Case and pickup questions.

[ztevie]

I'm looking at buying a Pro Am, short scale, alder body, chocolate maple neck. But a couple of questions pops up as always...

What kind of hardcase comes with the buy? A known brand or...? I also see the gigbag is the same price, so that must be a real quality gigbag? Any experience of both?

I assume I can't get humbuckers mounted directly to the wood instead of using pickuprings? I saw Angel have that option though...

Regarding pickupchoice: It'll be either H-H of H-S-S. I'm pretty set on HN3 for the bridge. I have it in a Peavey guitar which is short scale, poplar body, maple neck with ebony board. I love it in that guitar! But I wonder how much hotter is HN3+? And more importantly, how is it different tonewise? I certainly don't want more lows, what I like about HN3 is that it's very middy but still clear and articulate, without being muddy or shrill in any way.
I play Higain so a little bit more output is ok, just not by sacrificing clarity.

What humbucker would be good for the neck? to have it levelled with the HN3 is not important, but I also like a clear and articulate pup in the neck. I always have problems with the neck pup being a bit muddy when soloing on frets 1-7 on EAD strings. Of course it's because of the position, but what's the clearest Neck HB that can do gainy soloing? THink Sfogli, Petrucci type of tone...

And if I'd go for H-S-S, what neck SC would fit the bill? Probably the most powerful singlecoil TA has would be something for me, but is it clear enough?
For the middle I'd like something more laid back, with more of a traditional strat tone that hopefully can do some quack in position 2 and 4.

EDIT: Oh, thought of something else. For chrome covers the only option is HC-series right? Is that the same as nickel? Cause chrome is not an option in the PDF form?

[Metlupass2]

The case is a very nice G&G hardshell case that is fit to your guitar.

I've never tried an HN3 so I can't review that one but the HN3+ is my go to pickup on my Drop Tops. i also have a Pro Am with a basswood body that has an H3 and it sounds killer.

The H1 and H1+ seem to be very popular H series neck humbuckers. Both my Drop Tops have an H1+. My Pro Am is HSS with two SA1s but I just bought an SA2 to try in the neck cause I want a little hotter pickup.

The middle you'd probably want an SF1 or SA1. I've got both in different guitars. You can't go wrong with either one.

[BFC]

The gig bag is really really nice. I'm glad I went with it on my last guitar.

[gibson5413]

I have two hard cases and three gig bags. I like the hard cases for when I m traveling but to be honest I use the gig bags 90% of the time. They are great and I don't worry about my guitar's health whatsoever.

I haven't tried the HN3 (or the HN# series) but I have heard great things. I have an H2+ in my Drop Top and the H3 in my Bulldog and Pro Am. For higher gain applications the H3 is my favorite bridge pickup. To be honest, it does ti all really well. I like it because it isn't out of control hot by any means. Maybe Markus will chime in here as he uses the HN series pickups.

[BFC]

One thing I've come to love about gig bags is they don't bang up the interior of my car as much as a case can.

[ztevie]

Thanks for all the answers!

It will be shipped to Sweden so maybe the hard case is still the better option. But TAG will probably pack it safe enough anyway.

Regarding pickups i always tend to favor those that have very tight lows. A couple of the ones I've used and kept are for example Dimarzio D-Activator and Duncan Full Shred. They are very clear but also very unforgiving. Smallest mistake shine thru when playing those. HN3 is also a keeper bit it's different from the others in that it's very even across the frequencies, with some spike in the mids. I like it because of that, it's tight in the lows and pretty smooth in the highs while the full mids make it cut through. It has the right amount of output, it never gets too much but still can roar when needed.
I guess it's a safe bet for me, but could be fun to try something new also, i rarely have the same pickups in 2 guitars.
H3 series is interesting but from description i read that it's probably more bass heavy which may not be what i want. H2+ gets rave reviews it seems but it's lower output than the HN3 so i don't know if it's hot enough?
For the neck I'm leaning towards H1+ of i don't go with HSS.
The SA singlecoils could be good from the description of i go that route.

[tom]

not a problem to ship in the gig bag. i personally have not used a hard case in at least a decade.

if you love the HN3, the H3 is probably too fat in the lows for you. the HN3+ will have more lows but the same character but hotter.

for the neck, you sound a bit like me feeling like they are always too fat, so i'd pick the H1-. it's got great clarity and still competes nicely in volume. other neck humbucker guys may have better recommendations.

yes, if you want no rings, it has to be an angel.

and chrome covers only go on HC's. the HC3 would not be a bad choice for your bridge pickup, and an HC1 or 1- would be a great neck pickup.

[ztevie]

Thanks!
Yeah, clarity on the neck pup is important for me, so that seems like a good alternative!

About the pickup rings you will probably get the same question by email thru my dealer, i asked them and they said they would ask you. .. :)
The Angel would be perfect, unfortunately it's not available in 24.75". I would love an option with shorty scale and 24 frets.

But about chrome covers, is that the same as nickel? Cause Chrome isn't an option in the pdf, only nickel, raw nickel and some black and white?

[tom]

nickel is what we do. chrome is another layer of metal than can affect the sound so we just offer nickel for the silver color.

we have had several requests for a short angel and may consider it, but it would be a ways off.

[ztevie]

nickel is what we do. chrome is another layer of metal than can affect the sound so we just offer nickel for the silver color.

we have had several requests for a short angel and may consider it, but it would be a ways off.

Ok, got it, thanks!

I have a great idea though! I can volunteer to test a shorty Angel prototype for you. I'll do it for free in the name of guitar science! :)

[tom]

you and markus:D

i have also had more requests for that so it is at least on my mind, but not at the top of a long list:o