How to choose the right humbucker configuration

[justlildavid]

HEY EVERYONE!,
It's me again, just wondering about the confusing topic of arranging the proper humbucker configuration to produce a primarily lead sound, with the chance to support when necessary. My overall goal is to have a rounded out sound with the ability to "RIP" through a solo with searing tone when called upon.
I am looking at the moment at two GIBSON BURSTBUCKER PROS.... one in neck, and one in the bridge (for versatility), and a SEYMOUR DUNCAN ALNICO II PRO with a gold cover in the middle (for a touch of Slash), but I am not sure if it should be neck or bridge?

My ultimate goal is to have the best of all worlds, while still having the ability to turn my Epiphone Les Paul Black Beauty 3 Pickup into a soloing monster when needed

Rock on my friends, and thank you for any help that you can give me.
-JustlilDavid

[Steve,o]

Seymour Duncan makes it easy with the Hotrodded Humbucker set. This is a pretty standard combo of a JB and a Jazz. I think there around $130 at Guitar Center.

[lp_junkie]

for my "vintage" tones I go with the Stew Mac Golden Age humbuckers, using the hot version in the bridge and standard version in the neck.

for my hotrod guitars I use Dimarzio Super Distortion for the bridge and Dimarzio Air Norton for the neck.

The Dimarzios I have been using since the late 70's, but the Stew Mac pups I started using this year and have been very impressed with them, a lot of bang for the buck. Even balance and great harmonics and the bridge pup cuts through to let solos ring out.

[justlildavid]

Thank you for the quick replies, but I am wondering about the configuration between the burstbuckers and the seymour alcino II. I would like to know if my original choice was more valid, or whether I am looking at this wrong.
I would also like some insight as to how different neck and bridge positions achieve certain tones with humbuckers, as I am only new to this area.

Thanks again for the replies!! Keep em' comin!
-JustlilDavid

[lp_junkie]

I would go for the Alnico II as my bridge pickup, I am not a big fan of the Gibson pups,
when I have had 3 pu customs the bridge pickup was the primary tool that I used, I had the wiring modded so that I could turn the middle pu off with one of the tone knobs becoming it's volume, the other tone became the master tone for the neck/bridge pups.

Why the Burstbuckers? do you like them in particular or is it something someone suggested?

[justlildavid]

Thank you for the response...I wanted the burstbuckers because they were what the gibson version used, and from the review I read they would provide me with a very versatile sound. My ultimate goal is to be able to get superior tone from blues to jazz to rock (including classic) and even play some metal if it suits me! The aesthetics are also important to me, so I want to go with a gold color that is going to compliment my bigsby that Ill be putting on the guitar. The addition of the middle pickup made me feel like adding a more powerful and distinctive tone (slash-like) without feeling like I am leaning too far in one direction to be versatile.

If you have any other suggestions...I would be more than happy to research them!

Once again you guys are the best! I have had a similar thread posted on harmony central for more than a week with no replies...SO YOU GUYS ARE TOPS!

Keep em' comin!
-JustlilDavid

[lp_junkie]

I would go with a Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck, a JB in the bridge and if you are really set on the A2 Pro for the middle, there are a ton of versatile combinations, I tend to stick with one makers pickups in a single guitar easier to match and balance the output and tonal characteristics.

You may want to email SD and see if they have a suggested setuo for 3PU LP Customs.

[vladmaximus]

For Hot Output & its sound like ****in hell rock sound...
im using DIMARZIO ACTIVATOR X on Bridge pickup & DIMARZIO STEVE SPECIAL on neck pickup...

try it & you gonna love it...

hihihiiii..

thanks

[Dave67]

Originally Posted by lp_junkie

I would go with a Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck, a JB in the bridge and if you are really set on the A2 Pro for the middle, there are a ton of versatile combinations, I tend to stick with one makers pickups in a single guitar easier to match and balance the output and tonal characteristics.

You may want to email SD and see if they have a suggested setuo for 3PU LP Customs.

This sounds like a great combo. I also prefer the Super Distortion/ PAF combo.
You can try to get an answer from SD, but they will tell you to try and get the answer from thier forums. SD will not suggest any combos anymore.

[tintin]

You also might try posting your question in the pickups section of this forum.

[Stevics]

Originally Posted by Steve,o

Seymour Duncan makes it easy with the Hotrodded Humbucker set. This is a pretty standard combo of a JB and a Jazz. I think there around $130 at Guitar Center.

+1

I fitted this set, I think it will work just fine for you. Also you can get the look you want with cream, black or zebra in any combo.

I seem to remember you are in the UK. If so see link below for a competative price.

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/prod...r_matched_sets

[RMC1]

Best place for SD`s in the UK is this place,they`re an official Specialist Dealer,i`ve bought loads of PUPS from them,very reputable,fast shipping,and the prices are good too

Seymour Duncan Guitar Pickups Specalist U.K. Supplier

[FFXGuitar]

Yeah probably a JB Bridge Jazz Middle and Alnico II Pro Neck. JB is the highest output, has the most bite and high end, so it should be placed in the bridge position. Jazz is probably the most versatile pickup Seymour Duncan produces, and in the middle position, can sound like a sweet neck pickup, or a searing bridge pickup (depending on the tone control configuration, cut back on the tone knob to get a fat neck pickup sound, and put the tone knob on 10 to make is sound like a warmer version of your standard bridge pickup.) Alnico II Pro Pickup should be placed in the neck. The past two pickups are Alnico V magnets, giving them a good balance of warm/fat and bright/loud.
The Alnico II magnet in the alnico II pro pickup is low output, but for a reason; the guitar is naturally louder at the neck, so the Alnico II Pro p up is perfect for the neck. Also alnico II magnets are the warmest/cleanest sounding magnet found in pickups, and the neck position is made for warm sounding pickups.

Hope that wasn't too long...

[Lefty666]

Death Magnetic? Have you actually listened to that album?

[FFXGuitar]

Originally Posted by Lefty666

Death Magnetic? Have you actually listened to that album?

Yeah, I own it. Bought it on the 15th or so.

[justlildavid]

Thank you all for the responses!
They are all great suggestions that I have looked into...although I find after researching that the Seymoure Duncan P-Rails seem to have the most posibilities for different tones and styles (with push/pull tone pots). Has anyone had experience with these to speak about so that I can know for sure? I am looking to outfit my Black Beauty with 3 of these due the the three different tones achievable.

You guys rock!!! Keep em' coming!
-JustlilDavid