favorite pickups!! this should be cool to discuss

[TJ]

I use VAn Zandt rock pick ups in my strat. They're the fattest, smoothest sounding pickups that I've come across. Van zandts with the tone knob rolled off a bit makes for a smooth fat overdriven tone.

[jimbax]

for humbuckers...I used JB (Jeff Beck) in the bridge and 59 in the neck for years...switched to Custom Custom (yep, twice) for a much fatter tone yet, still with bite...the JB in comparison has alot of uppermids and doesn't like certain amps (any class A amp that is...) loves Marshalls though...the EVH PU in my Peavy WolfGang was nice and cutting...alot like a JB BUT again, didn't like class A amps...you have to 'tune' your guitar/pups/amp for optimum results.

[Hacksaw]

Yeaup same here,, 59 in the neck position, JB sh-4 in the bridge. its my standard go back to config for years now. I am running the dimarzio fred right now, its ok, but I feel its a little weak. the JB always opens up the tone of the guitar for me. seems bolder

[craggin]

My favorite pickups when $$$ is no object are the WCR's. Let me preface by saying I usually HATE ceramic pickups...but the WCR Herc is the exception..and at 18k, it is a hot pickup...but stays unbelievably quiet. It is the single biggest, fattest, most aggressive pickup I've ever played...yet stays true to your picking nuances. Legato lines flow like water, alternate picking rewards you with that crisp snap, and power chords will hit you like a 50 lbs. sack of nickels. I have the bridge pickup in my PRS Singlecut.

My second goto pickup is the WCR Fillmore set, they're wound to obtain that Duane Allman tone from "Live at the Fillmore East". The articulation this pickup has makes you bring your "A" game when you play. Regardless of how much gain you're running, you could play the most extended chord you know and every note will ring true.

My third favorite pickup is the Rio BBQ...I alternate this pickup and the WCR Fillmore in my Les Paul a lot. It isn't as articulate as the Fillmore, but it covers a very large EQ spectrum with all the gusto you can image. As Jimbax posted above, some amps don't dig the JB...I'll expand upon that (and agree with him) by saying some guitars don't get along with it very well, either. If you find that the JB sounds trebly or harsh, throw a BBQ in its place...problem solved. Granted, the JB sounds really good...but of those who don't like it, it usually is the result of the aforementioned problems. The JB is very close behind the BBQ in my book.

[motrock]

I will be getting the Rio Grande BBQ and the Genuine Texas in my Mansel. I think that is what Craig has in his Mansel? Craig, what do you think of the BBQ?

[jimbax]

When I play...I like hitting people with a 50 lb sack of nickels! unless I can find a 75 pounder...I haven't heard of the WDR pu's I'll have to check em out...18K??? man I think my Pups added together on BOTH my guitars dont push that...

[VomHalen]

admin said:

in my opinion, and i've tried alot of pickups, there's nothing better than the duncan distortion

i thought there was nothing better than the duncan distortions...until i played a suhr SSH+...BOING!

[Dirrty Craig]

I love both of those Rio Grande BBQ Bucker and Texas whatevers in there,, they rock.

For years I was a JB/'59 man too. Great combo. I've never been much of a pickup guru,, never change pups in either of my old PRS's and in all my other guitars I've always gone to the JB until now with the Rio Grandes.

Back in the old days, I used to scour the Earth for those old Schaller pups that came in the USA Kramers, I loved those for alot of years.

I CAN however tell you what I don't like..

..anything active like EMG's,, yuck.
...anything Dimarzio,, I've tried Steve Special, Super Distortion, Fred and some others,, hate 'em all.

[shreder75]

I'm with you on the dimarzios, craig...

I had stock d's in my ebmm axis..hated them..swapped them out for a jb/jazz..sounded great in that guitar....

I also had stock d's in my ebmm petrucci..they sucked..so I swapped out the bridge with a dimarzio evolution...and that pickup sucks as well...lol..so I have a texas bbq set waiting to be put in..can't wait to hear them =)

[craggin]

dirrtycraig said:

I've never been much of a pickup guru,, never change pups in either of my old PRS's and in all my other guitars ...

Smart man...you've saved countless hours chasing your tail. I wish I wasn't so darn picky (no pun intended)...it would save me a lot of grief and money.

[shreder75]

I'mnot a big PRS fan...i don't like the necks, BUT , I do love the HFS bridge pickups..those things are fat and nasty sounding

[DonaldDemon]

craggin said:

My favorite pickups when $$$ is no object are the WCR's. Let me preface by saying I usually HATE ceramic pickups...but the WCR Herc is the exception..and at 18k, it is a hot pickup...but stays unbelievably quiet. It is the single biggest, fattest, most aggressive pickup I've ever played...yet stays true to your picking nuances. Legato lines flow like water, alternate picking rewards you with that crisp snap, and power chords will hit you like a 50 lbs. sack of nickels. I have the bridge pickup in my PRS Singlecut.

My second goto pickup is the WCR Fillmore set, they're wound to obtain that Duane Allman tone from "Live at the Fillmore East". The articulation this pickup has makes you bring your "A" game when you play. Regardless of how much gain you're running, you could play the most extended chord you know and every note will ring true.

My third favorite pickup is the Rio BBQ...I alternate this pickup and the WCR Fillmore in my Les Paul a lot. It isn't as articulate as the Fillmore, but it covers a very large EQ spectrum with all the gusto you can image. As Jimbax posted above, some amps don't dig the JB...I'll expand upon that (and agree with him) by saying some guitars don't get along with it very well, either. If you find that the JB sounds trebly or harsh, throw a BBQ in its place...problem solved. Granted, the JB sounds really good...but of those who don't like it, it usually is the result of the aforementioned problems. The JB is very close behind the BBQ in my book.

Hey craggin , I have th WCR SR set in my Strat and all I can say is WOW. Granted I never bothered to change pickups in anything but when I got my Strat I couldn't help but notice how crappy those stock pup's sounded. I did mucho research and ended with the WCR's (Wagner Custom Rewind for those unfamiliar). The neck and middle pup's are sooo organic and fat sounding it blows me away. Very fat for single coils. I wish I had a humbucker in the bridge for more juice but that will be anoth guitar .

Inever had to change my LP's pup's though because I have magic stock pup's in it. Everyone that plays my LP is amazed at how good the pup's sound and I ask me what put in there. Even Paul Unkert, local guitar guy legend around here said the guitar sounded great.
Oh, and for all you VH freaks, Paul used to work on EVH's guitars personally when he was a luthier at Kramer

[jimbax]

not surprised...Gibson pick-ups are hit and miss...you got a hit! mine are microphonic ;( ..my strat has fender 'texas special' PUs and it sounds like a strat with some sac...I didn't want to stray too far away from vintage sounds for what I play..