Author Topic: How versatile is a bridge VHII? + which cover to get? (Read 8801 times)

_tom_ · « **on:** March 18, 2007, 05:54:23 PM »

I decided I'll actually get a pickup for my Charvel before thinking about getting a different cab.. With this guitar I play pretty much the same things as I do on my LP - "classic"/hard rock and nwobhm-style metal

It'd be going in my Charvel Model 1C which has a basswood body, maple fingerboard and a vintage trem. The current pickup is ok but muddy/fizzy for chords - heres a clip of how it sounds now http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=23837

I'm thinking the VHII would be clearer, tighter and less gainy? The only thing I'm worried about is that it could only do the brown sound and nothing else? Basically I love the tone of my LP with Mules and want something with similar "push" for the Charvel, but more aggressive and with more harmonics.

Tim recommended a Crawler, but I was thinking it'd be too thick and powerful for the kinda tone I'm after.

hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2007, 07:15:33 PM »

VHII is versatile, especially if you think about splitting it - got a great Tele style sound to it.

In the PRS SE it doesn't resemble EVH at all actually, more like a cleaner BlackDog type hot PAF. It cleans up beautifully and will cover what you're aiming for.

However, your Charvel - basswood and maple (same as my Axis) => what about a RebelYell?

_tom_ · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2007, 07:59:00 PM »

hmm I dunno, I thought the RY was designed for a Les Paul? Thought it might be too bright in a superstrat. Then again I loved your RY clips so who knows.

Oh, been listening to Badlands again today, would a VHII be good for that kinda tone on songs such as High Wire, Soul Stealer and Dreams in the Dark?

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2007, 11:07:55 PM »

^ Yes! VHII will nail the essence of the tone on the 1st Badlands album. A couple of things to note, tho:

1. The guitar tone on that album is VERY "produced", so you have to take it with a grain of salt. A lot of elements went into capturing and further sweetening Lee's natural tone on that album.

2. I'm not sure if your Laney will have the attack necessary to replicate that tone.

But the VHII will get you into the ballpark, that's for sure.

I know I'm repeating stuff we've already discussed privately, but I'm repeating for the benefit of others. :)

_tom_ · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2007, 11:14:30 PM »

Ok, I'll just order myself a VHII with aged nickel cover when I get the neccesary funds into my account :twisted: Will post some clips as soon as it arrives and I get round to installing it!

Course.. I'm still thinking that since Tim recommended the Crawler I should go for that.

Thanks :)

matteo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2007, 08:56:30 PM »

im not an expert on tone but my vh2s rock!! it nails any tone i need!!
u wont be dissapointed! :P

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2007, 08:59:23 PM »

What guitar do you have it in?

I'm trying to decide between a Crawler or VHII..

matteo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:31:57 PM »

its a yamaha rgx 420dz. floyde rose. alder body. very versatile. i play through a fender gdec which helps me get variety of tones and it sounds good. but when i plug into my tutors peavey bandit it comes alive!!! blues to rock to tight metal. hes been playing for 30 years and could shred for england and he says the pickups are awesome!! which makes me :D they always sound better when hes playin tho! guess u got to know how to get the best out of the gear!

matteo · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:33:37 PM »

sorry dude its the only bkpup ive played so there may well be one more suited to you though?

good luck :lol:

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:49:48 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

Tim recommended a Crawler, but I was thinking it'd be too thick and powerful for the kinda tone I'm after.

I have a Crawler in my Les Paul and it definately has that PAF tonality but with more output and mids - a great rock pickup.

You can do Zep and AC/DC with total authority with the Crawler. Add more gain and it responds well with plenty of grunt with the extra midrange keeping things PHAT.

:twisted:

_tom_ · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:08:44 PM »

hmm I think I may go for that then as it was Tims recommendation, I guess I can get a good metal sound with it (I can with my Mules at least). Now I just need to decide on covers. Black might look the best, but its kinda boring really. Its going in this guitar:

I thought aged nickel or even uncovered zebra might look good:

matteo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:27:46 PM »

dude that guitars the same colour as mine! id go for open poled zebras. i got black open poled and they just look stock. i wud of got the zeras but they were in a different guitar before

MrPring · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2007, 10:45:36 PM »

reverse zebra tom!
although the aged nickel does look nice

dave_mc · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:19:27 PM »

Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

^ Yes! VHII will nail the essence of the tone on the 1st Badlands album. A couple of things to note, tho:

1. The guitar tone on that album is VERY "produced", so you have to take it with a grain of salt. A lot of elements went into capturing and further sweetening Lee's natural tone on that album.

2. I'm not sure if your Laney will have the attack necessary to replicate that tone.

But the VHII will get you into the ballpark, that's for sure.

I know I'm repeating stuff we've already discussed privately, but I'm repeating for the benefit of others. :)

don't wanna hijack this, but would a vh2 do his bark at the moon tone as well? not really after a vh2 at the moment (i need a guitar to put it in, lol), but for future reference...

thanks for posting that, by the way. any time I see anyone wanting any 80's tones, I check out the thread even if I don't post (don't want to hijack).

:drink:

EDIT: you want a burnt chrome cover for that, tom. :D

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:29:30 PM »

Quote from: dave_mc

EDIT: you want a burnt chrome cover for that, tom. :D

This is true.