Neck Replacement For Seymour Sh-1 in Charvel

[darrenw5094]

Charvel MIJ just had a Holy Diver stuck in the bridge, replacing the SH-4. After a bridge Schaller change, the bridge tone is perfect. Alder body and maple board means, it's fairly bright. The existing SH-1 is ok, i love the PAF style, but it's a bit muddy.

I want to retain the PAF neck tone similar to the SH-1, so i am thinking the Riff Raff or Mule neck.
BTW, the HD is the same volume as the Seymour in the neck......just for future reference. :)

[Telerocker]

In that case the Mule-neck (which is a gem), the RiffRaff wil be a bit bright in this guitar.

[Arthurus]

I don't know the Mule or The Riff Raff, but if you want to tame the highs, consider the VH-II. I have it in the nec position of my Ibanez and it sounds fantastic ! Really pairs well with the Holydiver.
But hey, just my two cents here !

[darrenw5094]

Thanks for the replies, i am even looking at the PG Blues neck to match with the Holy Diver bridge.

[Telerocker]

Just to know: the Mule-neck is very balanced and definitely not too bright.

[darrenw5094]

The Mule seems to be the better choice than the Riff Raff.

Maybe the Crawler neck? But the Mule sounds great in my Goldtop Les Paul.

[Kiichi]

Maybe the Crawler neck?

Since that is somewhat of a hotter and fatter version of the Mule neck I can see that working too.
Ahhh the possibilitys...

[darkbluemurder]

Charvel MIJ just had a Holy Diver stuck in the bridge, replacing the SH-4. After a bridge Schaller change, the bridge tone is perfect. Alder body and maple board means, it's fairly bright. The existing SH-1 is ok, i love the PAF style, but it's a bit muddy.

I want to retain the PAF neck tone similar to the SH-1, so i am thinking the Riff Raff or Mule neck.

You have many options - Mule, Riff Raff, VHII, Abraxas and Crawler come to mind if you want a vintage character. Of the neck pickups I mentioned I have played the VHII (hottest), Crawler (a bit less hot but more vintage character) and Abraxas (vintage character but brighter). The VHII appears to be the tightest in the bass but I have not played the VHII and Abraxas in the same guitar.

Alternatively you could get the Cold Sweat neck which matches very well with the Holydiver bridge (a combination I use), the Emerald neck (a combination much praised here in the forum) or the Holydiver neck (lower output and quite bright).

BTW, the HD is the same volume as the Seymour in the neck......just for future reference. :)

That has to do with the bridge vs. neck position. Strings vibrate more under the neck pickup than under the bridge pickup so the pickups pick up more signal at the neck position. That's why in most calibrated sets the bridge pickup has more output.

Cheers Stephan

[darrenw5094]

So you guys have narrowed it down to the Riff Raff, Mule, Crawler, VHII, Abraxas, Holy Diver, Emerald or Cold Sweat.  :P

Anyway, is it possible that the Seymour SH-1 would sound better than any of the Bare Knuckle range?

[Philly Q]

Anyway, is it possible that the Seymour SH-1 would sound better than any of the Bare Knuckle range?

Nah.

If you're wanting PAF character I wouldn't get bogged down in considering too many different models.  The Mule, Crawler and Abraxas are all quite similar alnico 4 pickups, the Mule is the most "obvious"/popular choice of those and is unlikely to disappoint.  If you want a brighter but still vintage pickup, go for the alnico 5 Riff Raff.

If you don't want a PAF type, then start thinking about the other models mentioned. 

[darrenw5094]

Probably any of the PAF type BKP will be an improvement over the Seymour.

[Telerocker]

Probably any of the PAF type BKP will be an improvement over the Seymour.

I have BKP'd all my guitars and can only say they're are really a step up in dynamics, clarity and noteseparation.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Anyway, is it possible that the Seymour SH-1 would sound better than any of the Bare Knuckle range?

Nah.

If you're wanting PAF character I wouldn't get bogged down in considering too many different models.  The Mule, Crawler and Abraxas are all quite similar alnico 4 pickups, the Mule is the most "obvious"/popular choice of those and is unlikely to disappoint.  If you want a brighter but still vintage pickup, go for the alnico 5 Riff Raff.

If you don't want a PAF type, then start thinking about the other models mentioned.

I'd look at Cold Sweat neck if you want it less muddy - A5 but a slightly finer wire gauge allows for a more detailed sound

[Slartibartfarst42]

So you guys have narrowed it down to the Riff Raff, Mule, Crawler, VHII, Abraxas, Holy Diver, Emerald or Cold Sweat.  :P

Anyway, is it possible that the Seymour SH-1 would sound better than any of the Bare Knuckle range?

Not a prayer!

Firstly, you've made a great choice for the bridge. The Holydiver is my favourite Rock/Metal pickup for the bridge. Of the neck choices you've been given, I think the Riff Raff and the Holydiver would be too bright and although it's my favourite neck pickup, I think the same may also be true of the Emerald. The Cold Sweat isn't quite as bright so you may get away with that one. The VHII could work well but I'd be making my top three to be the Mule, Abraxas and Crawler. If you want your tone to be darker, thicker and more compressed, go with the Crawler. If you want it to be traditionally PAF, go with the Mule and if you want it between the two in terms of compression and a bit brighter, go with the Abraxas.

[darrenw5094]

So you guys have narrowed it down to the Riff Raff, Mule, Crawler, VHII, Abraxas, Holy Diver, Emerald or Cold Sweat.  :P

Anyway, is it possible that the Seymour SH-1 would sound better than any of the Bare Knuckle range?

Not a prayer!

Firstly, you've made a great choice for the bridge. The Holydiver is my favourite Rock/Metal pickup.

Lol dude. I think I bought it from you.  Mule seems to be  thw way to go.