PIckup for a Cali Elite

[carfish7]

Not loving the Schaller unit in the bridge of my Cali Elite and have never tried the stock PATB Trembucker that was likely in there from the factory. What would you guys recommend for a well-balanced tone in a mahogany-bodied, Floyd-equipped bolt-on?

I tend to lean towards low-output stuff and have NEVER liked super hot pickups for any application, but have had good results with stuff like the DiMarzio FRED (in a JS1000), Air Norton, Double Whammy (also in a mahog/trem/bolt-on axe) and Al DiMeola. I don't see the Double Whammy on the website unfortunately. Not familiar with the Duncan variants out there so open to any suggestions.

BTW - Cali's are pretty effing cool! I SO want to love this guitar so I can justify keeping it. We'll see.

Thanks!

Z

[atquinn]

PATB1. Except no substitutes.

Or if you must, the PATB3. Also a great pickup, but a hot-PAF output (~10K, and judging from the looks of the coils it is an overwound PAF in terms of wire gauge used).

It's just that simple.

-Austin

[murkat]

Old school JB. there's a video around here somewhere....

[carfish7]

Or maybe a T-Top?

[morningstar]

Things I have tried and not liked in a Cali:

PATB anything (tried them all). Struck me a stiff like a Schaller off my MIJ ESP Eclipse.

EMG anything. Tried them, several mixes and did not like them. Edit: I did like whatever EMG were on the granite Cali Elite. I don't think it was an 81.

SD Full Shred.

SD Screamin Demon.

Edit: I really like the Air Nortons and Freds on some ESP Japan shredders. They really back off beautifully when dialed down. (I am getting old)

[veatch]

Old school JB. there's a video around here somewhere....

If'n you want that 80's rawk sound, JB.

I am one of those dorks that also like the OBLs. I think the route is different for those, so you could try a L500 from Bill and Becky. That should drop right in.

Or, try one of Murkat pups.