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Hey all,

I'm new to the forum, but have been doing a lot of reading, as I'm looking into some replacement pups. I play an Ibanex Artcore double cut, semi-hollow body with ceramic humbuckers in it. Similar to a Dot or 335. I love the guitar - great for the money, but it needs a tone overhaul. I realized that after tracking for a new CD. Anyway, I'm looking for the best pickup combination for the guitar. I play through a Carvin MTS 3212, a 50W/100W 2x12 all tube amp with great tone-shaping abilities. The Ibanez sounds decent clean, but it gets boxy when overdriven and I can't get really great overdriven tones with the current setup (I like a nice warm, slightly overdriven tone). Plus, I have trouble getting above the mix when soloing in loud live settings (the other guitarist plays Les Pauls through a Fender Blues Deluxe). I've been thinking about a Pearly Gates in the bridge with an Alnico II or Seth Lover in the neck. Thoughts? Also, I imagine I should change the volume and tone pots as well (2 of each). Suggestions?

Your input is appreciated!!

Hi, welcome to the forum!

Sounds like the best bet would be a set of Alnico 2 HB's, either Seth Lovers, Pearly Gates, Alnico 2 Pro's - Although I haven't tried any of those, so I can't tell you what they sound like, but plenty of others can.

As for the pots I would say swap them for 500k CTS pots.

I just had a set of Seth Lovers installed in my semi-hollow (Gibson ES-137). They sound great -- much warmer, smoother, brighter and more open than the stock pups. I used the stock pots, which were probably 300K vol and 500K tone, and it seems open and bright enough to me (and I'm primarily a Tele player, although this is intended as my quot;darkquot; guitar).


Originally Posted by KelseyI just had a set of Seth Lovers installed in my semi-hollow (Gibson ES-137). They sound great -- much warmer, smoother, brighter and more open than the stock pups. I used the stock pots, which were probably 300K vol and 500K tone, and it seems open and bright enough to me (and I'm primarily a Tele player, although this is intended as my quot;darkquot; guitar).Thanks. I love the sound of the Seth Lovers but was thinking I might want to get something a bit brighter just because it's semi-hollow. But, sounds like that's not a problem.

IMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

However, the A2Pro neck or Pearly Gates neck and the Custom Custom would also be superb.

Lew

That CC Lew recommended will definitely cut through your bud's LP and get through in the mix!


Originally Posted by LewguitarIMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

However, the A2Pro neck or Pearly Gates neck and the Custom Custom would also be superb.

Lew

Do you know if I can get a nickel cover for the Custom Custom?


Originally Posted by JTMDo you know if I can get a nickel cover for the Custom Custom?

Yes you can...no problem.

1 for Seths

The Seth Lover bridge that I put in my Dot sounds fantastic, I really enjoy playing with this pickup. Anything from slight to heavy gain sounds great with this pickup. I stuck a '59 Neck in too, which IMO is the best clean 'bucker I have ever heard, it has an almost acoustic sound to it when I'm strumming chords. I would whole heartedly recommend either pickup for a semi-hollow guitar, with the edge going to the Seth Lover.

I like a lower output pickup in semi-hollow body guitars. Maybe a 59 or Seth in the bridge and a Jazz or Seth in the neck.


Originally Posted by LewguitarIMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

I'm glad to hear that, I just ordered a CC and Seth for my Gibson Lucille (both with gold covers). With some CTS 500k pots and regular switching (I'm going to bypass the varitone), it should kick ass.

Where did you get them Carrot?

I have an Antiquity neck and Seth bridge. In an Ibanez Artcore AS73.

One word...sweet!

I've got an Epi dot and I'm gonna get pickups changed eventually... GuitarStv's advice sounds good. I never like the idea of ceramic pickups in a semi - you need something creamier and lower output. Seths or '59s are best i would have thought... what kind of music do you play? Also, ever thought of getting p90's (or phat cats, for that matter) put in?

PS. welcome to the boards!


Originally Posted by LewguitarIMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

I put a pair of Seth Lovers in my Heritage H-535 and thought that the neck sounded perfect, but that the bridge was too bright. I ended up soldering a second tone cap in parallel with the first one, to bring the total capacitance up to .032uF. (I hate working on those semi-hollow guitars! ) Better but still not there...

I'll have to check out the Custom Custom bridge as a mate to the Seth Lover neck... btw how does that combination work in a Les Paul? (I took the Seth Lovers out of the H-535 and were going to put them in one of my Les Pauls.)

Thanks!


Originally Posted by jajawWhere did you get them Carrot?

Blackrose


Originally Posted by LewguitarIMO: the best pickups I've ever heard in a semi hollowbody are the set in my Monoco Super Pro: Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

Lew

Are these pickups available in a P-90 size? I have an ES-137 with P-90's. Also, as a general rule, what tonal differences would there be in between a regulat CC and a CC in a P-90 housing?


Originally Posted by RansomAre these pickups available in a P-90 size? I have an ES-137 with P-90's. Also, as a general rule, what tonal differences would there be in between a regulat CC and a CC in a P-90 housing?

Those pups whould have to come from the custom shop, so you are looking at about twice as much, but it would be exactly what you want.

Luke

Hi guys, are gibson burstbuckers pro good for semi / full hollow body guitar? anyone tried that?