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with a 59'. A 59'TB to be exact. Had one installed in my Alvarez Scoop (basswood amp; either maple or alder flame top, not sure which) when I took it in for a complete re-fit a few months ago. I didn't like the way it sounded initially, so I kind of put it up and forgot about it.

Picked it up last night, adjusted the height some more, messed with the pole pieces and found the sweet spot! Nice and crunchy on the bottom end...mids are just right with my Marshall. The only complaint I have is that the highs are just a touch brittle. I lowered the pole pieces, but it's not quite right. If I dail back the tone knob a few clicks, it's better.

Playing rythym however it just rocks. From Dokken to old school VH to Tesla, the tone is there in spaded. I know it's not overly hot, but it hits my amp just right. I know VHFan touts the 59' bridge pup, and I can really, really concur...at least in this guitar. I threw a little flanger in front of my Marshall and just nailed the tone to Unchained.

Fun stuff. I'm going to give the 59' a shot in a few more bridge spots....but I just can't get on with it in the neck...try as I might, so I just sold my last 59' neck.

Sounds cool Jeff. You experiencing part of the same thing I did with my 59TB in my Patriot. Had to roll the high's off just a bit. With them in my Predator, though, its not a problem. Those 59's will rock!

So, how high do you have yours adjusted? I'm not sure I've found my quot;sweet-spotquot; yet.


Originally Posted by ArtieToo
So, how high do you have yours adjusted? I'm not sure I've found my quot;sweet-spotquot; yet.

3/16quot; on the bass side, just a hair lower on the treble side. I dialed the three bass pole pieces up about 3/4 turn, and the 3 treble pole pieces down about a 1/2 turn.

It's odd, because I have been such a hard core A2 fan for many years now. This 59' is really growing on me, and the C5 currently in my LP doesn't suck, although the output is a little too much for my taste. I've also got a PG(b) comming to try in my Lester, before I decide on a set of APH's.

'59bs are badass. They hit my amp just right too. Beautiful sounding pickups with just the right amount of grind and punch for my amp.

There ya go. That's why the 59 Trembucker is my favorite bridge humbucker in a Strat. I have them in both of my humbucker Strats. It's a very underappreciated pickup IMO. Seems like so many of the younger guys are convinced you have to have a really overwound humbucker to rock, but all the great 60's and early 70's blues and rock recordings with humbucker guitars feature pickups like the 59. It's a classic tone: Clapton with the Bluesbreakers or Cream...or Larry Carlton and his 60's ES-335. Lew

As far as perceived output goes, the '59b doesn't appear to be lacking anything. It appears to handle high gain quite well. It has done what I consider to be some pretty heavy metal tones.

I have really considered picking up a 59B lately to try out (again). I havent played one in quite a few years. I figured it would possibly sound great in my rig (Marshall 2555SL).

Does anyone happen to know how the 59B would stack up to a Jazz Bridge position?

BTW Lew, have you happened to play the Jazz Bridge?

Lew is right....you don't need anything hotter than a 59' to nail the majority of guitar tones right up through the early 80's. It handles a ton of gain, retains clarity and bite. Really, most SD pickups do this, chich to me is the reason I like them so much. With amps today having more gain on tap than ever before, the high output pups just seem like overkill...for the type of music I play anyhow.

Theodie - I'd bet the Jazz bridge would be close to a 59', although my guess is it would be a tad brighter...not sure why I think that though. I know Jolly LOVES his Jazz set in Amber (Les Paul), and I've heard him get some wicked tones from it.

I am tempeted to get both and try them out!!!!
I will confess, I just want the Jazz Bridge so I can be like Jolly when I grow up!!! He's my hero!!!!

Has SD changed the design or component materials in the 59 over the last 20 years?

HEY THERE JEFF LONG TIME NO SEE...BY ANY CHANCE DO YOU STILL HAVE MY CLIPS THAT I SENT YOU AN AGE AND FOREVER AGO CAUSE MY HARD DRIVE FAILED ON ME LAST WEEK. ? ..... THANKS CHRIS SOLOGTRSTEWIE@HOTMAIL.COM