Bob B Posted March 22, 2011 Posted March 22, 2011 This is for my 81 sunburst. I'm finding the bridge pickup very weak and thin compared to the neck pup. What is the most common replacement pickup for this situation?
zenmindbeginner Posted March 22, 2011 Posted March 22, 2011 I don't think that there is a common replacement. You are most likely just looking for more output right. The stock bridge in a '81 Sunburst should have a DC resistance somewhere between 8K and 8.8K. You will want something above 10K and really should look at 12K and above. SD doesn't publish their millivolt ratings which are a better measure for output, but DiMarzio does. SD on the other hand, gives out the inductance of their pickups which DiMarzio does not. The inductance can tell you roughly where the majority of the energy of the midrange peak is focused at. A higher inductance generally means a brighter sounding pickup. Keeping the double cream look can put you firmly in DiMarzio territory since SD can only make double cream one offs in their custom shop due to Larry's patent on double cream pickup mass production. In the old days, people would replace their stock custom wound DiMarzio PAF for a DP100 Super Distortion or possibly a DP102 X2N if they were adventurous. Out of the current DiMarzio line, a Norton or an Air Zone would make great replacements. DiMarzio has a fantastic exchange policy if you buy their pickups brand new from an authorized dealer. You absolutely can't go wrong with the UK's Bare Knuckle line. Although they are expensive at $130a pop, they get rave reviews and are made of the best quality materials and feature the finest craftsmanship. The SD custom shop will make you whatever pickup that you want for around $160. Good luck.
atquinn Posted March 22, 2011 Posted March 22, 2011 ZM pretty much covered it. For a specific suggestion, I would recommend a Seymour Duncan Custom (SH5) pickup.-Austin
Armitage Posted March 22, 2011 Posted March 22, 2011 If you want something PAFish but hotter and thicker, DiMarzio now sells their custom AT-1 to the public.
Bob B Posted March 22, 2011 Author Posted March 22, 2011 I'm finding the stock bridge pup sounding very shrill without any bottom end. It's currently set almost as high as it will go with the neck pup set at it's absolute lowest. My ears are used to the sounds I get out of my Strat which is a totally different guitar. The Strat is heavy ash with no tailpiece/trem bridge routing(more wood than a normal Strat and weighs as much as a Les Paul) with a maple neck and an SD SH4 JB in the bridge position.
gtone Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Have you tried talking to Jon at J S Moore pickups (www.tonefordays.com)? His handwounds get great reviews on the boards, they're made in Canada (no customs/shipping issues) and he's a tone hound, so virtually every pu is a custom build. I just ordered one of his Tres Hombre vintage bridge winds today in double cream with Alnico 2 magnets. Seems like a steal for a handwound pu too!
Armitage Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 I've got a bunch of his pickups in a box here... I've just never put one in... Nice guy.
zenmindbeginner Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Wow, that wood, bridge and pickup combination is a harmonic monster! I'll bet that you can get some real aggressive yet organic tones with that combo.The DiMarzio AT-1 is their answer to a JB... but it is designed to work with the more articulate body woods like Ash and Alder. In mahogany guitars it has been often described as having a dark tone. You might really dig it though, depending on your need for upper mids and treble.The Air Zone would give you the harmonics and bite of the JB while not sounding too dark or muddy.Lots of people on this board like the Rio Grande pickups.The Bare Knuckle Holy Diver is a JB clone that loses some compression of the JB in favor of a more open sound.The JB is a distinct sounding overwound PAF type humbucker with some of the best harmonics that the pickup world offers. It has a bright and delicate top end with a very compressed midrange. Most of the power of a JB is in the 3K to 6K range which gives an aggressive and edgy sound.Go balls out and get Maricela to wind you a custom hot JB with an alnico II magnet in double cream.You'll thank me later.
gtone Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Go balls out and get Maricela to wind you a custom hot JB with an alnico II magnet in double cream.You'll thank me later.Don't want to threadjack, but was wondering if that vintage DCJ pu Elduave (Rocketeria Dave) has listed would be one of Maricela's winds?
zenmindbeginner Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 Yes it is. Maricela only winds for the custom shop currently, but has always wound a good bit of SD's pickups.The last letter is the first letter of the winders last name.
specialk Posted March 23, 2011 Posted March 23, 2011 You absolutely can't go wrong with the UK's Bare Knuckle line. Although they are expensive at $130a pop, they get rave reviews and are made of the best quality materials and feature the finest craftsmanship. Good luck. Giant +1 there! Edit for more info: I have a BK Mule in the neck of my FM Special. Love it! Even with a WCR Fillmore in the bridge, it's hard to get me off that Mule.
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Bob B
This is for my 81 sunburst. I'm finding the bridge pickup very weak and thin compared to the neck pup. What is the most common replacement pickup for this situation?
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