Bridge Pickup Comparisons / Thoughts / Opinions / Experiences

[AT]

Hey Everyone:

I'm getting closed to done with my next custom Wolfgang project--a re-finished Wolfgang Special w/ Fernandes Sustainer System. The Sustainer humbucker will occupy the neck position, and I'm trying to make a final decision about the bridge pickup. Originally my plan was to just install a Wolfgang pup, and I do indeed want something similar, but I'm thinking about trying something else. I've been going back and forth on either the Seymour Duncan custom shop 78 or the Seymour Duncan 59. The 78 runs about $160, so I am obviously considering it very carefully. I get most other production SD pickups at dealer cost.

Anyone care to weigh in? What are the positives and/or negatives when comparing the three different pickups--Wolfie, SD 78, and SD 59? Is the 78 worth the price tag? Is there another PAF-type pickup I should also be considering? The 78 and 59 are lower output than the Wolf pickup. Any opinions on that?

Thanks in advance for your ideas and time!

[m4rk0]

Hey Everyone:

I'm getting closed to done with my next custom Wolfgang project--a re-finished Wolfgang Special w/ Fernandes Sustainer System. The Sustainer humbucker will occupy the neck position, and I'm trying to make a final decision about the bridge pickup. Originally my plan was to just install a Wolfgang pup, and I do indeed want something similar, but I'm thinking about trying something else. I've been going back and forth on either the Seymour Duncan custom shop 78 or the Seymour Duncan 59. The 78 runs about $160, so I am obviously considering it very carefully. I get most other production SD pickups at dealer cost.

Anyone care to weigh in? What are the positives and/or negatives when comparing the three different pickups--Wolfie, SD 78, and SD 59? Is the 78 worth the price tag? Is there another PAF-type pickup I should also be considering? The 78 and 59 are lower output than the Wolf pickup. Any opinions on that?

Thanks in advance for your ideas and time!

I haven't tried any of these. In regards to other PAF type pickups.. I am a big fan of Rio Grande.. I have BBQ-buckers in 2 of my guitars and they sound extremely good..best pafs I ever used or heard. check out the soundbites on their website. On my next project I will try their punchbox/crunchbox combo.. they are supposed to be very hot..

[homeunit]

The 59 will be too dry for you man. It sounds great in my EVH but it's too damned dry, and I'm used to dry. Compared to a Wolf pup it'll be a popcorn fart.
John

[Otis5150]

I can't offer any advice with the pickups you're debating, AT. However, I've been swearing by DiMarzio Tone Zones - closest stock pickup to the ones in the EBMM EVH model - as my bridge pickup of choice for years now. Great crunch sounds that really cut through the mix. Just ask Paul Gilbert...

[Reckless Fable]

The 59 will be too dry for you man. It sounds great in my EVH but it's too damned dry, and I'm used to dry. Compared to a Wolf pup it'll be a popcorn fart.
John

Ha!

I agree with John: the 59 is popcorn flatulance. If you are using the sustainer in the neck position, I'd think you'd need something in the bridge that will be a little muddier.

I know it isn't exotic as far as mods go, but I think the Wolfie pup would be a nice compliment.

Curious, have you used the sustainer before? If so, how do you use it? That would give me a better idea of what a good compliment in the bridge position would be.

[tommywho5150]

i really like the sound of the pearly gates, i fitted one in my kramer a few years ago and it transformed the tone, but be aware its a very "mellow" pup and not overly hot....on my recent frankie build i originaly opted for a paf i (ahem) borrowed from a les paul, i kinda thought the tone was a bit "wanting" in some areas but i couldnt quite put my finger on it so i tried a burstbucker borrowed(ahem again) from another lp....i dont quite know what the differences are between the 2 but it totaly transformed it real "brown" and it cleans up quite nice too.

anyways thats my 2 cents worth (hey i said cents im english that should be pence!!) but out of the 3 you are considering i would opt for the sd 78 ive played a few guitars fitted with them and they are a real nice well rounded and not too harsh pup.

tom

[Otis5150]

Curious, have you used the sustainer before? If so, how do you use it?

Step 1: Put on your rattiest cobat boots.

Step 2: Take off your shirt

Step 3: Drink a case of Smoking Loon....

[Wolfgang Bob]

I,m with most people here, that I haven't tried all the pups your asking about, but you want a high powered one with a sustainer unit. I put a Dimarzio Tone Zone in my EVH Charvel because I don't want the same pups in any of my guitars (I dont know how you do it with 15+ Wolfies , but that's just me) I like different tones in my guitars. If you want to go the same rought, the Wolfgang bridge would work well with a sustainer unit...........(I know you've seen this pic)

[m4rk0]

Well at least your cd collection is in alphabetical and chronological order
*edit* Whaat you didn't buy any U2 cd's after Achtung baby?

[kissmyace]

have you ever tried any of these ??
http://store.guitarfetish.com/pickups.html

Can't beat the prices

[Majestic]

Go for the Duncan '78. Just do it.

DiMarzio's Virtual Hot PAF should be in that territory as well.

[Reckless Fable]

Step 1: Put on your rattiest cobat boots.

Step 2: Take off your shirt

Step 3: Drink a case of Smoking Loon....

Otis, c'mon. If you were a true sustain-er, you'd have your shirt off before putting on your combat boots.

[AT]

Okay... thanks for all the input and suggestions. What I've taken away thus far is:

1. I need to check out the SD Pearly Gates and the DiMarzio Tone Zone.

2. The SD 59 probably isn't the right pickup for this project. (I'm going to do 59s in my next project anyway.)

3. It's possible I'm thinking about it too much; the Wolfie pickup might just be the right choice, or maybe I should just pop for the 78.

4. If I am to have a Sustainer pickup in my guitar, I must quit wearing shirts.

[A&Z Guitar Repair]

4. If I am to have a Sustainer pickup in my guitar, I must quit wearing shirts.[/QUOTE]

Just be prepared for the following comments...

1) Eeeww! Andrew's Hot!!!
2) Oh! My! God! Andrew is Skanky Hot

3) What an idiot. Who does he think he is?

4) Andrew looks like a street urchin. You'll probably see him bumming smokes under the overpass.

5) He'd sound alot better if he would just play the songs they way he wrote them vs. dickin around with that damn sustainer. Oh, and put a frickin shirt on.

It's a shame what a Sustainer and going shirtless will do for some people!!

[tommywho5150]

yeah but going shirtless will prove to the world that a sustainer WILL indeed cause a "nipple on" effect for the user....i can hang cd's off mine when im using one!