Is there some kind of taboo on Low output pickups w/ a Floyd?

[arealken]

Seems I always see a Floyded guitar equipped with hot pickups. I was wondering if anyone has had good results with a regular PAF or normal output Strat pickups with the Floyd. I am probably getting all worked up about nothing I guess its whatever floats your boat kind of thing, but just thought I'd mine the old knowledge base here.
ccasion14:

 

[swarfrat]

I think that's kind of like noticing blonde hair is popular among Scandinavian pinups. There is a correlation but not necessarily causality. The same folks like the same sorts of things.

That said, the Fred and Humbucker from Hell, and a few others come to mind.

 

[PhilHill]

A clue as to the reason could be gotten by trying to remember the last time you saw a rhythm player with a Floyd equipped guitar. Lead players want hot pickups for much the same reason that they want to play lead. :icon_thumright:

 

[Strat Avenger]

Floyds tend to lack low-end, so a hotter pickup can compensate for some of that. Only one of my 3 Floyd-equipped guitars has a hot pickup. The other two have the Duncan TB-12. 

 

[stratamania]

There is no reason not to put a high output or low output pickup in. The only "taboo" is being concerned about what someone might think. Its your guitar.

 

[Logrinn]

When thinking of guitars with Floyd I would think that many think of Van Halen and his Frankenstrat.
And that guitar was equipped with a Gibson PAF (from his 335).
So not a high output pickup.
My guess is that when people first heard his sound they automatically assumed he had a high output pickup when in fact it was just an average output type.

 

[PhilHill]

When thinking of guitars with Floyd I would think that many think of Van Halen and his Frankenstrat.
And that guitar was equipped with a Gibson PAF (from his 335).
So not a high output pickup.
My guess is that when people first heard his sound they automatically assumed he had a high output pickup when in fact it was just an average output type.

I believe you are quite right there Logrinn. If I remember right, something that's not guaranteed at my age, the Frankenstrat was made with a cast-off Boogie body. As Eddie was not yet famous at that time. So Warmoth's founder may have had something to do with it's creation. Eddie's finances at the time probably dictated his choice on the pickup too. H e would often scavenge one guitar to build another.

 

[Cagey]

I'm pretty sure I've read/heard the same story. Also, that he was the instigator for the original Floyd Rose due to his wild whammy habits and desire for greater range while keeping some semblance of tune. Those fender 6 point vibratos are/were notorious for limited range and inability to return to neutral reliably.

 

[drewfx]

Sure. Call it a taboo and make me want to do it.  :evil4:

 

[TBurst Std]

When thinking of guitars with Floyd I would think that many think of Van Halen and his Frankenstrat.
And that guitar was equipped with a Gibson PAF (from his 335).
So not a high output pickup.
My guess is that when people first heard his sound they automatically assumed he had a high output pickup when in fact it was just an average output type.

I recall him saying in his original GP interview it was a PAF (I think VH II was getting ready to release). Even the a true PAF was a prized item. The story is true as told. Now was he telling the truth?
Remember he used to face away from crowd when VH was starting so other Guitar slingers couldn’t see what he was doing.

 

[Strat Avenger]

EVH used a lot of different pickups, from a Gibson PAF to a Dimarzio Super Distortion.
Use what sounds best to you. The Floyd does not mandate high-output pickups.

 

[aarontunes]

I don't think there is a taboo. I currently have six guitars with Floyds. Here is the bridge pickup for each:


Seymour Duncan JB
DiMarzio Fred
DiMarzio Fred
DiMarzio Breed
DiMarzio OEM pickup made for ESP - I wish so bad I could figure out which D's standard pickups this is closest to, because it freaking rocks.
Bare Knuckle Holy Diver


The highest output of the bunch is the Breed, I think. Most of these are in the medium range.


The trend that I wish would stop is giving every Floyd-equipped guitar 24 frets. I love Floyds, but I hate 24 frets.

 

[guitarstv]

My main guitar is a Charvel So Cal set up like a normal strat - 22 frets, two tones, 1 vol, 5 way switch, a top mounted floyd, and three single coils - SSL2/SSL2/SSL6.  The bridge is overwound, but the neck and mid are vintage output.  Sounds like a great strat to me - no weird lack of low end.  I much prefer a floyd to a vintage strat trem - it's a better bridge for my uses.

 

[swarfrat]

Didn't Aaron himself bust the Floyd's lack bass thing?

 

[Strat Avenger]

I don't think there is a taboo. I currently have six guitars with Floyds. Here is the bridge pickup for each:


Seymour Duncan JB
DiMarzio Fred
DiMarzio Fred
DiMarzio Breed
DiMarzio OEM pickup made for ESP - I wish so bad I could figure out which D's standard pickups this is closest to, because it freaking rocks.
Bare Knuckle Holy Diver


The highest output of the bunch is the Breed, I think. Most of these are in the medium range.


The trend that I wish would stop is giving every Floyd-equipped guitar 24 frets. I love Floyds, but I hate 24 frets.

Totally agree about 24 frets.

 

[Cagey]

I wondered about the need for 24 frets for a long time, too. Who can even reach the little rascals? Bringing it up once, somebody mentioned that they sometimes come in handy if you're into a lotta hammer/tapping action where you might want upper octaves. So far, I've lived over 60 years without needing them, but...

 

[guitarstv]

I'm happy to use 24 frets when they're there, but don't like what moving the neck pickup does to the sound in that position for a single or humbucker.  Spend more time on the neck as the bridge while playing, so it's important to me!

 

[Logrinn]

I don’t mind 24 frets but I really dislike necks with 23 frets.  :icon_tongue:

 

[stratamania]

Sometimes 24 frets are not really enough if you are playing Paganini etc.

 

[Cagey]

Sometimes 24 frets are not really enough if you are playing Paganini etc.

I know Lisa needs 24 frets to do this Beethoven piece...

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