The Pickups Thread

[Sascha Franck]

Fwiw @FuzzyAce, you might be interested, got both a Cruiser and a Mojotone (58). For now, I slapped the latter into the neck position with the Cruiser sitting in the middle. As I have a 3 way switch in the Schecter (and will keep it like that) I added a 2 way mini switch for the middle pickup, but it won't mix it in but solo it (hence no inbetween settings but I hate positions 2 and 4 anyway).

Quick first playing: The Mojotone sounds absolutely great! Quite unfortunately, its output is pretty low to what I'm used to (had a Kinman AVN69 in there before, which is quite beefier). The Cruiser is a *lot* louder, even in middle position, so I had to turn it quite down. Also had to turn the bridge HB (stock Schecter, but I really like that one) down a tad to blend better with the Mojotone. Anyhow, sounds great this way, even the Cruiser in middle position seems very useful.
I will now play some gigs with that combination but I will defenitely as well check the Cruiser in neck position in some weeks, I can already imagine that it'd sound quite well there, too, level-wise it's likely a somewhat better fit than the Mojotone, but it might as well be less chimey.

Whatever, for the time being I'm extremely happy already, defenitely a very worthy update. And it also confirmed what I always thought about the Kinmans (at least the ones I have): They're way less "strat-y" and singlecoil-ish than what they try to make you believe. They're very decent for any kind of rock stuff and cut through very well, even with plenty of drive, but for, say, funky cleans (something I'm defenitely after), the Mojotone is running circles around them.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[FuzzyAce]

Fwiw @FuzzyAce, you might be interested, got both a Cruiser and a Mojotone (58). For now, I slapped the latter into the neck position with the Cruiser sitting in the middle. As I have a 3 way switch in the Schecter (and will keep it like that) I added a 2 way mini switch for the middle pickup, but it won't mix it in but solo it (hence no inbetween settings but I hate positions 2 and 4 anyway).

Quick first playing: The Mojotone sounds absolutely great! Quite unfortunately, its output is pretty low to what I'm used to (had a Kinman AVN69 in there before, which is quite beefier). The Cruiser is a *lot* louder, even in middle position, so I had to turn it quite down. Also had to turn the bridge HB (stock Schecter, but I really like that one) down a tad to blend better with the Mojotone. Anyhow, sounds great this way, even the Cruiser in middle position seems very useful.
I will now play some gigs with that combination but I will defenitely as well check the Cruiser in neck position in some weeks, I can already imagine that it'd sound quite well there, too, level-wise it's likely a somewhat better fit than the Mojotone, but it might as well be less chimey.

Whatever, for the time being I'm extremely happy already, defenitely a very worthy update. And it also confirmed what I always thought about the Kinmans (at least the ones I have): They're way less "strat-y" and singlecoil-ish than what they try to make you believe. They're very decent for any kind of rock stuff and cut through very well, even with plenty of drive, but for, say, funky cleans (something I'm defenitely after), the Mojotone is running circles around them.

Thanks for the tips!

Happy they're working out for you.

 

[joebloggs]

Current pickup set...
LP...Monty's PAFs
335...stock MHS
Tele...stock Xotic Raw Vintage
Tele 2...Lindy Fralin Blus Specials
Strat...stock Ancho Poblano SSS
Strat...Monty's '62 SSS set
Rivolta Combinata XVII...Monty's '54 P90s
Other than the Fralins, I tend to gravitate to Monty's for a pickup winder other than the stock ones in the Xotic, the 335 and the Fender CS Ancho strat. They really do kick ass.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I'm not incredibly picky about pickups, but do change them when I deem necessary:

LP Standard: SD Pegasus in the bridge, stock BB pro + in neck. Neck might get changed but low priority

Vela: stock GB OEMs. The snob in me has been tempted to change these out but honestly they sound awesome, no real reason to. Maybe its because they're more "exotic" pick up types (tron and D type)

Custom 22: stock Dragon IIs. I've toyed with changing them but they sound good and get the job done.

CE24: Stock. the PRS 85/15s are some of my favorite pickups ever. just killer

Mccarty 594: SD Scourge in the bridge, GB OEM still in the neck, probably will swap that one out fairly soon. Its ok but nothing too special

Boden prog: stock Surh SSV SS+ pickups, they sound great I dig them, especially with the swithing options on the strandberg

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Custom 22: stock Dragon IIs. I've toyed with changing them but they sound good and get the job done.

I really like dragon iis for gainy tones but less so for cleans. Especially when compared to my les paul, tele or strat. Compared to those guitars the dragon iis were really dark and compressed sounding so I found I had to use wildly different EQ settings for my prs and all of my other guitars.

Every few years I put them back in and despite being able to get good tones I immediately realise why I took them out and just switch them again.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I really like dragon iis for gainy tones but less so for cleans. Especially when compared to my les paul, tele or strat. Compared to those guitars the dragon iis were really dark and compressed sounding so I found I had to use wildly different EQ settings for my prs and all of my other guitars.

Every few years I put them back in and despite being able to get good tones I immediately realise why I took them out and just switch them again.

Definitely feel you on the darkness. My LP, 594, and the CU22 I do kind of feel more meh on the cleans compared to the others. Makes sense that the vela has lovely cleans but the 85s with the coils tapped just sounds beautiful on cleans, by far my favorite. Although a new challenger has entered the arena with the strandberg...

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Definitely feel you on the darkness. My LP, 594, and the CU22 I do kind of feel more meh on the cleans compared to the others. Makes sense that the vela has lovely cleans but the 85s with the coils tapped just sounds beautiful on cleans, by far my favorite. Although a new challenger has entered the arena with the strandberg...

I've never played strandberg, I've only ever seen them in YouTube videos. I'm not sure they're for me but I'd like to have a go on one to see what they're like.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I've never played strandberg, I've only ever seen them in YouTube videos. I'm not sure they're for me but I'd like to have a go on one to see what they're like.

They’re definitely not for everyone. But I’ve been captivated by the aesthetic for a while though, and it turns out I’m into all the different unique design aspects too lol

It’s definitely a cool change of pace and has been a blast to play so far. No gigs booked until may at the moment so still have a while before I get stage test it, or any of my recent amp acquisitions

 

[SillyOctpuss]

They’re definitely not for everyone. But I’ve been captivated by the aesthetic for a while though, and it turns out I’m into all the different unique design aspects too lol

It’s definitely a cool change of pace and has been a blast to play so far. No gigs booked until may at the moment so still have a while before I get stage test it, or any of my recent amp acquisitions

Keep us updated with how you get on dude. What's the neck shape like on them?

 

[spawnofthesith]

Keep us updated with how you get on dude. What's the neck shape like on them?

Necks one of the most different parts haha, I can't really compare it to anything. I've heard vaguely close to a fender C but it don't feel like a fender C to me Its got a big asymmetrical trapezoid protrusion. I find it very comfortable

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Necks one of the most different parts haha, I can't really compare it to anything. I've heard vaguely close to a fender C but it don't feel like a fender C to me Its got a big asymmetrical trapezoid protrusion. I find it very comfortable

Well that clears it up. Yup I have no clue what the necks like

 

[jellodog]

I just dropped a Suhr V63+ neck pickup into my EBMM Cutlass.

YES!

This is exactly what I was looking for. Just a touch more mids and not too much on the top end.

Verrry tasty. Would recommend.

 

[Jarick]

Fwiw @FuzzyAce, you might be interested, got both a Cruiser and a Mojotone (58). For now, I slapped the latter into the neck position with the Cruiser sitting in the middle. As I have a 3 way switch in the Schecter (and will keep it like that) I added a 2 way mini switch for the middle pickup, but it won't mix it in but solo it (hence no inbetween settings but I hate positions 2 and 4 anyway).

Quick first playing: The Mojotone sounds absolutely great! Quite unfortunately, its output is pretty low to what I'm used to (had a Kinman AVN69 in there before, which is quite beefier). The Cruiser is a *lot* louder, even in middle position, so I had to turn it quite down. Also had to turn the bridge HB (stock Schecter, but I really like that one) down a tad to blend better with the Mojotone. Anyhow, sounds great this way, even the Cruiser in middle position seems very useful.
I will now play some gigs with that combination but I will defenitely as well check the Cruiser in neck position in some weeks, I can already imagine that it'd sound quite well there, too, level-wise it's likely a somewhat better fit than the Mojotone, but it might as well be less chimey.

Whatever, for the time being I'm extremely happy already, defenitely a very worthy update. And it also confirmed what I always thought about the Kinmans (at least the ones I have): They're way less "strat-y" and singlecoil-ish than what they try to make you believe. They're very decent for any kind of rock stuff and cut through very well, even with plenty of drive, but for, say, funky cleans (something I'm defenitely after), the Mojotone is running circles around them.

Thanks for the tips!

That tracks. I tried a Mojotone 58 set and the output was very low, quieter than vintage output Strat pickups. Didn't last long for me.

Cruisers I never was able to install, I have a set of them but they didn't fit in my Ibanez so I need to sell them off.

 

[Jarick]

I just dropped a Suhr V63+ neck pickup into my EBMM Cutlass.

YES!

This is exactly what I was looking for. Just a touch more mids and not too much on the top end.

Verrry tasty. Would recommend.

Suhr V63+ I believe is the ML...I have a pair in my Ibanez AZ2204 along with a Thornbucker Plus in the bridge. Awesome pickups!

 

[jellodog]

Suhr V63+ I believe is the ML...I have a pair in my Ibanez AZ2204 along with a Thornbucker Plus in the bridge. Awesome pickups!

Nice!

Yeah, I think it the V63+ used to be the ML Standard.

 

[Sascha Franck]

That tracks. I tried a Mojotone 58 set and the output was very low, quieter than vintage output Strat pickups. Didn't last long for me.

Yeah, by now, while I like the sound, the output is indeed pretty low, so I will exchange Cruiser and Mojotone. I can actually do with a lower output middle position pickup, especially as it won't part of any regular switching schedule, having it available as a kind of occasional, midrangey lower output choice is something I can imagine using (had it like that on another guitar in the past). Will try that tomorrow.

 

[la szum]

True. Except mine, of course. They really are special.

That's awesome! We all should all be so lucky and feel our own are the most special(est) of all.

 

[Jarick]

Current layout...deep breath...

• PRS CE-24 - stock 85/15 USA pickups, although curious about a swap to something else again
• PRS S2 McCarty 594 - Wolfetone Dr Vintage neck and Marshallhead bridge with A2 magnets, sounds killer although a touch warm
• PRS S2 Standard 24 - Suhr SSV set, a bit dark, not bad in the bridge though
• Ibanez AZ2204 - Suhr Thornbucker Plus bridge with ML neck and middle
• Fender Strat - Wilde Microcoils
• Fender Tele - Wilde Microcoils
• Jazzmaster - Porter J90 (JM sized P90's but lower output)
• Epiphone ES-335 - Gibson Burstbucker 2/3 set (stock)

I may swap the Thornbucker set (raw nickel covers, plus bridge) into my CE-24 again. May swap a set of Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid and Jazz neck into my Standard too.

Wilde pickups I installed they are really neat but I may bail at some point and go back to traditional. I've got a set of K-Line 64's and V60LP's for the Strat and K-Line Signature T and Suhr Classic for the Tele.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Fwiw, I could do with a set of new pickups for my Epiphone LP in the more or less near future. I think I might be fine with a DiMarzio Bluesbucker for the neck position, already slapped one into the bridge position of my Anderson and with a bit of imagination I could pretty well imagine it to be a decent choice in the neck position as well. I thought about slapping a Duncan mini humbucker in there at first, but not only would it look strange with an adapter frame, I also thing the Bluesbucker would suit my needs better. I may as well consider an SD Jazz, though - in a nutshell, I want something not as thick as most standard humbuckers.

However, I have little ideas about what to slap into the bridge position. I don't want anything with high output and I want a sort of "open", "transparent" sound with at least some sort of chime.
Proper split sound isn't required.
Any recommendations?

 

[spawnofthesith]

Current layout...deep breath...

• PRS CE-24 - stock 85/15 USA pickups, although curious about a swap to something else again
• PRS S2 McCarty 594 - Wolfetone Dr Vintage neck and Marshallhead bridge with A2 magnets, sounds killer although a touch warm
• PRS S2 Standard 24 - Suhr SSV set, a bit dark, not bad in the bridge though
• Ibanez AZ2204 - Suhr Thornbucker Plus bridge with ML neck and middle
• Fender Strat - Wilde Microcoils
• Fender Tele - Wilde Microcoils
• Jazzmaster - Porter J90 (JM sized P90's but lower output)
• Epiphone ES-335 - Gibson Burstbucker 2/3 set (stock)

I may swap the Thornbucker set (raw nickel covers, plus bridge) into my CE-24 again. May swap a set of Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid and Jazz neck into my Standard too.

Wilde pickups I installed they are really neat but I may bail at some point and go back to traditional. I've got a set of K-Line 64's and V60LP's for the Strat and K-Line Signature T and Suhr Classic for the Tele.

Interesting that you find the Suhr SSV dark, they seem pretty bright in my Strandberg. Maybe it’s that swamp ash brightness @la szum was talking about lol