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I've been looking for a great sounding PAF style bridge humbucker for duties within my Tokai PRS copy. I'm seeking a mid-gain, classic rock sounding guitar to contrast my high gain LP. I will be playing it through my Mesa Tremoverb. The stock pickups are actually quite good, and thus I will be keeping the neck in place, however I want to improve some on the bridge pickup. I tried a C-5 in there recently and it sounded very thin no matter what I did (pup height and screw height). I'm in the midst of possibly trading that pickup for a covered '59 and see how that does. What other pickups should I look at if I find I'm not satisfied with the '59 in the bridge? Feel free to suggest other brands (including boutique pups such as WCR, Fralin etc) and why you feel they would suit this situation.

Thanks.


Originally Posted by Lee BobI've been looking for a great sounding PAF style bridge humbucker for duties within my Tokai PRS copy. I'm seeking a mid-gain, classic rock sounding guitar to contrast my high gain LP. I will be playing it through my Mesa Tremoverb. The stock pickups are actually quite good, and thus I will be keeping the neck in place, however I want to improve some on the bridge pickup. I tried a C-5 in there recently and it sounded very thin no matter what I did (pup height and screw height). I'm in the midst of possibly trading that pickup for a covered '59 and see how that does. What other pickups should I look at if I find I'm not satisfied with the '59 in the bridge? Feel free to suggest other brands (including boutique pups such as WCR, Fralin etc) and why you feel they would suit this situation.

Thanks.

Do a search under the 59B/Custom Hybrid pickup....The CC is another great pickup....I found the stock 59B at bit too bright for my tastes...The Seth bridge is another one that everyone likes also.

Start right here....Alot of us love this pickup!

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CC might be a good choice - thin where/how. I would say the CC is FAT in the highs, crunchy in the mids, and not overly bassy (Which might mean quot;thinquot; to you on the bottom.

Don't know much on the Fralin's. From what I can tell they are sweet and great! I have heard some complaints. I feel there are cheaper options.

I LOVE the Duncan APH1's and Dimarzio Virtual PAF neck. Have not tried the VHOT PAF.

I also LOOVE the Burstbuckers and 57 classic depending on the application.

in general i like fralins singles better than their buckers.
the wcrs are nice, i really like the goodwood set.
the gibson burstbucker 1 and 2 are pretty nice
love the duncan seth lover neck pup

the antiquitys are my favorite paf style buckers. they sound great in every guitar ive ever really played them in.

i have 10k and 9.4k overwound antiquitys that are hands down my favorite bridge humbuckers.
i like a big round warm but clear tone from the neck and a full toned, balanced bridge pup with a little bite but a thick mid range so it never sounds thin on the high frets of the skinny strings. gotta have good meat all over but not be tubby or indistinct. my overwound ants are the perfect bridge pup for me. another guy i know has a 10k antiquity in a late 60's epiphone semi-hollowbody that sounds great as well.

I don't have a whole lot of background with PAF style humbuckers, but I have liked what I've tried.
I enjoyed the Gibson '57 classic in the bridge of a strat for a while. I've got a '78 EVH in my HM Strat right now, and I really enjoy that sound. I also ordered a Custom Custom for my ESP, so I would suggest the '78 or CC.

Rock On ~ Kac

If you thought the C5 was thin, try the CC. I'm afraid none of the accurate PAF replicas are thicker than the C5.

I agree, the C5 is a classic as far as tone. If I was playing pop gigs it would be a go to pickup (ie backing female singers like Madonna, Shakira, Gwen). However, I usually play in louder, more raw situations, and the C5 lead is hmmmm not balls out. Let me be clear, it is an amazing tone, very sweet - just isn't a rude wall of sound. You can't go wrong with the C5.


Originally Posted by OlinMusicI agree, the C5 is a classic as far as tone. If I was playing pop gigs it would be a go to pickup (ie backing female singers like Madonna, Shakira, Gwen). However, I usually play in louder, more raw situations, and the C5 lead is hmmmm not balls out. Let me be clear, it is an amazing tone, very sweet - just isn't a rude wall of sound. You can't go wrong with the C5.

Both times I have tried the C5 (both in my LP and PRS copy) I found it thin and brittle. I tried a '59b in my LP and liked it but opted for something more high output instead for that guitar.

Everyone is saying if you didnt like the C5 go with the CC. I sort of disagree myself. I say go for the Custom first. The Custom has more warmth than the C5 but, it still retains a Paf like quality (just beefed up alot). I like the Pearly Gates in the neck with the custom (or about any pickup for that matter).

My favorite PAF type pickup has got to be the DiMarzio Fred. It is a humbucker with a vintage character but a bit more mid beef.

BurstBucker Pro (alnico V) is my fave so far of every quot;PAFquot; I have tried. Perfect balance of output, crunchiness, sweetness, and bite.

In the duncan line 59s are great in the right guitar...but the Custom is still my fave Duncan bridge pup...


Originally Posted by theodieEveryone is saying if you didnt like the C5 go with the CC. I sort of disagree myself. I say go for the Custom first. The Custom has more warmth than the C5 but, it still retains a Paf like quality (just beefed up alot). I like the Pearly Gates in the neck with the custom (or about any pickup for that matter).Very true. I love the Custom as well, but I find that when under light OD, it has some fizziness to the top end that an alnico pickup doesn't. That's why I like the CC just marginally more.

The CC is anything but thin, even in the low end. It's just a quot;mushyquot; type of low end. Not sloppy at all, just loser than the Custom or C5. I love the smoothness of the highs with it. The 59 should sound really nice though in that guitar.

Don't forget that fatness also comes from the amp/speaker/speaker cab. If you have a closed back cabinet, it should be pretty tight and fat sounding. Open back cabs/combo amps will sound thinner due to some of the sound escaping out the back.


Originally Posted by Butch SnyderMy favorite PAF type pickup has got to be the DiMarzio Fred. It is a humbucker with a vintage character but a bit more mid beef.

I've had this Fred pickup since it came out in the early 90s first in a strat...Now this same pickup is in my Gibson SG bridge position with a cover and it's great...Guess it reminds me of the Hybrid pickup in that it offers more harmonics,clarity,and tight tone because of the mismatched coils....My only favorite Dimarzio pickup..


Originally Posted by ErikHThe CC is anything but thin, even in the low end. It's just a quot;mushyquot; type of low end. Not sloppy at all, just loser than the Custom or C5. I love the smoothness of the highs with it. The 59 should sound really nice though in that guitar.

Don't forget that fatness also comes from the amp/speaker/speaker cab. If you have a closed back cabinet, it should be pretty tight and fat sounding. Open back cabs/combo amps will sound thinner due to some of the sound escaping out the back.

The looseness you speak about Erik,comes from the A2 magnet...I much prefer the 59B or PGB/Custom A2 Hybrid over the CC or the C5...It's alot better in my opinion..

Either DImarzio vPAF's or Wolftone's: from : localhost/www.wolfetone.com/


Originally Posted by AmpliFIREEither DImarzio vPAF's or Wolftone's: from : localhost/pretty hard to beat Seymour's products overall....The only other company winding as long or longer,is Dimarzio....

These boutique pickups like Rolphs,Timbuckers,etc...are very pricy!


Originally Posted by STRATDELUXER97It's pretty hard to beat Seymour's products overall....The only other company winding as long or longer,is Dimarzio....

These boutique pickups like Rolphs,Timbuckers,etc...are very pricy!

Ehhhmmmm......Bill Lawrence...not BL USA, but Bill and Becky. He was winding pickups before both of 'em.

I do agree with you on the A2 being the reason for the CC's looseness. That's why I like it. I don't know why but I don't like a really tight low end. I seem to like that quot;on the edge of being out of controlquot; feel that it has or can have.


Originally Posted by ErikHEhhhmmmm......Bill Lawrence...not BL USA, but Bill and Becky. He was winding pickups before both of 'em.

I do agree with you on the A2 being the reason for the CC's looseness. That's why I like it. I don't know why but I don't like a really tight low end. I seem to like that quot;on the edge of being out of controlquot; feel that it has or can have.

Yes lawrence has been doing alot of overall electronic stuff for ions! He's older than dirt also! LOL....

I like the A2 magnet in my bridge positions...I Like sweeter,warmer,rounder,and some slight squish to my notes....Depends on the gear after that though..