Sub 1 Pickup Change (JP6/SM-Y2D/AL owner opinions?)

**Sticky1973** · 12-20-2008, 04:19 AM

Hello people.

As I piece together my Sub 1 masterplan bit by bit, I have a pickup question for those of you willing to chip in with info.

I am about to pull the trigger on a D Sonic & Air Norton combo; an established filthy pair that should allow my little gem to really sing.

Wild question, but with the right clean settings, do you reckon that some authentic Lee/Paisley/Burton country-like tones could still be dialled in?

Would a dedicated single coil adjacent to the HB in the bridge (SM-Y2D layout) be a better option? I'd rather avoid the addition of another coil if I can.

Thow me some opinions.

Many thanks!

**beej** · 12-20-2008, 08:04 AM

It's tough to nail tele tones in that kind of config. You could totally put a single coil in there, like the Morse/Y2D. I'd think maybe something with a baseplate- if you can get your hands on the AL brige p'up it's pretty decent.

That said, the single is too far from the bridge to really nail the tele tones. (Having tried *many* pickups in the Morse, that position has it's own sound.) So other option is get a good splitable bridge p'up. I don't have much experience with the D Sonic, but I can tell you that the Morse bridge p'up (available from Dimarzio) sounds great split- very twangy. It's a great p'up.

Interested to know how you make out- let us know.

**73h Nils** · 12-21-2008, 08:15 AM

I have the D Sonic, Air Norton combo in my OLP JP, and those sorts of cleans...eh, I don't think you'd achieve them. The D Sonic is really full-bodied sounding and uber-warm. That's with the two being split with inside coils. Maybe if you did what beej said, that might get you there. Also, try looking at PAF Pros or something a little less output.

**Sticky1973** · 12-21-2008, 08:39 AM

Thanks beej and 73h Nils, that's totally the sort of info I was seeking, glad I have asked the question now

Now you've got me thinking. I wonder if moving a D Sonic forward a "coil width amount", and slinging an AL type bridge pickup nearer the bridge could be an option?

My main reason for the D Sonic was for fierce palmed muted rhythm tones, rather than for screaming solo runs; my fingers just don't work as fast as the average bear. Thus, I wonder if a DiMarzio DP200F in the bridge by itself would cover both a real aggressive tone, and split for tele tones (and the Sub 1 is a poplar body)?

You guys are spot on, though. It's that snappy/spanky tele sound i'd be looking for, as an option in amongst some aggressive tones.

Thoughts?

**candid_x** · 12-21-2008, 08:58 AM

Trying to recall who it is that put a Tele bridge on Silo...

**banjoplayer** · 12-21-2008, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by candid_x

Trying to recall who it is that put a Tele bridge on Silo...

Marantz. the thread is here http://www.ernieball.com/forums/musi...ilhouette.html

**beej** · 12-21-2008, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Sticky1973

I wonder if moving a D Sonic forward a "coil width amount", and slinging an AL type bridge pickup nearer the bridge could be an option?

I've often wondered the same thing. But I think the single would be too close to the bridge to be effective. (Love to have a setup where I could slide the p'up along to see where it sounded best. On my to-do list.) Part of the magic you're looking for is the distance from bridge to single.

Really, I don't think there's a perfect answer here. My thoughts are that you have three options:

- Go the Morse route and get a single that's in the ballpark,
- Get a bridge p'up that sounds good in split or parallel mode,
- Get a really good noiseless single coil and optimize for clean sounds. Then wire in a small cap to make it more middy when you use it with gain (you can wire it up to a switch). I've got Bill Lawrence 200s and 280s, they can get pretty damn heavy and are quieter than most of my HBs. With a bit of EQ (or a capacitor), you are off to the races.

**Slingy** · 12-21-2008, 06:57 PM

My opinion is to hot rod the Sub into a metal machine, and pick up a cheap Tele for the Tele stuff.

**Sticky1973** · 12-22-2008, 04:29 AM

Loads of great ideas, folks. Many thanks.

What a restless night though. I rebuilt the Sub in my head as I tried to sleep last night, with the DP200F Morse bridge pickup in there with the Air Norton at first, then going as far as pairing it up with the DP205 Morse neck pickup instead of the original D Sonic/Norton combo

I could almost justify sourcing another Sub 1 alone for that very config right now!

That said, I now wonder if I am taking my last minute desire for the axe to cover good country tones too far. I may be diluting the potential for what Slingy has just referred to as a "metal machine"

Watching the SM-Y2D on YouTube footage, there is some serious tone to those pickups, but with me as the limitation I wonder if I am flexible enough to exploit the nuances of the Morse pickups, if that makes sense?

I tend to crank it or clean it. I tend not to have a middle ground.

Hell, this is harder than I thought!

**73h Nils** · 12-22-2008, 09:51 AM

Well, you could always just TRY the different Dimarzios out. They have a return policy for this kind of thing. That way, you might even find something you didn't really consider.

**Sticky1973** · 03-08-2009, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by beej

Interested to know how you make out- let us know.

Hi team.

Well, yesterday was quite a day for me.

I finally traded in some gear, dug out the cash and ordered some goodies:

1 x DiMarzio D Sonic (DP207F)
1 x DiMarzio Air Norton (DP193)
1 x DiMarzio Area '61 (DP416)

They should be with my local dealer within a week or so, and then he'll get crackin' on the pick guard.

This thing has been in my head for years, it's about time it was built!

For the moment i've named it "Project Motrucci".

Now, Graph Tech Ghost or Fishman.....................

Actually, Beej, i've been trawling the threads on this, and you have commented that you would perhaps choose Fishman rather than Graph Tech if you were to do it again. Does this still hold true?

I'm interested in any comments fella, I have noticed that you have rightly tamperfered with many a project, so I hope you don't mind me tapping into some of your ideas

**tommyindelaware** · 03-08-2009, 07:09 AM

i'm w/ beej. the morse bridge split sounds excellent. it's still 6k even when split.......w/the plate underneath......& it's a ceramic magnet.. i been using it ALOT for years.

Originally Posted by beej

It's tough to nail tele tones in that kind of config. You could totally put a single coil in there, like the Morse/Y2D. I'd think maybe something with a baseplate- if you can get your hands on the AL brige p'up it's pretty decent.

That said, the single is too far from the bridge to really nail the tele tones. (Having tried *many* pickups in the Morse, that position has it's own sound.) So other option is get a good splitable bridge p'up. I don't have much experience with the D Sonic, but I can tell you that the Morse bridge p'up (available from Dimarzio) sounds great split- very twangy. It's a great p'up.

Interested to know how you make out- let us know.

**Sticky1973** · 03-08-2009, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by tommyindelaware

i'm w/ beej. the morse bridge split sounds excellent .... i been using it ALOT for years.

Thanks fella.

I so very nearly went with the DP200 Morse Bridge, but I am really looking forward to having that D Sonic growl. Added to the aesthetic appeal of the Y2D Bridge HB/SC layout, I am hoping the Area '61 really grabs some spank shoved up nearer the bridge.

I am trying to keep this project fairly unique, but all the while remain true to the original EBMM themes that have influenced this Sub mod.