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I had this 11.6k PGB/Custom A2 hybrid that I wasn't using since JumpMarine has my other 59b/C A5 Hybrid in his guitar....

The Hybrid is fatter with added harmonics and the 59B even with the A2 magnet is clean,clear,but thinner sounding...Probably just the guitar though,as the stock 59N was the complete opposite(Too bassy)....

One thing I know I Missed with the hybrid was these extra harmonics....These harmonics add that little bit of extra something I felt I was missing with the 59Bgt;I now know exactly what it is about the hybrid that I Like...The punchiness is back even though I've decided to stay with the A2 magnet this time and there's this slight hollowness with this pickup that I didn't notice with the 59B that is very cool...There's slightly more mids,but I think it's lower mids,and an overall more powerful tone that stays articulate just like a 59B does.The tone is still like the 59B it replaced in the highs and note clarity,but it's ballsier..This pickup isn't for everyone,but in my LP it's what I'll need to stick with...I think I posted almost this identical review the very first time I tryed this pickup and I'm sure if I read that post that it would be the same....

In summary here....This hybrid is a nice marriage between the articulation of the 59 but with the added harmonics and extra crunch and power from the custom slug bobbin...Since I've decided to go back to the A2....I feel like I have what I Liked in the CC(It was a bit dark)and the clarity and brightness of the 59B but the A2 magnet like a Seth....The CC lacks the overall note clarity of this Hybrid though... Even with the A2 magnet,I don't sense any great loss or problems with tightness of tone...

If you use an A5 instead of the A2,you then get a marriage between the 59B and a C5 overall as I've tryed all of these combinations plus the CC and the C5...

Again I find my sweet spots right at 3/32quot; on both E strings.....I still really like the A4 59N pickup,but I will try Pete's advice on a 59/Jazz hybrid also...

Anyone that knows me,pretty much knows I Like A2 bridge pickups,but I Like an articulate tone but with more overall balls and not thin and toppy....Not that the 59 was really too thin but it's not as full as the hybrid.

The 59B is a great pickup,especially with the A2 magnet,but the hybrid edges it out enough that I noticed I missed something..For me and in this guitar it does...I think I'll leave this hybrid in this guitar and just go with it again...Thanks again to Pete(Bachtorock)for this cool pickup idea!

Great report John, much more articulate than my simple ramblings! I'll be sending your lost puppy home soon.


Originally Posted by JumpMarineGreat report John, much more articulate than my simple ramblings! I'll be sending your lost puppy home soon.

Hang onto it for a bit cause I'm using this PGB/Custom A2 now and it's great..No hurry...Get a good idea about it first...

I had the A5 in it first,but lately I'm back to A2 magnets in the bridge...

Question for Bachtorock?
Do you hear any overall difference between using the PGB screw bobbin vs the 59B screw bobbin cause I don't think I do?

What about A2 vs A5 magnets in the Hybrids mentioned...What do you hear and what do you like?

Once you go Hybrid... you'll never go back!
The PG and 59 coils are pretty much identical so either one will fill the bill...
I generally prefer A2, but I use heavy strings(.012-.052), a heavy 1.52 Clayton pick and a very dynamic picking style so the A2 reacts well for my situation. Players that use lighter strings and technique would probably prefer the added dynamics and power of an A5.
All thanks should go to Edward Van Halen as it was his idea... he spilled the beans backtage during the Fair Warning tour and told me about this Hybrid pickup and that was what he was using at the time... since I made one 20 years ago it has been the absolute best pickup my ears have ever heard.
I decided to share the secret here on the forum not long ago and a few solder handy pickup junkies decided to give it a a go...
I have made a couple for fellow forum members as well... also the Custom/JB Hybrid is a killer pickup that works well with either an A5 or the Ceramic magnet from the Custom


Originally Posted by BachToRockOnce you go Hybrid... you'll never go back!
The PG and 59 coils are pretty much identical so either one will fill the bill...
I generally prefer A2, but I use heavy strings(.012-.052), a heavy 1.52 Clayton pick and a very dynamic picking style so the A2 reacts well for my situation. Players that use lighter strings and technique would probably prefer the added dynamics and power of an A5.
All thanks should go to Edward Van Halen as it was his idea... he spilled the beans backtage during the Fair Warning tour and told me about this Hybrid pickup and that was what he was using at the time... since I made one 20 years ago it has been the absolute best pickup my ears have ever heard.
I decided to share the secret here on the forum not long ago and a few solder handy pickup junkies decided to give it a a go...
I have made a couple for fellow forum members as well... also the Custom/JB Hybrid is a killer pickup that works well with either an A5 or the Ceramic magnet from the Custom

Thanks Pete....I use a Dimarzio Fred in my SG's bridge position and it has alot of the same qualities I Like with the hybrid and that is added harmonics and detail with the mismatched coils...The hybrid is better than the Fred though..

Yeah... I have a few FREDS and it is a pretty cool pickup... there is no denying that Satriani uses it with great effect, but it lacks a certain GIRTH in the mids amp; bass that the Alnico Custom/59 Hybrid has.
Plus, Dimarzios always seem to have a sterile quality to their tone... it must be those dull matte finish bobbins
They need shiny bobbins like Duncan and they would sound better!


Originally Posted by STRATDELUXER97Hang onto it for a bit cause I'm using this PGB/Custom A2 now and it's great..No hurry...Get a good idea about it first...

I had the A5 in it first,but lately I'm back to A2 magnets in the bridge...

I gotta have both! I love my Seth, but I crave the a5 goodness of my '59 too.

I want to try some hybrids -- I'd love to do a Demon/59 hybrid ( I think the Custom/'59 hybrid would be too hot for my tastes). I don't want to spend $160-$170 on pickups I'm gonna tear apart! Needless to say I'd probably ruin them too!

Buy used and then you'll have another set to share with me!

Originally Posted by gripweed

I don't want to spend $160-$170 on pickups I'm gonna tear apart! Needless to say I'd probably ruin them too!

Originally Posted by BachToRockYeah... I have a few FREDS and it is a pretty cool pickup... there is no denying that Satriani uses it with great effect, but it lacks a certain GIRTH in the mids amp; bass that the Alnico Custom/59 Hybrid has.
Plus, Dimarzios always seem to have a sterile quality to their tone... it must be those dull matte finish bobbins
They need shiny bobbins like Duncan and they would sound better!

I don't feel the Fred is sterile but it's not as ballsy as the 59B/Custom Hybrid..I much prefer Duncans in all cases though.

I asked this once before, but can't really recall the answer.....If you make two hybrids out of a 59 and Custom, how will they differ in sound, since the hotter bobbin will be near the bridge on one, and towards the neck on the other?

Very good question! I'd like to know too.

Originally Posted by GearjoneserI asked this once before, but can't really recall the answer.....If you make two hybrids out of a 59 and Custom, how will they differ in sound, since the hotter bobbin will be near the bridge on one, and towards the neck on the other?

Originally Posted by GearjoneserI asked this once before, but can't really recall the answer.....If you make two hybrids out of a 59 and Custom, how will they differ in sound, since the hotter bobbin will be near the bridge on one, and towards the neck on the other?

The only real difference I have noticed is if you hook up a coil splitter which with standard Duncan wiring would be the slug coil... I personally like the sound of the Custom coil as the split one, but some might prefer the cleaner amp; more dynamic 59 coil.
I prefer the Custom Screw/59 Slug in and ANGLED humbucker guitar like in my Kramer Baretta... I think that is because the polepieces don't line up evenly under the strings... the screw coil(Custom) is biased to the Bass strings and the slug coil(59) to the Treble strings...