What pickup for Gibson Flying V?

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Badronald

Badronald

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The guy I bought it from tells me it's a Duncan '59.

I'm not digging it. Weak compared to my Aldrich and Super Distortion equipped Stratocasters.

I'd like a ballsy but cutting tone out of the V. Bareknuckle Nailbomb? Warpig? Super Distortion? What did Wolf or KK use in theirs? Hetfield?

I ask because I've never had a V and I'm wondering what typically sounds good in them versus what doesn't.

GibsonFlyingV4.jpg
 
V's are tough. There's not much wood behind the bridge to resonate. I converted mine to EMG's, but I know that isn't for everybody.
 
I just put a Manlius Asphalt in my V and really dig it. Very hot and agressive. Tight with a big sound and a mean growl to it.
 
mine has a super distortion bridge and a humbucker from hell neck - very versatile. sweet clean tones from the neck, great distortion tones from the neck, bridge cuts well whether low or high gain.
 
Was that on the local CL? If so, I thought it looked like it was in great condition!

Pickup-wise, I think it came with the 490/498 combo, which are pretty hot. Since there isn't much to a V, I always got hot pickups, which led to actives, which led to EMGs.

I haven't tried BKPs in a V, but their hot pickups might be a good match.

I have a few sets of the '57s, and I don't like them much...
 
The 500T work nice if you ask me.
I put an Emg81 for compatibility reasons with my current rig.
If I'll ever make a serious upgrade -> James Hetfield Humbucker Set
 
A 59 came stock with my old ESP. I found it a lot more creamy & compressed than the Aldrich I currently have in the neck of my Suhr. I really liked it.
Despite the Aldrich neck being a hot pickup, it doesn't feel like it to me. Sounds great for cleans but it doesn't seem to sing like I expect it to. kinda feels like going from a screaming bridge humbucker to a coil tapped neck.

Not played a bridge '59 so can't comment. I can testify to the BK Miracle Man though. It's a great pickup.
 
Mine came stock with a 500T, and I have always left it in there because it sounds good.

If I were to have to buy something similar that is easily available, I would probably go with a Duncan Distortion.
 
Shask":bmmndfqv said:
Mine came stock with a 500T, and I have always left it in there because it sounds good.

If I were to have to buy something similar that is easily available, I would probably go with a Duncan Distortion.
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This. Mine sounds great with the 500T, my older Carvin V has a Duncan Distortion. Both sound great but I would give the edge to the Carvin.
 
Thanks for the input guys.
I might try the 500T or just grab a Dimarzio Super Distortion.
 
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