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Post by ke4unr on Feb 12, 2007 9:33:41 GMT -7
I have an H-S-S model with a Mahogany body and Maple top. Neck is Maple with Indian Rosewood fretboard. The controls are a 5-way, master volume, master tone with push/pull to split the humbucker, and blender.
It came with Fralin's - Blues Special single coils and a 9k Unbucker. The Unbucker was fine for "strat" tones only, but was lacking in midrange and sustain for other styles.
I contacted Lindy and he recommended one of his High Output Humbuckers at 9k. We did the swap, and I must be honest, it just did not do the trick. Too harsh sounding to my ears.
I've tried a DiMarzio PAF that I had laying around. It's a bit too bright.
I dropped in an Anderson H2+ that is going into one of my other guitars." It sounded good, but I didn't have enough time to give it a good shake down.
Any suggestions, particularly on what would be a good humbucker to try would be appreciated. I like the Blues Specials, but wouldn't be against replacing those to keep the guitar well balanced sonic/tone wise.
Thanks, Ray K
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 12, 2007 11:06:18 GMT -7
For me it would be hard to make a recommendation because your guitar is so different from mine. The mahogany body just has to sound different from the basswood I have here. I will say that I put a set of those GFS pups in my Mexi Strat and for the price you just can't beat them. If I were you, I'd check if they have a full set that will slide in there. You'd probably only be risking $75 or less for a full set.
That said, I have a Fralin PAF in my PRS, and I've not liked it in any of my amps until I hit the SRZ-65 with it. So I guess what I'm saying is the amp you're using may affect the advice you get too. YMMV!
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Post by ke4unr on Feb 13, 2007 13:34:02 GMT -7
I wouldn't hesitate trying some GFS pickups. I've heard good things about them from players I know/respect, and some I don't respect... ;D But, I'd be concerned about getting a good set of single coils that would balance well with the humbucker. Seems it would be trial and maybe error. I agree about the pickup/amp combination. It's that way with effects as well. BB preamp for example, in my case. Anyway, I e-mailed Don Grosh about the situation. He was nice enough to call me yesterday. We had a long chat - very nice guy! He recommended going back to Lindy and having him wind another Unbucker with more mid range. If he was "selling", if was mighty subtle. But, he helped build my confidence in Lindy. So I called Lindy, and talked with him a pretty good while. It took a good bit of information exchange, but the short of it is he is going to build me another Unbucker at 9.5k (original was 9k) wound a little darker. I didn't have time last night to pull it, but I just need to send it to him and he'll do the exchange for free. He's picking up the shipping! Normally you have to include $12. Can't wait, and I'll let you know how it turns out. But, Lindy was all about trying to make me happy...cool!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 13, 2007 18:42:18 GMT -7
I wouldn't hesitate trying some GFS pickups. I've heard good things about them from players I know/respect, and some I don't respect... ;D But, I'd be concerned about getting a good set of single coils that would balance well with the humbucker. Seems it would be trial and maybe error. I agree about the pickup/amp combination. It's that way with effects as well. BB preamp for example, in my case. Anyway, I e-mailed Don Grosh about the situation. He was nice enough to call me yesterday. We had a long chat - very nice guy! He recommended going back to Lindy and having him wind another Unbucker with more mid range. If he was "selling", if was mighty subtle. But, he helped build my confidence in Lindy. So I called Lindy, and talked with him a pretty good while. It took a good bit of information exchange, but the short of it is he is going to build me another Unbucker at 9.5k (original was 9k) wound a little darker. I didn't have time last night to pull it, but I just need to send it to him and he'll do the exchange for free. He's picking up the shipping! Normally you have to include $12. Can't wait, and I'll let you know how it turns out. But, Lindy was all about trying to make me happy...cool! damn, that guy is a class act all the way. Can you imagine GM or Sony or ANY other major corporation telling you they'll keep exchanging until you're happy? What a great guy. That's one of the reasons I have Fralins in almost all my guitars.
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Post by beej on Feb 13, 2007 20:39:47 GMT -7
can't speak to Lindy, but I own a few Grosh's, and since then have come to know Don a bit personally - great guy, phenomenal guitars. . . . of course my Groshes have fralins - like them pups!
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Post by ke4unr on Feb 14, 2007 9:49:26 GMT -7
damn, that guy is a class act all the way. Can you imagine GM or Sony or ANY other major corporation telling you they'll keep exchanging until you're happy? What a great guy. That's one of the reasons I have Fralins in almost all my guitars. Nope! He definitely has a different approach, which makes way to much sense. How else are you going to know if pickups are going to sound right to your ears without installing them. Don't know of anyone else that will take them back after you've done an install. I'm still waiting to hear the results, but if this all works out, it will be time well spent. I might then have all Fralins in my guitars too.
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Post by ke4unr on Feb 14, 2007 10:00:35 GMT -7
can't speak to Lindy, but I own a few Grosh's, and since then have come to know Don a bit personally - great guy, phenomenal guitars. . . . of course my Groshes have fralins - like them pups! Hey beej, Yeah, that was my first time getting to talk to Don. He didn't seem to be in any hurry to get off the phone with me. He listened and gave good advice, as best he could. I really appreciated it. Anyway, maybe you and benttop (Steve) have talked about this before, but I'd like to hear about your Grosh guitars and which Fralins you have in them. Ray K.
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Post by Hohn on Feb 17, 2007 2:21:08 GMT -7
A versatile full size bucker is available from Joe Barden-- convincing split tones, and very hot lead tone, like a PAF on roids.
My 'bucker project axe will have a Barden in the bridge, and a PRS Santana in the neck.
JH
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Post by ke4unr on Feb 17, 2007 17:34:59 GMT -7
A versatile full size bucker is available from Joe Barden-- convincing split tones, and very hot lead tone, like a PAF on roids. I've never tried any Joe Barden pickups, but saw a mention of one in a review about the Grosh BTC guitars. You say "very hot" lead tone. Well, as long as it's not too hot! I'm not looking to play metal with this guitar. Thanks for the suggestion. If the new Fralin doesn't work out I'll look at Barden's pickups. Ray K.
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