Going from H1-/H2+ to HF1/HF2 in a Cobra S - what to expect

[tfunster]

Hi all - I've got a lovely Cobra S with the H1- H2+ set currently installed (stock pickups).
I gravitate to more traditional "vintage" tones and was thinking of putting in a HF1 and HF2 set. I do like the sound of the stock pickups, but was wondering what change(s) I could expect with the HF1/HF2?

My band plays a lot of soul/funk/r&b, and I play mostly rhythm, but bust out the occasionally rock/fusion-y lead.

[brokenvail]

HF are more mid focus. They have more high end jangle if you will

[Pietro]

Try lowering what’s in there first

[pipedwho]

It’ll sound less like an ‘Anderson’ and more like a ‘Gibson’ but with better sparkle and chime, if that makes sense.

The HFs have ‘sparkle’ or ‘zhinginess’ going on in the top end than the H series. And they don’t have as flat a frequency response, with more peaks and dips that give them more of an old-school PAF character.

The HF1+ in the bridge of my Hollow Cobra S sounded fantastic. It was like playing a super comfortable guitar that sounded like a cross between an LP and a Gretsch with a filtertron pickup.

[wolf]

For me the HF1 is the perfect neck pickup and splits so well that its like a great single coil.
Likewise the H2+ is the perfect bridge pickup for the same reasons.
I have those in my Classic, plus an HF1 in the neck of my PRS and the Classic Icon I have on order is having the H2+ in the bridge.
I recently tried an open face HF2 in my Drop Top and hated it.

[brokenvail]

For me the HF1 is the perfect neck pickup and splits so well that its like a great single coil.
Likewise the H2+ is the perfect bridge pickup for the same reasons.
I have those in my Classic, plus an HF1 in the neck of my PRS and the Classic Icon I have on order is having the H2+ in the bridge.
I recently tried an open face HF2 in my Drop Top and hated it.

Interesting...hated the hf2 huh? I hate the h2+ I love H3 & H2. I Like the HF3 and also got along with HF1-l as a bridge pup. I find that I like the HC1 vs the HC1-1. Only liked that HC1- For single note stuff. I have been wanting to try an HF2 just need the right guitar

[tfunster]

Thanks for the respses


HF are more mid focus. They have more high end jangle if you will
I would characterize the H series (at least the H1- and H2+) as having a solid, but flat high end. I'm actually looking for a bit more vintage "warmth", but am not looking for more high end jangle per se.


Try lowering what’s in there first
I've played around with heights but can tinker some more. I didn't really hear the tone change by lowering the pickups, more of a simple volume change. If anything, raising the pickups got me a bit closer to what I wanted to hear.


For me the HF1 is the perfect neck pickup and splits so well that its like a great single coil.
Likewise the H2+ is the perfect bridge pickup for the same reasons.
I have those in my Classic, plus an HF1 in the neck of my PRS and the Classic Icon I have on order is having the H2+ in the bridge.
I recently tried an open face HF2 in my Drop Top and hated it.
Why did you hate the HF2?

[wolf]

For my ears the H2+ is the perfect balance of an even frequency response and moderate output.
The HF2 doesn't have the same response, much more high end.
My Classic originally came with an HF3 and I made a mistake ordering it, much to hot and muddy, when I picked up the guitar it sounded like a blanket was covering my speakers. I replaced it with the H2+ and couldn't be happier.

[brokenvail]

I would characterize the H series (at least the H1- and H2+) as having a solid, but flat high end. I'm actually looking for a bit more vintage "warmth", but am not looking for more high end jangle per se.

Not sure the HF's are what you want. their mid Memphis is what tradition humbuckers have. The HC series could work. it is an HF with covers so the highs get a little sweeter.


For my ears the H2+ is the perfect balance of an even frequency response and moderate output.
The HF2 doesn't have the same response, much more high end.
My Classic originally came with an HF3 and I made a mistake ordering it, much to hot and muddy, when I picked up the guitar it sounded like a blanket was covering my speakers. I replaced it with the H2+ and couldn't be happier.
To me H2+ has a sizzle that I just don't get a long with That sizzle is not present in the H2 or H3 It might be something about the + models. Interesting thoughts on the HF3. I have an HC3 in my BobCat and although I worried it would be to hot it works out in that guitar for me I just keep the drive pedal off when playing power chords. I think I will try the HF2 when I eventually get a raven

[tfunster]

One more question: will the HC pickups mount properly in my Cobra without modification, or should I just go with the HF1/HF2 combo (to replace the H1-/H2+ pickups) as a direct retrofit?

[pipedwho]

One more question: will the HC pickups mount properly in my Cobra without modification, or should I just go with the HF1/HF2 combo (to replace the H1-/H2+ pickups) as a direct retrofit?
I put an HC2 into the bridge of my 2008 Hollow Cobra S and it was a really tight fit. I had to file down the edge on one side and once I got it in, I could only lower it so far before it wedged in too tight to go any lower. The nickel covered version just fit once I'd forced it a bit, but the plastic covered one was definitely way too big to get it without routing the the corners of pickup cavity in the guitar. I tried the plastic cover because I prefer the sound of uncovered pickups because they have more of that 'single coil air' than covered pickups. But, in the end couldn't fit it in, so went uncovered.

That being said, I'm sure some cavities in some guitars have been routed differently to fit the covered pickups. Maybe depending on the year, or original order spec. Tom or crew will need to answer that one. When was your guitar made?

[tfunster]

I put an HC2 into the bridge of my 2008 Hollow Cobra S and it was a really tight fit. I had to file down the edge on one side and once I got it in, I could only lower it so far before it wedged in too tight to go any lower. The nickel covered version just fit once I'd forced it a bit, but the plastic covered one was definitely way too big to get it without routing the the corners of pickup cavity in the guitar. I tried the plastic cover because I prefer the sound of uncovered pickups because they have more of that 'single coil air' than covered pickups. But, in the end couldn't fit it in, so went uncovered.

That being said, I'm sure some cavities in some guitars have been routed differently to fit the covered pickups. Maybe depending on the year, or original order spec. Tom or crew will need to answer that one. When was your guitar made?


Mine is a 2001, and there's almost no gap right now between the stock uncovered pickups and the pickup ring. I'm guessing covers will be a no go.

[tfunster]

I put an HC2 into the bridge of my 2008 Hollow Cobra S and it was a really tight fit. I had to file down the edge on one side and once I got it in, I could only lower it so far before it wedged in too tight to go any lower. The nickel covered version just fit once I'd forced it a bit, but the plastic covered one was definitely way too big to get it without routing the the corners of pickup cavity in the guitar. I tried the plastic cover because I prefer the sound of uncovered pickups because they have more of that 'single coil air' than covered pickups. But, in the end couldn't fit it in, so went uncovered.

That being said, I'm sure some cavities in some guitars have been routed differently to fit the covered pickups. Maybe depending on the year, or original order spec. Tom or crew will need to answer that one. When was your guitar made?

Also, did you go from a H2+ to an HC2, and if so, can you describe the differences in sound?

[Pietro]

I've had H2+ in the bridge of a Cobra and LOVED it.

I have HC2 in the bridge of a Hollow Atom CT and LOVE it.

I would, I think, dislike either pickup in the other guitar...

[pipedwho]

Also, did you go from a H2+ to an HC2, and if so, can you describe the differences in sound?
They are both great pickups. The HC2 was more like a traditional humbucker with a definite mid presence and some ‘alnico’ chime in the treble. The H2+ was a rock monster with more low mids with more a hifi sounding treble.

The HF1+ was even more sparkly and PAFish with greater definition and clarity. I LOVE that lower output sound for cleans. But, the HC2 was pretty similar, the uncovered version got closer.

Edit: Btw, this was all in the same guitar (Hollow Cobra S).