H150 one piece top: which neck pickup?

[MusicHyde]

Hey folks !

 

My name is Nicolas, i'm 24 and from France, and recently got myself a beautiful Heritage H150 from 1994. It's amazing and plays great, but i'm not very fond of the neck pickup (it has SD 59's). The bridge is nice though. I was thinking about changing the neck pup, but i'm not sure what to get instead. The reason i don't like it is that it's too bassy, and it has absolutely no presence when i play on the lower strings (E A and D). Do you guys think a Classic 57 would be nicer ? Or a SD Pearly Gates ?

 

Also i was thinking on changing the bridge and stoptail, to get the classic Gibson's (mostly because of the looks, i don't like how the Schallers look).

 

Here's a pic of my beauty (it has a one piece top, don't know if it's rare but i have never seen it elsewhere, and haven't found pics of it on google):

 

 

Thanks for your attention fellas !

 

PS: I'm sorry about making a whole new topic, but since i have a few questions i thought it was worth it. If it's a problem just let me know

[SouthpawGuy]

Hi Nicolas, looks like got got yourself a really nice one, congrats and welcome to the HOC.

 

I have 59s' in a 535 and a 575 Custom, don't have them in a 150 though. A favoured neck pickup from Duncan is the jazz SH-2 model

 

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/elec...sh2_jazz_model/

 

I have one in the neck on a Kramer Pacer Imperial, with a Duncan JB in the bridge, and it pairs very well with it. I'm sure others will chime in with their own experiences.

[tulk1]

Welcome, Nicolas. What a stunning beauty you've got there. Congrats on finding such a nice guitar. Especially with a one-piece top.

 

I didn't like the '59 I had in my 157. So I sold the pickup, complete with free guitar. You might find the Heritage HRW to be less boomy. And I know Kuz (HoC member) really likes ThroBak pickups in his guitars. They're a bit pricey. But if you're going for that Gibby vibe thang they would be the stuff, as they are wound on the old Gib winders.

 

As for Schaller hardware, guess that's a personal thing. I do think, tho', that some people get too caught up in trying to make an H150/157 look like an LP. When it really isn't. It's not a knock off, it's a real deal solid body single cutaway guitar that stands on it's own. So why make it look like a Gib guitar? If it's change for the sake of change, then why bother? If it's change for physiological reasons, well okay then, change away. Just my ranting and $0.02USD worth. (about $0.0125EUR? )

[mark555]

Hi and welcome, great looking guitar. Here's my two penny worth. trawl the pick up manufacturers websites and see what they offer, because unless you can tell us what sound you are looking for, all we can tell you is what we like. I have 59's and I love them, it's all individual taste. Bare Knuckle pick ups are very good and ENGLISH!!!

[golferwave]

My .02 is to put a Duncan Seth Lover in the neck position if you want to keep the 59 in the bridge. If you want to change them out to another set then that opens up a whole new set of possibilities. Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays are great, along with WCR filmores, Lollars Imperials, Lindy Fralin PAF, ThroBaks, etc. etc. etc. Good luck in your search.

[PacerX]

Hi Nicolas, looks like got got yourself a really nice one, congrats and welcome to the HOC.

 

I have 59s' in a 535 and a 575 Custom, don't have them in a 150 though. A favoured neck pickup from Duncan is the jazz SH-2 model

 

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/elec...sh2_jazz_model/

 

I have one in the neck on a Kramer Pacer Imperial, with a Duncan JB in the bridge, and it pairs very well with it. I'm sure others will chime in with their own experiences.

 

 

I'll second the SD Jazz in the neck.

[Thundersteel]

My .02 is to put a Duncan Seth Lover in the neck position if you want to keep the 59 in the bridge.

 

I agree. Seths kick @$$!

[Gitfiddler]

Has anyone suggested putting a SD Seth Lover in the neck yet? +1

There's a reason why it's the p'up of choice in G&L's Bluesboy and an upgrade for most any guitar.

 

 

I also like HRW's and Classic 57's.

[GuitArtMan]

Another vote for the Seth Lover.

I also love the Bare Knuckle pickups - both the Mule and the Stormy Monday are great pickups.

If money is no object, take a look at the Throbaks - expensive but tasty.

Beautiful guitar you have there and welcome to the club.

PS - I don't like the Schaller hardware either. Fugly!

[MusicHyde]

Thanks for all the answers !

 

The BK seem to be in my budget (i can get them for 100€ through à british web site), i'm also looking at the Wolfetones which seem nice too.

 

Also, the Gibson hardware fits on the Heritage ?

[Spectrum13]

Also, the Gibson hardware fits on the Heritage ?

 

Yes it fits. I like the Farber stuff as an upgrade, should be available for you over there.

 

That is a really fine top! It has a lot going on and the one piece is pretty special.

 

While l have Seths in my 150 and 155 plus Duncan Jazz on my semi, I suggest you look into the pots and caps on your neck 59s. If they used 250 for the tone, replacing with a 500 would be a $5.00 fix That opened up the high range on my 150 and a paper & oil cap and 50's wiring would be a good cheep mod. I would try that first if you have not looked at your wiring yet.

[tbonesullivan]

have you tried lowering the pickup? the location of the neck pickup makes it hard to get rid of the bass sometimes. The SD Jazz is a great pickup though, and should be more articulate than the 59

 

as for the schaller hardware, it grows on you, and it also lets people know that you have a heritage, and not a Gibson. Won't see too many gibsons with a one piece top, that's for sure. Schaller hardware is also world class, and I believe they used to supply Gibson. They do however also make standard TOM and stop tails, and if you stick with schaller you probably won't have to replace the bushings, which can be a PITA.

[brentrocks]

i say go for the SD jazz in the neck....i had that with a PGates in the brige on Silverburst I....great combo!!!

 

Welcome to the HOC!!! Nice 150!!!

[big bob]

go with a schaller golden 50.

[ronalr]

Welcome to the HOC Nicolas...and that is a sweet guitar....great picture...you get extra points for posting with a pic right away ...congratulations on a real beauty.

[barrymclark]

I do think the Schaller Golden 50's in the neck do sound just amazing. All depends on what you are going for.

 

 

My favorite pickup for the neck that I have no experience playing on is the DiMarzio Air Zone for the neck... but I like that hollow body sound in the neck position. So.... you may not care for it. Very full.

[rooster]

The one I like is the Bill Lawrence L500C, which is a 2.4H humbucker. It's clear and glassy, and comes the closest to having a Strat neck pickup in a 150. They are absolutely unbelievable, and when you boost them up into distortion, they are meaty yet clear. I've never heard anything like them, and the price is also ridiculously low. If you want close to "vintage", they aren't at all like any LP pickup you ever heard, in that they are phenomenally clear.

 

You can get them at www.billlawrence.com.

 

rooster.

[tulk1]

My favorite pickup for the neck that I have no experience playing on is the DiMarzio Air Zone for the neck...

 

Yeah, baby!! Now thats a recommendation. Almost spilt my coffee reading that one.

[Millennium Maestro]

The 59 is a wax potted PAF designed pickup...

First I would try to lower the pickup to see if you can acheive an acceptable sound(first step)..

If that doesnt work, do your research.... They SH-2 is a great pickup, I personally think you may like a lower output for the neck pickup like say a stock Shaller!! There was a really good article here last week. Neck output of 7.6k... How about Lollar Low wind with output of 7.0k.

 

http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/i...?showtopic=7026

 

sh-2 description

Provides an articulate and clear tone. Great for fast runs. The brighter tone has slightly less output and is a good match with most bridge pickups. When distorted, the tone is full and bright. Smooth sustain. Compared to the SH-1 '59 Model, the Jazz has slightly less output and a more detailed treble response. Comes with four-conductor hookup cable.

For balanced and warm instruments. Works especially well with mahogany bodies and rosewood fingerboards. Also works great with hollow and semi-hollow body guitars. Output of 7.72K

 

Good Luck

[slider313]

I am in the process of working with Tom Short for a low wind neck Tombucker/Marc Ford model. The current set is a 7.6K neck with an 8.5K bridge. While they sound better than almost anything I've heard, I feel to get that "hollow, clear, smooth and woody" tone, you need to go with a low wind neck pickup somewhere between 6.1K and 6.7K. Tom's Marc Ford mini's in my Firebird are 6.1K in the neck and 6.3K for the bridge. Both low wind and they ARE the best pickups I've ever heard. The set I ordered will be around 6.3K in the neck and the stock 8.5K for the bridge.

[SouthpawGuy]

I forgot to mention that I had an SD Jazz in the neck position in a Godin LGXSA, mahogany body / maple cap, bolt on mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard. The Jazz was exceptional in that guitar, in contrast the bridge pickup was a Duncan Custom Custom which I found to be too piercing and lacking in any warmth at all in that guitar.

 

Have you tried the Tone Wizard on the Seymour Duncan site ?

 

http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/tone-wizard/

[MusicHyde]

Hey folks ! I still haven't changed anything on this guitar, but that's ok because it sound great anyways ^^ Here a new pic :

 

 

[MusicHyde]

A quick question (even though i won't find it in Europe) : do you guys know a place (web site ^^) where i could buy another pickguard like the one on my Heritage ? I find it SO MUCH better for the Les Paul, it just respects and is harmonious with the guitar, as opposed to the straight one...

[MusicHyde]

Another pic :

 

[brentrocks]

That is a great pic dude.