Got a new Gibson Explorer - Need pickup suggestions!

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napalmdeath

napalmdeath

Well-known member
This is a 2017, which came with a 496R/496T. Yes, you read correct, 496T, not the 500T. They put it in very few guitars, and very little info is out there. I will say this - the 496T sounds like ASS! The previous owner changed the pickguard to black, (which I LOVE), and put chrome pickup covers on it, (also LOVE!) Guitar looks classy as hell. Needed slot of work, but plays very well now. Guy had rotten, crusty 011's on it.


I did a full setup on it, the wiring hasn't been mucked with, and the pickups are, in fact correct. That 496T has less output than the JB in my Jackson, yet is overly compressed with annoying cocked wah tone, bright and just shitty. I've owned several Explorers, and never had one this bright. In fact, it sounds like a high output single coil! Needs to go, ASAP. I'm thinking a JB might actually beef it up. I also had a Custom Custom in a Schecter, and those do very well in a bright guitar.

What do you think? Looking to add some beef, warmth, and chunk. I think the Custom Custom sounds like a good choice. I know they JB isn't the tightest, but it just might do very well in it!

Pics!! Sexy AF!

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Nice score :rock:
Is it a bright guitar, or is it just a super shitty pickup?
If the guitar is on the bright side, then MCP Afwayu would be a nice addition.
 
fusedbrain":1e6inc5k said:
Nice score :rock:
Is it a bright guitar, or is it just a super shitty pickup?
If the guitar is on the bright side, then MCP Afwayu would be a nice addition.
Click to expand...

I think it's a bit of both.
 
Schecter SunsetStrip. Articulate, balanced without being compressed, or too modern and sterile.
 
Personally I wouldn't go with a Custom Custom.
Has quite spongey lows and even robbed a Les Paul of some chunk. Overall, I found it on the thinner side, with too little output. And I don't even like ultra-high output pickups.

The Custom 5 (SH-14) however may be just what the doctor ordered.
Thick, big lows, but tight! Nice, balanced mids (not as scooped as some claim) and good highs, that aren't shrill.
Basically the pickup equivalent of G12-K100 (or K85) speakers... well, maybe a tad brighter.

I had a JB in my ESP Horizon NT-II, which, while nice, could use a slight bit of beefing up too. Changed it for the Custom 5 and been rocking that for years. I also had the Custom 5 in a Les Paul, which sounded awesome as well, but I swapped that eventually for a Custom/59 Hybrid, as it has a more interesting mid-range for 70's/80's stuff. Bit more harmonics.

For DiMarzio options, the AT-1, Norton and Breed may be interesting. Super Distortion is a classic too.
 
Speeddemon":rhmh6dnw said:
Personally I wouldn't go with a Custom Custom.
Has quite spongey lows and even robbed a Les Paul of some chunk. Overall, I found it on the thinner side, with too little output. And I don't even like ultra-high output pickups.

The Custom 5 (SH-14) however may be just what the doctor ordered.
Thick, big lows, but tight! Nice, balanced mids (not as scooped as some claim) and good highs, that aren't shrill.
Basically the pickup equivalent of G12-K100 (or K85) speakers... well, maybe a tad brighter.

I had a JB in my ESP Horizon NT-II, which, while nice, could use a slight bit of beefing up too. Changed it for the Custom 5 and been rocking that for years. I also had the Custom 5 in a Les Paul, which sounded awesome as well, but I swapped that eventually for a Custom/59 Hybrid, as it has a more interesting mid-range for 70's/80's stuff. Bit more harmonics.

For DiMarzio options, the AT-1, Norton and Breed may be interesting. Super Distortion is a classic too.
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I'll look into the Custom 5. The Custom is under consideration as well.
 
I have a Custom 5 and love it in that guitar (Alder/Maple Strat) and I agree with Speeddemon's description. But if I had to pick anything I'd improve it would be more upper mids. So if you love upper mids it might not work for you. I also tried the AT-1 and Breeds from Dimarzio and I'd generally choose a C5 over either but both had their place in the right guitar. That range of output is about as hot as I go.

If you were looking for more vintage tones I'd suggest Wolfetone Marshallhead/Dr Vintage combo. He still has his COVID25 25% discount and he has some hotter models like Timbre Wolf and Blisterbucker.
 
I have Nailbombs in my Explorer and I think they’re terrific in that.
 
SpiderWars":840ewbkn said:
I have a Custom 5 and love it in that guitar (Alder/Maple Strat) and I agree with Speeddemon's description. But if I had to pick anything I'd improve it would be more upper mids.
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Yep, I can see that. A bit more highmid-crunch/harmonics would be nice.

The DiMarzio Norton definitely has that and it rocks in various guitars, but the low-end is a bit more lean than the Custom 5's. It's a good, tight low-end though.
 
I almost got one about a month ago. Haven't had one since 1997. My plan was to put a Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge and P-Rail in the neck.
Might not work for what you want.
 
stephen sawall":27i127id said:
I almost got one about a month ago. Haven't had one since 1997. My plan was to put a Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge and P-Rail in the neck.
Might not work for what you want.
Click to expand...

Distortion is not out of the question.
 
Very strange, my 2009 Explorer is the fattest sounding guitar I ever owned. Still has the original pick-ups in it (500T bridge I guess). Thinking about putting other pickups in it to hear it better in the band mix.
 
turboblues":12yvspms said:
Very strange, my 2009 Explorer is the fattest sounding guitar I ever owned. Still has the original pick-ups in it (500T bridge I guess). Thinking about putting other pickups in it to hear it better in the band mix.
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This is my 5th Explorer. I've NEVER owned one that sounded thin, like this one. It's 100% the 496T. My last one, a 2016, had a 500T. That guitar was 9lbs, and was an absolute beast. It was fat and chunky sounding. All the others I owned had 500T bridge pickups, and I never had the desire to change them. The 496T is dreadful sounding. It honestly sounds like a high output single coil. Thin, shrill, and harsh.
 
Just got a new explorer myself, put a painkiller/VHII in mine.
In my mind the PK is perfect for the explorer, and my second to have that pickup
 
I have not tried a lot of the current pickup offerings, but had a Rio Grande BBQ humbucker in my Hamer Standard and loved that combination. I have one in an LP too and love it there as well. Of course, I stopped looking after I discovered Rio Grande.
 
I have a similar 2008 Explorer that I added a black guard and pickup covers to. It has the factory 500t pickup in the bridge. It’s really good sounding. I almost always change pickups but have no desire to in this one.

My LPC had the 498t bridge and it had that cocked wah sound. I put a PRS Tremonti pickup in it and it’s killer. Perfect match. Those Tremonti pickups are underrated.

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I have a set of WCR Jim Wagner Godwoods in my Explorer. So good. Warm, articulate, tight low end, great control with guitar volume. Highly recommended.
 
Nice! I absolutely love the Duncan Custom/59 Hybrid in mine.
 
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