Author Topic: Newbie question (Read 4894 times)

infinite1funk · « **on:** January 09, 2006, 04:50:54 AM »

Hi All,
Great site. Glad to be here. From what I’ve heard from the sound files and what I’ve read, your pickups sound the business.
I’ve a parts strat type guitar with a Wilkinson vs100 trem (wasn’t my choice, I bought the body off Ebay and it was already installed). It’s a 2 piece swamp ash warmoth body with a tung oil finish and a Moses graphite neck. Right now it has an old Evans Eliminator pickup in the bridge which I picked up used and I’m none too happy with. It has a Fralin single in the neck that I like but wouldn’t be adverse to upgrading in the future. The humbucker is my first order of business to contend with.

I really like bite and articulation in a pickup but also some sustain. The sounds/tones I love are Brian May( esc. We Are the Champions and Dragon Attack lead tones), David Gilmour (Crazy Diamond, Have a Cigar), Hendrix ( Band of Gypsies), Van Halen ( the tone on VH 1), Zappa (Shut up N Play Yer Guitar, I know there are several different tones on there though, I like ‘em all). Randy Rhoads (everything), Iommi (although similar in character, there are several tones, Wheels of Confusion to Heaven and Hell, etc.) and the heaviest tone I’ve heard , Justin K. Broadrick of Godflesh.

I realize these descriptions are quite broad but any suggestions for any single or combination there of out of a single humbucker would be appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Onefunk

willo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2006, 12:01:31 PM »

Hi :D

Zappa used lots of P90's predominantly. So you could get a humbucker sized P90, such as the Manhattan or Mississipi Queen (you'll need to search the forum for info on these. They are available now but the 'products' section on the website hasn't yet been updated.) I have a set of VHII's and at times I was getting close to Zappa-ish tones too, at least I thought I was!

PhilKing · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2006, 12:40:59 PM »

Most of the guitarists you like use single coil pickups (though in Brian May's case he can combine them into a humbucker). Early Black Sabbath was P-90's too. The MQ might be the way for you, if you speak to Tim he can help you with the wind on it for the tones you want. If you are going for a humbucker, perhaps the Abraxas, this gives the more saturated tone you are talking about. The best bet though is to give Tim a call.

Ratrod · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2006, 02:05:34 PM »

I agree with the guys above. Brian May has a very fat single coil sound that sounds alot like a P90. If it's a normal single coil you want for the looks or routing, a Sinner might do the trick.

I've read somewhere on this forum that Sinners/Piledrivers uberwound single coils come close to a P90 sound.

Tim · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2006, 06:28:56 PM »

Welcome :D
Upgrading the bridge humbucker to a Mississippi Queen would be the way to go I think........single coil tone and edge but plenty of power to..........also it'll drop right in without any problems 8) !

infinite1funk · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2006, 10:44:02 PM »

Mississippi Queen. Sounds cool. I mean your description. Are there any soundfiles? I haven't heard any.What are the specs/prices?

And what about humbuckers? From the soundfiles I've heard sound a bit bassy. the single coils examples too. I don't mean in a negative way just that I prefer more high end I guess. Not quite ice picky but sharp, cutting, screaming. I like the VHII the best but ( and only the files I'm aware of) sound exactly like the tone on VHII. I don't dislike it or think it's bad tone at all but I much prefer the VH 1 tone. Can it do that too, is it just a matter of amp settings? Probably right? That's all Eddie did between the first and the next 4 albums basically until he started using the Kramers,yes?

How about the Sultans? Are there any files for those?

willo · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2006, 11:19:08 PM »

Hi, if you're looking to try and find clips of a particular pickup, the best advice I can offer is to use the 'search' function. You'll find it in the group of controls at the top of your screen, right by your private messages inbox. Just put in the name of the pickup you're after, select the forum you want to search (the player's room), and away you go! Most of the examples are clearly labelled so it should be quite straightforward. Hope that helps! :)

infinite1funk · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2006, 01:16:51 AM »

Thanks willo. tried it. Dirty Sultan. Wow. Thats a great strat tone. Love Tom Waits by the way. Marc Ribot is awesome!

infinite1funk · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2006, 03:30:55 AM »

I should probably mention that my strat only has one volume and a 3 way switch. I run it through a BSM OR Treble Booster into a SIB Varidrive tube preamp/overdrive into a custom made Princeton copy with a Jensen 12 alnico speaker. Real wood combo, no plywood with various old tubes, Mullard, Telefunken, Ken Rad.

Searcher · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2006, 05:21:11 AM »

I'd recommend Mother's Milk single coils for your neck and middle and the Sinner single coil for the bridge.

willo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2006, 10:22:37 AM »

Quote from: infinite1funk

Thanks willo. tried it. Dirty Sultan. Wow. Thats a great strat tone. Love Tom Waits by the way. Marc Ribot is awesome!

great stuff, and yeah, Marc Ribot is so underrated! I love his solo on 'Hoist That Rag'. I bought his 'Spiritual Unity' album a few weeks ago, its pretty complex, but still good! :)

infinite1funk · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2006, 12:50:07 AM »

So Mississippi Queen is the general consensis? From what I heard from the soundfiles, the sinner and the mothersmilk weren't articulate enough and didn't have enough high end for my tastes. They sound great though but just not what I'm looking for. However I know guitar, effects, amp have a lot to do with it , but just going by what I've heard so far, not what I'm looking for.