Pick up changes on a Custom 24

[jj037]

So, I have a 10 year old Custom 24, with a set of Dragon II's. I love the guitar--best one I've ever had--but over the years I have grown somewhat frustrated with the ice picky mids that come along with those pups. I can dial in a good tone (I play through a Mesa Mark V and route through a BBE sonic stomp as well), but regardless, I'm wondering if I might change out to something that is tonally more appealing to me. I play a wide range of styles from clean/blues inflected rock (e.g. Susan Tedeschi) all the way to more aggressive rock (e.g. Oasis) and even harder stuff (e.g. Foo Fighters). I realize that's a bit of a broad range, but still, I'm open to suggestions. I had been told to look into Bare Knuckle Pickups, and will do so. What do people think of Jim Wagner pickups? Thanks!

 

[gush]

5909s will get you what you need. I have them in my cu24.

 

[greiswig]

So, I have a 10 year old Custom 24, with a set of Dragon II's. I love the guitar--best one I've ever had--but over the years I have grown somewhat frustrated with the ice picky mids that come along with those pups. I can dial in a good tone (I play through a Mesa Mark V and route through a BBE sonic stomp as well), but regardless, I'm wondering if I might change out to something that is tonally more appealing to me. I play a wide range of styles from clean/blues inflected rock (e.g. Susan Tedeschi) all the way to more aggressive rock (e.g. Oasis) and even harder stuff (e.g. Foo Fighters). I realize that's a bit of a broad range, but still, I'm open to suggestions. I had been told to look into Bare Knuckle Pickups, and will do so. What do people think of Jim Wagner pickups? Thanks!

Don't know about the dragons or about the 59/09 pups mentioned. I have a Schroeder 22 fret with WCR Godwoods in it, and those are great pickups. No ice pick. Lots of midrange gnarl, but no ice pick. Great PAF tone to my ear.

I had the 58/15s in my Custom 24, and they are very good as well, but they sounded a little trebly to my ear especially with the stock tone cap and magnet. The tone cap is really easy to tinker with, and may get you close to what you want. Even with the tone at max, it is playing a part in the tone of your pickups.

 

[Rider1260]

I am really happy with the VB/HFS combo ( with rotary switch ) in my CU24 really versatile and great tone also have played a 57/08 equipped CU24 that also rocked

 

[gush]

A lot of people love the hfs/vb combo and I don't want to offend anyone but the HFS gets an icepicky reference a lot so I would caution against that choice.

I am one if those that doesn't care for the HFS however it sounded pretty good in my McCarty tuned to D.

My McCarty has always made familiar pickups sound different. When I had it tuned to Eb I had a 5909 bridge in it. Dam that sounded good but didn't have enough output for D tuning so that's why I tried the HFS.

McCarty currently has a pair of Ms.

 

[guitarman001]

Oasis != aggressive rock lol...

 

[DHW]

Oasis != aggressive rock lol...

But the Foo Fighters are hardcore!

5909's will do everything on that list twice over. Love mine!

 

[guitarman001]

I'm going to post this again, just because I can:

Orange = 57/08s.
Purple = 59/09s.

Must admit I do prefer the 57/08s. 59/09s have a tad more treble and more output in general. However, I'm growing to like them almost as much. Roll the tone down and the magic factor increases.

 

[bodia]

Ok, not to be rude (I do love both of those guitars), but those shag pillows a screaming early 80s porn!

 

[guitarman001]

Sex, drugs and rock n' roll, my friend!
(Girlfriend chooses the decor!)

 

[gush]

Oh man! Those are some fine guitars.