PUP solution for VERY bright guitar

[robyogi]

Hi all,

I am looking for some advice on a good bridge pickup for a guitar with a ton of treble. I think the wood is soft maple, as the guitar is way brighter than my tele with alder body. It also has a floyd-style trem, which adds to the brightness.

I have tried a Tone Zone, which was a little too harsh, and still very top-endy, a sort of nasally top-end. Then, per Dimarzio's recommendation, I tried an Air Norton with a 250K tone pot, which I think made the situation worse. Now I don't have the nice tight low end of the TZ, and have even more high end (even with the 250K tone pot). The AN also to me has less clarity and sounds a little fuzzy.

Ideally what I would like is a full, smooth sound with good clarity and some punch for soloing but which also still has a solid bottom end for rhythm. More than anything, I want to boost the lows and cut the highs, rounding the sound out. The Breed looks like it might be an answer, but the clip on the Dimarzio site sounds a bit thin to me. Of course that could be the speakers in the laptop! I'm curious how the Steve's Special or new EVO 2 would match with a bright guitar...

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Uthark]

Try the Dimarzio Super 3.

[buddroyce]

Here's something silly, why not add *MORE* high end with a Humbucker from hell? ;-)

But on a serious note, try a Paf Pro. If you still have the TZ, have you tried it with a 250k pot?

[frankfalbo]

The Steve's Special, and the Air Norton will be poor choices. If you aren't dead set on Dimarzio, then the Rio Grande BBQ Humbucker will do the trick. It seems to have a treble bleed on it, that's how much it tames the ice pick brightness. Another possibility is the Gibson 500T. That's a real heavy, smooth pickup. There are some Tom Andersons that are wound for smooth upper treble response too. The Tom Andersons will still be bright, but without that icy super high treble. The Super Distortion is also a good choice. Whoever recommended the Air Norton for the bridge is a fool. I could've told you it would make the situation worse. The Super 3 is a good choice too, if they still make it. You may have to search for one of those. Another pickup that you'd have to find used is a Duncan Parallel Axis Trembucker, Distortion model. I've dealt with this phenomenon a lot, and I generally prefer a full, thick bridge humbucker over a scorching bright one.

[frankfalbo]

The PAF Pro will be worse than the Air Norton. And yes, whatever you try, you should try leaving the 250K pot in there.

[robyogi]

Thanks for the replies. I tried the TZ with the 250K pot b4 putting in the AN. It actually wasn't bad. The 250 pot definitely took the edge off the highs. The thing is it sounded kind of smoky, jazzy (but of course hotter). It was still pretty clear, but lost the TZ's best asset IMO: the ability to pinch harmonics. It basically sounded like someone put a blanket on the TZ. If I don't find a decent replacement, then maybe I will put the TZ back in.

Dimarzio today recommended trying the Breed - any experience with that? I've read good things about it with mahogany and basswood, but I don't know about a bright guitar like this.

As to the other point, I have actually thought about just letting the guitar be what it is - trebly - hence the interest in feedback on the Evo 2 and the Steve's Special, to see if maybe I can get a cool modern sound.

[pete944]

I just installed a Breed in my S470 (mahogany) and I really like the sound. It's very smooth, the lows are very tight, and the highs are not overpowering at all. Very balanced.

[robyogi]

Frankfalbo -

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll check out the Rio Grandes - a local dealer sells them. If nothing else, Dimarzio has that nice 30 day return policy!

[The Dark Wolf]

I have the second the Breeds. Sound like they might be a perfect solution, and may sound good with a 500k pot, too, so you get those pinch harmonics.

[rufes]

I would say you are after a PAF tone. Here are the bests IMHO:

- SD 59: I had a lot of those pups in different guitars and are great for the price.

- SD EVH (from the custom shop): If you like Eddie's brown tone you got it with them BUT it will cost you 140 bucks (only bridge).

Boutique (circa $140 per pup):

- Voodoo pickups (Peter Florance): Got them now in my LP and are very nice.
- Timbuckers (Tim White): Seems to be the cream of the cream of PAF replicas but you need to be patient if you want one of those. He now accepted an order I place last Sep/2003 so I'll have them after one year and a half waiting for them. AM I PATIENT OR WHAT?

The EVOs are great (love them in my Jem7V) but are in a different league and I personally think they won't sound well out of alder (which is your case).

But as usual all above is IMHO

[Shep]

a cool little trick to pull take the brightness down

change the volume pot to a lower ohm rating and that takes the harshness out but other little things will need to be changed.

or get some eletric tape and stick it along to pick-up.. ha ha ha

breed's are cool

[fleshstue]

Duncan Invader