CS3 Options

[Tony PD]

I am close to ordering a CS3. I've pretty much got the options figured out, except for two:

-Pickups: I'm leaning toward the standard Beryllium, but the Holdsworth, Lithium, and Greg Howe (bridge only) are no cost options. How do they compare? (And no, the pickup guide is not much help.)

-IVN - Ivory Graph Tech TUSQ Nut: Yay or Nay? (I'm leaning toward yes.)

[spudmunkey]

The nut is the same material as their standard black nut, just white. So it's 100% just about the aesthetics. I get that some people are just used to seeing white nuts on most straws, etc, so it's what some folks are just used to.

As for pickups, i can only speak to the Lithium bridge, and the beryllium pair. I personally prefer the berylliums as an all-around pickup.

[ElfDude]

And I can't speak to the berylliums, but have a lot of experience with Lithiums and Holdsworths.

Before I make any comments I'd like to know what kind of music you plan on making with this guitar. What sort of pickup tones are you after? Bright? Mellow? Loud? Vintage? Twang?

[Doctor Doug]

Pickups are always an easy swap. Even if you end up not being a huge fan, it's easy to change them out.

[MarshallTSL]

I went with Berylliums for my build in Oct. I like the Lithiums (I have them on 3 guitars), but I wanted something a little more balanced towards the mids but could still cut through.

I am close to ordering a CS3. I've pretty much got the options figured out, except for two:

-Pickups: I'm leaning toward the standard Beryllium, but the Holdsworth, Lithium, and Greg Howe (bridge only) are no cost options. How do they compare? (And no, the pickup guide is not much help.)

[Tony PD]

And I can't speak to the berylliums, but have a lot of experience with Lithiums and Holdsworths.

Before I make any comments I'd like to know what kind of music you plan on making with this guitar. What sort of pickup tones are you after? Bright? Mellow? Loud? Vintage? Twang?

I'm into mostly hard rock (Sabbath, Zeppelin, Purple, Rush, King's X), if that's any help.

Berylliums: Alnico 2, standard on CS,CT, D6 guitars, more "vintage" (?) tone.
Lithiums: Alnico 5, standard on most of the other 24 fret guitars, higher output, more "modern" (?) tone.

I was leaning toward the Berylliums. Now I'm not so sure. I might go with the Lithiums.

[amispy]

I'm into mostly hard rock (Sabbath, Zeppelin, Purple, Rush, King's X), if that's any help.

Two Berylliums are going to be better for you than 2 Lithiums. If you want something a little hotter, than go for an Illusionist in the bridge and Beryllium in the neck.

[MarshallTSL]

I just ordered a CS3 with Berrylliums.

[spudmunkey]

I just ordered a CS3 with Berrylliums.

I really dig them in my SH6. Are they a "les paul" pickup? Not really, but I like what they got goin' on, and I like to play a lot of "dad rock".

[relias7505]

I have a CS3 Goldtop and it originally had the Parallax in the bridge and Gambale in the neck. Love the Gambale pickup but the Greg Howe Parallax not a fan. It is basically a low output Lithium. If your a fan then I would recommend it but I swapped it out for a Beryllium in the bridge. I am a happy camper! It seems like with your musical choices I would go with Beryllium’s all around or with the combo I have.

[relias7505]

Also YouTube the Kiesel pickup comparison video to hear the Holdsworth pickups. I like the sound I was hearing with those too.