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Hey guys - been reading and reflecting; Pickup requests, mag swaps, tone wiz, etc...
I am going to throw this out on the floor for reasonable discussion, with the intent of making the Pickup lounge a better place for everyone. Lately, we have seen some trends in pickup advice that are, IMO, not the greatest things for the Duncan consumer and consummate tone seeker. I'm not putting this out there to smack down anyone - just saying it does us all good to take a moment to reflect. I'm going to throw some things down, and make some suggestions for a general pickup decorum - particularly when dealing with new guys.
Here are a few examples, and all of us are guilty of these things from time to time (or a lot of the time).
- Recommending our favorite pickup all the time
- Recommending pickups based on what we have heard about it as if you own it
- Recommending pickups for guitars which you don't/haven't owned
- The automatic Mag Swap response
- Not directly answering the OP's question
- Making recs ONLY based on a request for a pickup
- Saying a pickup, mag, or whatever is too trebly/middy/loose, cold, etc....
I can go on - but you get the picture. This sort of stuff honestly does nothing to really help a person get the advice they need. All it does is present opinions as facts, disregard the subtle complexities of tone, and most likely give either bad advice, or worse, turn people off to the place. So, may I suggest the following decorum when making suggestions - particularly of new arrivals here (whether new to pup swaps, etc or not)
#1 Answer the question directly. If someone wants a recommended set of pots for a single coil, or a Loud hum,bucker - by all means either give an answer, or immediately ask for more info. They didn't ask to be interviewed, chastised or anything else. Just answer the question. I know that is counter to what the rest of this will say, but it is polite.
#2 Try to always find out what is "lacking" in the current tone: Too much/too little bas/mids/treble/output etc... Let's be honest - without this info, you know nothing about the "ear of the beholder" and are just shooting in the dark. It's about what makes them happy - not you!
#3 Please always remember, the gear and the guitar are important. A Pearly Gates in an Ash/Maple Strat through A Fender Twin with no fx is a wayyyyy different beast than in a all mahogany/rosewood Les Paul Studio through a Boss ME-50 into a Marshall half stack. It might or might not be the right answer depending on the gear and the issue in #2. I have seen way too many just flat out recs, followed by this question about amp and guitar and even style of play, and then complete reversals of suggestions. Nothing but confusing.
#4 Let's be judicious about recommending EITHER a mag swap or a pup swap. I have experienced the joys of the a8, and of losing a junk pickup. There is a time and place for each. You can't turn a Yugo into a Ferrari by swapping wheels. Then again, there may be nothing wrong with your Yugo except that it needs new tires. Let's not go mag swap crazy out of the gate, often people just have the wrong frickin' pickup. But let's not change pickups like they are underwear. The are expensive and time consuming lingerie. Let's try to get it right out of the gate, and let's seriously consider the ease and benefit of the mag swap. As always - the Duncan exchange policy rules.
#4.5 As always - let's encourage learning to do this stuff. Skills oveexcessive tech charges anyway!
#5 PLEASE be sure to clarify your specific experience. I'll often state a comment about a pickup that is clearly relevant - but I'll also state that I had the pup in a particulalr guitar. YMMV is king - but only if clarify what your actual experience was.
#6 I'm ok with people who say "I have heard" or "I have read a lot about" etc... No need to require personal experience only. However - be sure to clarify that is the case.
#7 If you have any personal preferences - be sure to state that is the case. Example; I really like a 300k pot with a ceramic humbucker in the bridge. But don't just flat out say 300k is best. "usually people use a 500k with a hum bucker. I prefer the stock 300k Gibson pots" Again - it's your OPINION, not a fact usually, and everyones ears are different. One mans dull highs are anthers fat and buttery leads, or strident vs screaming.
Just throwing it out there. Discuss.
I am going to throw this out on the floor for reasonable discussion, with the intent of making the Pickup lounge a better place for everyone. Lately, we have seen some trends in pickup advice that are, IMO, not the greatest things for the Duncan consumer and consummate tone seeker. I'm not putting this out there to smack down anyone - just saying it does us all good to take a moment to reflect. I'm going to throw some things down, and make some suggestions for a general pickup decorum - particularly when dealing with new guys.
Here are a few examples, and all of us are guilty of these things from time to time (or a lot of the time).
- Recommending our favorite pickup all the time
- Recommending pickups based on what we have heard about it as if you own it
- Recommending pickups for guitars which you don't/haven't owned
- The automatic Mag Swap response
- Not directly answering the OP's question
- Making recs ONLY based on a request for a pickup
- Saying a pickup, mag, or whatever is too trebly/middy/loose, cold, etc....
I can go on - but you get the picture. This sort of stuff honestly does nothing to really help a person get the advice they need. All it does is present opinions as facts, disregard the subtle complexities of tone, and most likely give either bad advice, or worse, turn people off to the place. So, may I suggest the following decorum when making suggestions - particularly of new arrivals here (whether new to pup swaps, etc or not)
#1 Answer the question directly. If someone wants a recommended set of pots for a single coil, or a Loud hum,bucker - by all means either give an answer, or immediately ask for more info. They didn't ask to be interviewed, chastised or anything else. Just answer the question. I know that is counter to what the rest of this will say, but it is polite.
#2 Try to always find out what is "lacking" in the current tone: Too much/too little bas/mids/treble/output etc... Let's be honest - without this info, you know nothing about the "ear of the beholder" and are just shooting in the dark. It's about what makes them happy - not you!
#3 Please always remember, the gear and the guitar are important. A Pearly Gates in an Ash/Maple Strat through A Fender Twin with no fx is a wayyyyy different beast than in a all mahogany/rosewood Les Paul Studio through a Boss ME-50 into a Marshall half stack. It might or might not be the right answer depending on the gear and the issue in #2. I have seen way too many just flat out recs, followed by this question about amp and guitar and even style of play, and then complete reversals of suggestions. Nothing but confusing.
#4 Let's be judicious about recommending EITHER a mag swap or a pup swap. I have experienced the joys of the a8, and of losing a junk pickup. There is a time and place for each. You can't turn a Yugo into a Ferrari by swapping wheels. Then again, there may be nothing wrong with your Yugo except that it needs new tires. Let's not go mag swap crazy out of the gate, often people just have the wrong frickin' pickup. But let's not change pickups like they are underwear. The are expensive and time consuming lingerie. Let's try to get it right out of the gate, and let's seriously consider the ease and benefit of the mag swap. As always - the Duncan exchange policy rules.
#4.5 As always - let's encourage learning to do this stuff. Skills oveexcessive tech charges anyway!
#5 PLEASE be sure to clarify your specific experience. I'll often state a comment about a pickup that is clearly relevant - but I'll also state that I had the pup in a particulalr guitar. YMMV is king - but only if clarify what your actual experience was.
#6 I'm ok with people who say "I have heard" or "I have read a lot about" etc... No need to require personal experience only. However - be sure to clarify that is the case.
#7 If you have any personal preferences - be sure to state that is the case. Example; I really like a 300k pot with a ceramic humbucker in the bridge. But don't just flat out say 300k is best. "usually people use a 500k with a hum bucker. I prefer the stock 300k Gibson pots" Again - it's your OPINION, not a fact usually, and everyones ears are different. One mans dull highs are anthers fat and buttery leads, or strident vs screaming.
Just throwing it out there. Discuss.
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