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Post by zdogma on Jan 18, 2006 16:37:37 GMT -7
I'd like to replace the stock pups in my LP studio. Specifically, i'd like a bit more brightness in the neck, and a bit less mid in both. Is it worth the extra money to go for a real boutique style pickup, or am I just as likely to be happy with seymour duncan 59's. Anyone with vintage hum experience?
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Post by jwr on Jan 23, 2006 22:42:47 GMT -7
The trouble with pickups is that you don't get a chance to plug into them at a store to see if you like them. I've got SD Alnico II's in my Les Paul Standard and I like them a lot. Maybe a Alnico II in the neck and a 59 in the bridge would work? Brian Moore is shipping some of their guitars with a JB in the bridge and Alnico II in the neck. Have you looked into SD Antiquities? I've heard the 59's are great. Lindy Fralin is making a nice humbucker. Rio Grande pickups are supposed to be nice as well. Pickups are a tough subject to give advice on, hope my rambling helped some. Oh, don't overlook PRS pickups. They have some of the best humbuckers out there. IMO
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Post by JoeYello on Jan 24, 2006 7:20:45 GMT -7
I have been very satisfied with my WCR Darkbursts. They are very clear and articulate with no mud what so ever on the neck pickup. They cut through the mix fine. I am playing rock with these pups through a Ghia, Maz 18 or vox amp.
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Post by zdogma on Jan 24, 2006 7:38:56 GMT -7
Thanks for the suggestions.
I have used the alnico pros in my SG and like them a lot. Great low output pickups. Everyone raves about the WCR pups on the les paul forum, but I live in Canada, and I haven't yet been able to hear them.
As an aside...I just looked at the WCR website and think i'm going to have a seizure. Who designed that crazy thing? It's like ordering from a chinese food menu. Did you order direct, joeyello?
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Post by JoeYello on Jan 24, 2006 12:16:19 GMT -7
Yes, I did order direct. I have 2 sets of Darkbursts. On the first one I called Jim up because I wanted double cream with no covers. He told me to follow the paypal links and put my requests in a comment field, it all worked out well. You used to have to add shipping, but now he makes it easy for you. Don't be afraid it is not hard! ;D Make sure you put what you want in the comment field, like whether you want the covers soldered or not. Good luck!
Joe
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Post by James on Jan 25, 2006 11:07:53 GMT -7
I have Lindy Frailins in my Les Paul.......I sold the Burstbuckers that it came with on Ebay......
I have not tried every humbucker out there, but, all I can say is these pickups sound amazing. I found the Burst B's to be slighty mushy on the bottom end and hotter than I wanted............The lindys have a really focused bottom end.........and when you strum an open chord like a D.............with some tube driven overdrive, the sound is wide open and airy......its absolutely beautiful!
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jan 25, 2006 13:23:10 GMT -7
The WCR suggestion is a good one. I've not tried every 'bucker in the world either, but I know what I like when I hear it. I think the Crossroads would definitely fit the bill for what you are looking for, and the Darkbursts would probably be a good choice as well for a little hotter output than the Crossroads. Both of those pickups feature a very balanced tone (read: a bit more relaxed in the midrange like a traditional PAF-style 'bucker as opposed to a mid-hyped model). They are very articulate and detailed -- morso than your typical humbucker... almost like a hybrid between a fat single coil and a 'bucker. They're sweet, but never blurry or muddy (even in the neck), and they stay articulate, clear, and clean up beautifully when you roll back the volume control on your guitar.
The Crossroads neck is the most beautiful neck pickup I've ever heard... It sounds like exactly what you describe you are looking for... It's on the brighter side, very articulate, and really CUTS when you turn your guitar volume to "10", and then the highs sweetens and smooth out beautifully while rolling your guitar volume down from there, but you never lose the highs - they just get smoother...
I hope that helps. Not at all trying to push these on you... The WCR's, Crossroads in particular, are my favorite pickups and their tone has inspired my playing for almost 2 years now. Every time I pickup my my 335 with those Crossroads it feels as good as the first day I put them in that guiter.
As a cross-reference, I would not recommend the Goodwood for what you are looking for... While that's a great pickup in it's own right, it has a huge, fat, thick, ballsy midrange... I'd say the Goodwood is a bit more modern tone, and I put a set of those in my PRS in place of the Dragon I's that came in that axe... The Goodwoods blow the DOORS off teh Dragon I pickups.
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Post by zdogma on Feb 3, 2006 10:53:31 GMT -7
Ordered a crossroads set and a set of jason lollar imperial humbuckers. Many thanks for all the suggestions. Will give you an update after i have tried both.
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