Aftermarket Pickups???

[frenchphil]

swap them as often as you like or can. start with used bare knuckle they are great then go to SD ants and then go to custombuckers

if you are happy with the cb then look no further

i've had all the above and stock bbs i'd say bk and cb are very close sd were a step above

find the sweet spot it's all about compromise

 

[roadrunner]

Ahhhhhh, nothing like a good, "What kind of pickups should I get for my guitar" thread! Yup, you're guarantee'd to get a least a different opinion per post and no consensus.


Here's my suggestion... try 'em all! Even the expensive, "flavor of the moment" ones. The thing is, you can buy 'em, don't clip the leads, try them out and if they don't float your boat... sell them here on the forum for exactly what you paid. Granted, this only works with what's totally in demand at the moment but at least you get to try what everyone's raving about.

Personally, I don't think pickups are that big of a deal in a good Les Paul. I think a great Les Paul is pretty much "pickup proof", it'll sound great no matter what's in it because... it's the wood that's most important.
I've got some nice boutique pickups (OX4's... KILLER pickups) for my '13 reissue but it sounds great with the stock pickups, so why bother changing? Actually I did change and I ended up putting the stock ones back in because I love the sound of A3 magnets.

One cool little FREE pickup mod you can do with the stock pickups is soak them in a solvent to get the wax out of them. It's a very nice improvement.

 

[Cliff Gress]

Creamtone A3 Deluxe. Improvement over the standard BB's in my 2010 R7. Decent price too.

 

[DMartini]

agree with Roadrunner about AlNiCu 3, I have Skatterbrane Jazzbrane's in the neck & middle of my B7 and they give a very fat articulate warm tone that I love.
the Burstbuckers were so so, but with the Skatterbranes it is a hell of lot fuller in sound, so thanks Rod :salude

 

[JTele]

I would be flattered if anyone cloned my stuff honestly! That is no issue with me.

I guess I have to rehash it. I honestly hate to do it but here it is.

You really didn't "have to" rehash it.

 

[wizardmc]

Duncan is great

 

[Soulweb]

These kinds of posts are really fun. It's like asking what the best color Crayon is. A completely subjective question with absolutely no way to get a definitive answer. Because it's 100% subjective.

I think it's really great that some people/businesses are willing to wind a pickup and build it in some specific way. As a hobby tinkerer I truly appreciate anyone willing to put that kind of time into making a pickup. If time is money (and it is) then it stands to reason those time-consuming tasks must be paid for. From sourcing the materials, to investing in the tools, to actually building the thing.

I own a couple of Don Mare pickups for my Tele. So it's not like I don't enjoy all the reading and research on this dead-horse topic.

What surprises me is, personal preference for sound is extremely subjective. One person might say X sounds muddy, while an other person says X sounds warm and complex. One person might say pickup Y sounds like and ice pick, while someone else might say it sounds great with glistening highs. Add to this that one pickup will sound different when moved from guitar to guitar. Crazy man!

I say just find a brand you like, for whatever reason, and go buy the thing. If you don't like it, chances are there are enough people that do like it that you'll be able to unload it on ebay for not much of a loss. Enjoy the process. Have fun swapping the pickups until you find something that you like.

Personally I love the custombuckers that came in my 13 R9. It cost me nothing to keep em stock.

 

[AustinR9Powers]

I have had an R8 2002 and a Murphy R9 2007.
The R8 had 57 classics and I did not change the pickups. The neck was only very slightly muddy. The bridge worked so well I did not touch it.
The Murphy had BB's and I went to WCR (Crossroads, Darkburst) and it was better especially the neck.
I went to Throbaks SLE 101 MXV and it improved slightly at the bridge. Neck was not much better.
I changed the bridge, tailpiece, saddles and wiring harness and it got better. Still was not as good as the R8 for the sound I have in my head.
I sold the R9....... Maybe the wood?
I think I like underwound pickups. Maybe SD Antiquity or Crossroads in both positions might have done the trick for less $$.
I just ordered a Lemonburst 2013 R9 on closeout at Sweetwater today. (pretty top and a good deal)
If the Custombuckers don't have the mojo I am going to start with Antiquities as the replacement unless you guys know of a less hot set I should try.
Here's to hide glue and no condom tone!!

 

[Boogie Bill]

I have four Historics: two G0, R8 and R9; all have the BB 1&2 sets, which work fine for me.

I think if I were going to change though, I'd probably start with Duncans. The Antiquity, Seth Lover, Pearly Gates and WLH sets are relatively inexpensive, and just slightly different flavors. Duncan does offer a 30-day exchange. Another set that would be interesting to try would be their Bonamassa Signature set.

Bill

 

[Pearly Grapes]

One cool little FREE pickup mod you can do with the stock pickups is soak them in a solvent to get the wax out of them. It's a very nice improvement.

RR: What solvent do you recommend? I have some potted Holmes that definitely sound a little different (better) than my unpotted Holmes. Both have aged covers. I assume the covers need to be removed for the wax removal to truely be effective.

 

[roadrunner]

RR: What solvent do you recommend? I have some potted Holmes that definitely sound a little different (better) than my unpotted Holmes. Both have aged covers. I assume the covers need to be removed for the wax removal to truely be effective.

Yup, covers off. I've used mineral spirits pretty effectively, turpentine also works. You have to let 'em soak for awhile, as in... days. Then put 'em out in the sun and make sure they're dry before you put the covers back on. You can also, if you're very careful, use a heat gun (on the low setting) to melt some of the wax out of them. I wouldn't recommend the heat gun treatment though, pretty easy to ruin a pickup that way. Trust me, I know

 

[Kevin L.]

I am going to chime in with my own two cents. I have purchased two sets of ThroBaks, and before too long intend to buy another set. The pickups sound wonderful. Jon was a pleasure to deal with every step of the way.

********************************************************************

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.[/QUOTE]

 

[Ape Factory]

Going to throw in my .02 cents here, ignore the fact it's my first post on this forum, I'm active on all the others and just joined here. Anyhow, I'm going to mention Rewind, www.re-wind.net. I've been using pickups from James for some time. His low output PAF's are just really superb and quite cost effective compared to a lot of other boutique winders. In fact, I have a set in my R9 that's almost double the cost of a set from him and they're coming out. I have another set of low outputs ordered for that guitar as well. I've just not found anything better at any price point. I've a/b'd them against several pups mentioned in this thread and for me personally, they were the best, just spot on with a really beautiful rolled growl, no fizz and no modern grind. Nice and articulate with great note separation not found in Custom Buckers. A prettier voice too. Not dark, not muddy, and not too bright. The current set in the R9 has me rolling back the tone knob to around 2 or 3 as they're too bright, especially in the bridge. Maybe just not a good match for that particular guitar as I know many others like them. The Rewinds have always done it no matter what guitar I've put them in (three now). Plus James has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. He'll change things up til you're happy. He just moved halfway across the country so I think he's getting caught up but great guy and great customer service.

 

[duaneflowers]

Going to throw in my .02 cents here, ignore the fact it's my first post on this forum, I'm active on all the others and just joined here. Anyhow, I'm going to mention Rewind, www.re-wind.net. I've been using pickups from James for some time. His low output PAF's are just really superb and quite cost effective compared to a lot of other boutique winders. In fact, I have a set in my R9 that's almost double the cost of a set from him and they're coming out. I have another set of low outputs ordered for that guitar as well. I've just not found anything better at any price point. I've a/b'd them against several pups mentioned in this thread and for me personally, they were the best, just spot on with a really beautiful rolled growl, no fizz and no modern grind. Nice and articulate with great note separation not found in Custom Buckers. A prettier voice too. Not dark, not muddy, and not too bright. The current set in the R9 has me rolling back the tone knob to around 2 or 3 as they're too bright, especially in the bridge. Maybe just not a good match for that particular guitar as I know many others like them. The Rewinds have always done it no matter what guitar I've put them in (three now). Plus James has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. He'll change things up til you're happy. He just moved halfway across the country so I think he's getting caught up but great guy and great customer service.

I have two sets of Rewinds (Low Output and Crème Brûlées) and they are awesome! James is great to deal with and he winds some mean pickups. :salude

 

[straightblues]

I have tried a ton of humucker pickups. I am still searching. I have found a lot of very good pickups but still haven't found the sound I have in my head. Next up are the OX4's. Just sent of set of Dave Stephens VL61's down the road.

 

[ChevChelios]

I have 14 humbucker sets from boutique builders at my house right now, as I am writing a review/test for a German forum (actually, the second one).

It's amazing, how different the "same" thing/ideal (aka PAF) can sound. Most of them are great, or even better. Very few are so-so. But almost all of them are - at least in the test guitar - a definite upgrade to the Burstbuckers or Classic 57 (which I will include in the test, too).

I noticed that most pickups mentioned in this thread are on the expensive side. While I understand that Jon and Tom Holmes charge more for their pickups, as they make their own parts, etc., there are pickups available in the $200-$300 range that will fit the bill just as fine. I am thinking Klein, Wolfetone, Sheptone, Electric City Pickups, Lollar, JS Moore ... most of these can be found used on Ebay for less than $200 a set.

PS: Neither Wizz nor Throbak wanted to participate in the review, which is kind of a bummer, as people were requesting those two "brands" a lot.

 

[Black58]

"Audrey" - '97 R8 - Stock '57 Classics
"Vee" - '03 R8 - Stock non-potted BB1-2s
"Reygan" - '09 R8 - Aftermarket non-potted BB1-2s

Everyone is different.
People .. and guitars.

:jim

 

[roadrunner]

PS: Neither Wizz nor Throbak wanted to participate in the review, which is kind of a bummer, as people were requesting those two "brands" a lot.

Wizz is the new adorable kid on the block with the big price tag. Throbak's the old(er) kid on the block, with a well deserved and established reputation... both are probably selling quite well. To be included in a review like yours, they probably wouldn't have anything to gain, and a lot to lose. I can understand why they're not participating.

 

[Soulweb]

It's amazing, how different the "same" thing/ideal (aka PAF) can sound. Most of them are great, or even better. Very few are so-so. But almost all of them are - at least in the test guitar - a definite upgrade to the Burstbuckers or Classic 57 (which I will include in the test, too).

PS: Neither Wizz nor Throbak wanted to participate in the review, which is kind of a bummer, as people were requesting those two "brands" a lot.

This is exactly the point I was trying to make a few posts back. What you're not acknowledging is the sound you're talking about - be it "great", "better", or "so-so" is a totally subjective opinion. Your opinion. What you may feel is an upgrade to burstbuckers or classic 57s is again, your opinion. I personally think burstbuckers and especially 57 Classics are outstanding pickups. Maybe not in a Les Paul (for me personally), but they are great. 57 Classics in L5s or 335s are killer. But that's just my opinion.

I think you could take 20 humbucker sets, some from Hondos, some from old Kents, some stock Gibsons, and the usual assortment of uber-high-end makers and did a blind test then listed them in order of your own personal taste I truly wonder what the actual pecking order would look like. Most people theorize that, generally speaking, the most expensive ones will always come in at the top with the cheapest/worst brands at the bottom. I'm shocked that this mentality still exists today. Nobody goes to the museum and finds the most expensive art and says it's the best. Nobody goes to a yard sale and finds the oldest stuff there and says its the best based soley on it's age. Yet, it still happens in the instrument world. Is it worth more because it's old/expensive? Sure. Age/price creates supply and demand. Is it actually a better product just because it's old/expensive? Well, that's where it's totally subjective.

And as Roadrunner accurately pointed out, practically speaking, neither Throbak nor Wizz stand to gain anything at all from your review. If I'm in one of those companies I treat organized reviews like Kryptonite. They have the word of mouth - something no money can buy. It doesn't matter if it's for a website, doing an article for Premiere Guitar magazine, or what. Wizz and Throbak are keenly aware that their success is completely based on word of mouth. They currently have a great reputation and they don't really need a review. The best you could do is agree with the current opinion on their products, however, to have cooperated in a review that says anything other than "these things are worth the money" is just business suicide. So, it's really no surprise that these two big guns in the aftermarket pickup department want nothing to do with any reviews.

 

[Steve Craw]

I have a set of Throbaks in my R8, and they sound at least as good as the PAFs that I just traded away. I did install a .015 cap on the neck pickup with great results!