What Kind Of Pickup Did EVH Use On "Sucker In A Three Piece?"

[NDL]

I've got a Mexican Strat, with a humbucker, whose tone I don't care for.

The guitar has a maple neck, and an alder body, with 500k pots (for the humbucker).

I've listened to a bunch of video's on youtube; I am a really picky guy about tone.

Ideally, I would love to get the sound of a Seymour Duncan '78, but I won't spend $160 on a pickup. SD's Trembucker SD-4 sounds good, but it has a little too much on the bottom end. The SD Custom Custom sounds almost perfect, but I wish it had a little more on the bottom end. The SD Custom 5 has a tinge too much distortion for my tastes, and EVH's Frankenstein pickup is simply too expensive.

I love the tone Ed had all throughout 1984, as well as on Sucker In A Three Piece. Would a Custom Custom give me the tone that I am looking for, or is it a little too compressed, and lacking on the bottom end?

Thanks in advance

[fudd]

Duncan JB.


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[NDL]

Duncan JB.


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Thanks Fudd

[Dave not David]

Duncan JB.


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Yeah, that's the PU in the 5150, yeah? The 5150 was definitely used on Sucker. Most songs on that album.

[NDL]

Yeah, that's the PU in the 5150, yeah? The 5150 was definitely used on Sucker. Most songs on that album.

What about earlier Halen (e.g. 1984, Diver Down, etc)?

[MF5150]

What about earlier Halen (e.g. 1984, Diver Down, etc)?

I would suggest looking into getting a PAF repro. They might be a little pricey compared to the typical EVH pickups out there but they will get you closer to that sound than those pickups, in my opinion.

[turnbuckle]

I've got a Mexican Strat, with a humbucker, whose tone I don't care for.

The guitar has a maple neck, and an alder body, with 500k pots (for the humbucker).


I've listened to a bunch of video's on youtube; I am a really picky guy about tone.

Ideally, I would love to get the sound of a Seymour Duncan '78, but I won't spend $160 on a pickup.


SD's Trembucker SD-4 sounds good, but it has a little too much on the bottom end. The SD Custom Custom sounds almost perfect, but I wish it had a little more on the bottom end. The SD Custom 5 has a tinge too much distortion for my tastes, and EVH's Frankenstein pickup is simply too expensive.

I love the tone Ed had all throughout 1984, as well as on Sucker In A Three Piece. Would a Custom Custom give me the tone that I am looking for, or is it a little too compressed, and lacking on the bottom end?

Thanks in advance

Usually when a pick up question is asked, you will get a thousand answers, and be more confused than when you started.
You've already answered your own question, so just start saving up for it.
Many times I've gone through the same situation, and now I know better.
YOLO

[marcin]

or this one:

[Brett]

I thought the cheap Alnico 5 pickups sounded better. I guess I just like that brighter sound better.

[CalFB]

I would spend more time messing with the EQ/tone controls of the amp and any pedals you're using before replacing pickups.

[fudd]

What about earlier Halen (e.g. 1984, Diver Down, etc)?

What Mitch said. An earlier PAF copy.


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[NDL]

I would suggest looking into getting a PAF repro. They might be a little pricey compared to the typical EVH pickups out there but they will get you closer to that sound than those pickups, in my opinion.

Appreciate your input

Usually when a pick up question is asked, you will get a thousand answers, and be more confused than when you started.
You've already answered your own question, so just start saving up for it.
Many times I've gone through the same situation, and now I know better.
YOLO

Damn...I can't argue against your logic

or this one:

I am going to give those a listen, once I complete this post. Thanks for sharing your input.

I thought the cheap Alnico 5 pickups sounded better. I guess I just like that brighter sound better.

Much agree. So how do you feel about a custom custom?

I would spend more time messing with the EQ/tone controls of the amp and any pedals you're using before replacing pickups.

Appreciate the suggestion...I love the neck pickups, but the humbucker sounds buzzy at best. Better yet, here it is (starting at 2.36):

What Mitch said. An earlier PAF copy.


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Appreciate your feedback...I am looking into a PAF as we speak

[evhintexas]

Duncan JB.


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I yanked everything out of a 62 Fender tele. Routed it out and put a JB along with an EVH low friction pot in. It is absolutely awesome now. Before it was unplayable. I kept everything in the old pickgaurd so I could it a back all original minus a little bit of wood...lol
Several years ago I pulled the bridge pickup out of a 1981 Ibanez Destroyer and put a JB in. Totally kicks ass now. On the other side of that, I put the Ibanez pickup in a 1963 Fender Mustang...it's got one if the best tones I've ever heard. Problem is, I don't know what that Ibanez pick up even is. I put that pickup in back when I was 15 years old and have not looked at it since....Hmmmmm, maybe I need to check it out.
Fuck, I'm rambling....
Can't go wrong with a JB in any guitar aimed at blues, rock, and heavy rock....

[NDL]

Okay...after watching the above youtube video's, the conclusion that was drawn agreed with what CalFB said: a cheap amp won't ever produce the desired sound, no matter the pickup.

Here's what I am using:

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Champi...SIN=B00EM5UOE6

***

Maybe it's best that I get some experience under my belt (as I am new to playing), before putting more money into this project. I am glad that I picked up the guitar however, and I do see myself sticking with it.

Thanks to all who replied

[Brett]

The Custom Custom a nice pickup. I’ve actually never had one in any of my guitars but the singer in my band does and it sounds good.

I am partial to the EVH Frankenstein pickups which has some similar qualities to the Custom Custom. I would say it’s a little hotter.