Recent Posts

11

Pickups / Re: Looking for Pickup recommendations for a Baritone scale Ibanez RG2027XL

« Last post by ericsabbath on October 16, 2025, 10:53:27 PM »

Sounds like you might enjoy the Aftermath
I'd pick the Miracle Man instead, though

12

Tech / Re: Does Humbucker Parallel Mode Still Matter in an H-S-H Setup?

« Last post by timmy_b on October 16, 2025, 09:34:23 AM »

The humbucker in parallel certainly offers a different tone compared to positions 2 and 4, due to the much closer proximity and physical attributes of the active coils, giving it a smoother sound that's less notchy / scooped than the sound of a humbucker coil blended in parallel with a singlecoil - Whether it's a useful addition for your personal needs is really down to taste, though

13

Pickups / Re: DiMarzio Fantom P90 (humbucker sized)

« Last post by b.gandt on October 13, 2025, 05:12:29 PM »

Appreciate the review!  I’ve used a number of Dimarzios over the years, and I like them.

However, I haven’t tried any of their P90 offerings.  Right now I’m down to one P90 guitar, a Hamer Special, and it will take a lot for me to heat the solder iron to remove the Supermassive that’s been in there for some years!

14

Pickups / Re: Tele suggestions?

« Last post by b.gandt on October 13, 2025, 05:00:33 PM »

Apologies for the delay…

I’d say the 52 neck is somewhere between a Strat neck and a Tele neck.  I can tell that there’s a bit of a Stratty sound, but it certainly isn’t a Strat neck pickup.  I like because I generally find Tele necks pickups to be too warm, or even muddy when it’s a lower quality pickup/guitar combination.  That bit of Strat in the sound gives it a touch more clarity.

I’m talking about playing into an amp that is set for clean.

I’ve not played any flat 50.

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Pickups / Re: Does Humbucker Parallel Mode Still Matter in an H-S-H Setup?

« Last post by motis on October 13, 2025, 02:46:01 PM »

In my opinion, the sound produced by three or more coils in parallel tends to be too weak, with a noticeable volume drop even compared to a two-coil parallel mode.It doesn’t seem capable of sounding good alongside a full humbucker mode within the same tonal setting.

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Pickups / Does Humbucker Parallel Mode Still Matter in an H-S-H Setup?

« Last post by motis on October 13, 2025, 02:32:11 PM »

I recently picked up a Black Hawk set along with a Cobra middle for an H-S-H setup. I’ve heard quite a few players mention that the Black Hawk’s parallel tones are surprisingly good, which got me wondering about something:

When a humbucker set is in an H-S-H configuration (rather than H-H), does the humbucker parallel mode still have tonal merit(or in parallel mode working with middle pickup) , given that the traditional 2 and 4 positions already exist?

17

Tech / Does Humbucker Parallel Mode Still Matter in an H-S-H Setup?

« Last post by motis on October 13, 2025, 02:12:10 PM »

I recently picked up a Black Hawk set along with a Cobra middle for an H-S-H setup. I’ve heard quite a few players mention that the Black Hawk’s parallel tones are surprisingly good, which got me wondering about something:

When a humbucker set is in an H-S-H configuration (rather than H-H), does the humbucker parallel mode still have tonal merit(or in parallel mode working with middle pickup) , given that the traditional 2 and 4 positions already exist?

18

Pickups / Re: Tele suggestions?

« Last post by Iced Dragon on October 10, 2025, 08:57:04 PM »

How does the '52 bridge compare to 'standard' tele bridges? How bright is is? Still more or less nocaster? Is there twang?

I don't really know how what to think about a 'more strat-like' neck pickup. Does it differ a lot from 'standard' tele neck pups? How does it compare to the '50 neck?

19

Pickups / Looking for Pickup recommendations for a Baritone scale Ibanez RG2027XL

« Last post by trickae on October 09, 2025, 01:16:10 PM »

Hey everyone,
I’m currently looking to swap out the pickups in my Ibanez RG2027XL — it’s a basswood body with a maple/wenge neck and Macassar ebony fretboard. Currently it has the stock Dimarzio fusions which I find lacks punch like other Dimarzio's I've played.

I'm after something more articulate, tight low end and have an ice pick like attack, much like John Browne's (Monuments) tone. I know he uses a Ceramic NB bridge and CS neck, and

I’ve actually owned that combo before in a Mayones Qatsi—so this time, I’d like to try something different that may be a bit more modern for a fresher sound.

I’m considering whether to go for something more modern and versatile, perhaps Halcyons, Silos or Ragnoroks, but I’m open to suggestions. If the consensus is to to go with the NB/CS combo then that's fine, I'll get that.

Keen to hear your suggestions.

20

Pickups / Where too after Polymath set?

« Last post by andrewt on October 09, 2025, 01:16:27 AM »

I put a Polymath set in my T style guitar - 25.5" scale alder body, maple neck, pau ferro fingerboard. It only has one volume, one tone control and I am using BKP 550K pots and a 0.022uF PIO cap. It is a naturally bright guitar.

For the neck the Polymath is very broad and powerful. I would like something cleaner and clearer, but not too bright.

The Polymath bridge I really like except for some of the treble response on the unwound strings. I seem to want trebles that are more muted and sweeter as you find on a 24 3/4" scale. I have a mahogany thinline T guitar with BKP Holy Divers in it, and I like the treble response more from that guitar, but I think it has a lot to do with the scale length.

I liked the idea of the unoriented A5 magnets that are in between A2 and A5 in their response. I think I like the softer more compressed treble from A2 magnets, but you often get a soft and spongy low response on the wound strings with that magnet type. So I was hoping the UOA5 would be the Goldilock's zone for me. But it seems the UOA5 still has a fairly strong treble response.

I find I want the tone control on about 8 for the neck and not above 5 on the bridge. Since I only have one tone on this guitar finding a set where I could leave it in one spot would be great if possible.

I am open to keeping the bridge and trying a different neck pickup, or trying a whole new set altogether. So far I was thinking maybe the PolyPaf neck and keep the Polymath bridge and try a 0.015uF cap? Or perhaps the Silo set would be worth a look with its bright neck but more low mid focused bridge?

Any other suggestions?