EVH pup question

**solo-ed** · 02.19.07, 08:13 PM

What pickup would be better for older VH? A Duncan custom custom or a the 59b.

**Rockguitarstar** · 02.19.07, 08:24 PM

if your looking for the Van Halen era 1 vibe, I've heard that Duncan '78 is supposed to be spot on, I have a Bareknuckle VH II pickup and it is spot on, it does the Fair Wairning era sound especially well, its not perfect, but neither is my playing...

AT · 02.19.07, 08:56 PM

I know Eddie was usuing the SD '59 around the 1984/5150 era.

**fifty150** · 02.19.07, 10:54 PM

The Duncan evenly voiced harmonics "EVH" or what its called now the '78 is the way to go. I was also looking for "that tone" and came about as close as I'm going to come when I installed the SD '78. When you dial it down you get nice cleans and when you turn it up, think of an EBMM EVH or Axis. They are spendy ($160) but worth it if you are looking for that early EVH tone. Just talk to MJ in the SD Custom Shop and she'll take care of you. The SD '78 is what Fender used in their new $25,000 EVH Frankenstrats so that should tell you something. Good luck...

**At0micPunk** · 02.19.07, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by fifty150

The Duncan evenly voiced harmonics "EVH" or what its called now the '78 is the way to go. I was also looking for "that tone" and came about as close as I'm going to come when I installed the SD '78. When you dial it down you get nice cleans and when you turn it up, think of an EBMM EVH or Axis. They are spendy ($160) but worth it if you are looking for that early EVH tone. Just talk to MJ in the SD Custom Shop and she'll take care of you. The SD '78 is what Fender used in their new $25,000 EVH Frankenstrats so that should tell you something. Good luck...

Thats interesting info. What pickups do the Charvel EVh guitars have? Same one? SD '78?

**rolsguitars** · 02.20.07, 06:46 AM

sorry but I have always thought the EVH was shallow, I used it in 3 guitars I built per cutomer request I didn't like it before it went out the door
and they ended up changing to TB-11's and throwing the EVH's on ebay
they are not worth $160 you can get better sounding Pup's that are more versitile and quite a bit cheaper just my 2 cents though
Rol.

Subliminal message >>>>>(go with the TB-11 )<<<<Subliminal message

**VinceV** · 02.20.07, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by At0micPunk

Thats interesting info. What pickups do the Charvel EVh guitars have? Same one? SD '78?

The PU in the Charvel EVH is a Fender custom wound pickup made specifically for the EVH guitar.

**fifty150** · 02.20.07, 09:43 AM

This is all going to come down to trying out a bunch of pick-ups and seeing which one works. Obviously everyones tastes are different and the SD '78 was "THE" pick-up for me. I would certainly agree they are price $80-$100 too high. The Tb-11 "Custom Custom" is a fine choice also. I tried about every pup out there and found chasing "That Tone" was about as much fun as a guy could have, but it was also a very expensive trip.

**TheArchitect** · 02.20.07, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by AndrewThomas.net

I know Eddie was usuing the SD '59 around the 1984/5150 era.

Well, thats what Ed said he was using. Sadly, with his track record that means we really don't know anything...

I've listened to Live without a net a lot lately and that just doesn't have the bite I would expect from a 59. I think that may be a 78 or even a Custom Custom.

**5150JAPE** · 02.20.07, 11:38 AM

In my alder superstrat with maple/maple neck and floyd the 59 sounds better to me through my 5150 combo.

**ncbuckeye3** · 02.20.07, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by rolsguitars

sorry but I have always thought the EVH was shallow, I used it in 3 guitars I built per cutomer request I didn't like it before it went out the door
and they ended up changing to TB-11's and throwing the EVH's on ebay
they are not worth $160 you can get better sounding Pup's that are more versitile and quite a bit cheaper just my 2 cents though
Rol.

Subliminal message >>>>>(go with the TB-11 )<<<<Subliminal message

What is the difference between the TB-11 and the SH-11, just the pole spacing?

**rolsguitars** · 02.20.07, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by ncbuckeye3

What is the difference between the TB-11 and the SH-11, just the pole spacing?

Yes all the difference is the spacing, if you have a floyd you want the TB
oh and just fyi TB= TremBucker, SH= Standard Humbucker

**Majestic** · 02.20.07, 06:31 PM

Define "older" VH. Are we talking Van Halen I? 1984?

For the really early stuff, get the '78 if you can afford it. DiMarzio's Virtual Hot PAF is a cheap alternative. Obviously the '59 will be debated forever as well, although it's tone isn't as thick as the prior two recommendations.

Once you get into the 80's, it becomes a crap-shoot. Arguments can be made for both medium-output, and low-output pickups. No single pickup was used throughout any of those albums, I know that.

If you're playing a Floyd Guitar with a maple fretboard, it's very difficult to argue with the Custom Custom through a low/medium gain amp.

**homeunit** · 02.20.07, 07:18 PM

It all depends on the wood that your guitar is made of IMO. The EVH doesn't quite capture it, and as Rols said, it's too fucking expensive.

I always had great results with the custom custom. The 59 is way too dry IMO. I have one now in my mahogany bodied EVH MM VH and it sounds great but it's to fucking dry IMO