136

The Pickup Place / Re: Noob asking for help

« on: July 10, 2020, 04:22:13 PM »

Have you considered a FRED? One of the guys in one of my former band installed one in his soloist and it was great for 80s metal, hard rock, shredding, etc. Just sounded real "alive", for lack of a better term, with a loud 50 watt Marshall. I don't know what the rest of your rig is like, but I have installed it for many a rock guy who does more chops oriented playing and they have always been happy with it. I don't really have any experience with the AT-1, so maybe someone who DOES will chime in.

137

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: FRED

« on: July 10, 2020, 04:17:50 PM »

I think the Fred may go in my HH RG that my brother in law gave me. Back in the day, a friend of mine that played in the same band went with the FRED in the neck and an SD Screamin' Demon in the bridge of his Soloist for about 3 days. He changed the positions and WHAM!!!! The FRED blew the sh12 out of the water. Wonderful mids, great harmonics, and just seemed to push his JCM 800 better. By comparison the sh12 just sounded dull and hollow even at gig levels with a cranked 50 watt JCM. Just all around better for that combo. I don't know why I haven't tried one with all of the ones that I have installed for others. I have yet to find a guitar that the FRED just didn't rock in. Every time I have suggested it to a customer and installed it, they always come back with a smile on their face and,"You were right. This thing is amazing."

138

The Pickup Place / Re: Curious: Dry vs wet sounding pickups?

« on: June 29, 2020, 11:49:27 AM »

I'm like Vai. I may not be a true fanboy, but have appreciated his musicianship. That being said, Slip of the Tongue made me long for the Sykes days.

139

The Pickup Place / Re: Pickups you have changed your mind about...

« on: June 29, 2020, 11:42:18 AM »

I used to love the hs-3 until I FINALLY tried a VVHB2. That one is my go to neck pickup for a single coil tone. I too got really annoyed with the JB until I finally, at the behest of one of the members here, tried it with a 250k pot. I is back in my top 10. The '59 is STILL my favorite neck pickup. It just sings for solos. Almost a kind of single coil vibe to it with gain.

140

The Pickup Place / Re: Curious: Dry vs wet sounding pickups?

« on: June 09, 2020, 04:21:45 PM »

some people think his tone has been shiite on everything after Eat 'Em And Smile.

I would be one of those people.

141

The Pickup Place / Re: V3 Dimarzio humbucker?

« on: June 08, 2020, 11:45:17 AM »

I believe you are looking at one of the oems made for Ibanez. If memory serves me correctly, it is an alnico 5 that was designed as a neck pickup.

142

The Pickup Place / Re: Hvy Blues 2 vs Little '59 in neck

« on: June 08, 2020, 11:43:42 AM »

It's apples and oranges. I like the full size Duncan '59 in the neck with a two humbuckers setup and 5 way super switch. I really don't care for the Little '59. To my ears they really aren't that similar. The full size '59 in the neck of my Big Apple Strat almost has a sort of single coil quality to it that just sings, whereas the little one (keep in mind that this is subjective) just doesn't sound right to my ears by comparison. Keep in mind that the little '59 is made to replicate a full size humbucker that was made to replicate old humbuckers. The Heavy Blues 2, on the other hand is a nice hot single coil tone. It is my neck single coil of choice because it is hot, but not muddy, bright, but not overbearing, and is as great for high gain neck pickup soloing as it is for lower gain blues stuff. Oh yeah, and it's hum cancelling.

If it were me, it would be hands down the Heavy Blues 2 if you are going for a hum cancelling single coil tone.

143

The Pickup Place / Re: DiMarzio or Fluence

« on: October 30, 2019, 02:15:04 PM »

I don’t like batteries or pre-amps.  A boost pedal works too and much cheaper.

Agreed. That is why my Fulldrive 2 stays on my board. Even on a solid state amp.

144

The Pickup Place / Re: RG655 - Middle pup - Cruiser Bridge?

« on: October 30, 2019, 02:12:03 PM »

What about virtual solo, or heavy blues2 ?
?

145

Everything you wanted to know about .... / Re: Virtual Vintage Heavy Blues 2 (DP 409)

« on: October 30, 2019, 02:08:11 PM »

It has become my go to for a single. If you have a guitar with a neck single slot, you should try it there. It sounds great in the neck slot with distortion. Actually, just sounds great in the neck period.

146

The Pickup Place / Re: PAF '59

« on: October 30, 2019, 08:20:55 AM »

So it is a little more clear. If you look at the hype, they make it clear as mud. I was looking for a Dimarzio pu that would knock out the Duncan 59 as my favorite neck 'bucker. I like the kind of noodly soloing tone with an almost single foolish vibe it does in the neck. Any suggestions?

147

The Pickup Place / Re: Recommend something to me

« on: October 30, 2019, 08:16:00 AM »

Have you thought about something medium output like a Fred or PAF Pro in the bridge? Also, you could do two Pros, or  fred bridge PAF Pro in the neck. I prefer the fred in the bridge, but the PAF pro works great as a bridge pu. Both have clarity, but can be powerful as well.

148

The Pickup Place / Re: Pickup tone vs hearing tone

« on: October 30, 2019, 08:12:53 AM »

I find myself gravitating towards single coils, or stacks, more and more. I can get all the rock chug I need with them, but still have the ability to do country gigs. And I get a better clean tone with them.

Does this mean I am getting old?

149

The Pickup Place / Re: PICKUP SET for IBANEZ RGAR42MFMT

« on: October 30, 2019, 08:09:53 AM »

I agree on the FRED. I played metal with it in a basswood Jackson in the very early 90s. It kills metal.

150

Guitar Lounge / Re: New (to me) Jem Jr

« on: October 28, 2019, 07:36:08 AM »

Sweet!!! Congrats on your new axe.