A little pickup help, please?

[pjdude]

I absolutely love the sound of my IRW McCarty! But, I'm looking for some open-coiled pickups that sound very close to the darker tone of the stock McCarty pups. Any advice would be muchly appreciated!

Thanks!!

[Andrew]

I would try the DiMarzio Virtual Vintage PAF. I played an Epi LP loaded with them and they sound fantastic.

[green]

how about dragon 1 bass pickups

[Jim Fisher]

PJ!!

Nice to 'see' you again! Why not just pop off the covers on your McPickups if you like the sound of them? Might have to clean up some of the potting wax but it shouldn't change the sound at all.

Jim

[Chiba]

PJ - I'm with Jim - pull them covers off and wipe the wax. The tone change is discernable, but minimal, I think you'll like it. If you don't want to muss up your stock pickups, troll eBay for a used pair.

--chiba

[Big Mike]

Other option,


Jack at Magdon told me the Artist pups are close to the McCarty. Might be an option. I like them in my Standard. But in the grande scheme, enough people off the McCarty's, it would likely be cheaper to find a used set and pop the covers. More of a known factor than new pickup model all together.

[Andrew Chen]

Try the Duncan alnico pro 2; it's open coil, and warmer than the 59er or Seth Lover models.

[Big Mike]

Try the Duncan alnico pro 2; it's open coil, and warmer than the 59er or Seth Lover models.
That is a Killer pickup. My all time favourite Duncan neck model.

[pjdude]

Guys, thanks way too much for all the insights! Ideally, I'd like to go zebra coils and try them in my Santana III. It's been sounding a bit overly *bright* lately.

[Big Mike]

Guys, thanks way too much for all the insights! Ideally, I'd like to go zebra coils and try them in my Santana III. It's been sounding a bit overly *bright* lately.\

The Santana III Pups are supposed to be basically a 2 conductor version of the Dragon II if I understand correctly. Alnico II's may be the way to go in the Santana.

[pjdude]

\

The Santana III Pups are supposed to be basically a 2 conductor version of the Dragon II if I understand correctly. Alnico II's may be the way to go in the Santana.
First, you're partially correct - the S3 bridge pup is indeed a D2 in 2-conductor mode. The neck pup is actually a S2 pup with a cover.

Second, I should have been clearer on this in my post, I have S2 zebras in my S3. I really didn't much care for the S3 pups. Basically I'm looking for McCarty tone with open coils (preferably available in zebra :D ).

[Big Mike]

First, you're partially correct - the S3 bridge pup is indeed a D2 in 2-conductor mode. The neck pup is actually a S2 pup with a cover.

Second, I should have been clearer on this in my post, I have S2 zebras in my S3. I really didn't much care for the S3 pups. Basically I'm looking for McCarty tone with open coils (preferably available in zebra :D ).
Oh okay. I follow now. Perhaps you could email Jim Cullen. Maybe they would agree to make you a set of Zebra McCartys w/o covers. I'm with you on the Zebra coils. Nothing looks as sexy to me. If memory serves, from the PRS Book ( I'll double check when I get home) the original McC pups were Dragon I Bass with covers. This might get you close?

Another thought would be to call the Seymour Duncan custom shop. I bet they would be able to tell you which of their models is pretty darn close.

Good luck in your quest, and let us know what you find. I'm always excited to learn new stuff. Nothing better ( worse?) than a pickup quest!

[sgtjoe]

I put Dragon II's in my McCarty and in my HB II. I'm keepin them in both.

[Jose]

Basically I'm looking for McCarty tone with open coils (preferably available in zebra :D ).
Perhaps Duncan's 59's neck and bridge. They come in zebras. Also gibson burstbuckers 2 and 3, they are available in zebra as well. Both are available, at good prices, at gtrheaven.com