Aftermarket Pickups???

SmokinSigs357 · Jan 27, 2015

Not sure if posting this in the correct thread or not, but here it goes;

I have a 2012 R9 VOS, pictured in my avatar. The neck pu sounds fantastic, I love the sounds of both pickups together, but not completely in love with the bridge pickup.

I never thought that I'd want to upgrade the pickups in this guitar, but the thought is crossing my mind more often now. I know that there is a new kid on the block, it seems, every other week with the newest and latest doo dad (in this case, pickups)...I also know that there are wiring harness options, etc.

What are some of you kids using, and what results are you getting?

Thanks in advance for your help/suggestions!

ps...not sure that I want to dump $500-$600 for Doyle Coils, unless you can convince me. :dude:

Thunderchunk · Jan 27, 2015

Throbak and Holmes are great..similarly prices though.

tdarian · Jan 27, 2015

I got a set of the WIZZ PAFs when BCRgreg had some in and they addressed a similar situation and also offered just a whole lot more "texture" to things overall. There were lots of things I was considering but I went with those first and they are just right.

I've played Les Pauls with various Throbaks and they were fine too.

I was also curious about the OX4s and I thought the demos that member Randall did with the Bartlett were inspiring. I ended up calling Greg first.

I think with a lot of these winders you could discuss your present concern and where you want to be and they will work specifically toward that. Some of them participate in threads and support by advertising on this forum.

tdarian · Jan 27, 2015

PS: Welcome to the LPF.:dude:

You were correct in your suspicion about placement of this thread, there's a section called The Tone Zone and you'll find stuff in there too.

I forgot to mention the taper in the pots in my 2011 had some abrupt changes and I went with a smoother even taper setup from MSSC. I swapped pickups and wiring in one move but the whole thing "works".

randall · Jan 27, 2015

Ox4's can't say enough great things.

Trennasol · Jan 27, 2015

randall said:
Ox4's can't say enough great things.

^^^^. Another nod to the OX4's. I put a set of them in my 07 R9 this weekend and I'm very happy with them. They replaced ThroBak's and are staying in this guitar. The OX4's are articulate and clear. Fantastic pups!

wizardmc · Jan 27, 2015

rockinlespaul · Jan 27, 2015

For pricepoint/tone, I still say Wolfetone for the win.

duaneflowers · Jan 27, 2015

SmokinSigs357 said:
I have a 2012 R9 VOS, pictured in my avatar. The neck pu sounds fantastic, I love the sounds of both pickups together, but not completely in love with the bridge pickup.

What exactly don't you like about the bridge? Have you tried adjusting it differently? Adjusted the pole pieces? What exactly are you looking for?

I've got dozens of sets of pickups installed now (in different guitars) and they each add something different to the mix. I love Ox4, Wizz, Deacci and Rewind but they are a far cry from my K&T and SD Zephyrs. You will get hundreds of opinions as to which are the best... but it is all 100% subjective.

What sound/tone are you chasing? That might help point you in the right direction.

la

ntotoro · Jan 27, 2015

Does the '12 still have the BB2 bridge pickup? If so, then I totally get what you mean, '357. I can live with the neck and the combo position, but the bridge goes from too thin, high-middy and dirty to dead and dull to me in one turn of an adjustment screw. I simply can't find something enjoyable with that pickup (my amp is an EL34 Bogner Shiva).

My advice is check with the various winders you'll see mentioned here and ask what their recommendations are. Go with what seems to fit your needs best and take price into consideration. If all else fails, I really do like the Gibson Custombuckers, so you might want to see if someone has a set parted out at a price that seems worth it to you.

Nick

SmokinSigs357 · Jan 28, 2015

duaneflowers said:
What exactly don't you like about the bridge? Have you tried adjusting it differently? Adjusted the pole pieces? What exactly are you looking for?

I've got dozens of sets of pickups installed now (in different guitars) and they each add something different to the mix. I love Ox4, Wizz, Deacci and Rewind but they are a far cry from my K&T and SD Zephyrs. You will get hundreds of opinions as to which are the best... but it is all 100% subjective.

What sound/tone are you chasing? That might help point you in the right direction. la

To me, the bridge PU sounds awfully thin and loose. Most of the aftermarket PAF videos I've been watching have been far more acceptable to my ears that what I hear coming out of my Burstbucker. When I switch to the middle position, it sounds way better, but I'm pretty confident that the Neck PU is taking the brunt of the sound and sweetening it up.

I'm really digging the sound of the Doyle's, but man, that's a chunk of wallet that I wasn't expecting to give on this guitar. Oh well...the never ending case for tone!

duaneflowers · Jan 28, 2015

SmokinSigs357 said:
To me, the bridge PU sounds awfully thin and loose. Most of the aftermarket PAF videos I've been watching have been far more acceptable to my ears that what I hear coming out of my Burstbucker. When I switch to the middle position, it sounds way better, but I'm pretty confident that the Neck PU is taking the brunt of the sound and sweetening it up.

I'm really digging the sound of the Doyle's, but man, that's a chunk of wallet that I wasn't expecting to give on this guitar. Oh well...the never ending case for tone!

I've never been a big fan of Burstbuckers or Custom Buckers. With few exceptions they have just never really blown my skirt up. I have a set of Doyle Coils I will be installing this weekend. It'll be my first experience with those but I have every confidence that they will sound great.

On the lower cost side, Seymour Duncan makes some great sounding pickups. The Antiquities, Seth Lovers and Pearly Gates are all outstanding values. Deacci pickups are one of my recent favorites as well and they are not so pricey. Wizz and Ox4 seem to be the current frontrunners in genuine PAF reproduction but they are priced up there in Doyle territory.

One word of caution though... once you get on the the pickup merry-go-round it is rather difficult to get off! :spabout

wizardmc · Jan 28, 2015

Crazy

duaneflowers · Jan 28, 2015

I won't deal with Throbak any more... just not a big fan of the way they do business and of the way they trash other builders whenever they get the chance... my Throbaks came off my Gibby and went on my Epi 345 just cause I needed something with Gold covers.

Classic · Jan 28, 2015

wizardmc said:
I just wonder why Throbak stuff isn't talked up as much as OX4 and Wizz given that Wizz buys Throbak parts and looks up to Throbak, etc. Something doesn't add up. Not that people on the forums are shills. But something doesn't make sense. Sometimes it seems people are almost trying to avoid mentioning Throbak on the various forums.

No ones trying to avoid Throbak. Quite to the contrary. A lot of members, including me,have used throbak pups and since moved on. Some guys still use them and others are still to use them.

As with most forums, the latest release usually gets the most focus and at the moment OX4 is that favourite.

Personally, I moved onto Bare Knuckke Mules and found they gave the sound I was looking for.

DMartini · Jan 28, 2015

wizardmc I thought Tim Whites winds were considered some of the best past and present and early ones were the ducks nuts?
I guess Throbak are no longer flavour of the month? swings in roundabouts though

eace2
I have pickups from "dare not speak his name" for me they sound fabulous

jwalker · Jan 28, 2015

duaneflowers said:
I won't deal with Throbak any more... just not a big Jon Gundy fan because of the way he likes to classlessly trash other builders whenever he gets the chance... my Throbaks came off my Gibby and went on my Epi 345 just cause I needed something with Gold covers.

:troll

Troll post reported to mods.

Duane, if you think any of my posts are inappropriate please tell the mods.

There are a lot of hard working pickup makers out there like me and I applaud them all for their hard work. I deal with the honest ones and most all are. I have sold them vintage winding machines, shared the names of suppliers and asked for the same from them. It is cool to be in a business with others that share the same passion. But there are a very, very small number of dishonest actors out there and when their shenanigans are at my expense I address it.

ThroBak started with just me making effects and pickups and has grown to a business that supports me and 3 employees. ThroBak has great support from customers because we always do right by them and we make really unique and really cool stuff is made to order. Our pickups are a made to order but ship within 7 business days or less.

renderit · Jan 28, 2015

I have many PU's from many winders. I love my Thrōbaks consistently in P-90's and HB's. I now have SLE-Plus-MXV's which are totally awesome and turned a turd into gold. I have a Gibson ES-339 that I really was about to get rid of. I put in the 101's and wow! I will keep it forever now.

I had Jon wind me a somewhat custom set of P90's for a Collings that had Lollars on it. The Thrōbak version are PERFECT! Exactly what I asked for tone wise.

For what you want, the MC-102B is it! I just got the set from another forum user and I think that very bridge pickup is exactly right for what you are complaining about. Nice and fat. Maybe leave the other one alone to save some bucks.

And I am not shilling here, I really like Lollars if you need a huge clear sound and surprisingly have really enjoyed my new DiMarzio 103's the factory put in my Lemonburst 335. For the 335 they are some of the best I have ever heard. The attack on the neck particularly thumps you right in the chest.

duaneflowers · Jan 28, 2015

jwalker said:
:troll

Troll post reported to mods.

Duane, if you think any of my posts are innapropriate please tell the mods. They are the defenders of this universe, not you.

Thanks for the, er, whatever that was... feel free to crawl back under your rock now... the adults are trying to have a conversation...

la

duaneflowers · Jan 28, 2015

SmokinSigs357 said:
To me, the bridge PU sounds awfully thin and loose. Most of the aftermarket PAF videos I've been watching have been far more acceptable to my ears that what I hear coming out of my Burstbucker. When I switch to the middle position, it sounds way better, but I'm pretty confident that the Neck PU is taking the brunt of the sound and sweetening it up.

I'm really digging the sound of the Doyle's, but man, that's a chunk of wallet that I wasn't expecting to give on this guitar. Oh well...the never ending case for tone!

What kind of music are you playing? What amp are you playing through? Any pedals in the chain? These could all affect pickup choice... :jim

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