[Wesquire]

I'm looking for a new set for a new guitar. I've got a guitar with PAF masters in it right now. I like them but I don't love them. Ideally, I'd want a bridge that has the high end rolled off just a tad and a neck that is closer in output and doesn't get muddy easily.

I'm looking at 2 main combinations right now:

1) Air Classic Neck in the neck with PAF 36 Neck in the bridge

2) Bluesbucker in the neck with PAF 36 Bridge in the bridge

I want the pickups to be as versatile as possible. I'm planning on wiring them for coil splits. What are your thoughts on these and does either combo work better while split? Should I maybe even consider 2 bluesbuckers?

Guitar is PRS style semi-hollow mahogany body with a roasted maple neck and fretboard. Amp is a Mesa rect-o-verb 50 combo.

Edit: After searching the forums a bit it seems like the Bluesbucker is quite loud relative to its published output. I'm now considering an AT-1 in the bridge, but I'm just a little unsure if that would be too dark for a gibson scale length semi-hollow.

[greenlion]

I bet the entire 36th set would sound good in that setup. If you want a neck that never gets muddy, the humbucker from hell will do that. I don't know about splitting any of those since they are all pretty low output to begin with.

[darkbluemurder]

For splitting the Bluesbucker is king because the output drop in split mode is minimal, and the tone does not become thin or weak. I have never played it in the bridge position of anything so I don't know how it sounds there.

For semi-hollow guitars I would avoid anything with a low mid hump as usually this construction tends to accent that so AT-1 would not be my first choice.

I have never played the 36th bridge but I have a Virtual Hot PAF which is said to be close so this should work well in the bridge. 36th neck could be underpowered to any humbucker you put in the neck.

Maybe something like the Mo Joe bridge (which would be a bit hotter than the 36th bridge but not overwhelmingly so) with the Bluesbucker in the neck?

Cheers Stephan

[Wesquire]

For splitting the Bluesbucker is king because the output drop in split mode is minimal

But this is what concerns me. The neck will be substantially louder than the bridge when I split them, right? Assuming I use something like an AT-1 or PAF 36 bridge.

For semi-hollow guitars I would avoid anything with a low mid hump as usually this construction tends to accent that

I thought that too, but I am generally playing with a klone and that cuts out some low end.

[darkbluemurder]

The AT-1 is stronger than the 36th bridge so that should balance with the Bluesbucker ok. 36th bridge split could indeed be lower in output.

Have you considered putting the bridge humbucker in parallel instead of split? Then there should not be any substantial output difference to the split Bluesbucker.

When you cut low end through your equipment, yes that could work.

Cheers Stephan

[buddroyce]

Bluesbucker with an AT-1 is a fantastic combination! I had it in one of my guitars and loved it!