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Hello everyone,

My name is John Redden. I just joined this forum today. I bought a C66 strat from Carvin recently. It desperately needs new PU's. The Carvins PU's are just not for me. My C66 has an alder body with a flamed maple top. Fixed bridge and two humbuckers. Let me say this..it is a VERY bright guitar. Has a really deep throaty tone.

I keep hearing the JB/Jazz combo is a great one. However I hear the Jazz is a bright PU and believe me, this C66 doesn't need to be any brighter. I was thinking of then going with a JB/'59n combo.

Is there anyone here who has a Carvin (esp a bolt neck like mine) who can give me some advice on the right combo for me? I really need to get this right. I know the JB is what I want for the bridge..I just can't decide on the neck PU yet.

Thanks

John R.

from : localhost/www.johnredden.com

welcome john,
actually i do have a carvin ct6 with a custom and a aph2 in it but my guitar happens to be very different that yours. I must ask first what style of music do u play? BTW the jb is going to be the brightest pickup ever in your guitar because it is such a naturally bright guitar.

I should have mentioned that first. I play rock/blues/country with my band and jazz/fusion at home. I've heard some strats with a HH pickup config like my C66 and they were just as bright. My C66 seems to be a little more punchy than most HH strats I've played. The C66 has right now a C22B and the Holdsworth H22N. They are a terrible combo for this guitar. REally bad...the H22N is nothing like I thought it would be. I really need to find the right set for this guitar. I've been VERY impressed with the JB's I've played before. But those were in basswood Ibanez guitars. I think my C66 is just bright because of the maple top...any thoughts?

John Rgt;

the alder was brighter than the basswood of the ibanez and the ebony is was brighter than any fretboard on the ibanez, i say go for a aph2 and a custom custom or a custom in the bridge.

I used to have a Carvin TL-60 that had a maple cap and it was also a very bright sounding guitar. I ended up putting a JB in the bridge position but I also switched the 500K tone and volume pots to 250K. The results were fantastic. Changing the pots tamed the ice pick highs that were common in that guitar and the tone of the JB with the 250K pots was awsome.

I think a JB bridge and Jazz neck with 250K pots would be great choice. Actually, isn't that Seymour's favorite combo as well?

custom5 for bridge!
not as bright as jb or custom
big low end to go with your fixed bridge. that's what I have in my DC127 bridge.

I guess what I'm really after tone wise is just a very legato friendly sound. Something that allows all my naunces to come through. I prefer the legato sound of guys like Scott henderson, Allan Holdsworth, and Brett Garsed...Am I even on the right track with the PU options I've been debating thus far?

I think you would be happiest with a Pearly Gates bridge model in the neck and a Custom Custom in the bridge. They are what I have in my DC127 T and are great for the sound you described.

A Custom Custom is a great way to tame a bright guitar without taking away its character. Very good for the legato lead thing you are describing.

I heard the Custom Custom has a nasely mid range quot;honkquot;. Is that true? A friend of mine tells me I should go with the Vintage blues set. Two 59's. I really really really wish I could afford to get my hands on some of the original double screw 59's. I'd use those in neck and bridge. I really want to hear what a JB sounds like in my guitar...but I'm afraid if its brightness I keep hearing about. I want a pickup that really cuts through...but doesn't give you an ice pick in the ear. lol

a custom custom in the NECK??? whoa... That must be cool :P

No nasaly midrange honk from the Custom Custom , just smooth and thick.

The 59 might be OK for the neck, but most carvins need more meat at the bridge than a typical PAF type pickup can deliver.