Gav's Ash LP

[ozzbike]

Like that headstock.....nice wing tips.

[gavinturner]

@Wokka, @Ozzy - thanks dudes.

Today I received a pair of Entwistle HDN Zebra Pickups for my Ash Les Paul project from Ads. The HDNs, which utilise Neodymium magnets, promise an "ultra hot" response giving note definition, crunch and tone that's perfect for rock and metal. Mmmm metal..




Initially, I had planned to use the original cream humbucker rings that came with the kit to mount these new zebra pickups. Here's how the stock chrome humbuckers look with these cream rings and the 10-coats of Tru-Oil that's currently on the body...




And now with the zebra HDNs in the same cream pickup rings. What do you think? Do the zebra's look better or worse? They certainly look more "rock" to my eyes - and that's a good thing!




The only question now is the pickup rings themselves. To be honest, I'm not sure that I'm really sold on them anymore. The cream in the rings is a little more "yellow" than the zebra cream (Mmmm zebra cream), and this lends them a more plastic, cheaper look. I'm thinking that either black or chrome rings may look better in this situation, or maybe I should just buy some AllParts Cream Rings to replace them? What's the consensus on there amongst forumites?

cheers,
Gav.

[WeirdBits]

Yeah, the stockies don't look quite right. I think cream rings will still be the go, but it's tough to get cream plastics to match even when they're from the same source. It wouldn't hurt to have a look at it with black rings though, as there's enough dark on the top that they may work.

I wonder how it would look if you 'aged' the stock cream rings slightly with some stain... teabags maybe.

[Scott J.]

Mmmm, oh baby! <drool> ... those zebra's do look especially delicious on the 'burst (excellent choice all-round!) - very, VERY Rock 'n' Roll!

Personally, I'd definitely go the cream - it so matches the binding 'round the edge of the body and fretboard (where I think silver or black just wouldn't "fit" nearly as well)

... but I see what you mean about the slight colour difference between the two creams (from the pics, the p/ups seem to have an ever-so-slight pink cast to them whereas in comparison the rings are slightly more yellowish)

But either way she's gonna be one sexy beast!

Side Note - Don't know if you've read about the concerns regarding NeoD p/ups ... (and I don't know if I buy into that much myself, but ...) some sources seem to think that the Neo-D's noticeably reduce the sustain of the guitar (supposedly the extra strength of the magnets, provides more "pull" on the string and thereby reducing its ability to vibrate)

... now, whether its that noticeable or not I think depends on a number of factors, not all of which are with the p/up ... the theory certainly stacks up but having put some hot Entwistle Neo-Ds on my "scrapper" ST-1, I certainly haven't noticed the effect myself ... but then they are only single coil ... maybe you might find it more noticeable with the 'buckers ... be interested to see what you think when she's finished

... but sustain-effecting or not, they do give a really great sound!

[gavinturner]

@Wierdy, @Scott - thanks for the comments guys. I'm not sure about "aging" the rings Wierdy, I guess I could use some Colortone mix or other. I might be able to change the colour, but not with any kind of control. I might just have to let my wallet do the talking here. Thing is, it's impossible to know what will work until you have the new rings in your hands. I think I will take a punt on the AllParts ones (as RealTone stocks them) and hope for the best. At least then I'll have 2 options to choose from. Before I order I need to determine if I'm gonna put the pickguard on, as this will have to be replaced in tandem with the rings. TBH I think I've already decided against it anyway as I like my burst and grain too much to hide it . I really do want to stay with the cream rings!!

Scott thanks for the kind words regarding the evolving look for this axe. Personally I'm liking how it's coming together. It's my first LP kit and I'm really impressed with the fit and finish. PBG really do provide amazing quality. Also thanks for the warning regarding the Neo pickups and sustain. In my case, it isn't going to be an issue because my miss-placed fingers kill more sustain than any pickup ever could. I'm just hoping for a bit of metal rhythm goodness. Unfortunately there will be no shredding in my neck of the woods any time soon.

cheers,
Gav.

[Nickosaurus]

It's a bugger that the rings don't match the pup Gav. I wouldn't try modifying the colour as you'll just dig yourself digger into the rabbit hole of colour matching...

Perhaps a black ring just to try if you have it floating about? Even if you just fill it in on Photoshop.

[kanelangmaid]

Ok Gav, 2 things. Here is a picture of the realtone pickup surrounds, I think they will be pretty close to the zebras. The stock PBG pickup is housed in the realtone surround, I purchased these to go into my latest as I wasn't happy with the stock creaminess. Zebras rock, I was thinking going some, another project.

Go to this website and put in your guitar colour scheme and then change up your pickup surrounds etc for a quick look.
http://www.frankmontag.com/editors.htm

[gavinturner]

Thanks Kane the Realtone rings look great. Here is the output from the tool. I don't think there is any doubt that the cream rings are the ones to go for. Both black and chrome choices just don't look as good!





cheers,
Gav.

[JoeSmith]

I like the middle pic, for me the black blends nice with the colour and the pickup surrounds almost disappear. Thats one nice guitar mate.

[ozzbike]

That is a seriosuly awesome axe. The finish and the zebras are really making this look hot. The top pic for me. It matches the disc around the pickup switch and is close to the binding.