What Pickups for a Flying V

[Anje]

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.

I’m not sure to understand your point about the resonance?
The good Vs I’ve had never lacked resonance nor sustain, quite the contrary actually.

That being said, I agree a JB/Jazz or Custom/59 set would do great.
The later was my 2nd choice.

 

[ChurchHill]

I'll agree, the V I'm talking about here is one of the most resonant guitars I've ever played. It's right up there with the best Les Pauls I've played. No problems with sustain and it's got this great low-mid growl to it that makes it sound as sweet or as menacing as I want. I've got another V that does that, too, which probably explains why I like Vs so much.

That also explains why I'm thinking about better for me pickups for it as well as why I'm leaving the stock pickups in it for now. It's a really special guitar and I just need to spend more time with it until it tells me what it needs. It sounds great as it is, but I want something that really brings out its best qualities, like that low-mid growl, without over-emphasizing it, or lets it breathe a little more. The only way I'm going to be able to do that is spending time with it.

 

[glpg80]

I’m not sure to understand your point about the resonance?
The good Vs I’ve had never lacked resonance nor sustain, quite the contrary actually.

That being said, I agree a JB/Jazz or Custom/59 set would do great.
The later was my 2nd choice.

Every V I’ve ever picked up felt and played like a toy in the shape of a guitar compared to some of the LPCs I currently own. Maybe it’s harder to find a good sounding/resonant V but I’ve never played one that couldn’t immediately benefit from a hotter pickup set right off the bat.

 

[ChurchHill]

Every V I’ve ever picked up felt and played like a toy in the shape of a guitar compared to some of the LPCs I currently own. Maybe it’s harder to find a good sounding/resonant V but I’ve never played one that couldn’t immediately benefit from a hotter pickup set right off the bat.

That's unfortunate, but I know what you mean. I've played some that were just dogs and some that felt like toys. The good ones are out there, though, and when they're good, they're amazing.

 

[Anje]

Yes agree with ChurchHill; a good old classic V is in my experience a rare combination of a real light weight and highly resonant guitar, with a unique percussive medium "honk" I've never really encountered in any other kind of guitar (old Explorer come close, but are "bigger / fatter" sounding with a slight different midrange).

I've just played the B&W V pictured above in my old 2204 half stack, in the room it almost resonates & feedbacks like a semi-hollow

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

Yes agree with ChurchHill; a good old classic V is in my experience a rare combination of a real light weight and highly resonant guitar, with a unique percussive medium "honk" I've never really encountered in any other kind of guitar (old Explorer come close, but are "bigger / fatter" sounding with a slight different midrange).

I've just played the B&W V pictured above in my old 2204 half stack, in the room it almost resonates & feedbacks like a semi-hollow

My Gibson V had excellent tone and feel, but I had it during the early/broke years when snagging a new guitar meant selling something else to help raise the cash, and I wanted my first Charvel.

I don't think there is a guitar out there that feels/sounds more substantial than a good LP, but the V is a different beast anyway.

I was fully satisfied with the 500T (open) and nickel covered LP neck pickup in my V through the ol' JCM800.

 

[ChurchHill]

I can completely relate to that. I traded almost everything I owned for my first Jackson, including my first Charvel. It was worth it, but some of those things, I wish I had back.

Vs are a different beast. Nothing can do what a good LP can, but I think the same is true for a good V. Same goes for an Explorer, SG, ES, Firebird, Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, and Jackson/Charvel. To me, along with several BC Rich, those are the classics, each with their own sound, and everything else is a variation on one or more of those themes. Some, like PRS and a number or small builders, are definitely improvements, but they still come back to those classic designs.

And yeah, the 498T just rocks with a 2203. Until I find something that might be better, it's staying where it is. It sits well between the Burstbuckers and Dirty Fingers I have in my other Vs. That reminds me, I haven't played this through my 2205, yet. Maybe I should do that today.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

I can completely relate to that. I traded almost everything I owned for my first Jackson, including my first Charvel. It was worth it, but some of those things, I wish I had back.

Vs are a different beast. Nothing can do what a good LP can, but I think the same is true for a good V. Same goes for an Explorer, SG, ES, Firebird, Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, and Jackson/Charvel. To me, along with several BC Rich, those are the classics, each with their own sound, and everything else is a variation on one or more of those themes. Some, like PRS and a number or small builders, are definitely improvements, but they still come back to those classic designs.

And yeah, the 498T just rocks with a 2203. Until I find something that might be better, it's staying where it is. It sits well between the Burstbuckers and Dirty Fingers I have in my other Vs. That reminds me, I haven't played this through my 2205, yet. Maybe I should do that today.

I've been thinking about trying some Dirty Fingers in my Edwards Sykes LP, although I hear differing internets chatter about how the current DFs "aren't as good as the old ones", a common thing in our world.

I recall playing my V with 500T vs an '84ish Explorer with original DFs, and thinking the DFs were a bit brighter and cruder but sounded angry in a good way, like a street fighter while the 500T was thiccer and smoother, a trained professional fighter. But who would win in the same V? Only one way to find out....

This being Memorial Day weekend, there is high danger that I may snag something.....maybe more than one....something I don't even need, come on, who's got a deal? Hit me!!!

 

[ChurchHill]

I think that's a good description of the differences between the 500T and the original DF. I haven't tried the new DF, so don't really know, but I've seen a lot of those same reviews, that they're just not quite up to the originals.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

I think that's a good description of the differences between the 500T and the original DF. I haven't tried the new DF, so don't really know, but I've seen a lot of those same reviews, that they're just not quite up to the originals.

Well finding original DFs @ $300+ and an original T-Top for the neck @ $400+ is off the table.

The Sykes came with a Duncan Distortion set, which is already awesome and would be tough to beat......but I have to wonder what is the ultimate set for that guitar. The DD set is probably already on the top tier or close.

 

[Anje]

You're talking about a LP Custom aren't you?
I think trying a new DF is worth it if you're looking for that Sykes tone; may not be exactly an old one but should be good, and there's only one way to know if you'd prefer that to the DD
A Duncan Jazz probably is one of the closest model to an old T-Top from the classic standard aftermarket manufacturers (maybe now short of the new Gibson T-Top reissues). I remember Dean DeLeo loves the Jazz Bridge as they are very close to the original T-Top in his late 70's LPs (he's mainly using the bridge pickup on his LP).

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

You're talking about a LP Custom aren't you?
I think trying a new DF is worth it if you're looking for that Sykes tone; may not be exactly an old one but should be good, and there's only one way to know if you'd prefer that to the DD
A Duncan Jazz probably is one of the closest model to an old T-Top from the classic standard aftermarket manufacturers (maybe now short of the new Gibson T-Top reissues). I remember Dean DeLeo loves the Jazz Bridge as they are very close to the original T-Top in his late 70's LPs (he's mainly using the bridge pickup on his LP).

Yep, and I've already got the MkIII to go with it (and a Quad for that matter).

I think the Jazz is absolutely one of the best at the neck for LPs since they have such a nice bright edge and clarity.

I recently missed a chance to snag a "Dirty Fingers+" set, mid 2000s production and slightly warmed up over standard, but even less people have played those.

 

[ChurchHill]

I'll agree, the new DF is worth a shot. I thought very seriously about trying one until I got some originals and still might if I want them in another guitar. You're right, the asking price for originals is ridiculous.

The DD isn't a mile away from the DF. I'd say the DF is slightly thicker in the mids and looser in the lows. The DD is one of my favorites for high-output pups.

 

[Jakem]

I like my Gibson Flying V with the stock pickups so cannot suggest anything else.

 

[JDs Couch]

I had a gothic V that came with a 500T and that pickup sounded absolutely monstrous!

The Gothics were just plain awesome guitars.

 

[Anje]

I recently missed a chance to snag a "Dirty Fingers+" set, mid 2000s production and slightly warmed up over standard, but even less people have played those.

I'd stay with the regular / standard model.

 

[ChurchHill]

I'd stay with the regular / standard model.

Yeah, I would, too. I don't think the DF needs a +, it's plenty hot and I think any more would take away too much high or add flub to the low. Personally, I wouldn't go with the Single Magnet version, either, just because I think part of the DF formula are those triple magnets. I'm sure the SM is fine, but I'd think probably closer to the 500T without those triple mags. Having said all that, I haven't tried either the new DF or the SM version, so take all this with a grain of salt. For me, if I want the DF, then I don't want something DF-like, I want the real thing or at least an accurate as possible clone.

 

[Rottweiler]

I like my Gibson Flying V with the stock pickups so cannot suggest anything else.

What pickups do you have in yours?
I have the 70s tributes and the neck is pretty hot. I think both pickups are A5.
bridge DC @ jack 14.36k
neck DC @ jack 15.69k

I also noticed the 70s model is very resonant.

 

[Jakem]

What pickups do you have in yours?
I have the 70s tributes and the neck is pretty hot. I think both pickups are A5.
bridge DC @ jack 14.36k
neck DC @ jack 15.69k

I also noticed the 70s model is very resonant.

I have an early 2011 Flying V in ebony color from right before they started laminating the fretboards. Now if the specs I read are correct it has 496R and 500T pups that are not the same the OP has so I did not remember the pup models correctly. These sound good for 80s rock/metal.

 

[Jakem]

I have an early 2011 Flying V in ebony color from right before they started laminating the fretboards. Now if the specs I read are correct it has 496R and 500T pups that are not the same the OP has so I did not remember the pup models correctly. These sound good for 80s rock/metal.

…But looks like the same pups that OP has are on my LP custom. Cool pups.