Pickup choices for Charvel So Cal Pro Mod?

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ledvedder

ledvedder

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I'm pretty stocked that I'm receiving a Charvel So Cal today! I've heard a lot of good things about them. Now I'm not saying I know I won't like the pickups that come stock with it, but I figured I'd ask just to get ahead of things. I've tried the SD Distortion pickups in other guitars I've had and didn't really like the high frequency fizz that they seem to introduce. Ultimately, I don't know how they'll sound or feel in the So Cal. But, if I do find that I'm experiencing the same thing, what pickups would you guys recommend?
 
My USA came stock with a DiMarzio TZ/EVO combination. I don't like the TZ but damn that EVO is a nice sounding pickup in there.
 
I have a nice collection of pulled Tone Zones going from all the SoCals I've owned. Lol. For me, a Duncan Custom works well. Right now I have an RTM in my Plum 09 SoCal, another killer pickup. JB can be a little too bright/harsh, and I love bright. MCP Afwayu is another that I've had in there. Anything that's not too top end heavy should sound good in it. Tone Zones aren't top end heavy but something about the low end I just can't deal with. Something on the slightly darker side is good with the SoCals.
 
I am going to try an Illuminator in the bridge ithink.
 
I've found that I like some pickups in a Charvel, that I'd otherwise not like in other guitars
 
I love a JB with an A8 magnet in guitars with lots of routing (so pretty much anything with a pickguard
 
Duncan Custom Custom. Amazing pickup in the Charvels.
 
I replaced the stock Tone Zone in mine with a Duncan Invader. That is probably the opposite direction you are looking at through, lol.
 
I have one with a Dimarzio AT-1 in the bridge position and it rocks!
 
Hard one, what kind of sound you're looking for compared to the Duncan Distortion?
 
I have a Jalen 78 in my Chubtone and a Franky on another guitar and they are awesome. Check out some of Al Estrada's vids on these. Greg's a great guy to deal with, fully custom to your liking, great pricing and fast turn around.
 
I already have a Franky in my VH guitar, and an EVH Wolfgang pickup in my Peavey. I'm looking for a bit of a different flavor I think.
 
Econ":5xoi2zag said:
I have one with a Dimarzio AT-1 in the bridge position and it rocks!
Click to expand...
mine has a Norton; quite similar, but tighter low-end and more harmonic mids and highs.

I tried a Duncan Distortion in my So Cal years ago, and it was great...if your playing style was focussing on late 80's, early 90's thrash/speed metal.
Forbidden, Nuclear Assault, that sort of tones. Very tight and aggressive, but quite pushy too. The Norton was more classic metal suited, more allround too.

Didn't like the stock ToneZone too much in there; too flabby in the lows. Evo Neck was alright, but quite dry and bright. Air Norton is in there now.
 
I great pickup in these is the 59/Custom Hybrid. It's an Alnico 5 with the slug coil of the Duncan Custom and the bridge coil of a 59. I've seen Chubtone do several of their builds with these. So not only are the turns mismatched, but the wire guages are different too. This create a nice crunch with overdrive. I had Jalen pickups do one similar with a 78 screw coil and a franky slug coil, so it's just a tad hotter thank the 59/custom hybrid

listen to the whole thing lots of both clean and heavy tones.

 
After playing a lot of DiMarzios, Seymour Duncans, EMG's and Lundgrens, and they're all good/great.
But for me, it's hard to go back from using Bareknuckle Pickups. The quality is amazing and there isn't a sound they can't achieve.
Pricier than the others I mentioned (except Lundgren), but in my book, so worth it.
 
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