ground, and I've got Dirty Fingers and Burstbuckers in other Vs. So, for now, the 498 is a good compromise between those two.

I see that Gibson just released a T-Top Reissue, along with their T-Types. Not quite sure what the differences are, but that's possibly another option. Still waiting on seeing some reviews.

I bet those old T-Tops sound great in your V! Man, that thing is beautiful! Some nice amps there, too.

That set is great as individual pickups - I just don't super dig them together, I feel they are unbalanced. That being said - I am into Planet Tone pickups and recommend them. Find a set on their site that seems to strike your fancy. For the price, especally during the 25% off sale going on right now, it's not a big hit financially to give them a try. I am thinking of trying a set of their Aggressor pickups.

I see you have a Gibson set listed with A4s up top, and I am a fan of A4 magnets in general in a set of P90s and hums. Covered buckers with A4s can be a bit smooth sounding, at least IME, which some poeple dig and some do not.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

@ChurchHill , I'm curious what you ended with?

Here's the old V I was mentioning before:

View attachment 447546

Recently had it refretted & full checkup done, really cool one.
I was considering putting some early Duncan pickups in it at the same time, but in the end went for the classic/original option with some old T-Tops.
I guess you can guess who one of my big influences is

Jimi Hendrix?

 

[ChurchHill]

That set is great as individual pickups - I just don't super dig them together, I feel they are unbalanced. That being said - I am into Planet Tone pickups and recommend them. Find a set on their site that seems to strike your fancy. For the price, especally during the 25% off sale going on right now, it's not a big hit financially to give them a try. I am thinking of trying a set of their Aggressor pickups.

I see you have a Gibson set listed with A4s up top, and I am a fan of A4 magnets in general in a set of P90s and hums. Covered buckers with A4s can be a bit smooth sounding, at least IME, which some poeple dig and some do not.

Yeah, that's my main problem with them. Good by themselves, but not so much together. Even with the two volumes, there's just not a good blend.

Yep, I put an A4 in a Custombucker and I really like it. Probably going to do it to another one, too. I've got a couple of BKPs with A4s, Mule, Abraxas, and Crawler neck. For me, I like how they have a stronger low than A2 but retain some of that sweet top end. Covers don't bother me much, I just turn up the treble a bit and I like a smoother lead tone sometimes. I've got other guitars with uncovered pickups, too, if I need that extra bite. I need to try some P90s with A4s. Absolutely love P90s!

 

[ChurchHill]

Jimi Hendrix?

Actually, I really like the inlays on the black Hendrix V. I wasn't crazy about the psychedelic paintjob on the other Hendrix V, though.

 

[ChurchHill]

I have a few hours on the Gibson 70s tribute and I think it is going to stay. 14.8k alnico 5. Thats the hottest pickup I've owned in 20 years. Sounds fantastic in my 50cl even on the high input. The DSL doesn't like it with OD2 but that is a crazy amount of gain. Being a hotter wind, it sounds a little stuffy and compressed on the DSL od2

I've been wanting to try the T top. I really like the clarity with the lower output pickups

That 70s Tribute Flying V is a great guitar! I like those Tribute humbuckers better than some of the hotter Gibson pickups from the 70s. I love the Dirty Fingers, but the Series VII isn't my favorite. I'm not a fan of the Tarbacks, either, although some people really like them.

 

[glpg80]

Id throw a suhr aldrich set or SH-5 / Jazz set in it but thats just me.

 

[ChurchHill]

Id throw a suhr aldrich set or SH-5 / Jazz set in it but thats just me.

Suhr Aldrich has crossed my mind more than once. I'm sure I'll end up with one at some point. Maybe not this guitar, but in something.

 

[glpg80]

Suhr Aldrich has crossed my mind more than once. I'm sure I'll end up with one at some point. Maybe not this guitar, but in something.

The reason I recommend it is because the Flying V shape doesn’t have much wood for resonance like a Les Paul or a super Strat of the weekly popular flavor. They do great to have a hotter pickup set and still sustain.

 

[Music&Chaos]

Yeah, that's my main problem with them. Good by themselves, but not so much together. Even with the two volumes, there's just not a good blend.

Yep, I put an A4 in a Custombucker and I really like it. Probably going to do it to another one, too. I've got a couple of BKPs with A4s, Mule, Abraxas, and Crawler neck. For me, I like how they have a stronger low than A2 but retain some of that sweet top end. Covers don't bother me much, I just turn up the treble a bit and I like a smoother lead tone sometimes. I've got other guitars with uncovered pickups, too, if I need that extra bite. I need to try some P90s with A4s. Absolutely love P90s!

My "G90 set" is what I call my build out from Planet Tone. I chose a 1956 Neck and a 1956 Bridge both with A4 magents. They wound them a touch hotter than their standard set with A5s and I absolutely love them - they sound to clear and grunty and balanced. Like you said, the clarity of an A2 but with a top end sweetness. i would also say a more present midrange and extended, yet thumpy and tight bass.

I just ordered a set of Humbucker sized P90s with the same spec and am hoping they sound nigh on the same.

Running my P90s from PT with 500k pots and no tones. They scream man.

I have tried their standard 1956 hot with an A5 in a couple client builds and dug it but the A4s put the EQ right where it needs to be.

I had a BK Silo set that I swapped a set of covered PT Road Pro IVs into (Humbuckers with A4 magnets) and it is really great sounding. I also have some hex head screws instead of standard polepieces and it sounds really cool and have a certain aggression the standard polepieces lack.

 

[skoora]

@ChurchHill , I'm curious what you ended with?

Here's the old V I was mentioning before:

View attachment 447546

Recently had it refretted & full checkup done, really cool one.
I was considering putting some early Duncan pickups in it at the same time, but in the end went for the classic/original option with some old T-Tops.
I guess you can guess who one of my big influences is

 

[Rackman]

BKP Holy Diver maybe?

 

[ChurchHill]

BKP Holy Diver maybe?

Got one in a Jackson Soloist. Great pickup!