Looking for a pickup change!

[motrock]

hey guys, I have been using the EVH Franky pickup for a while now. I have come to the conclusion that it might not be the right pickup for the early EVH stuff. What is everyone using now? Its been a long time since I have been around or looked in to this. I am looking for a WACF and FW tone. First album would be great also; but I look to cover the bases. Any suggestions? So far I have heard people say:

SD Custom SH-5
SD Custom Custom SH-11
SD Custom 78

Am I missing anything? Any other pickup manufacturers doing this type of thing anymore?

[Marshall SL12301]

IMHO i think to safely cover all of the VH tone era's the duncan 59/custom hybrid is the best bet overall.
It takes magnet swaps great for you to experiment or change if needed. is extremely versatile as well.
I use a very old duncan Custom from 1979 for VH I's B/W strat tones and a old ibanez/maxxon super 70 for the destroyer tracks. but both are hard to get and expensive.

[garbeaj]

Pickup recommendations are only good if the person giving the recommendations is using the identical guitar and amp and speakers.

I have a Rockstah Mod 5 Marshall with 6402 cone '90s reissue Greenbacks...so I use a new Dimarzio Super Distortion in my '78 style Frankenstein replica and my '75-'76 Destroyer. That pickup sounds great...this is what Mark used so it sounds great-with those guitars and that specific amp.

I tried Super 70s and they sounded TERRIBLE in my amp. But...Strat78 and MarshallSL12301 use them in their particular amp setup and they sound amazing.

I will however agree with MarshallSL12301 and say that the best all around bridge pickup that sounds really good in a variety of setups has been the Seymour Duncan '59/Custom Hybrid pickup with an A2 magnet swapped (instead of the A5 which comes in it stock)...I have one in a Musikraft "Kramer 5150" style guitar and in my reissue '58 Gibson Flying V bridge position. Sounds killer in my opinion.

[fivecoyote]

garbeaj can you pls describe the hybrid tone or properties vs. the DSD or other common "Ed" pickups? That's the only one I haven't heard with my own ears (live) yet

[garbeaj]

garbeaj can you pls describe the hybrid tone or properties vs. the DSD or other common "Ed" pickups? That's the only one I haven't heard with my own ears (live) yet

I initially got it because I was looking for the closest I could find to the raw sound of the 5150 Kramer as heard on Letterman and Farm Aid...I was really pleased with the '59/Hybrid Custom with the A2 magnet swap-and I did NOT like it with the stock A5. The A2 is critical.

Again, I'm using it in two guitars...my '58 reissue Gibson Flying V and my black Musikraft "Kramer 5150" replica going into my Rockstah Marshall 2x12 combo.

You can hear the '59/Custom Hybrid with A2 magnet in this lesson clip I posted a while ago...watch at the 4:55 mark when I play the solo from "Hot For Teacher" on my '58 reissue Gibson Flying V and at the 7:53 mark when I play the "Panama" solo on my Musikraft Kramer (although that has a little Eventide H9 detune on it):

You can watch at the 7:13 mark (when I play the ending cadenza from "You Really Got Me") and at the 8:40 mark (where I play the second solo from "Outta Love Again") to hear the new Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge position on my '75-'76 Ibanez Destroyer.

[motrock]

IMHO i think to safely cover all of the VH tone era's the duncan 59/custom hybrid is the best bet overall.
It takes magnet swaps great for you to experiment or change if needed. is extremely versatile as well.
I use a very old duncan Custom from 1979 for VH I's B/W strat tones and a old ibanez/maxxon super 70 for the destroyer tracks. but both are hard to get and expensive.

Hey man, thanks! Yeah, I have been looking at that pickup; but wasn't sure. 59/Custom. Kind of sucks that you have to swap magnets. But I am sure that is doable. First 4 albums is all I am concerned with. Fair Warning and the first album are my favorites!

[motrock]

Pickup recommendations are only good if the person giving the recommendations is using the identical guitar and amp and speakers.

I have a Rockstah Mod 5 Marshall with 6402 cone '90s reissue Greenbacks...so I use a new Dimarzio Super Distortion in my '78 style Frankenstein replica and my '75-'76 Destroyer. That pickup sounds great...this is what Mark used so it sounds great-with those guitars and that specific amp.

I tried Super 70s and they sounded TERRIBLE in my amp. But...Strat78 and MarshallSL12301 use them in their particular amp setup and they sound amazing.

I will however agree with MarshallSL12301 and say that the best all around bridge pickup that sounds really good in a variety of setups has been the Seymour Duncan '59/Custom Hybrid pickup with an A2 magnet swapped (instead of the A5 which comes in it stock)...I have one in a Musikraft "Kramer 5150" style guitar and in my reissue '58 Gibson Flying V bridge position. Sounds killer in my opinion.

Very cool. What is the difference in tone with the A2 Magnet in that pickup?

[garbeaj]

Pickup recommendations are only good if the person giving the recommendations is using the identical guitar and amp and speakers.

I have a Rockstah Mod 5 Marshall with 6402 cone '90s reissue Greenbacks...so I use a new Dimarzio Super Distortion in my '78 style Frankenstein replica and my '75-'76 Destroyer. That pickup sounds great...this is what Mark used so it sounds great-with those guitars and that specific amp.

I tried Super 70s and they sounded TERRIBLE in my amp. But...Strat78 and MarshallSL12301 use them in their particular amp setup and they sound amazing.

I will however agree with MarshallSL12301 and say that the best all around bridge pickup that sounds really good in a variety of setups has been the Seymour Duncan '59/Custom Hybrid pickup with an A2 magnet swapped (instead of the A5 which comes in it stock)...I have one in a Musikraft "Kramer 5150" style guitar and in my reissue '58 Gibson Flying V bridge position. Sounds killer in my opinion.

Very cool. What is the difference in tone with the A2 Magnet in that pickup?

Well again it boils 100% down to what amp and speakers you are using...but my recollection is that I hated the sound with the A5 as it comes stock. Hated it. Can't remember what exactly it was, but it was so bad that I had to put it out if my mind.

But then I had my tech swap the A2 magnet into it and it was peaches and cream. For the second pickup that I ended up putting in my Flying V, I just ordered it with the A2 in it. You just go to the Seymour Duncan website and order the '59/Custom Hybrid with the A2 magnet...that way you don't have to swap the magnet yourself.

[motrock]

Pickup recommendations are only good if the person giving the recommendations is using the identical guitar and amp and speakers.

I have a Rockstah Mod 5 Marshall with 6402 cone '90s reissue Greenbacks...so I use a new Dimarzio Super Distortion in my '78 style Frankenstein replica and my '75-'76 Destroyer. That pickup sounds great...this is what Mark used so it sounds great-with those guitars and that specific amp.

I tried Super 70s and they sounded TERRIBLE in my amp. But...Strat78 and MarshallSL12301 use them in their particular amp setup and they sound amazing.

I will however agree with MarshallSL12301 and say that the best all around bridge pickup that sounds really good in a variety of setups has been the Seymour Duncan '59/Custom Hybrid pickup with an A2 magnet swapped (instead of the A5 which comes in it stock)...I have one in a Musikraft "Kramer 5150" style guitar and in my reissue '58 Gibson Flying V bridge position. Sounds killer in my opinion.

Very cool. What is the difference in tone with the A2 Magnet in that pickup?

Well again it boils 100% down to what amp and speakers you are using...but my recollection is that I hated the sound with the A5 as it comes stock. Hated it. Can't remember what exactly it was, but it was so bad that I had to put it out if my mind.

What do you think of the Custom Custom? I have heard a lot of talk that the Custom Custom was a pickup designed for EVH back in the day. It has an A2 magnet in it.

[garbeaj]

Very cool. What is the difference in tone with the A2 Magnet in that pickup?

Well again it boils 100% down to what amp and speakers you are using...but my recollection is that I hated the sound with the A5 as it comes stock. Hated it. Can't remember what exactly it was, but it was so bad that I had to put it out if my mind.

What do you think of the Custom Custom? I have heard a lot of talk that the Custom Custom was a pickup designed for EVH back in the day. It has an A2 magnet in it.

I don't like it. And in my opinion, those rumors are false.

But you absolutely positively have to understand that the main thing is that no one's advice ultimately matters because you are not using the same amp and speakers. You just have to try it and see if you like it.

That is the truth about pickups that no one tells you, but believe me it is the truth.

[motrock]

Well again it boils 100% down to what amp and speakers you are using...but my recollection is that I hated the sound with the A5 as it comes stock. Hated it. Can't remember what exactly it was, but it was so bad that I had to put it out if my mind.

What do you think of the Custom Custom? I have heard a lot of talk that the Custom Custom was a pickup designed for EVH back in the day. It has an A2 magnet in it.

I don't like it. And in my opinion, those rumors are false.

But you absolutely positively have to understand that the main thing is that no one's advice ultimately matters because you are not using the same amp and speakers. You just have to try it and see if you like it.

That is the truth about pickups that no one tells you, but believe me it is the truth.

Yeah man, I totally get that. It can get frustrating; because I have spent so much money over the year on this stuff. But it is a passion project for me. Heck; I still have to get my 50 watt Plexi worked on again. I need to have the OT swapped out. Thinking about sending it to George and having him working his magic on it.

The 59/Custom is work a shot. I watched a video on swapping magnets, which doesn't seem to bad. Just as long at the pickup tape can still be used. Not sure where to buy new tape if I needed too?

[echoplexi1974]

For the second pickup that I ended up putting in my Flying V, I just ordered it with the A2 in it. You just go to the Seymour Duncan website and order the '59/Custom Hybrid with the A2 magnet...that way you don't have to swap the magnet yourself.

Garbeaj, did you have to pay the $160 custom shop fee for the 59/Custom hybrid w/ A2 magnet? Or did Seymour Duncan sell the pickup w/ A2 for the regular price of $99?

[garbeaj]

For the second pickup that I ended up putting in my Flying V, I just ordered it with the A2 in it. You just go to the Seymour Duncan website and order the '59/Custom Hybrid with the A2 magnet...that way you don't have to swap the magnet yourself.

Garbeaj, did you have to pay the $160 custom shop fee for the 59/Custom hybrid w/ A2 magnet? Or did Seymour Duncan sell the pickup w/ A2 for the regular price of $99?

I paid $170...the extra $10 was for the Gold pickup cover to match my Flying V's gold parts. Here is what I entered on the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop order page:
Build Your Own Humbucker
(What kind of humbucker do you want: Hybrid (Choose Your Coils/Mix Two Pickups), What Position Is This Pickup For: Bridge, For What Guitar: 6 String, String Spacing: Humbucker, Hybrid Slug Coil: Custom, Hybrid Screw Coil: 59, Color: Gold +$10, Mounting Legs: Standard Short, Wax Potting (Reduces Microphonics/Feedback) : Yes, Hookup Cable: Single Conductor, Pole Pieces: Gold, Logo: No, What is the body and neck wood of the guitar you are putting this in? Japanese Sen (Orville by Gibson '58 styled Flying V), Describe The Tone You Want: Van Halen 1984 Flying V tones. , Notes: This is the same as the SH-16, but I would like an A2 magnet in this pickup. , If you have a name for your pickup, enter it here: '59/Cstm-A2)

[garbeaj]

The 59/Custom is worth a shot. I watched a video on swapping magnets, which doesn't seem to bad. Just as long at the pickup tape can still be used. Not sure where to buy new tape if I needed too?

You can certainly swap the mags yourself, but I think it is A LOT easier to have the Custom Shop do it. If you swap the mag yourself you have to buy an A2 mag (from StewMac as I did on the first pickup I got) and pay for shipping on that. When you order it from the Custom Shop with the A2, you don't have to do anything but install the pickup in your guitar.

[JimiJames]

hey guys, I have been using the EVH Franky pickup for a while now. I have come to the conclusion that it might not be the right pickup for the early EVH stuff. What is everyone using now? Its been a long time since I have been around or looked in to this. I am looking for a WACF and FW tone. First album would be great also; but I look to cover the bases. Any suggestions? So far I have heard people say:

SD Custom SH-5
SD Custom Custom SH-11
SD Custom 78

Am I missing anything? Any other pickup manufacturers doing this type of thing anymore?

.... yes, mag's play and are an important part to the sum of all one's parts.
While using a modern DiMarzio Super Distortion working out his amp formula and voicings, Mark was just getting into mag swapping and was posting some of his findings on his website, but he did not have enough personal data collected (at the time). He was nailing down a spec, a prudent decision looking into several manufacturers to make a rockstah voiced pickup.
-Trying to make a difference to your ears, get the inexpensive Duncan Custom like you are thinking, and report back.
In the meantime, also look into a MM1300 or an old *two conductor SuperD for the next one to make a difference from that point. *You can use a newer one too, like rockstah did. Perhaps back to a Super'70 for more sonic comparison & differences.
If you don't like what's going on with your current sound through that EVH Franky pickup, then no reason why not try some of the le$$er older ones... ?