Pickups for Firebirds

[Wiseman101]

Hey, would anybody be able to recommend a decent humbucker set for a Epiphone Firebird Studio. Solid mahogany body, rosewood neck. Ive read in other threads that SGs sound pretty good with the Riff Raffs, im guessing it would be similar for a Firebird? Thing is, im not really into AC/DC. Looking for a modern distortion sound, smooth but with plenty of clarity. The Stormy Monday caught my eye, but would that be able to do a good distortion tone if necessary? I use a Marshall AVT50 and a Boss Gt-8. Can anyone offer any advice?

[FernandoDuarte]

Useless post :lol:

[Wiseman101]

Well its a Firebird Studio, full sized humbuckers, not the minis.

[Philly Q]

I used to have a Gibson Firebird Studio, I think you're right that it's similar to an SG with the set neck and all-mahogany construction.  Mine had that dark mahogany tone, but with maybe a bit more "body" than my SGs.

I wouldn't let the AC/DC thing influence you too much, the Riff Raff is just BKP's version of a '60s/'70s Gibson "patent no" pickup.  But if you're not keen on that, I wouldn't go for the Stormy Mondays, they'll give you a very classic, low-output PAF sound, not modern at all.

From your decription, "a modern distortion sound, smooth but with plenty of clarity", and given the mahogany guitar, I'd be thinking Cold Sweats... most medium-output pickups can get a bit muddy in mahogany but the Cold Sweats work really well.

[Wiseman101]

Would the Cold Sweats sound good with low gain settings aswell? From what ive read, they seem a bit more of a hard rock sound. The clean tone is just as important to me, how do these sound clean? Im also planning on putting in series/parallel/coil-tap switching options on the neck pickup.

[DimeZakk]

Cold Sweat Set for you. Covers clean, crunch and modern distortion sounds perfectly!

[HTH AMPS]

Bear in mind with the mass of that big thru-neck mahogany, its quite a dark overall sounding guitar (not dissimilar to an Explorer either, imo).  I've had a Cold Sweat in my Les Paul and I'd imagine it really sounding great in a Firebird where the high-mid voicing will really help it cut through the darkness inherent in the guitar.  Its a good all-rounder with a leaning towards the rockier side of things - loves distortion, great snarl.