Thornbucker vs. Asatobucker: Suhr Pickup Shootout!
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Gear Used:
Suhr Classic S Antique
Norton Preamp (www.nortonpeda...)
1967 Fender Deluxe Reverb
Beyerdynamic M69N
Shure SM57
Universal Audio Apollo Twin
Thornbucker or Asatobucker?!
Asatobucker
@@rockyyoytuno agreed!
I like the thornbuckers in their out of phase 2 & 4 settings on the Suhr T-style. Not sure if the Burlwood top makes much difference in tone, but when your getting into these tight comparisons, everything matters. ;) both pickups are outstanding.
@@relevantinformation6655 For sure, everything makes SOME difference. Agree that they’re both great options!
Thornbucker has so much note to it, I prefer the tone of the Asatobucker in your clips- cutting but not too sharp.
Asatobucker has a sparkle that I just prefer, plus the cover looks great. Thornbucker sounds amazing too though, hard choice honestly.
Agreed! Both are great pickups, but I slightly prefer the Asatobucker.
The midrange of the SSV was the main reason why i didn't buy a Suhr S style SSH guitar. You're conclusion is exactly what I was thinking to myself about the ML.
Same case like mine. Swapped thornbucker for asatobucker. I find the thornbucker has that too much of output and eq change when switching the pickup from neck to bridge.
Asatobucker seems abit more balance
Agreed. Asato is more balanced, even though I do think I favor the Thornbucker tonally.
I might change my opinion if it were me playing the pedals on my rig, but I preferred the Thornbucker here. Especially for the dirty tones; I didn't care for the top end of the Asatobucker.
I could go either way for cleans, but I would likely opt out for a single coil in the bridge if I were looking for more top end and clarity.
Good thoughts! I might slightly prefer the Thornbucker for dirty stuff in this demo, but after doing about 20(!) sets this past week or so with the Asatobucker, it’s perfect live. Still tons of low end with a cranked amp. A good blend for guys like myself that dig the HSS setup I think.
@@RiggsTaylor Damn, I haven't played a set since the first of January 2020. Must feel good getting back in the pocket!
@@SteveHubbardGuitar Man, it’s been really good to get back in the saddle. Slammed summer, but so worth it. Hopefully you can get back out there soon!
I was in middle school when Riggs was a senior but I remember him playing free fallin at the talent show. Long story short he’s been shredding for a long time.
Haha man, that was a while ago! Thanks for the kind words.
Great demo, I've got both pick ups, great sound from both and don't need to change amp settings when changing guitars. I also have a push/pull tone knob to add the bridge pick up to the neck and neck/middle selector settings - highly recommended. Both humbuckers also split really well too
Agreed! No bad options, just personal preference. I think Suhr makes some of the best value pickups too- great upgrade option for people with low-mid level guitars.
I think you were right on about how the Asatobucker pairs with the single coils, and the thornbucker pairs well with another thornbucker in the neck. Excellent sound Man!
Thanks man! Great minds think alike!
Excellent comparison. I have to think the cover is the biggest difference but it’s subtle. Great video.
Thanks! I agree, very similar pickups. At this point, it becomes very preferential because both sound great.
Both sound great, may need to put one in my Suhr. Great playing too!
Thanks! Both sound great, no bad choice in the lot. Appreciate the compliment!
2:45 vs 3:28
3:55 vs 5:41
Great video. Have you tried the Thornbucker Plus? Do you know how they differ from the original?
I haven’t! I shot this years ago before it was available. Maybe some day!
I have the exact same limited edition Firemist gold Classic Antique. I'm assuming you left the original MLs in it? If so, those play very strangely with humbuckers in the 2 position. The weird mids on those don't mesh well some buckers. Once I tore those out and put standard V60s then it was easier to switch buckers and have them work. Great vid BTW!
Thanks man! Yeah, has the ML’s in it. They work better with the Asatobucker in my opinion, but weren’t “bad” with the Thornbucker. I hear great things about the v60’s though!
Prefer the Thornbucker. The other one is too ice-picky for me. The whole point of the HSS Configuration is to eliminate the Piercing treble (and or course having the hum cancellation in the bridge ) Nice demo.
After using the Asatobucker for awhile, I went to SSS and love it. May go to the Thornbucker again and make it full circle!
@@RiggsTaylor I currently have the Lollar Dirty Blonde's in my Suhr SSS and I absolutely love it. The Special-S Bridge is a little hotter and less shrill. Jason Lollar did a phenomenal job with these. ( my drive pedals ) Barber Gain Changer SR > Fulltone OCD > Thorpy Fallout Cloud = Killer !!!
@@michael_caz_nyc love that! Those are great pickups!
Thornbucker in HH and Asatobucker in HSS. I have both but still prefer the Asatobucker
I agree 100%. Eventually, I’d love to get an HH Modern with Thornbuckers for that reason.
Both are very nice. The Asato’s seem to focus in the upper mids while Thorne’s have more low mid umph. Overall very similar.
Exactly!
I have the same combination in my Classic Antique and the Thornbuckers in my Gibson CS Les Paul. Great Pickups.
As an addition to your arsenal you shoul consider a Suhr Alt T with Thornbuckers, ;-)
Right on! I definitely want to get an Alt T at some point. Really cool guitars!
Asatobucker has a much more detailed high end for both clean and overdrive. You can always dial that out but you can't dial it in with the Thornbucker. So Asatobucker gets my vote especially for its quack on the cleans and it's more detailed and focused sound.
100% agree. The Asatobucker is more balanced with single coils too. Just more versatile in my opinion!
I respectfully disagree. I have a Suhr Custom Classic S Heavy Relic with two Thornbuckers (neck & middle) and a Thornbucker plus in the bridge. The Astobucker definitely has more push in the upper - mids which give it the impression of increased clarity and articulation.
With a decent graphic EQ pedal set to to boost these same frequencies (flat/no boost to mids or bass), you can get a similar effect with a Thornbucker. I would think this approach would work even moreso with an SSV which is a little clearer than a Thornbucker, but doesn't have a strong as a midrange push to my ears. I also have a Suhr Custom Classic T with the SSV in the neck and it's definitely "clearer" but not as "warm" as the Thornbucker in my hands going through my rig.
@@mikedenkinger9570 To each his own. I didn’t love the Thornbucker clean, which is why I said the Asatobucker is more versatile. Of course, the EQ pedal helps, but for an HSS setup I like what the Asatobucker does 😎
@@mikedenkinger9570 Man, I wish I could try out your rig and compare tones with my Washburn N4 .. I replaced the neck pickup with a Dimarzio Gravity Storm and the bridge wth a John Suhr DSH+ .. better for Fusion and midrange girth as opposed to the Bill Lawrence XL500 and the midrange scooped Seymour Duncan 59er!
@@RiggsTaylor And I'm sure that the Asatobucker may gel more with those single coils that you have (as well as your complete signal chain/rig). I will admit that I've popped a humbucker into an old Charvel Model 1 thinking that it would be incredible only to be disappointed- resulting in the stock pickup going back in immediately.
It is all to trebly to my ears and my taste, but this is more amp setting, less a guitar. I like Thornbucker more. It has more body and meat. The question is: it is obvious that you want single coil sound for clarity. Why humbucker than at all? Did you try Donlis pickups? Their A5 and A2 PAF humbuckers sound very similar. But they are five times cheaper.
Never heard of that company! I definitely prefer a humbucker bridge pickup, but I do like singlecoils as well. Currently this guitar is SSS, but I’ll go back to HSS soon with a Sunbear bridge humbucker most likely. That’s what is in my Frank Brothers Arcade.
I agree with you about the Asatobucker. For what I play, I prefer a humbucker with less bass response, because I like the clarity. My Southside guitar has the Lollar El Rayos for that same kind of sound.
El Rayos are great! Hard to make a wrong choice with Lollar.
Why do you use humbucjer when you want a single coil sound?
What about a cornshucker bucker.😊
Hahaha 😂
i want to upgrade my yamaha pacifica 112j with the asatobucker, do you think its a great idea? 😂
If you like the guitar but want a different humbucker, go for it! You can always pull it out and put it in another guitar if you upgrade later.
Is this Thornbucker the Standard bridge pickup or the "PLUS" version? Awesome Demo, very useful
This is the standard version! Glad the demo helped 🤘🏻
for the tone ports....250k or 500k?
I just got a Standard Plus with an SSH+ in the bridge that’s being swapped out for a Raw Nickel Thornbucker very soon.
Love it! I’m back to an SSS setup for now, bout will likely go back to an HSS with the Thornbucker at some point.
Hi Frankie did you end up doing the swap ? I am in the same boat ! I've recently acquired a HH suhr standard with the Ssv in the neck and SSH+ in the bridge but the SSH+ is wayyyy too hot compared to the neck.. was thinking thornbucker or thornbucker plus
@@JS-us8mg hey there. LoL, actually no. I ended up trading that guitar for a Suhr JM Pro with S90 pups. I love it! But I would def recommend the standard Suhr Thornbucker. I’ve had both and prefer the less hotter version because it’s cleaner; you can still wail on it with some overdrive or distortion.
tastful playing sounds cool. wanna know that the size of the covered and the uncovered pickup the same？if i get a covered one should i get a new pickgaurd ？
Thanks man! Yeah, you’ll need to get a new pickguard if you’re going from uncovered to covered. You CAN make the covered one fit, but you’ll have to modify the pickguard to do so. Just requires a larger hole, but it’s detailed work.
@@RiggsTaylor thx for replying！
@@ayersyip7400 you bet! Happy to help!
Nice comparison video! I currently have an HH Suhr with SSV and SSH on the bridge, I found the SSH too honky for me, I'm looking for options and the thorbucker and asatobuckers are 2 I'm considering, I'm kinda leaning towards the Thornbucker, however, how would you describe the difference in eq between the 2 ?
I’d definitely do the Thornbucker. It’s more full sounding/more meat in the low mids. The Asatobucker blends well with this set, but I’ve actually gone to an SSS setup now and love it!
@@RiggsTaylor thanks !
Almost seems like as an HH configuration, maybe a Thorn in the bridge and Asato at the neck might be a good combo. With the slightly more mid/low mid muscle of the Thorn and slightly better high end clarity of the Asato… thoughts?
A good thought, but I think they only make the Asatobucker as a bridge pickup. It could work though!
Covered and uncovered are very different so i think It Is not possibile to compare different pickups with different coverage. The asatobucker Is actually less clear with more bass and mid compare to the Thorn. The cover makes any pickup less ringing on top-end.
Covered vs. uncovered does make a difference, as I alluded to, but it doesn’t make the pickup wildly different. The Thornbucker definitely has more output and bass, and probably a little more top end as you mentioned. But overall a less focused midrange. The Asatobucker has more true midrange/high mids while the Thornbucker has more of the low midrange meat.
Both sound great. Cleans are a tossup, maybe a slight edge to the Asato because of the added clarity, but in a mix -- especially dirty -- I think I'd probably prefer the extra thickness of the Thorn. Regardless, cool video -- thanks for sharing.
Yeah, I definitely preferred the Asatobucker clean. In this recording I give a slight edge to the TB for dirty stuff, but after running it love with a hot amp, I prefer the Asatobucker even more. Still plenty of girth, but more focused.
love the Asato "smothness" im going for the Asatobucker !
Modern basswood w/ plain maple top, rosewood fret board, Original Floyd Rose, Aldrich? (bridge) /Thornbucker? (neck). Will those pickups work said spec guitar. Played thru various amps such as; Vox AC30, Friedman Dirty Shirley and Fender ML Deville.
I’d probably get a matched set of humbuckers. If you’re looking at Suhr Pickups in general, I’d recommend reaching out to them and seeing what they use/recommend!
The Asatobucker seems to be a bit less heavy in the lower mids with nice treble. The Thornbucker to me has a bit more of a middy smooth all enveloping sound. In position 2, the Asatobuckers definitely plays better with whatever in there for a less intrusive rhythm sound, but that's a pickup pairing thing. In position 1 bridge... It's a toss up depending on your playing style and amp.
I like the Asatobucker in this case, but my opinion my change with a different player and definitely different amp.
Agreed. I like both, but prefer the Asatobucker in this guitar with the way I play.
I prefer the thornbucker, call me weird but I like that there’s slightly less mids and highs than the asatobucker.
Yeah, I think the midrange bump being in a lower frequency of the midrange makes it less obvious. Would love a pair of thornbuckers in an H/H setup!
@@RiggsTaylor I have that currently in a PRS McCarty 594 (S2).
@@frankie_CALB Yeah, for that setup the Thornbuckers would sound great I bet!
Great cover of hold on loosely
I don’t think I know that song!
I’m just trying to figure out if ur name is really Riggs Taylor because if it is it couldn’t be more perfect for a guitarist.
Haha, it really is 😂
The least musical family in the world so it definitely wasn’t intended for me to be a musician!
Bro, have you compared it with aldrich pickup or ssv plus? I'm confused which one to buy.. my guitar yamaha pacifica 612 viifm has HSS configurations.. I want to buy for bridge pickup.. either asatobucker, aldrich, or ssv plus.. which you would recommend bro? Thanks before
I haven’t had experience with those, but I think the TB and Asatobucker are the most popular for a reason. The SSV is also good, but no experience with the Aldrich.
@@RiggsTaylor ohh I see.. ok, thank you for the comments.. I decided to buy this asatobucker.. I hope my choice is not wrong.. 😄 I saw people who commented in your channel gave more positive comment to this one, so it should be good.. thank you
@@jeffrysu09 glad to help! Report back!
@@RiggsTaylor hi bro.. I just bought this asatobucker as upgrade for my gear.. in my ear, yes it gave much more clarity, more reverb, more sustain, softer than my previous one (seymour duncan TB 14).. and I just know that it was using Alnico 4 as their magnet..
I want to ask, what sound you looking for to consider when buying this pickup other than other popular pickup that using Alnico 2 and Alnico 5? You know many people tend to buy Alnico 2 and 5 for their bridge pickup.. Thanks before for your opinions..
I don’t really think about the magnet much to be honest. Obviously Alnico 5s are a bit more modern than the Alnico 2, but there are more factors to the sound then that. It’s easier to compare pickups from one manufacturer usually, but generally I do the same thing you’ve done- ask questions and watch demos!
Which one did you put in 50mm or 53mm? I have an antique s with SSV but cannot figure out what the original spacing on that is.
53mm is “Fender” spacing, 50mm is “Gibson” spacing. So yours will have the 53mm, and that’s what I’d stick with!
@@RiggsTaylor great, thank you!
@@peterlwin Sure thing! Happy to help.
I thought the opposite was suppose to happen. Th ABs didn't sound round and had more highs than the TBs.
Great Vid ! I’ll change my SSV raw nickel with the asatobucker Raw Nikel. Do you have split coil wiring in pos 4 or is this humbucker with middle single coil ?
This is HB with middle! I actually like the way it sounds without the split, even though they split well from what I’ve heard.
@@RiggsTaylor Yes indeed I confirm they split well but when I’ll change with Asatobucker I’ll comeback to standard wiring (not splitting). One last question, checking Suhr wiring, you confirm you just solded Black position selector, yellow/red soldered together, and green and bare to volume pot ? No need to sold this 2 lasts to Jack and Bridge grounds ?
@@simonbeslin Without looking at the diagram, that sounds right. The unused two wires from the HB I wrapped with electrical tape.
@@RiggsTaylor thanks ! great content as always. Can wait to receive it !
@@simonbeslin Thanks man! Enjoy it!
I still have the stock SSV on my classic pro, do you think this is a good upgrade?
I think it just depends on your preference. I don’t think I know anybody who prefers the SSV over the Thornbucker or Asatobucker, but ironically, I’ve never had one in my Suhr’s! My red Classic pro was SSS, and then I added the Thornbucker. The gold Classic Antique had the Thornbucker already when I got it.
@@RiggsTaylor I'm thinking about doing a similar mod to my SSS to add the Suhr Asatobucker. Did you have to change any of the potentiometer values when you added the Humbucker, or was it only a pickup change?
@@Bobby_Digital37 On this Suhr I just went from Thornbucker to Asatobucker. When I converted my Classic Pro from SSS to HSS, I only swapped the pickups and changed the wiring a bit! That said, reach out to Suhr's customer support. They're very helpful, and will send you their "official" wiring diagrams.
Sounds great! Are your single coils the ML’s?
Sure are!
Does asatobucker will match with ML standard in neck and middle?
I think it pairs well! Definitely more balanced with the singlecoils than the Thornbucker is.
Much prefer the Thornbucker, it sound bigger and fuller clean and has nice and sweet mids with distortion. The Asatobucker is way too scooped for me and it lack the attack, almost sounds like you are playing with a gate
Good thoughts! I think I’m about to go back to a SSS setup for a bit, may try the Thornbucker again after that if I want HSS. Asatobucker is more balanced with the singlecoils, but maybe not my favorite sounding HB.
@@RiggsTaylor I'm not a fan of a strat single coil in the bridge but I would take it over Asatobucker too. Duncan PearlyGates sounds great in a fatstrat bridge position too or if you are into it, a tele pickup can be pretty juicy too
@@ilmisxx2 it’s not my “go to” sound, but the reality is when I need a humbucker I go for my Gibson live/on sessions, so I’m gonna give it a whirl again. I do really like the Suhr ML’s and V70’s in the bridge because they’re fatter than a typical strat setup.
@@RiggsTaylor Well yes, a double humbucker gibson will certainly give you that humbucker sound but a strat does it slightly differently both in terms of sound and feel and sometimes that sound and feel is just right for the song :) I like low output "PAF" pickups sound in a strat because they have clarity and dynamic range that is lacking on higher output pickups. In any case the amp and the speaker have way more drastic effect on tone so I tend to start there
If you look at the specs sheets and actual readings Asatobucker and Thornbucker seems like 100% the same pickups. Suhrs just fooling us i guess lol i think the nickel cover is what made a huge tone diff.
They’re quite different really. Resistance readings are only part of the story, but they definitely have some similarities.
@@RiggsTaylor what i mean, i literally studied and opened up my suhr asato and thornbucker. (Both 52mm's w raw nickel cover) Everything is pretty much the same, the magnets, wire, everything. I wish you demoed the same raw nickel version or the same plastic top version. So u guys would know what i am talkin about.
I massively improved my Vanquish Legend HSH by replacing the original bridge Bare Knuckle Crawler with an Asatobucker, especially with a Wampler EGO Compressor. Any thoughts on using an Asatobucker over the Thornbucker for my Les Paul style Vanquish Classic which currently haunts me with Montys pick-ups. I also have a Suhr DSH on another guitar which sounds massive. By the way, Riggs, you pull better faces with the Thornbucker !!
Haha, thanks for the compliments!
If I were putting them in a Les Paul, I’d go for a pair of Thornbuckers. I do like both a lot, but keep in mind they don’t make an Asatobuckerfor the neck position (to my knowledge). Even if they did, for anything H/H I’d go Thornbucker!
@@RiggsTaylor - sounds like a plan
Which bridge did you pick for your build?
The bridge itself is a Gotoh 510 tremolo! This isn’t a custom build - it was a limited run of 200 they did in 2017
@Riggs Taylor thanks, man. Your review of the Asatobucker was tremendously helpful. I'm getting one built, and I'm definitely going with that option. It sounds fantastic! Still not sure about which bridge to go with, even though I know that John won't put crap on a guitar :)
Now I realise why fender, prs and Gibson not putting stainless steel fret..it will take away their iconic brittle sound..
You're saying the stainless steel sounds warmer than nickel?
@@RiggsTaylor I put it on my strat deluxe and my Les Paul.. there's few iconic spikes frequency that has missing..but add new frequency which is nice too but different..
I like the bitey lead of the asato, but the thornbucker sounded smoother for the rhythms and nice on leads, the asato seemed like it had like a nasally high mid or treble I didn’t like on the open chords, which is my main point when I check out new pickups
Good observations! I think I really prefer SSS strat setups, but HSS does cover more ground.
Asatobucker hurts my ears
I’ve come to prefer the Thornbucker and currently the Sunbear PAF that’s in the bridge. The Asato matched the single coils closer, but didn’t love the upper mids