HRWs

[tsp17]

could someone give a good description or comparison of HRW's sound and character? are they PAF-like?

i am looking at a 575 custom with HRWs but have not had a chance to plug it in yet. thanks.

[Herigrosh]

HOT!

 

Way hotter than I expected.

 

I suck at describing tone but...

 

I had a Princeton Reverb which pretty much sucked for all Les Pauls and most humbucker guitars because they were too dark and just sounded flubby and farty through that amp. Through my Princeton Reverb the Heritage H150CM Ultra I owned sounded TIGHT and focused... and HOT! They pushed that amp, and a 90 watt Traynor YBA1A (generally regarded as a very clean amp) very well. I honestly do not know how much I would like them in a jazzy hollow body guitar. They seem a bit high output for that application in my opinion.

 

They sounded great and I've never found another Les Paul type guitar with any other type of pickups that sounded that good through my Princeton Reverb.

[tsp17]

thx. i am a jazzer so maybe not for me. i did have a 535 with HRW's and found them a bit twangy. i thought that maybe in a hollow body they would mellow a bit and be just right. i have a 575 mahogany with a benedetto b-6 p/u that i love.

 

thanks again.

 

other comments welcome!

[tulk1]

thx. i am a jazzer so maybe not for me. i did have a 535 with HRW's and found them a bit twangy. i thought that maybe in a hollow body they would mellow a bit and be just right. i have a 575 mahogany with a benedetto b-6 p/u that i love.

 

thanks again.

 

other comments welcome!

 

Does Heritage even put the HRWs in the Hollow Body guitars? Can't remember, and too lazy to go look. But I would say, with the tendency of the big hollows to feed back, the HRW would not be the best choice. They do seem to have a more pronounced spike in certain frequencies. Kind of like a PAF on steroids. Not saying that a player couldn't get them to work. And I'm sure someone playing jazz somewhere has HRWs. But they wouldn't be my first choice in that style guitar.

[SouthpawGuy]

Does Heritage even put the HRWs in the Hollow Body guitars? Can't remember, and too lazy to go look. But I would say, with the tendency of the big hollows to feed back, the HRW would not be the best choice. They do seem to have a more pronounced spike in certain frequencies. Kind of like a PAF on steroids. Not saying that a player couldn't get them to work. And I'm sure someone playing jazz somewhere has HRWs. But they wouldn't be my first choice in that style guitar.

 

Seems like a lot of jazzers like the HRWs for their clean performance into amps with plenty of headroom. I find the HRWs push the front end of my amps too much, Blues Jnr, AC30 and Laney TT, so much so that I have screwed them right down below the pickup ring. Lately I've been using an RC Booster to cut the guitar volume going to the amp. They are surprisingly good for metal, my Millie looks like a real jazzer but it can really rock out when needed.

 

usual disclaimer ... my 2c, ymmv, etc. etc.

[tulk1]

Lately I've been using an RC Booster to cut the guitar volume going to the amp.

 

And you don't see anything sorta .... mmmmm ..... out of kilter about that statement?

[Ray]

I think a lot of jazz guitarists, like Henry Johnson, prefer HRWs because of its clean sound and ability to reproduce the actual ‘tone’ or sound of their guitars. I think the Super Kenny Burrell signature model comes with HRW 4 pt. mounted Humbuckers.

[Thundersteel]

I had HRWs in an H157--killer tone! But I also had them in an H555 I owned briefly--too "high fi" for me.

[SouthpawGuy]

And you don't see anything sorta .... mmmmm ..... out of kilter about that statement?

 

Nope. Maybe you misunderstood ? The RC Booster will enable you to booster or cut the signal level without colouring the tone, likewise you can get a clean or slightly overdriven boost, plus you can add or cut the bass and treble if necessary. A very useful pedal indeed, I use it to match high output pickups such as the HRWs, a Duncan JB or DiMarzio D-Sonic to the front end of my amps. When I turn it on it cuts the volume, then brings it back to normal when switched off. Likewise I have a 60th Anniversary Strat with 57/ 62 pickups which are low powered, below even American Standard Strat stock pickups, so I use the RC to boost the level on those.

 

Then again maybe you were just being a bit cranky ?

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul

 

 

[tulk1]

Nope. Maybe you misunderstood ? The RC Booster will enable you to booster or cut the signal level without colouring the tone, likewise you can get a clean or slightly overdriven boost, plus you can add or cut the bass and treble if necessary. A very useful pedal indeed, I use it to match high output pickups such as the HRWs, a Duncan JB or DiMarzio D-Sonic to the front end of my amps. When I turn it on it cuts the volume, then brings it back to normal when switched off. Likewise I have a 60th Anniversary Strat with 57/ 62 pickups which are low powered, below even American Standard Strat stock pickups, so I use the RC to boost the level on those.

 

Then again maybe you were just being a bit cranky ?

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul

 

 

 

Paul, I didn't misunderstand one bit. I thought it funny. Sorry if my reply didn't come off like that. Thought the smiley would convey what it must not have. Irony, maybe? Check it out - A Booster to lower the volume. I thought that was funny.

 

Now, more seriously, I do that all the time. In fact, I use my Heavy Electronics Ascend to set the overall volume of the Super Tweed. Works great as a master volume.

 

No foul intended.

[JohnCovach]

Nope. Maybe you misunderstood ? The RC Booster will enable you to booster or cut the signal level without colouring the tone, likewise you can get a clean or slightly overdriven boost, plus you can add or cut the bass and treble if necessary. A very useful pedal indeed, I use it to match high output pickups such as the HRWs, a Duncan JB or DiMarzio D-Sonic to the front end of my amps. When I turn it on it cuts the volume, then brings it back to normal when switched off. Likewise I have a 60th Anniversary Strat with 57/ 62 pickups which are low powered, below even American Standard Strat stock pickups, so I use the RC to boost the level on those.

 

Then again maybe you were just being a bit cranky ?

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul

 

 

 

Just to chime in on this, these are very useful pedals. I use one in my board to help reduce signal loss; a little boost can help compensate for the longish cable lengths involved. Using it as an input attenuator makes a lot of sense, especially when you are using a few guitars in a show or gig.

[blueox]

Back to the HRW question . . . Before buying my H-150CM Ultra, I had given up on buying another solid body guitar, as most tend to sound harsh and unmusical to my ears (when compared with a semi-solid, for instance). However, the Ultra with HRWs changed my mind. The HRWs have lots of power, but they come with lots of tone. And "tone" is hard to describe, so I would think you'd have to plug in and audition any guitar before laying out the cash, as to whether YOU feel/hear the tone.

[SouthpawGuy]

Paul, I didn't misunderstand one bit. I thought it funny. Sorry if my reply didn't come off like that. Thought the smiley would convey what it must not have. Irony, maybe? Check it out - A Booster to lower the volume. I thought that was funny.

 

Now, more seriously, I do that all the time. In fact, I use my Heavy Electronics Ascend to set the overall volume of the Super Tweed. Works great as a master volume.

 

No foul intended.

 

No foul incurred Kenny, just my sense of humour !

 

i.e. just yanking your chain ...

 

Sincerely, seriously (!)

 

Paul

 

[SouthpawGuy]

I had HRWs in an H157--killer tone! But I also had them in an H555 I owned briefly--too "high fi" for me.

 

I find the same, in the solid VIP II they sound fine, loud but fine. In the semi-solid Millie, for my taste they lack warmth for clean jazz tones, but as I previously mentioned they are killer for rock, heavy blues or even metal.

[tulk1]

I find the same, in the solid VIP II they sound fine, loud but fine. In the semi-solid Millie, for my taste they lack warmth for clean jazz tones, but as I previously mentioned they are killer for rock, heavy blues or even metal.

I sorta feel the same way about the HRW's in my Millie. For me, the neck pickup is warm, round and extremely toneful. The bridge I've found to be just a bit on the brittle side for extreme clean. Something a bit more "brown" would fit my taste for the Millie bridge.

 

Got to wonder what Ren does to those pickups. My HRW's measure the same ohms as my lowly Schallers. Or darned close. But they sure don't sound the same. I will say that OD'd, the neck HRW seemed to hold it's own just fine at PSPII when I heard others playing the NFH. Maybe it's a proximity thang. ???

[rjsanders]

i can measure impedance, but not inductance. HRWs are in my Millie DC, which is all maple (except ebony 'board), so it's on the bright side to begin with. the p'ups sound higher-output than the Schallers, kinda PAF-y, brighter, sweeter (odd, counterintuitive). great p'ups.

 

(speaking of counterintuitive, i sometimes use a Tim pedal to get crunchy gainy tones at lower (living room) volume levels)

[tsp17]

thanks everyone for the input. keep it coming. it is a good conversation.

[Kuz]

IMHO, HRWs are made for Jazz archtops. Very clean, hi-fi sounding.

 

I have Seths in my 575 and they just don't amplify the guitar enough.

 

I love Seths in solid bodies, but I don't like HRWs in solidbodies.

 

If you want a clean jazz tone, HRWs are a GREAT choice (I had one in my Sweet 16 that I sold).

 

I am considering swapping out the Seths in my 575 and adding some HRWs.

[Gitfiddler]

Maybe it has to do with the various playing styles and/or the specific guitar...but I love the HRW's in my 150, 157, 555 and 575. They do respond very well to raising/lowering of the pickup and individual screws. Also adjusting the amp EQ for each guitar makes a huge difference in what can be brought out of them.

 

So I guess if one tweaks or 'seasons to taste', these p'ups can sound pretty darn good in most any guitar.

[FredZepp]

Maybe it has to do with the various playing styles and/or the specific guitar...but I love the HRW's in my 150, 157, 555 and 575. They do respond very well to raising/lowering of the pickup and individual screws. Also adjusting the amp EQ for each guitar makes a huge difference in what can be brought out of them.

 

So I guess if one tweaks or 'seasons to taste', these p'ups can sound pretty darn good in most any guitar.

Obviously , the amplifier is playing a large role in the different opinions also.

 

I seem to be liking the sound with the pickups not as close to the string on a couple of mine lately. The high gain amp is playing somewhat of a role in that ...

But I have had a couple of guitars where I lowered the height and liked the clarity better..

[MarkSwanson]

Hi, I just joined the forum, so I'm a newbie. I have an Eagle Classic with HRW pickups, and I'd echo some of the comments already made. I use TI George Benson 0.12's and run through an amp simulator from Line6 most of the time, so that goes a long way to determining how the pups sound. I prefer the neck pickup, but that's just me. It has a nice clean jazz/blues sound. They are "hot" pickups in the sense that striking the strings with a pick too hard gets a real spike in volume. Most of the time I can control the pick action but there are times and tones for which I have to use my fingers (thumb primarily) to keep the volume smooth. Sometimes I add compression to help. I find the bridge pickup less useful for the kinds of music I do. It does have a "twangier" sound, probably more suited to country which I don't do much, but again it depends on your preferences. I can make an MP3 of various settings and email it if anyone is interested. Let me know, my email address is markswanson1947@att.net. Peace. Mark

[chico]

Hi, I just joined the forum, so I'm a newbie. I have an Eagle Classic with HRW pickups, and I'd echo some of the comments already made. I use TI George Benson 0.12's and run through an amp simulator from Line6 most of the time, so that goes a long way to determining how the pups sound. I prefer the neck pickup, but that's just me. It has a nice clean jazz/blues sound. They are "hot" pickups in the sense that striking the strings with a pick too hard gets a real spike in volume. Most of the time I can control the pick action but there are times and tones for which I have to use my fingers (thumb primarily) to keep the volume smooth. Sometimes I add compression to help. I find the bridge pickup less useful for the kinds of music I do. It does have a "twangier" sound, probably more suited to country which I don't do much, but again it depends on your preferences. I can make an MP3 of various settings and email it if anyone is interested. Let me know, my email address is markswanson1947@att.net. Peace. Mark

 

 

welcome and don't forget, we want photos of your axe!

 

I have HRW's in two Heritages, Millie DC and Millie H155. Love em. They are brigher. Someone decscribed them somewhere on this forum as being like Schaller Golden 50s.

 

I too like the neck pickup best, creamy tone..

 

and sometimes I get the same issue with pick striking, so I round off the highs too.

[tbonesullivan]

I have HRW's in two Heritages, Millie DC and Millie H155. Love em. They are brigher. Someone decscribed them somewhere on this forum as being like Schaller Golden 50s.

 

I too like the neck pickup best, creamy tone..

 

and sometimes I get the same issue with pick striking, so I round off the highs too.

Well, the HRW pickups are modified Schaller Golden 50s. If you pull them they say schaller on the back. Some secret trick has been done to them to change their sound. Personally I have the Golden 50's in my 535, and I love them there. they get a great sound. I have SD 59's in my H150, which also give a great sound.

[smurph1]

I have never heard the HRW pickups, but I do like lower output pickups..So if the output of the HRW's is too much for you, as mentioned previously just lower them a bit and maybe you can get more of a "PAF" tone..IMHO

[brentrocks]

HRWs are the crispest, clearest most articulate pickups i have ever heard.....clean they are the berries!!! Throw some high gain at then and they just howl, great bite, great lowend....not muddy and good mids too.