Better guitar for single coil 408 or 513

[dtray187]

I have heard from several the 513 sounds thin and lacks mojo, and that the 408 single coil and otherwise is a better sounding guitar... opinions

 

[justmund]

I've had a couple of 513s and they have sounded great, they are the same pickups as the 305/DC3 after all.

The 513 also gives you those pos 2-4 quack sounds, which you don't get with a 408.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Love my 513s...don't have a 408...yet....513 comes real close to classic singles...just ballsier.

 

[xjbebop]

Love my 513s...don't have a 408...yet....513 comes real close to classic singles...just ballsier.

This......


"Thin"...???

 

[jimistephen]

If you'd like 408 pups with the 2-4 quack, you can get a Brent Mason.

 

[dtray187]

Yea people have said the the 513 was thin in comparison but the demos I heard were pretty great, I have no stores that stock them though, is swamp ash a good choice?

 

[justmund]

If you'd like 408 pups with the 2-4 quack, you can get a Brent Mason.

<-or do that

 

[László]

I have heard from several the 513 sounds thin and lacks mojo

That is because I have stolen...er...taken possession of... all the mojo.

I'm hoarding the stuff.

 

[watelessness]

5 1 3 all day long

 

[jimistephen]

http://youtu.be/M5TZxlTNmuw?list=UU607b65XqzBfTyK6h6R-X3w

 

[aristotle]

I have heard from several the 513 sounds thin and lacks mojo, and that the 408 single coil and otherwise is a better sounding guitar... opinions

That's interesting.... Never heard from anybody that the 513 sounds thin....

I have a 513 and two signature limited's. In my opinion, the 513 more directly cops a strat single coil tone (when set single coil of course) than my 408's. Having said that, I think that the reason for this is that the 408's are hotter, and it all depends on how the amp responds. If I dial back the guitar volume on the signature limiteds, particularly on the bridge pickup, you really can get the traditional single coil tone.

But the 513 has that in spades, in phase, out of phase, whatever you want. And, it can do a fat Les Paul, or an SG, or whatever you want. I really can't think of any other guitar that is as flexible. Went through the cheesy clips I have, and this is the only one I could find with the 513 in it. It wasn't done to showcase the 513, but rather to test a ribbon mic I was playing with...but there isn't anything "thin" about the 513 in my experience...

 

[Egads]

I love my 513(it's been getting all the love for the last week or so). 408s are awesome, but less Strat-like. They do have fantastic singlecoil tones, but just not as Strat-like. Jimistephen has a very good point: if you want quack, but also like the 408 pups, check out a Brent Mason. Unless I find a screaming deal on a Paul's, the Mason is next for me.

 

[tabl10s]

http://youtu.be/M5TZxlTNmuw?list=UU607b65XqzBfTyK6h6R-X3w

Got nothing out of that.

 

[dtray187]

People say the swamp ash is a little more clear , resonant, any truth to this or is it too miniscule to matter?

 

[jimistephen]

Got nothing out of that.

Sorry, my bad.

 

[Rider1260]

If the 513 adds some humbucker goodness to the 305 sound that would be a winner.
I have a 305 killer guitar , also have a 408 one of my favorite guitars
The 408 has its own thing going can do most anything drives an amp and loves pedals.

 

[Jazzedout]

My 513's single coils are certainly boosted compared to my Strat. Nothing thin about them.
When I roll back the volume at 7 or 8 the are closer in output to a typical strat.

 

[g.wizz]

5 1 3 all day long

What he said :rock:

 

[Egads]

My 67 year old pops recently scored an artist quilt 408 that is the rawest 408 I've heard. I would compare it more to a Paul's than other 408s. It just screams. I spent a couple hours with it on Thursday and just love it. It still has that clear/modern presence, but seems just a little pushed in the mids.

So, referring back to the OP, the 513 still leads in Strat-like tones. It's got more range, too. I love the singlecoil tones of the 408, but there's just no quack.