Newbie Question - Humbuckers

[dharv53]

I bought a used H157 and I need help with selecting new hardware for it. It was supposed to come with Zakk Wylde pu's, but was shipped with something else and it hums and buzzes badly. The fellow I take lessons from suggests I give these SD's a look.

 

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/progressive/prails_shpr1/

 

Please comment.

 

Thanks,

Dave

[kbp810]

Interesting... are the ones that came in it also active pups like the ZW's?

 

I've heard that the P-Rails are a really fun pup... Big Bob has a set in his 575 and I'm sure can offer up his opinion of them.

[dharv53]

Interesting... are the ones that came in it also active pups like the ZW's?

 

I've heard that the P-Rails are a really fun pup... Big Bob has a set in his 575 and I'm sure can offer up his opinion of them.

 

No, passive.

 

The guitar tech who re-soldered everything, (apparently, if there ever were ZW's in it, they were replaced, unsoldered, before it they shipped it) told me they had stickers on them that said, "P.A.F." and "Wound by" followed by some numbers.

[mars_hall]

I bought a used H157 and I need help with selecting new hardware for it. It was supposed to come with Zakk Wylde pu's, but was shipped with something else and it hums and buzzes badly. The fellow I take lessons from suggests I give these SD's a look.

 

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/progressive/prails_shpr1/

 

Please comment.

 

Thanks,

Dave

 

Hums and buzzes sound like an open ground circuit, assuming they are not single coil pickups and your cables/tubes are OK.

 

I have two H157s, one with a SD'59 SH-1B in the bridge and a Seth Lover SH-55N in the neck. The other H157 has an SD Custom Custom SH-11B in the bridge and a SD Alnico Pro APH-1N in the neck. They both sound great for what I do.

 

What style do you play and what degree of drive are you looking to achieve?

[dharv53]

Hums and buzzes sound like an open ground circuit, assuming they are not single coil pickups and your cables/tubes are OK.

 

I have two H157s, one with a SD'59 SH-1B in the bridge and a Seth Lover SH-55N in the neck. The other H157 has an SD Custom Custom SH-11B in the bridge and a SD Alnico Pro APH-1N in the neck. They both sound great for what I do.

 

What style do you play and what degree of drive are you looking to achieve?

 

Hi mars_hall, I am brand new to music and the guitar. I am a pure beginner who appreciates good quality gear.

 

I prefer listening to jazz and the blues and would like to be able to play both someday.

[tulk1]

Hey dharv, did your tech tell you the pickups were bad? There are tons of PAF style pickups out there. Most are pretty dandy. Just wondering why you think you need to replace them. Other than they weren't the ZWs you were expecting. I'm thinking if they say "P.A.F." and "Wound by", they are probably Gibson pickups. Just a WAG on my part, but my gut says thats what they are. Could be BurstBuckers, which aren't horrible pickups. Too bad they were swapped on you. On another note, seems that most people that get the P-Rails like them. Lots of tones to be had. But they will require some sort of switching system to get the most out of them. Which means more mods to your 157.

 

BTW, where are the pics of that guitar? Did I miss them??

[mars_hall]

Hi mars_hall, I am brand new to music and the guitar. I am a pure beginner who appreciates good quality gear.

 

I prefer listening to jazz and the blues and would like to be able to play both someday.

 

The '59 and Seth, as I have, would likely be a good combination for you.

 

The only hesitation I would have is the fact that you stated you already have a PAF pickup in the guitar, which would presumably take you to a similar tonal place as the '59/Seth combination. There are subtleties in the differences which you may or may not be able to detect at this point and spending money to chase an idea without firming up what you seek can get expensive.

[Blunote]

[FredZepp]

It sounds like the pickups in it may be Gibson Burstbuckers.. ( can be BB 1 , 2, 3, or Pro.. all four have different tones)

 

I remember that the wiring in that one was really messed up. I'd think that the problem is in that somewhere.. but then again, you may want to change the pickups in any case.

 

[MartyGrass]

I like the versatility of P-Rails and have a set on a H150.

 

It's easy to make the electronics changes to take full advantage of the P-Rails. The wiring diagram is on the SD website and is option #2 for P-Rails.

 

The push-pull pots should cost about $10 each, and you will need two.

 

It's little extra work to resolder for those since you are going to be under the hood anyway. I'd estimate about 10 extra minutes.

 

You will get all kinds of recommendations for which pups to put in your H157. I have been pleased with SD Seths, 59s and Phat Cats as well as Schaller Golden 50s. You will get the greatest tone spectrum with the P-Rails. But that doesn't mean you will necessarily get a specific tone you want.

[DetroitBlues]

The '59 and Seth, as I have, would likely be a good combination for you.

 

The only hesitation I would have is the fact that you stated you already have a PAF pickup in the guitar, which would presumably take you to a similar tonal place as the '59/Seth combination. There are subtleties in the differences which you may or may not be able to detect at this point and spending money to chase an idea without firming up what you seek can get expensive.

 

I can agree with that. I having a SH-1N and JB dropped into mine...

[DetroitBlues]

It sounds like the pickups in it may be Gibson Burstbuckers.. ( can be BB 1 , 2, 3, or Pro.. all four have different tones)

 

I remember that the wiring in that one was really messed up. I'd think that the problem is in that somewhere.. but then again, you may want to change the pickups in any case.

 

 

Didn't someone on here buy a guitar like this just a month or so ago with the same issue? Anyway, I really like the Gibson Burstbucker Pro's except they only have single pair of wires. But they are wrapped in metal cloth... Best pup's I've ever used. Only reason why I didn't get this time is because they are getting hard to find. Gibson doesn't seem to make them anymore....

[dharv53]

Thanks to everyone for replying to my question. Once again, very helpful and informative. I'm getting a good education.

 

Dave

[barrymclark]

I prefer listening to jazz and the blues and would like to be able to play both someday.

Ah, then I'd say get into some Seths. You won't be upset.

 

There is a pickup for solid body that is supposed to give that jazz box sound made by Dimarzio and it is called the Air Zone I believe. I'd put that in the neck.

[dharv53]

Ah, then I'd say get into some Seths. You won't be upset.

 

There is a pickup for solid body that is supposed to give that jazz box sound made by Dimarzio and it is called the Air Zone I believe. I'd put that in the neck.

Thanks much. I will check them out.

Dave

[dharv53]

Hey dharv, did your tech tell you the pickups were bad? There are tons of PAF style pickups out there. Most are pretty dandy. Just wondering why you think you need to replace them. Other than they weren't the ZWs you were expecting. I'm thinking if they say "P.A.F." and "Wound by", they are probably Gibson pickups. Just a WAG on my part, but my gut says thats what they are. Could be BurstBuckers, which aren't horrible pickups. Too bad they were swapped on you. On another note, seems that most people that get the P-Rails like them. Lots of tones to be had. But they will require some sort of switching system to get the most out of them. Which means more mods to your 157.

 

BTW, where are the pics of that guitar? Did I miss them??

Thanks. Pics are coming.

[Hfan]

The '59 and Seth, as I have, would likely be a good combination for you.

 

The only hesitation I would have is the fact that you stated you already have a PAF pickup in the guitar, which would presumably take you to a similar tonal place as the '59/Seth combination. There are subtleties in the differences which you may or may not be able to detect at this point and spending money to chase an idea without firming up what you seek can get expensive.

 

This sounds like good advise. The pickups you have may be fine and they are already paid for, especially at your current level. First get the wiring issue sorted out and see what you have.

 

P.S. The 157 is a great guitar. congrats.

[dharv53]

This sounds like good advise. The pickups you have may be fine and they are already paid for, especially at your current level. First get the wiring issue sorted out and see what you have.

 

P.S. The 157 is a great guitar. congrats.

Thanks, I think your idea to wait makes perfect sense

Dave

[Blunote]

We didn't get a picture of the front of the guitar. it it has a black switch cover on it with a white dot that would mean it was shipped with HRWs. A high end pup designed by and built for Heritage exclusively. If I'm not mistaken, Heritage sold a lot of H-157s with that pickup.

 

I'd agree with the earlier suggestion to get the wiring sorted and see how you like the pups that came with it.

 

If you don't like them, then I'd say Seths (SH-55 I think) would be a good choice for the style of music you play.

 

 

 

[Hfan]

I've been thinking of trying other p ups in my 157 one day and have been considering Seths. The original Schallers sound ok but I do wonder what Seths or other p ups would sound like. Part of it is all the negative comments out there re the Schallers has affected my perception and raised my curiosity level. I like the Seths in my 575. Almost bought a pair on the bay yesterday, still there I think ... a pair of Gold Seths with a free Fender strap all new for around $210. This actually brings to mind a recent ad in Guitar Player mag a few months back. There was a guitar advertised with Seths and tone pro hardware for less than $300. Had me scratching my head ...the parts alone would be worth the price..maybe a misprint.

 

Sorry I digress ..too much happy juice (coffee).

[bobmeyrick]

I like the versatility of P-Rails and have a set on a H150.

 

It's easy to make the electronics changes to take full advantage of the P-Rails. The wiring diagram is on the SD website and is option #2 for P-Rails.

 

The push-pull pots should cost about $10 each, and you will need two.

 

It's little extra work to resolder for those since you are going to be under the hood anyway. I'd estimate about 10 extra minutes.

 

You will get all kinds of recommendations for which pups to put in your H157. I have been pleased with SD Seths, 59s and Phat Cats as well as Schaller Golden 50s. You will get the greatest tone spectrum with the P-Rails. But that doesn't mean you will necessarily get a specific tone you want.

An even easier option with P-Rails is to use the "Triple Shot" mounting rings - http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/triple-shot/triple_shot_swi/. I installed a pair of P-Rails in my Edwards LP using the push-pull pots, which was a bit tricky. When I transferred them to my Godin Freeway I used the Triple Shots, which give the four options (P90+rail in series, P90, rail, P90+rail in parallel) separately for each pickup. With the push-pull pots, the option will be the same for both pickups.

[dharv53]

An even easier option with P-Rails is to use the "Triple Shot" mounting rings - http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/triple-shot/triple_shot_swi/. I installed a pair of P-Rails in my Edwards LP using the push-pull pots, which was a bit tricky. When I transferred them to my Godin Freeway I used the Triple Shots, which give the four options (P90+rail in series, P90, rail, P90+rail in parallel) separately for each pickup. With the push-pull pots, the option will be the same for both pickups.

Thanks. That looks like a great solution, affording all the versatility one could want.

 

Dave