Pickups for Hagstrom Viking

[JodyJames]

Hi Folks,

First post on the forum - been lurking for a while, and I'm hoping I can make use of the frightening knowledge going about...

I was lucky enough to pick up a reissue Hagstrom Viking recently for about £200, and I fully intend to put the money saved into a set of BK pickups. I recently had a "Boss" set and a 4-way switch put into my Tele, and vowed it wouldn't be long before I was back for more.

Basically, I'm a bit unsure of what I want... always been a Fender player, but I'm the only guitar player in my band, so I feel as though I need something to help fill out the sound. I've had my head turned by a friend who plays a 70s Les Paul Deluxe with P90s, so MQs are certainly on the list. On the other hand, I'm not that unhappy with the stock pickups - that isn't to say I'm changing for the sake of it, just that perhaps I'm happier with humbuckers than I might have previously thought.

Some sounds that I guess I'm after would be the likes of Galaxie 500, Lemonheads, David Grubbs (who I know uses various Hagstroms), Teenage Fanclub etc... I fear that this is coming across as "I need to sound like this guy, tell me what to buy" - really I'm just after anyone's thoughts on what might suit, considerations that I may not have picked up on... thanks  :)

EDIT: I should add that I use a Vox AC15 with a Crowther Hotcake Bluesberry...

[99_not_out]

For that guitar (good purchase BTW!), I would say Stormy Mondays. They'll really let the guitars natural sound through, and with the AC15, well, I'd be jealous! :)

[JodyJames]

Those were the humbuckers that had caught my eye. What are the differences between Alnico II and IV? To elaborate on my playing style, I guess we're talking mainly rhythm playing due to being the only guitarist, lots of sparse, open chords, with a little fingerpicking thrown in.

[BigB]

Those were the humbuckers that had caught my eye. What are the differences between Alnico II and IV?

There's a sticky topic about the different magnet types here:
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8005.0

[badgermark]

I'd say go for the Mississippi Queens. They will sound pretty big and beefy, ideal for a one guitar band, but they will cut through due to their awesome definition.

[Fourth Feline]

Those were the humbuckers that had caught my eye. What are the differences between Alnico II and IV? To elaborate on my playing style, I guess we're talking mainly rhythm playing due to being the only guitarist, lots of sparse, open chords, with a little fingerpicking thrown in.

Hiya Jody,  :)

In a semi like that, I prefered AlnicoIV Stormy Mondays to Alnico II - simply because the AII left the bass strings sounding a bit 'soft' - albeit sweet. The AIV tightened up the bass end, but still within the remit of nice open / vintage sounds. The top end gets a tad 'harder' as well of course, but still sweet enough. It could just have been because my '335 alike' had a basswood ply body, instead of maple or  spruce - as in a Les Paul standard this was not really an issue.

I also own / love M.Qs, and would re-iterate what Badgermark said, and that is if you want assertive, clear but BEEFY - go with the M.Qs ; if you want more 'open' and flexible / 'airy' tones, go with AIV Stormys , if you want sweet rounded ( and comparitively softer ) tones all round in that guitar - go AII Stormies. 

For mixed rhythmn / lead / embelishment playing, with fingerstyle and the whole nine yards - AIV Stormies.

The safe bet about you having already heard M.Qs, is that ( due to their relative power and intrinsic character ) they will tend to sound very consitently like themselves in whatever  guitar they 'possess'.

 :)

Oh, and welcome to the forum !  :)

[JodyJames]

Thanks for all the advice, folks... much appreciated.

I haven't actually heard MQs, but I know I like the sound of P90s in a Les Paul.

I'm currently thinking of Stormy Mondays (probably AIV), mainly because I have a cheap, one-pickup DeArmond LP-Junior style guitar with a cr@ppy humbucker, and I'm definitely putting a MQ in that at some point... if I have those two set up like that and decide that MQ's really are the bee's knees, I can swap the SMs into my Epi Les Paul to make way for MQs in the Hagstrom... potentially complicated, but hopefully sensible!

Is it worth getting all the electrics in the guitar changed as well, or not so much? I ask from a position of complete ignorance... pots, etc - I don't even really know what they are  :lol:

[Fourth Feline]

Thanks for all the advice, folks... much appreciated.

I haven't actually heard MQs, but I know I like the sound of P90s in a Les Paul.

I'm currently thinking of Stormy Mondays (probably AIV), mainly because I have a cheap, one-pickup DeArmond LP-Junior style guitar with a cr@ppy humbucker, and I'm definitely putting a MQ in that at some point... if I have those two set up like that and decide that MQ's really are the bee's knees, I can swap the SMs into my Epi Les Paul to make way for MQs in the Hagstrom... potentially complicated, but hopefully sensible!

Is it worth getting all the electrics in the guitar changed as well, or not so much? I ask from a position of complete ignorance... pots, etc - I don't even really know what they are  :lol:

Well , you certainly won't be the first one around here to 'migrate' pickups through different guitars ; as in my '335 clone' I tried AII Stormies, AIV Stormies , Gibsons ( that came out of my Les Paul when I gave it Mules ) and M.Qs. This had to be a 'labour of love' - as changing pickups and general electrics through the 'F' holes in a semi- acoustic is a bit like decorating your hallway through your letterbox. 

To answer your question specifically, I always fitted new 500K pots and Sprague 'Orange Drop' 0.22 microfarad capacitors, to replace the cheapo ceramic caps of the same value that where usually in there.  If (however) your pots feel smooth enough, they could already be the narrower shafted , lower budget 'Alpha' pots that tend to get fitted to most production guitars that have not come out of America- or some respectable stable. That is to say that they probably will be good enough, and perhaps only the two capacitors on the tone pots need upgrading.

As has been pointed out in a couple of other threads recently,  the online parts store 'Axes'R'Us' do an all in one kit of pots, caps and connecting wire. Do be aware though , that as ( I think it was forumite 'Twinfan' that last pointed this out )  you cannot just buy the higher spec CTS pots, as the holes in your guitar's body will be a bit too small, and the original knobs will not go back on the CTS brand  pots.


With my Jazzer ( see avatar ) - I carefully enlarged the holes for the volume and tone controls - and started all over again with pots, caps AND full size 'Art Deco ' knobs of that ilk - to match my lovely B.K.P. Manhattans.  You ( or the technician ) will have to drop the knobs and wiring out anyway, to solder on the new pickup wires, so best get it all done at once, especially as you have already got a very reputable guitar at a bargin price.

Hope that sheds further light on the matter for you .  :)