What Pickups for a Flying V

[ChurchHill]

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

My first 498/490 was in a Les Paul Studio back in '94. Got a second set in an LPC in '99. They stayed in the Studio, but I've Duncans in the LPC now.

 

[Speeddemon]

Late to the party, but for my '67 RI , I replaced the whole pickguard with a black one, including black Gotoh hardware (locking bridge).
Like @Shreddy Mercury , also DiMarzio brigade member here.
Initially there was a Super D in the bridge, but now I've settled on the Norton, and a Breed neck.
Awesome combo, and they're both wired for coil splits via push-pull volume pots (Bourns 500k).
The Norton will probably do what you'd like to see in a cross between the JB and Duncan Distortion, but just a tad more open/less compressed, with great medium/high-ish output and harmonics/kerrang.
The Breed neck will do a big, wide PAF tone, but less dark than the Alnico Pro II. It has a pinch more 'jangle' up top, but it matches the mahogany and ebony of the V tremendously well.

 

[Shreddy Mercury]

Late to the party, but for my '67 RI , I replaced the whole pickguard with a black one, including black Gotoh hardware (locking bridge).
Like @Shreddy Mercury , also DiMarzio brigade member here.
Initially there was a Super D in the bridge, but now I've settled on the Norton, and a Breed neck.
Awesome combo, and they're both wired for coil splits via push-pull volume pots (Bourns 500k).
The Norton will probably do what you'd like to see in a cross between the JB and Duncan Distortion, but just a tad more open/less compressed, with great medium/high-ish output and harmonics/kerrang.
The Breed neck will do a big, wide PAF tone, but less dark than the Alnico Pro II. It has a pinch more 'jangle' up top, but it matches the mahogany and ebony of the V tremendously well.

Join the DiMarzio Brotherhood. I can send you a pamphlet for the Dubbel Kreem Krew.

 

[Speeddemon]

Yep, my Burny RLG has double double-kreems (AT-1 and Air Norton) and before that , I had two Hamer Vector XT's with the same (Super D/Dual Sound).

 

[Anje]

Bumping that old thread for a late summer check; are you still rocking the same pickups?
I was playing the old V earlier today and I more and more feel like some tweaking is due in the near future..

 

[Rottweiler]

Still rocking my 70s tribs in the 70s V. They have a lot of low end. I scored a set of 80s tribs JIC I want to try the bridge

 

[ChurchHill]

Bumping that old thread for a late summer check; are you still rocking the same pickups?
I was playing the old V earlier today and I more and more feel like some tweaking is due in the near future..

View attachment 460331

Yeah, I've still got the 498/490 in mine. Mostly just too lazy to change them but also been distracted by other guitars.

What kind of tweak are you thinking about? Still got those T-Tops in there? If you're looking for something fatter, the Gibson Custombucker with a magnet swap has worked well for me now in two guitars (SG & Les Paul). If you're looking for more heat, that JB/Jazz set you mentioned might be worth a shot.

If/when I get around to changing the pups in my Custom V, I'm leaning more towards something PAF-based and unpotted, just to try to capture as much of that resonance as I can. But the stock pups are still pretty good if not quite what I want to end up with.

That's still a really sweet V you've got there! Damn nice guitar, sir!

 

[Anje]

Thanks! Yes that's a real cool & nice guitar, love it.
I still have the old (late 60's / early 70's) T-Tops in it; sound great but those particular ones in this particular guitar are VERY lively and microphonic, especially the bridge position; makes the guitar feedback very easily when playing at high volume, sometimes a little too much .
Not sure I want to swap them out for now, I think I'll go step by step, starting by tweaking the height & pole pieces to fine tune VS what I like, maybe remove the covers.

Also on the feel side, I think this guitar would love lighter strings (currently has 10s) and I'll remove the wraparound setup at the same time. The guitar came setup that way from the luthier so I gave it a try, sounds nice but that reminded me why I haven't top-wrapped my Gibson ever since trying it for a short period a couple decades ago: makes the strings feel "looser" yet harder to work at when doing bends & left hand vibrato to me for some reason, and looses some of the "air" and edge in the attack of the notes at the profit of slightly "rounder" tone. Can be good or bad depending on the guitar and how you play / what you want, but in general I'm used to and much prefer regular mounting with tailpiece down; usually makes the guitar more "lively and reactive" to me.

Then I'll see if I feel the need to try different pickups; if that's the case I'll probably start by trying an old Duncan Custom in the bridge. I already have an old JB in the '79 LP Custom and would prefer going for something different; also feel the Custom would better suit that guitar and my Schenker itch

 

[Anje]

Ok, was able to briefly start tweaking the old V today:
adjusted the pickup pole pieces (were staggered, put them almost flat flush with the covers as I usually do on PAF-types)
slightly adjusted pickup height

BAM! sounded and even felt like a different guitar, made it next level.
At this point I was almost like "don't touch it anymore!" lol
Much more balanced & open tone that better fits the guitar and let it "speak / breath" more, nasty excessive feedback/vibration greatly reduced...
Same amp, same everything else; I hadn't had to adjust a guitar pickup setup for a few years and forgot how those tiny adjustments can transform a guitar sound & feel, especially when dealing with those old guitars & low output balanced pickups into (very) loud simple classic Marshall.

I may try the lighter strings next time I change them, but that's probably it for this one;
I'll try to stick to the "if it ain't broken don't fix it" credo

A quick photo or it didn't happen:

 

[harddriver]

Ok, was able to briefly start tweaking the old V today:
adjusted the pickup pole pieces (were staggered, put them almost flat flush with the covers as I usually do on PAF-types)
slightly adjusted pickup height

BAM! sounded and even felt like a different guitar, made it next level.
At this point I was almost like "don't touch it anymore!" lol
Much more balanced & open tone that better fits the guitar and let it "speak / breath" more, nasty excessive feedback/vibration greatly reduced...
Same amp, same everything else; I hadn't had to adjust a guitar pickup setup for a few years and forgot how those tiny adjustments can transform a guitar sound & feel, especially when dealing with those old guitars & low output balanced pickups into (very) loud simple classic Marshall.

I may try the lighter strings next time I change them, but that's probably it for this one;
I'll try to stick to the "if it ain't broken don't fix it" credo

A quick photo or it didn't happen:

View attachment 460395

So those are the original T-Tops in that V? I'm glad the those small tweaks delivered what you want. The SD Custom would accentuate some more mids compared to the balance of the T-Tops for sure but that might be welcomed for Schenker type tones but I still enjoy the nice balance of a PAF/PAFish pickup alot of times.

What amp is it that you have been plugging into in the last two pics????? Looks like a 50 watter????? My 72 has an original full size headbox which they did for a few years.

 

[harddriver]

Still rocking my 70s tribs in the 70s V. They have a lot of low end. I scored a set of 80s tribs JIC I want to try the bridgeView attachment 460332

I love V's but I'm not comfortable playing them. I had a nice 2000 Ebony V I bought new but just had to admit I didn't find it comfortable to play.

 

[harddriver]

Yeah, I've still got the 498/490 in mine. Mostly just too lazy to change them but also been distracted by other guitars.

What kind of tweak are you thinking about? Still got those T-Tops in there? If you're looking for something fatter, the Gibson Custombucker with a magnet swap has worked well for me now in two guitars (SG & Les Paul). If you're looking for more heat, that JB/Jazz set you mentioned might be worth a shot.

If/when I get around to changing the pups in my Custom V, I'm leaning more towards something PAF-based and unpotted, just to try to capture as much of that resonance as I can. But the stock pups are still pretty good if not quite what I want to end up with.

That's still a really sweet V you've got there! Damn nice guitar, sir!

The one SD PAFish pickup that still retains that PAF balance, clank and grind yet still adds grunt and output is the A-5 Whole Lotta Humbucker and they are potted and don't cost an arm and a leg.

Mr PDC says the SD Custom shop Franky pickup even a 14-15K still retains some PAF balance to it and he has a really good ear that I trust since he recommended the WLH to me and I completely agree with him on that one.

 

[Rottweiler]

I love V's but I'm not comfortable playing them. I had a nice 2000 Ebony V I bought new but just had to admit I didn't find it comfortable to play.

They are awesome to play seated.

 

[Anje]

Yes those V have very particular ergonomics for sure; I started on classical so that may have helped me feel comfortable with them even sitting down
Makes you appreciate the way Michael Schenker plays, makes so much sense with these guitars.

So those are the original T-Tops in that V? I'm glad the those small tweaks delivered what you want. The SD Custom would accentuate some more mids compared to the balance of the T-Tops for sure but that might be welcomed for Schenker type tones but I still enjoy the nice balance of a PAF/PAFish pickup alot of times.

What amp is it that you have been plugging into in the last two pics????? Looks like a 50 watter????? My 72 has an original full size headbox which they did for a few years.

The T-Tops are not the original ones, they are actually older (late 60’s / early 70’s Pat# stickers). The guitar had Duncan antiquities when I got it.
Yes I also love the original Gibson PAF/PAT# pickups, and good replicas; probably my overall preferred humbuckers, unless I feel the need to get something « special » / different in a particular guitar.
I’m curious about how an old Duncan hot rodded PAF like the original custom would sound in that guitar, I have the late 80’s / 90’s Schenker in mind for that.
But it’s about perfect now with the early T-Tops to be honest, not sure I want to mess with that; it’s more of the 70’s / early 80’s Schenker

Yes that amp I was playing on the last 2 photos is a ´67 / early ´68 50w Trem; had a few tweaks, sounds and feels fantastic, very balanced amp, a real benchmark to me in how an old classic NMV 50w Marshall sounds.
I have a ‘72 too, I think it was on the first photo of the V I shared earlier in this thread (next to the Park 75); that amp is a firebreather, so much more gain and a fantastic liquid lead tone. It sounds like it’s modded but is dead stock and really clean.
The ‘71 small box that is next to the 50w trem is a bass modded to lead and kind of in the middle, with more of an aggressive edgy character.
And the Park 75 is its own thing with the KT88.

Funny how so similar amps can sound and feel so different.
That’s why you can’t have only one

 

[harddriver]

Yes those V have very particular ergonomics for sure; I started on classical so that may have helped me feel comfortable with them even sitting down
Makes you appreciate the way Michael Schenker plays, makes so much sense with these guitars.



The T-Tops are not the original ones, they are actually older (late 60’s / early 70’s Pat# stickers). The guitar had Duncan antiquities when I got it.
Yes I also love the original Gibson PAF/PAT# pickups, and good replicas; probably my overall preferred humbuckers, unless I feel the need to get something « special » / different in a particular guitar.
I’m curious about how an old Duncan hot rodded PAF like the original custom would sound in that guitar, I have the late 80’s / 90’s Schenker in mind for that.
But it’s about perfect now with the early T-Tops to be honest, not sure I want to mess with that; it’s more of the 70’s / early 80’s Schenker

Yes that amp I was playing on the last 2 photos is a ´67 / early ´68 50w Trem; had a few tweaks, sounds and feels fantastic, very balanced amp, a real benchmark to me in how an old classic NMV 50w Marshall sounds.
I have a ‘72 too, I think it was on the first photo of the V I shared earlier in this thread (next to the Park 75); that amp is a firebreather, so much more gain and a fantastic liquid lead tone. It sounds like it’s modded but is dead stock and really clean.
The ‘71 small box that is next to the 50w trem is a bass modded to lead and kind of in the middle, with more of an aggressive edgy character.
And the Park 75 is its own thing with the KT88.

Funny how so similar amps can sound and feel so different.
That’s why you can’t have only one

I played a few Les Pauls with Tim Shaw T-Tops in the early 80's and they were not a pleasing pickup to my ears although I guess original T-Tops and Tim Shaw T-tops probably are quite different from one another.

Yeah it's pretty crazy the how different Marshall can sound from one another. I sometimes attribute that to Monday and Friday amps with substitute part values and sometimes the amp gods make some special I guess..... I bought a 1984 2204 from a guy that played in a band with my when I had my 79 2203 which was/is a firebreather and he went out and got the 2204 and that amp just didn't compare to the 79, he was kinda pissed because it sounded anemic side by side. So I bought that amp from him years later knowing how crappy it sounded and it still sounded the same when I got it home in 2013. I finally got off my ass and modded it to a LG/HG Cameron Jose in 2025 which was my white whale amp besides my 68 plexi. The amp has balls now, and I don't feel bad that I modded it one bit knowing how it sounded stock........

 

[mentoneman]

I played a few Les Pauls with Tim Shaw T-Tops in the early 80's and they were not a pleasing pickup to my ears although I guess original T-Tops and Tim Shaw T-tops probably are quite different from one another.

Yeah it's pretty crazy the how different Marshall can sound from one another. I sometimes attribute that to Monday and Friday amps with substitute part values and sometimes the amp gods make some special I guess..... I bought a 1984 2204 from a guy that played in a band with my when I had my 79 2203 which was/is a firebreather and he went out and got the 2204 and that amp just didn't compare to the 79, he was kinda pissed because it sounded anemic side by side. So I bought that amp from him years later knowing how crappy it sounded and it still sounded the same when I got it home in 2013. I finally got off my ass and modded it to a LG/HG Cameron Jose in 2025 which was my white whale amp besides my 68 plexi. The amp has balls now, and I don't feel bad that I modded it one bit knowing how it sounded stock........

but does it Shatner?

 

[Anje]

I didn't know Captain Kirk was the frontman of a metal band too

@harddriver , cool amp great job!
I don't think there is such thing as "Tim Shaw T-tops"? Tim Shaw new "PAF replica" that debuted in 1980 didn't have the T-Top bobbins anymore (apart from very few said "hybrids" where they may have used-up the remaining inventory of old bobbins during the '80 transition), along with the other changes that Tim Shaw made (magnet, wire...).
I don't have much first hand experience with the Shaw pickups, I have in mind they sound slightly rounder/warmer with softer attack than the T-Tops, that are to me clearer & more open sounding with more bite.
I love those old original T-Tops! Sound & feel great, as nice as a good PAF IMHO, just different flavor. Pick the one you prefer for the particular guitar & music you play.

 

[Slambango]

WCR by Jim Weber - the Crossroads set
I put these in my vintage flying V and holy BaJesus!
I bought 2 more sets in the following months. Always on the lookout.

 

[Fiesta Red]

Ok, was able to briefly start tweaking the old V today:
adjusted the pickup pole pieces (were staggered, put them almost flat flush with the covers as I usually do on PAF-types)
slightly adjusted pickup height

BAM! sounded and even felt like a different guitar, made it next level.
At this point I was almost like "don't touch it anymore!" lol

Nice! Yeah -- don't screw with it!

Awesome looking V

 

[Anje]

Thanks!
Yes I'll leave it as is. Still pleasantly surprised how the simple pickup adjustments made such a big difference, felt like it all clicked together VS feeling like fighting with the guitar.
May still like to try lighter strings & remove the trop wrap, we'll see how I feel about it after more paying time when the next string change comes, but I'm in no hurry to mess with it anymore right now.

One more photo from yesterday just because: