Pickup Advice // Charvel San Dimas

[hogan666]

I've got a new Charvel San Dimas with the stock SH-4 installed, but I don't like that pickup that much. To me it sounds a bit too bright & has not enough Gain (not much).

I also tested a Seymour Duncan SH-11 (totally not my kind) and a Gibson 500T (too much gain, not enough mids, too much brittle).

I was recommended a Dimarzio Evo, but I'm not very used to Dimarzio Pickups. :-/

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To make it short:
I'm searching for something like the SH-4 with a tad more gain & slightly less presence.

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I play mostly 80s kind hardrock to softer Metal.
Tuning is Drop C. Amp a 5150.

I'm not that used to Alder body / Maple neck Guitars... so I need your input.

Thanks, Markus.

 

[Derpsicle]

SH-6 (Duncan distortion) is basically the SH-4 with a ceramic magnet.
Got one in my les paul, sounds shweeeeth.

 

[Blackie13]

TB-5 Custom
End of thread...

 

[hogan666]

I've put in the SH-11 (which is a SH-5 without a ceramic magnet) and it sounded like dog poo to me (flubby bass, not really tight).
So I'm a bit afraid to put the SH-5/TB-5 into the Charvel.

In which kind of axe do you use the TB-5?

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The SH-6 has also been recommended to me.
Does the ceramic magnet change that much sound/gain compared to the SH-4?

Cheers, Markus.

 

[Blackie13]

I use it in a HS charvel star...
Alder body maple neck maple fingerboard OFR
SH-11 has NOTHING to do with SH-5
Sh-11 has and Alnico 2 magnet...
Sh-5 has a ceramic...

 

[hogan666]

Thanks a lot!
Now I have to find one in double cream ;-)

 

[Blackie13]

Double cream????
I THINK it's available only via custom shop...
Dimarzio has the TM...

 

[hogan666]

I know that they have the Trademark.
Double Creams are only available used :-/

Thats why I asked for Dimarzios too ;-)

 

[Blackie13]

Dimarzio Super Distortion is similar to SD Custom...
I think SD Custon is clearer though...

Also try greenbacks in your cab with the 5150...
AMAZING 80's heavy metal tones...

 

[hogan666]

Don't throw stones at me, but in the end I ended up with an EMG81 / EMG60 Set.
SH-5 & SH-6 didn't feel right to me. Maybe I'm no good enough player using these PUs.
The EMGs felt right to me...and this out of an activ PU haters mouth ;-)

Cheers, Markus.

 

[amarshism]

Man, tone zones

 

[Robert W]

If you want the 80s sound, then use the pickup that everyone was using back then, the Dimarzio Super Distortion.

 

[hogan666]

I like that 80s sound, but not me playing it.
Doesn't fit my unclear (don't know the right translation) playing.

 

[Terminus]

Just my opinion but I would have gone with chrome pups to match that bridge. But hey this is the 80's right? Free love!!! Peace!!