Too boomy! (pickups)

[daryl]

Okay I hope you guys will help me out on this.. My set up is currently a sg standard with alnico II pros into a 5150 combo (likely to change to a ac30 soon). Got this set because I wanted to try low-med output pickups. My problem is that on the neck pu, I often experience muddiness, boomy bass heavy tones which really make it unusable. My eq on the amp is (on a scale of 10) low 6 mid 4 high 6

I'm hoping to have a neck pu tone that is clear, well defined and not too much of that boominess. Just like my bridge pickup but with a smoother end rather than a jangly sharp one.

I tried adjusting the height of the pickups but somehow (gasp!) the treble side of the bridge pickup can't be adjusted which is very irritating. But anyway, the bridge pu is already quite near the strings and no signs of wolf tone. To balance the volume, the neck is set really really low. And I can't think of anyway to adjust without causing a discrepancy in volume.

I've been fascinated with p90s recently, thanks to the 'p90 camp' thread here. I think I would like to explore single coils. I've looked at the Harmonic Design Z90s and sound clips sound good, reviews are good, with particular mention to it's amazing clarity (my main concern). Would you guys recommend any other p90-for-humbucker-slot pus?

And recommendations for humbuckers will be much appreciated as well! Thanks.

 

[ShredCow]

Most ppl report that humbucker sized P90s are in a class of their own - they do not sound like the real deals but have their own sound.

Anyway, go for a lower wound neck pup. Shouldn't be a problem to find.

 

[Whitestrat]

Anyway, go for a lower wound neck pup. Shouldn't be a problem to find.

Damn... you beat me to it... I noticed he was using the SAME pups for both. Shouldn't really matter, but in some cases, it does. So you never know...:-D

 

[ShredCow]

Yeah Whitestrat... thats the thing.

Sometimes, it works, sometimes it does.

But I'd say - if volume balance is what you are after plus striving for a more "consistent" neck/bridge tone - then no, it probably wouldn't work.


Anyway, I'm an advocate of pups-as-close-as-possible-to-strings. Or at least at optimal height...

 

[Whitestrat]

But I'd say - if volume balance is what you are after plus striving for a more "consistent" neck/bridge tone - then no, it probably wouldn't work.


Anyway, I'm an advocate of pups-as-close-as-possible-to-strings. Or at least at optimal height...

yeah... So am i... and I actually like boomy pups... only problem is, you can never get a boomy bridge... whahahaha...

 

[ShredCow]

I enjoy a loose low end - ESPECIALLY for the bridge pup so I set my bridge pup a little closer to the strings.

I dislike overly tight tones... feels un-natural, sounds un-natural.



Anyway, if volume matching is a big concern? I found that a 2k-3k difference is great to ensure both pups are at a good height plus maintaining equal volume.

 

[wahx]

try the seymour duncan jazz neck pickup, this is exactly what you want.

i tried the sd alnico pro neck pickup before and i have the same problem, very boomy bass when i play the lower e string even if pickup height was already set very low.

 

[daryl]

I just bought burstbucker pros! Now I read reviews stating a certain brightness to the alnico Vs compared to the alnico IIs. And tighter lower end and clarity. Well, I'll see when I install them.

I'm not really looking for volume matching.. just a tighter low end and more clarity for the neck pup. It's horrendously flabby and boomy sounds like ugh.

Anyway thanks for all the replies.

 

[lifele55]

Maybe a review of how that BB Pros sound like? + recording?

 

[gsonique]

I enjoy a loose low end

That doesn't really sound right bro ...anywayz pup's must be best matched with guitar wood type too ! I have seen a few bad sounding guitars were cured by proper set and maybe a 'treble bleed' on the volume knob can also be considered.

But i find best neck choices
1) 10 ~13K ceramics if you want that extra punch and make it switchable series/parallel
2) P90'ish single (like the Gibson BFG)
3) 7 ~ 9K low output alnico's or other vintage #$$#
4) a snappy single coil

 

[ChanMin]

the Harmonic designs are very clear and articulate...
you cant go wrong with these... very nice pups.

 

[daryl]

Going to install the pups later at Beez's

Oh yeah have heard so many wonderful things about the HDs. Waiting list is almost 2 months though!

 

[almondx]

This is a little late, but I believe adjusting your pole pieces would have solved the problem. Simply put, if you want more clarity, raising the pole pieces and lowering the pickup to balance out volume would have sufficed.

 

[daryl]

i could not raise the neck pickup anymore cause if i did, it would outpower the bridge which was already very close to the strings. anyway i did the swap already, going to try it out tmr. sounded good at beez's. thanks guys for everything,