mazman
Full Member
www.crossroadsband.info
Posts: 176
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Post by mazman on Feb 20, 2006 17:08:51 GMT -7
Does anyone have experience in these pickups? I have a r7 goldtop and interested in the crossroads set. My lester has the 57 classics. Any difference in the two?
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Post by Curt on Feb 20, 2006 20:29:23 GMT -7
olpeach is a believer, he has two sets, hit him with a PM if he don't jump in here.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Feb 21, 2006 8:30:32 GMT -7
yep, WCR's are the best 'buckers in the biz IMO, but I've never had '57 classics... that said, I'd venture to guess that there'd be quite a difference between those two pickup sets, as there's been quite a difference between the WCR's and every other pickup set I've compared them to.
The Crossroads are THE best choice if you really want to let your 'bucker-loaded axe breathe more like a single coil guitar. They're really articulate and clear, and it's my favorite set that Jim makes because they're really 'honest' sounding and feeling pickups... More neutral than something like the Goodwoods which are considerably thicker and with a bit warmer output. The Crossroads are a perfect match to any guitar that you like the natural character of to begin with -- such as with my 335, where I wanted to let as much of the natural tone of the axe come through as possible.
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Post by guitarman1 on Feb 21, 2006 13:58:08 GMT -7
I replaced a set of Gibson '57s in my 335 2005 Dot Re-issue with WCR Darkbursts. Compared to the '57s, they were more open, less congested sounding. Highs had less treble bight in a really good way, but still plenty of clarity. Bass was more defined. Slightly more harmonic content also. The '57s also squealed when played at high volumes close to a cranked amp. The WCRs had no squealing problems.
In a nutshell, the '57s were bright & congested, while the Darkbursts were actually warmer but more open. I also changed out the stock Gibson pots with CTS pots at the same time, so there may have been some tonal changes due to the pots alone.
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Post by Seńor Verde on Feb 26, 2006 16:52:50 GMT -7
I have Wagner Darkbursts in one of my McCarty's and Crossroads in the other. Both are great. The guitar with Crossroads is a more middy and dull guitar. The Croddroads made it come to life.
I have nickel covers on mine and they are very transparent. I think either would be great in your R7.
He also has the Betset, which is even more open sounding and brighter, according to what Jim told me.
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Post by James on Mar 13, 2006 12:54:10 GMT -7
any of you guys compare these pickups head to head with lindy frailins'?
Just curious..............no one seems to be talking about LF's any more..........but more about the WCR's
I have LF's in both of my Les Pauls and I liked how they simply opened things up with some breathing room..........less muddy sounding than the Burstbuckers...........tighter bottom ends and more chord clarity...........
Just wondered if I was missing something...............I am planning on swapping the 57's in my 93 reissue dot neck 335 and was considering trying something new...........like the WCR's.....
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Post by Seńor Verde on Mar 13, 2006 16:38:07 GMT -7
I had a set of mid 8k Fralins before I bought my first set of Wagners. They sounded very good. I wanted them covered, so put a set of nickel covers on them and it killed the tone. Wagner pickups sound great with his solid nickel covers, or Gibson nickel covers. Open, bright with lots of harmonic swirl.
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Post by James on Mar 13, 2006 17:55:28 GMT -7
really? I had no idea the covers affected the tone..... That's important to me........cosmetically, I would want to keep my "faded" covers on to preserve the aged look of my 335..( it's that aged, yellow color with an insane flame ........ the crossroads set sound like they'd be great in the 335.......
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Post by prowler on Mar 13, 2006 18:07:55 GMT -7
I really like the sound of the Crossroads set.
DoobieK... would you happen to have any sound clips of your McCarty with the Crossroads? I have a McCarty & I've been thinking of changing out the pickups in it.
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Post by James on Mar 13, 2006 18:16:55 GMT -7
yes.........me need sound clips.........me tired of buying on word of mouth!
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Post by Seńor Verde on Mar 13, 2006 20:41:20 GMT -7
No soundclips with my gear, but the WCR website has soundclips that pretty much do sound accurate. there is one of a guy playing Crossroads pups in a Gibson ES-347. That should sound similar to an ES-335.
I have found that chrome covers or nickel plated brass covers kill the tone. Wagners with good, all nickel covers might suffer a bit, but they suffer less than any other pups I have tried covered and uncovered. I think they sound better covered than most sound naked. I think part of it may be the fact Wagners are not wax potted, but that is just a theory. BTW, they do NOT squeal at high gain.
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Post by prowler on Mar 14, 2006 11:35:08 GMT -7
DoobieK...
Which pickup do you like in the bridge position of your McCarty & why.. the Darkburst or the Crossroads?
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Post by Seńor Verde on Mar 14, 2006 19:25:20 GMT -7
Prowler, I have two McCarty's, each with different Wagners.
One of my McCarty's is very middy and kind of dull, compared to the other McCarty. The middy one has Crossroads and is my main gigging guitar.
The other Mc is brighter sounding, has less natural mids and has Darkbursts.
Now both guitars sound very similar and I would have a tough time choosing which sounds better. The guitar with Crossroads is my #1 because of the weight and it just feels and hangs better on me. Otherwise, I would use the guitar with DB's more often.
I don't know if either guitar is average for brightness or mids, as these are the only two McCarty's I have ever played.
Sorry, not much help, eh Prowler?
I can make a comparison with a Les Paul I had and my middier McCarty. I had the same set of Wagner Fillmores in both of those guitars and felt the PRS was brighter. The LP was about average sounding for one. So, If I were to be buying a set for an LP, I would try the Crossroads.
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Post by brando on Mar 14, 2006 20:38:20 GMT -7
I replaced my stock PAFs with Crossroads. If you're frustrated with flubby/muddy tone especially when playing with an EL84 based amp, this is a no brainer. Brought my Gibson to whole new tone level. The neck pickup is just sick too. Jim will get you the pickups in just a few days too.
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Post by prowler on Mar 15, 2006 7:39:04 GMT -7
I have a McCarty with a Rosewood neck. I'm torn between the Crossroads & the Darkbursts. I have no idea which will sound best in my McCarty. I LOVE the tone my McCarty has when it's not plugged in & I want to make sure that as much of it's natural tone comes through. Which pickup do you think allows your guitars natural tone to come through best? Crossroads or Darkbursts?
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Post by guitarman1 on Mar 15, 2006 8:08:13 GMT -7
I have a McCarty with a Rosewood neck. I'm torn between the Crossroads & the Darkbursts. I have no idea which will sound best in my McCarty. I LOVE the tone my McCarty has when it's not plugged in & I want to make sure that as much of it's natural tone comes through. Which pickup do you think allows your guitars natural tone to come through best? Crossroads or Darkbursts? I forget his first name, but you can call Mr. Wagner at WRC and he will spend allot of time with you describing his pups and giving you the best fit. He is a very easy guy to work with and always seems happy to help you with a selection.
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Post by prowler on Mar 15, 2006 9:01:40 GMT -7
I actually did speak with Jim & he recommended either a set of Crossroads or a Crossroad in the neck & a Darkburst in the bridge. I just want to be sure that I don't get something that I hate. I really like the way the Crossroads sound Clip #4 sounds. But it's so hard to know what something will sound like when it's in your guitar. After all, no mfg would put up a crappy sound clip.
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Post by prowler on Mar 16, 2006 17:29:22 GMT -7
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Post by Seńor Verde on Mar 16, 2006 21:28:54 GMT -7
I have seen and heard that before. I could not tell enough of a difference to decide based on the soundclips. It sounds like the guitar is overdriving a tape deck and is too distorted.
I would go with what Jim recommends. If you don't like the choice, he seems like he would do what it takes to get you satisfied.
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Post by prowler on Mar 18, 2006 5:43:39 GMT -7
Well I took the plunge & placed an order for a Crossroads neck & Darkburst bridge combo. I also got an RS Premium kit with Super Pots. I'm looking forward to hearing the difference between the stock McCarty's & the WCR/RS combo.
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Post by James on Mar 18, 2006 6:59:57 GMT -7
"RS Premium kit with Super Pots" prowler........what does this mean?......in terms of tone? I am thinking of taking the plunge as well for my 335. also, did you order with pickup"covers"?
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Post by prowler on Mar 18, 2006 7:34:05 GMT -7
As I understand it the "Super Kit" has much higher quality parts than stock electronics & "Super Pots" are pots that have even tighter tolerances than what comes in the "Super Kit". As for how that relates to tone... I have no idea until I get all the stuff & have it installed into my guitar. I did not get covers for the pickups.
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Post by Seńor Verde on Mar 18, 2006 14:35:18 GMT -7
Cool. You WILL let us know how you like the pups, I hope. I put a super pot in the guitar with Crossroads. Can't tell a difference at full volume, but at least I know the pots measure over 500k and I am not losing any extra highs from how the pickups and circuit were designed for. Nicer taper too. I don't know that they are really worth all the extra price, but I have bought a few CTS 500k pots that measured way low, so now I can sleep at night. ;D
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Post by prowler on Mar 21, 2006 18:50:04 GMT -7
1/3 of my new electronics arrived today. My RS Premium kit with Super Pots arrived today. The pots do seem to have a much nicer feel to them. My pickups from Jim should arrive on Friday. I cant wait to give the whole new system a go.
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Post by prowler on Mar 27, 2006 18:02:51 GMT -7
As promised I am back to let you know about my WCR pickups. I love them. They are exactly what I expected & more. I got a Crossroads neck / Darkburst bridge set. In addition, I also got an RS Premium kit with "Super Pots". I had my tech install everything this afternoon & I went to the studio to give them a try. They are everything I wanted them to be. Clear, articulate & smooth. They really allow my guitars natural tone to come through. They aren't mushy sounding in the midrange like my stock PRS pups were. The pots have great taper & even the slightest adjustment made to either pot can be easily heard.
I highly recommend WCR pups to anyone looking to upgrade their buckers.
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Post by Seńor Verde on Mar 27, 2006 21:48:51 GMT -7
Glad you like them.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Mar 28, 2006 9:47:45 GMT -7
Glad you found what you were looking for!
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Apr 19, 2006 11:15:24 GMT -7
I just ordered a set of Crossroads for my Les Paul Standard Limited (Les Paul Standard with Ebony Board). Jim was great to work with and answered all my questions. Also, I ordered a standard 2 conductor set and he is sending me a 4 conductor set, which costs more, for no extra charge. That way I do not have to wait for him to get back from Dallas to build me a 2 conductor set. Very cool guy to deal with. I also ordered a RS GUITARWORKS 50s Production Upgraded Wiring Kit (Pre-Wired). Looking forward to hearing how this all sounds when I am done.
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Post by prowler on Apr 19, 2006 12:38:07 GMT -7
I have never been happier with pickups. I really like the tone of my WCR's.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 21, 2006 5:45:49 GMT -7
Just listened again to the clips on the WCR site for the Crossroads set - DANG, that page has some nice clips. I may pull the trigger on a set of these, but I definitely want covers on and it's not really clear if the clips were done with or without covers. Anyone have an opinion on that?
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