Pickup Recommendation for a 1996 Hamer Studio Custom

[Menehune]

The Charlottes in my Studio are great.

My trans black Monaco came with a set of Sheptone Blue Sky buckers. Very PAF. I kept them.

[Drew816]

In my experience it depends on the guitar. My '91 Sunburst liked one thing, my '92 another and '93 FM yet another (and forget the '81!). My '92 is the LOUDEST natural guitar I own, it didn't matter what pickups I put in this thing, it is a radiant MONSTER. So, hot pickups just overwhelmed everything and made mud, poor EQ split, it was really hard to try and dial in, ugh. Pickups that worked in my '91 and '93 sounded like a$$ in the '92. I'm not 100% certain what I ended up doing with the neck on the '92, I think it's a Wolfetone Dr. Vintage but it could be a Fralin Pure PAF. The bridge is a Fralin Pure PAF, lower wind, and I swapped in an A5 magnet as the stock A2 didn't quite cut it. It took a LOT of solder and patience to dial this guitar in.

On the flipside, the '91 Factory Floyd Sunburst has Murkat's in it that he threw in there probably a decade ago when the previous owner had him do a complete rework. I've never felt the need to mess with it as it sounds fantastic (don't break what ain't broken!). The '93 had a set of lower wind Marshallhead's in it until I stole them for a LP Standard a few months ago.

I don't know some of the other manufacturers and I'm sure they make good stuff; just the combo's I've tried and experiences related. Don't be surprised if someone's PRIZED FAVORITE pickups just don't work for you or for that particular guitar. Then again, the tried and true Wolfetone Dr. Vintage neck and Marshallhead bridge are pretty hard to beat (for RAWK applications).

[soli'd]

On 3/10/2024 at 2:41 PM, Hbom said:

I have Jim Wagner's Darkburst in my Studio. They do a good job. Crossroads and Godwoods are pretty darn good too. 

Jim offers a set called American Steele with a Crossroads neck and Godwood bridge pickup, they were the set I've put in every 2x HB guitar until being introduced to the Shlabotniks in my Ultimate.  I would highly recommend either of those for versatile PAF sounds.

[JGale]

I did not know that Wagner was still in business!

ummmm Crossroads…

He has a set labeled “Murkat.” Could it be?

[JGale]

On 3/9/2024 at 9:00 PM, pirateflynn said:

How do you like the neck tone? 

If you think it’s a little mid centric, or muddy, then I would definitely go with a Fralin Unbucker. It’s a super articulate full hum neck pickup with a great split tone to boot. 

If the ‘59 sounds good in the neck position,  then I’d consider putting a ‘59 in the bridge, too. Half the work and cost and those ‘59s are pretty damn good pickups. 

I do like the ‘59 neck, and the SD sound clips of same.

 Bonus: It’s also cost effective!

How are you by the way?

[JGale]

Who is this playing that SC?

Le ‘59 Neck

Le ‘59 Bridge

 

[velorush]

Considered an old Hamer pickup?  I really liked the one of these I owned:  

Hamer USA/Dimarzio Custom '80s - Black #1 | Reverb

The later versions were much hotter.  These at 10.5kΩ were just the right amount of heat (IMO).

[DaveH]

On 3/12/2024 at 9:09 AM, Drew816 said:

In my experience it depends on the guitar. My '91 Sunburst liked one thing, my '92 another and '93 FM yet another (and forget the '81!). My '92 is the LOUDEST natural guitar I own, it didn't matter what pickups I put in this thing, it is a radiant MONSTER. So, hot pickups just overwhelmed everything and made mud, poor EQ split, it was really hard to try and dial in, ugh. Pickups that worked in my '91 and '93 sounded like a$$ in the '92. I'm not 100% certain what I ended up doing with the neck on the '92, I think it's a Wolfetone Dr. Vintage but it could be a Fralin Pure PAF. The bridge is a Fralin Pure PAF, lower wind, and I swapped in an A5 magnet as the stock A2 didn't quite cut it. It took a LOT of solder and patience to dial this guitar in.

On the flipside, the '91 Factory Floyd Sunburst has Murkat's in it that he threw in there probably a decade ago when the previous owner had him do a complete rework. I've never felt the need to mess with it as it sounds fantastic (don't break what ain't broken!). The '93 had a set of lower wind Marshallhead's in it until I stole them for a LP Standard a few months ago.

I don't know some of the other manufacturers and I'm sure they make good stuff; just the combo's I've tried and experiences related. Don't be surprised if someone's PRIZED FAVORITE pickups just don't work for you or for that particular guitar. Then again, the tried and true Wolfetone Dr. Vintage neck and Marshallhead bridge are pretty hard to beat (for RAWK applications).

This is great advice! I would add that it also depends on the style, and the amp... I've found that I really like a bridge Pearly Gates and a 59 neck with high(er) gain amps/settings. When I'm able to really push some air I like a CRANKED low gain (think earlier Marshall/TopHat) and an SH6 Distortion bridge/59neck set up. This one really allows you to use the guitars volume knob to control the dynamics. If you ever try it you will be hooked.

[Drew816]

On 3/13/2024 at 8:03 PM, DaveH said:

This is great advice! I would add that it also depends on the style, and the amp... I've found that I really like a bridge Pearly Gates and a 59 neck with high(er) gain amps/settings. When I'm able to really push some air I like a CRANKED low gain (think earlier Marshall/TopHat) and an SH6 Distortion bridge/59neck set up. This one really allows you to use the guitars volume knob to control the dynamics. If you ever try it you will be hooked.

I deserve to be flogged for not bringing up AMPS as a key element in this discussion. Absolutely! Your prized Reverb Deluxe w all the pedals may make one guitar and combo SING like there's no tomorrow. Move that same guitar to another amp and you're like WTFork?! Where did all my EQ separation go. And then you spend the next few weeks trying every EQ combo on the dials...  Whatever setup you're going to PLAY is obviously your target, but don't be surprised when you hop amps and things are screwy.

I'm about to pull and drop a "Non Stamped baseplate Duncan" that was disassembled and rewound hot into my '93 FM along with I think a Rio Grande P-90 in a humbucker sized hole thingie (BBQ maybe?) and see how that goes. For well, "science."  😉  It could work or it could sound like complete a$$...

[supergenius365]

27 minutes ago, Drew816 said:

I deserve to be flogged for not bringing up AMPS as a key element in this discussion. Absolutely! Your prized Reverb Deluxe w all the pedals may make one guitar and combo SING like there's no tomorrow. Move that same guitar to another amp and you're like WTFork?!

I just truly experienced and understood this a few weeks ago, it is such a spot on observation.  The 59 in the neck of my 25th Anniversary sounds like an asthmatic with a head cold when playing through my SFDR.  Played through a Mesa IIC+ and a ported cab the 59 is perfect.

[tbonesullivan]

Oh boy. So many great suggestions. So many great pickups are on the market right now as well, even if you choose to go with one of the "big" companies like SD or Dimarzio. I have a soft spot for Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers, however I don't know if the bridge pickup route for the guitar would accommodate the long legs.

Seymour Duncan '59s are always solid, and if you want a bit hotter the Pearly Gates have a bit more bit. You could also put a Custom 5 bridge with a 59 Neck for a bit more "oomph" on the bridge pickup.

Dimarzio really has some classic pickups to choose from, like the PAF pro, and their 36th anniversary pickups are just great pickups, especially for the money.

That said, working with Gravelin or Carondelet would be able to get you exactly what you need, and they are intimately familiar with Hamers.

[Cboss]

6 hours ago, Drew816 said:

I deserve to be flogged for not bringing up AMPS as a key element in this discussion. Absolutely! Your prized Reverb Deluxe w all the pedals may make one guitar and combo SING like there's no tomorrow. Move that same guitar to another amp and you're like WTFork?! Where did all my EQ separation go. And then you spend the next few weeks trying every EQ combo on the dials...  Whatever setup you're going to PLAY is obviously your target, but don't be surprised when you hop amps and things are screwy.

I'm about to pull and drop a "Non Stamped baseplate Duncan" that was disassembled and rewound hot into my '93 FM along with I think a Rio Grande P-90 in a humbucker sized hole thingie (BBQ maybe?) and see how that goes. For well, "science."  😉  It could work or it could sound like complete a$$...

I have been putting Bridge P90 humbucker size pickups in the neck of guitars lately, they sound fantastic!

[Saul Goodman]

On 3/12/2024 at 4:43 PM, JGale said:

Who is this playing that SC?

Le ‘59 Neck

Le ‘59 Bridge

 

That's Geoff Waldron, formerly known as ZenMindBeginner. I sold him that guitar years ago. 

[Joe K]

The best vintage PAF sound is coming from Pickups by Pete A Flynn.  Seriously.  Google him.  And he was one of the original Hamer dealers back in the day.

[RobB]

49 minutes ago, Joe K said:

The best vintage PAF sound is coming from Pickups by Pete A Flynn.  Seriously.  Google him.  And he was one of the original Hamer dealers back in the day.

Hard pass. Seriously.

[Cboss]

8 minutes ago, RobB said:

Hard pass. Seriously.

Rob is there a story here?  I just took a quick look at the site, the guy seems obsessed with $450.. expensive AF

[RobB]

56 minutes ago, Cboss said:

Rob is there a story here?  I just took a quick look at the site, the guy seems obsessed with $450.. expensive AF

Meh. He's kinda known for being a jag. I went to Flynn Music once when I lived in Chicago. He creeped me out as this privileged know-it-all. If there's one thing a know-it-all (myself) can't stand, is another know-it-all.

They had nice gear, but I preferred Makin' Music.

[Joe K]

2 hours ago, RobB said:

Meh. He's kinda known for being a jag. I went to Flynn Music once when I lived in Chicago. He creeped me out as this privileged know-it-all. If there's one thing a know-it-all (myself) can't stand, is another know-it-all.

They had nice gear, but I preferred Makin' Music.

Totally disagree.  He’s helped me out numerous times and a genuinely nice guy.  Sorry you had a bad experience.

[Camstone]

Lollar Imperial low wind

[tbonesullivan]

22 hours ago, Cboss said:

Rob is there a story here?  I just took a quick look at the site, the guy seems obsessed with $450.. expensive AF

$450 a for a set isn't really that out of the ordinary. Lollars are $190 a pickup, so $380 a set. Then you have ThroBack pickups, which are at least $740 a pair, though they are pretty much among the most expensive pickups I have seen, except for things like the Seymour Duncan Zephyr pickups.

[Dutchman]

On 3/9/2024 at 2:35 PM, Ua D said:

Gravelin charlottes.  Awesome. 

This!! Or Schlabotnics!

[Winter]

On 3/9/2024 at 1:13 PM, JGale said:

Since it appears I’m unlikely to sell this and I have lately taken a shine to it…NEW PICKUPS are required!

 

What do you suggest? What’s the collectives mindset?

TIA

Suhr Thornbuckers (these coil split brilliantly), Lollar Imperial, Gravelin Charlotte… 

[Jim85IROC]

On 5/18/2024 at 11:59 AM, Saul Goodman said:

That's Geoff Waldron, formerly known as ZenMindBeginner. I sold him that guitar years ago. 

Oh?  Assuming that's the same guitar that he used for the Whole Lotta Humbucker video, I now own it.  It was the one I was referring to in my prior post in this thread.

[Saul Goodman]

12 hours ago, Jim85IROC said:

Oh?  Assuming that's the same guitar that he used for the Whole Lotta Humbucker video, I now own it.  It was the one I was referring to in my prior post in this thread.

Congrats! That's the one. Nice Fiddleback top her. And about an inch scratch on the RH side which was unfortunate. I picked it off eBay. The guy said I wouldn't find a single scratch on it. 

[Jim85IROC]

10 hours ago, Saul Goodman said:

Congrats! That's the one. Nice Fiddleback top her. And about an inch scratch on the RH side which was unfortunate. I picked it off eBay. The guy said I wouldn't find a single scratch on it. 

Yeah, I've been working up the nerve to fix it.  I've fixed much worse on cheaper guitars, but I hate to make a mistake on this one.  When I got it some of the neck binding was delaminating and there was some chipped clearcoat as a result.  I fixed that already because I could feel it when I played.  I love the guitar though, and once I did the magnet swap I love how it sounds.  My only wish would be for it to have a thicker neck profile.