good bridge pickup for a ash body (humbucker)

[studentofshred]

suggestions?

[TonyT1000]

I have a D-Sonic in mine. Love it!

[eelblack2]

I went TZ in Swamp Ash, anything with a lot of top end sounds piercing in that wood.

[TonyT1000]

I guess it depends on the type of sound you are after.

A good Swamp Ash body is capable of some very complex sounds--very articulate. The brightness will be determined by the type of neck, neck construction, fretboard wood and especially the bridge/trem used.

Also, it is easier to reduce brightness than to add it. You can do it by changing the pot values from 500 to 250K or by reducing the treble via the guitar or the amp tone control.

[studentofshred]

Thats definitely a big thing tony, I'm planning on using a maple neck with a maple fretboard and i'm hoping that the treble will not get out of hand.

[TonyT1000]

If you are looking for something that is not as trebly, then I would look at the Tone Zone, Norton, Breed Bridge or the D-Sonic with the blade towards the neck.

[Dee]

I'd also suggest the TZ, it has lots of warmth (actually a bit too much in my mahogany back / maple top RG). Should work well in your guitar, me thinks.

[studentofshred]

It's settled, I'm goin with the TZ for the bridge, and keeping my faithful Seymour Duncan single for the neck (it's a strat). Thanks guys.

[David McCarroll]

Gotta say I put a TZ in my JEM BFP, and it has to be one of the nicest sounding humbuckers around - a million times better than the PAF Pro - you should be very happy there!

[TonyT1000]

A Tone Zone should be a good match for a Swamp Ash guitar.

Just for the record, Swamp Ash is just slightly brighter than alder. It is not nearly as bright as maple. It has a solid low end and plenty of pop. I would describe it as slightly scooped.

My next guitar is going to have a Swamp Ash body and a maple neck/fretboard. I am going with a Virtual PAF (neck), HS-2 (middle) and Steve's Special (bridge). I want really articulate sounds and plenty of clean sound options.

[studentofshred]

I love the sound of this body. i'm getting ready to stain it. I'm hoping that it doesn't absorb too much stain.

[TonyT1000]

For Swamp Ash, I use one or two coats of oil (General Finishes Seal-a-Cell) before staining. You can also use a pre-stain conditioner. I also use a Gel Stain which doesn't penetrate as deeply.

[slugman]

TonyT, I had a Steve's Special in Swamp Ash and found it to be too harsh and strange. It felt like there were no mids, only bass and treble. And this is through a Mesa too. I tried swapping in an Ibz F2 and it sounds much better, though I don't really like the pickup overall.

[RSVampire]

well the Steve's Special is exactly that... a mid scooped pickup for mid heavy amps (such as mesa). It's designed that way to make the sound as clear and articulate as possable.

[slugman]

Right, just the mid scooped Steve's Special with a really bright wood like Swamp Ash, was, imo, too much scooping.