Metropoulos Forum

Just thought I'd get some opinions from you guys concerning which pick up has the versatility to get VH1 an VH2 tone. Not sure if the EVH FRANKENSTEIN Humbucker pick up is the obvious choice. Is there any other choices?? Was wondering if any of the JB models are advisable. Figured I would see what some of you guys have experimented with. Thanks in advance.

Honestly the EVH Frankenstein Pickup is the best to my ears. I have yet to find something better. I think they really got it right with that pickup.

I'm not qualified to comment on the EVH Frankenstein, but for VH-1 tone, the Dimarzio Super Distortion is a good bet.

T.L. wrote:I'm not qualified to comment on the EVH Frankenstein, but for VH-1 tone, the Dimarzio Super Distortion is a good bet.

I actually have tried the SD. Pretty cool pickup. I think if you watch Pete Thorns SL68 video you will find that it does work great. I like the Franky Pickup for the flavor that it gives. I came to the conclusion a long time ago that Eddie changed pickups on a regular basis! LOL Reason being is that if you listen to Women and Children First through Diver Down; every song changed in the level of drive and saturation. Every song on WACF and Fair Warning were slightly different from one another. Which tells me that not only the pickup was different, but in some cases he used different guitars. VH 1 is that way to a certain extent. Each song the guitar tone varies... slightly. Which is great. I think it shows us how Eddie was always experimenting with his tone; even during the recording process.

So point being, its a matter of what feels right to you and what is appealing to your ears.

T.L. wrote:I'm not qualified to comment on the EVH Frankenstein, but for VH-1 tone, the Dimarzio Super Distortion is a good bet.

nor am I.

50ONE50 wrote:Which pick up should I choose for FRANKY build.

There is a thread on modern pickups that can do the biz.

As for generally available, for Franky
pre '77
Gibson P.A.F & T-Top
DiMarzio DualSound/Super Distortion
MightyMight 1300/1400
Ibanez Super 70
etc.
post '77/'78 VHII
Duncan SH-5/Custom (DCJ)
etc.

JimiJames wrote:

T.L. wrote:I'm not qualified to comment on the EVH Frankenstein, but for VH-1 tone, the Dimarzio Super Distortion is a good bet.

nor am I.

50ONE50 wrote:Which pick up should I choose for FRANKY build.

There is a thread on modern pickups that can do the biz.

As for generally available, for Franky
pre '77
Gibson P.A.F & T-Top
DiMarzio DualSound/Super Distortion
MightyMight 1300/1400
Ibanez Super 70
etc.
post '77/'78 VHII
Duncan SH-5/Custom (DCJ)
etc.

Duncan Custom SH-5 (DCJ)....

Seymour duncan 78 is a amazing pick up
frankenstein is also good I have several of both
there is something magical about the 78s tone harmonics leap out of it , I talked white noise into one as he loved the frankenstein till i finally talked him into buying and trying the sd 78 now he loves the 78

I always say this, but you will only be able to judge the pickup by trying several out until you find what works with your amp. I use a Mod 5 amp and the Dimarzio Super Distortion is really THE pickup for that circuit and a VH-1 sound...it's what Mark used for his customers clips, including mine.

I've tried Super 70s, Gibson '57 Classics, SD Custom Custom...they all sucked out of my Mod 5. It sucks to have to try different pickups, but it is honestly the only way you will find what works best with your amp.

Yep, guitar too.

I'd say DSD or Bare Knuckle VHII. I was totally blown away by the BK, and I went into it with a HIGH degree of skepticism. I was very pleasantly surprised...to put it mildly.

DSD is a little wooly for some amps. To fat on bottom and a little messy sounding sometimes. Mid scooped to my ear. Lovin the duncan custom. This really seems to me like it could be THE pickup Ed asked for custom made from seymour to hide the hex poles that were a dead giveaway to a DSD. Mids and bite and bottom all seem appropriately proportioned, drives really hard but more refined. But like mentioned-depends on your amp as well and what its doin. Its a test and search for everyone here.

Another vote for the SD 78. That pickup sounds good to me only when you jack it up close to the strings. It's got a really fat strat-like sound to it. The super distortion imo does not sound that great with a plexi. Like dirtycooter said, it's gets a little to messy sounding. Through a mod 5 though it sounds great

evh frankenstein or the seymour duncan 78.

50ONE50 wrote:Just thought I'd get some opinions from you guys concerning which pick up has the versatility to get VH1 an VH2 tone.

Duncan 78 with the right amp

EJSLPlexi wrote:

50ONE50 wrote:Just thought I'd get some opinions from you guys concerning which pick up has the versatility to get VH1 an VH2 tone.

Duncan 78 with the right amp

Finally someone mentions the amp