Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

[papersoul]

Hi guys,

Just curious who all has had good or bad experiences with this pickup. I have quite a bit of experience with it and am still testing it in my Les Paul standard since removng the C-5. I am not saying the C-5 is not going back into the LP, but I am still havinf some fun swaping p'ups.

Hopefully I'll have a few more Duncans shoerty to test and I'll report the differences on the forum so hopefully others can learn from my experiences/mistakes.

Basically interested to see if anyone has used it in a Les Paul.

[JammerMatt]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

Dumb question alert:

What is a Rio Grande BBQ? I've heard them mentioned before, but never heard of them. Is it a new Tex Mex joint?

-Matt

[Scatterwound]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

http://www.riograndepickups.com/

[Metalman_666]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

Dumb question alert:

What is a Rio Grande BBQ? I've heard them mentioned before, but never heard of them. Is it a new Tex Mex joint?

-Matt

lol nice answer Matt!! Here's the info......

BBQ - Same classic look as the “Texas” (ballsy and rich when wide open yet clean with lots of top and bottom when rolled back slightly.), but more horsepower under the hood! Not a distortion pickup, just more muscle. Bear down on the meat and easy on the potato salad! Available in black or zebra. 2 conductor standard, 4 conductor available.

not very much about it, but there you go

[papersoul]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

Dumb question alert:

What is a Rio Grande BBQ? I've heard them mentioned before, but never heard of them. Is it a new Tex Mex joint?

-Matt

It's a rather fat and dark sounding pickup. Certainly not everyones' cup of tea. I hear it compared to the Dimarzio Tone Zone and Air Zone quite often but a little thicker. The down side is that it can be tough to tweak the height and poles because it is so thick. I really love the pickup for all styles of music but I am waiting to try the Duncan Custom and Dimarzio AZ next.

The Duncan C-5 is on standby at the moment.

[Scott_F]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

with the 21 day exchange policy, why would anyone want to try any other guy's pups? if you can't get the tone with Duncan pups, the tone is not to be had.

just my dos centavos

[Dime59hum]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

I agree with Scott, but some other pups are good. I wont go below duncan, (Quality wise, Dimarzio's for example) But I will try boutique pups like Kinmans, Rio Grandes, Lollars, Bill Lawrences, Wolftones, Kent Armstrongs, TV Jones, .... Make sense?

[RG 2570]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

I agree with Scott, but some other pups are good. I wont go below duncan, (Quality wise, Dimarzio's for example) But I will try boutique pups like Kinmans, Rio Grandes, Lollars, Bill Lawrences, Wolftones, Kent Armstrongs, TV Jones, .... Make sense?

what is wrong with dimarzio's quality? i have never had one go bad on me?

[RG 2570]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

Hi guys,

Just curious who all has had good or bad experiences with this pickup. I have quite a bit of experience with it and am still testing it in my Les Paul standard since removng the C-5. I am not saying the C-5 is not going back into the LP, but I am still havinf some fun swaping p'ups.

Hopefully I'll have a few more Duncans shoerty to test and I'll report the differences on the forum so hopefully others can learn from my experiences/mistakes.

Basically interested to see if anyone has used it in a Les Paul.

I have not tried it (YET!)LOL!
i say yet cause one never knows?

I read the reviews on it at HC and some are very impressive, papersoul i like and need a real balanced pup and you have experiance with the C5,BBQ and wolfgang bridge pup
of these three IYHO which is the most balanced tonally?
right now i am lovin the wolf bridge pu as well as the neck one,but am open to
suggestions
i dont seem to be having the standard compliant symptoms as others with the wolfies they are NOT HARSH,HARD,COLD,etc in my guitar?
i find them to be very alive like a active pup,but in a more PAF like way

[rspst14]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

So is it safe to assume these are medium output pickups? How are the lows/mids/highs EQ'd?

Ryan

[Thames]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

with the 21 day exchange policy, why would anyone want to try any other guy's pups? if you can't get the tone with Duncan pups, the tone is not to be had.

Scott, yes, the 21-day exchange policy is great, but that'd turn me "exclusively" to Duncan pickups.

And sorry, but I dont think Duncan makes any pickups (std production) that equals the Rio Grande BBQ.

Papersoul, IMO, the BBQ reminds me of a JB, but with more balls and thickness. It definitely sounds "Texas", but works better with OD/Dist (that's where they really shine). BTW, I think they are a perfect match for a SG.

[RG 2570]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

with the 21 day exchange policy, why would anyone want to try any other guy's pups? if you can't get the tone with Duncan pups, the tone is not to be had.

just my dos centavos

having said that scott please tell me what duncan will be the tone of the wolfgang pups, only in duncan form?
i was told that there IS NO OTHER set that dupes these???????
you are saying that "if you cant get the tone with duncan pups,the tone is not to be had"????

[papersoul]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

with the 21 day exchange policy, why would anyone want to try any other guy's pups? if you can't get the tone with Duncan pups, the tone is not to be had.

just my dos centavos

I have to dissagree with that. Keep in mind I love Duncans as I still have the C-5 and a few JBs, plus a 59 which I really like. That said, there are other companies that also make great pickups. I know plenty of guys on the foum love the Dimarzio Air Zone and say there is no Duncan similar. I also have yet to hear a Duncan or have anyone mention one that is similar to the BBQ. I have a buddy who has been playing for 30 years and has a load of guitars filled with Duncans, Dimarzios, and Gibsons. There is plenty of room for others. I don't think that takes away from a great company like Duncan one bit.

I don't think Dimarzio is below Duncan in quality one bit as one person said.

[RG 2570]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

I have to dissagree with that. Keep in mind I love Duncans as I still have the C-5 and a few JBs, plus a 59 which I really like. That said, there are other companies that also make great pickups. I know plenty of guys on the foum love the Dimarzio Air Zone and say there is no Duncan similar. I also have yet to hear a Duncan or have anyone mention one that is similar to the BBQ. I have a buddy who has been playing for 30 years and has a load of guitars filled with Duncans, Dimarzios, and Gibsons. There is plenty of room for others. I don't think that takes away from a great company like Duncan one bit.

I don't think Dimarzio is below Duncan in quality one bit as one person said.

I was always told that every pup sounds infinitely different? like there is no duncan that sounds like a tone zone or there is no dimarzio that sounds like a JB.
I was reading that even after all these years makers are still tryin to dupe the gibson paf?????

[papersoul]

Re: Anyone have thoughts on the Rio Grande BBQ?

I have not tried it (YET!)LOL!
i say yet cause one never knows?

I read the reviews on it at HC and some are very impressive, papersoul i like and need a real balanced pup and you have experiance with the C5,BBQ and wolfgang bridge pup
of these three IYHO which is the most balanced tonally?
right now i am lovin the wolf bridge pu as well as the neck one,but am open to
suggestions
i dont seem to be having the standard compliant symptoms as others with the wolfies they are NOT HARSH,HARD,COLD,etc in my guitar?
i find them to be very alive like a active pup,but in a more PAF like way

I would stick with the Wolf bridge ow maybe a Dimarzio Air Zone for a little less output and maybe a more vintage vibe. I did find it a little bright and harsh compared to my deans, hamers, and gibson.

That said, another nice p'up would be the Duncan Blues Scaracino(SP?) model! I haven't used it but it came highly recommended for the Wolf. Keep in mind....the Wolf bridge bucker is hot but it sits far from the strings. Anyone know the exact distance? with it that hot, I probably wouldn't want it hotter and you have to consider that when going with a lower output p'up in that guitar. You could however raise the p'up with cut up popsickle sticks.