20th Anniversary Pickup Suggestions

[Eilif]

I enjoy my 20th Anniversary Silhouette, but I'm more of a 22-fret kind of guy, so I'm considering changing out the stock pickup with something that will get me more into 22-fret neck humbucking territory. I know I won't be able to get all the way there--it's still a 24-fret neck guitar after all, so the pickup placement will always be further towards the bridge--but I'm thinking there might be something out there that might satisfy.

I like the neck humbucker in the Axis, so my first thought was to try an Air Norton...but I don't know if that's necessarily a step in the right direction. I like the clarity of the stock 20th neck pickup, but I usually find myself having to increase the volume when I switch to it from the bridge pickup, and I wish it had more of that type of sound a pickup closer to the nut has on a 22- vs 24-fret neck guitar. I've long thought that a BFR HH version of the Silhouette Special would be a fantastic instrument.

Do y'all have any suggestions?

 

[azazael]

what about adjust the height of the neck pickup a little? or droppin the height of the bridge?

 

[alba22]

Yes, Duncan P-rails

 

[Dizzy]

You need a 25th Anniversary !

22 Frets, Axis PUPs, Silo'ish Neck (w/ 12" radius), Tone block ... and a whole lot more !

 

[JMB27]

You need a 25th Anniversary !

22 Frets, Axis PUPs, Silo'ish Neck (w/ 12" radius), Tone block ... and a whole lot more !

+1 on that. I had a 20th at one point (dang g.a.s. and other things meant it didn't stay in the collection too long), and if I still had it I would leave it stock and start putting cash aside for a 25th.

also, if you tend towards a 22 fret set-up but are playin a 24 there were a few things that I noticed about finding the sweet spot: check your action; maybe adjust pickup height; and, maybe adjust where you are pickin'/playin' your notes - may sound funny, but I really noticed that positioning right hand/pick/fingers made a difference in how things sounded .... imho, ymmv, etc. etc. etc.

cheers always, eh

Joel
p.s. my apologies for not recommending a replacement pickup .... although, I think DiMarzio is a good starting point, and that an uncovered zebra pickup would be cool

 

[RocketRalf]

+1 on the last post. Picking closer to the neck will produce more hollow, 22-ish tones. If you want to replace the pickup, I would look for a more scooped sounding one to take out the increased midrange that comes from being closer to the bridge. The Air Norton might do that, but it might also overpower your bridge pickup. I've never played one so I can't say.

 

[whitestrat]

PAF Joe works wonders for that function.. But honestly, that physical position is really something you can't get around.

That's why I'm waiting for a 20th styled Silo Spec... Heh.