MegaloMania
New member
Choose your favorite replacement pickup, or even stock one, and why.
Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
- Thread starter MegaloMania
- Start date
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
Really don't have a favorite because it depends on so many things...no two guitars are identical in their needs.
Some of my favorites that I keep going back to: SD Dimebucker, SD JB, SD Screamin Demon, DMZ Liquifire, Fender Fat 50s
Really don't have a favorite because it depends on so many things...no two guitars are identical in their needs.
Some of my favorites that I keep going back to: SD Dimebucker, SD JB, SD Screamin Demon, DMZ Liquifire, Fender Fat 50s
marcello252
Well-known member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
Use the 'search' Luke
Use the 'search' Luke
toneseeker74
New member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
I prefer vintage tones, and in my limited experience...
Strat: Among Fender American Standard, Fender Tex-Mex, and Fender 57-62 Originals I go with the 57-62s.
Tele: Among stock Peavey Reactor, Fender American Standard, Fender Original Vintage, and Fender Tex-Mex I will take the Original Vintage.
Full-size humbucker: I have tried about 15 different types of Gibson, Duncan, DeArmond, and DiMarzios...still trying to find one that nails my tone, but closest is Duncan Seth Lover.
I prefer vintage tones, and in my limited experience...
Strat: Among Fender American Standard, Fender Tex-Mex, and Fender 57-62 Originals I go with the 57-62s.
Tele: Among stock Peavey Reactor, Fender American Standard, Fender Original Vintage, and Fender Tex-Mex I will take the Original Vintage.
Full-size humbucker: I have tried about 15 different types of Gibson, Duncan, DeArmond, and DiMarzios...still trying to find one that nails my tone, but closest is Duncan Seth Lover.
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
It is so specific for each instrument. Some pickups I thought were my 'go to' pickups sounded terrible in certain guitars. So I had to learn to be open to accepting the fact I might have to use a pickup I thought I hated because it would get the right sound out of a certain instrument.
It is so specific for each instrument. Some pickups I thought were my 'go to' pickups sounded terrible in certain guitars. So I had to learn to be open to accepting the fact I might have to use a pickup I thought I hated because it would get the right sound out of a certain instrument.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
That's a seriously tough question. In humbuckers alone, I probably have 5 or 6 that are pretty well tied, depending on the specific guitar being used.
However, if I HAD to pick just ONE pickup to play forever at this point...yeesh...I'd probably choose the Warren DiMartini RTM. Unbelievably toneful in the right guitar and very flexible, sort of a JB meets Super-V kind of thing, but with its own character. Like I said, it really depends on the guitar. Even the RTM doesn't work in everything I've tried it in, so there is no true "best" IMO.
That's a seriously tough question. In humbuckers alone, I probably have 5 or 6 that are pretty well tied, depending on the specific guitar being used.
However, if I HAD to pick just ONE pickup to play forever at this point...yeesh...I'd probably choose the Warren DiMartini RTM. Unbelievably toneful in the right guitar and very flexible, sort of a JB meets Super-V kind of thing, but with its own character. Like I said, it really depends on the guitar. Even the RTM doesn't work in everything I've tried it in, so there is no true "best" IMO.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
Duncan Custom or DMZ Super Distortion in the bridge, hmm, is there a theme here? Interestingly I'm not using either ATM, I have a Breed bridge in my JEM and a WLH in the parts Strat I recently picked up. Oh yeah, and a 7 string TZ in my 1527. Only 3, I've been downsizing over the past year.
Duncan Custom or DMZ Super Distortion in the bridge, hmm, is there a theme here? Interestingly I'm not using either ATM, I have a Breed bridge in my JEM and a WLH in the parts Strat I recently picked up. Oh yeah, and a 7 string TZ in my 1527. Only 3, I've been downsizing over the past year.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
Depends on what I'm doing at the particular moment. I've had some Bareknuckle P-90's that sound amazing (a friend of mine is putting the humbucker sized ones into his LP soon). I think that the EMG 57/66 may be the best active pickup sets I've ever played. For passive high output stuff, I'm a sucker for the DD, for passive moderate gain stuff, the 59 is my go to. I never had a Tele or a Strat but rest assured, I'd probably swap pups in those too.
Depends on what I'm doing at the particular moment. I've had some Bareknuckle P-90's that sound amazing (a friend of mine is putting the humbucker sized ones into his LP soon). I think that the EMG 57/66 may be the best active pickup sets I've ever played. For passive high output stuff, I'm a sucker for the DD, for passive moderate gain stuff, the 59 is my go to. I never had a Tele or a Strat but rest assured, I'd probably swap pups in those too.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
Ive had the Pearly Gates in three guitars: Fender Strat, Hamer Studio Archtop and now in my PRS SE Singlecut.
They're my favorite humbuckers.
I prefer them the way Billy Gibbons uses them: with nickel covers.
Sweetens an already sweet sound.
Fralin SP43 is my favorite Strat bridge pickup.
Duncan Antiquity Surfers or Fralin Vintage Hots are my favorite Strat neck & middle pickups.
Duncan Antiquity or Fralin Blues Specials are my favorites in a Tele.
Ive had the Pearly Gates in three guitars: Fender Strat, Hamer Studio Archtop and now in my PRS SE Singlecut.
They're my favorite humbuckers.
I prefer them the way Billy Gibbons uses them: with nickel covers.
Sweetens an already sweet sound.
Fralin SP43 is my favorite Strat bridge pickup.
Duncan Antiquity Surfers or Fralin Vintage Hots are my favorite Strat neck & middle pickups.
Duncan Antiquity or Fralin Blues Specials are my favorites in a Tele.
marcello252
Well-known member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
It's a question too generic to answer, you can't say it, there are too many variables , what guitar? what woods? what amp? what pedals? what cable? what 's weather like?
The op joined the forum in june, with only 5 posts, I think it's not even useful for him
It's a question too generic to answer, you can't say it, there are too many variables , what guitar? what woods? what amp? what pedals? what cable? what 's weather like?
The op joined the forum in june, with only 5 posts, I think it's not even useful for him
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
I have a variety of PU's, the majority are PAF types. My favorite PU of all of them, and the one that I have the most of, are Seth's.
I have a variety of PU's, the majority are PAF types. My favorite PU of all of them, and the one that I have the most of, are Seth's.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
"Best" is subjective. A sound that is perfect for the music that you are making today may be entirely unsuitable for what you will play tomorrow. There is no one design that does everything every single time.
"Best" is subjective. A sound that is perfect for the music that you are making today may be entirely unsuitable for what you will play tomorrow. There is no one design that does everything every single time.
Brandenburg
New member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
well.. i tend to gravitate to 'pups with an alnico 5 magnet with a slightly hotter PAF output...
I have some Iron Gear Hot Slag and Rolling Mills.. both are A5's but i definitely like the rolling mills better.. I have a fender triplebucker that seems to work for me too
Also have a Ttop in one guitar. probable sound like sh*t in any other guitar but the guitar its in really gels with it..
well.. i tend to gravitate to 'pups with an alnico 5 magnet with a slightly hotter PAF output...
I have some Iron Gear Hot Slag and Rolling Mills.. both are A5's but i definitely like the rolling mills better.. I have a fender triplebucker that seems to work for me too
Also have a Ttop in one guitar. probable sound like sh*t in any other guitar but the guitar its in really gels with it..
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
EMSeyMarzio Blast Furnace
EMSeyMarzio Blast Furnace
Guitar Rod
New member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
Whole Lotta Humbucker, because I deserve nothing but the best, and only the best will do.
Whole Lotta Humbucker, because I deserve nothing but the best, and only the best will do.
Zarg
New member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
My favorite is the DiMarzio Dominion. Its like a SD Distortion (which is my second fav.) but with a different eq curve (it has more mids and bass, less treble than the distortion) and I just love the punch and attack that I get with it, especially in single cut guitars
My favorite is the DiMarzio Dominion. Its like a SD Distortion (which is my second fav.) but with a different eq curve (it has more mids and bass, less treble than the distortion) and I just love the punch and attack that I get with it, especially in single cut guitars
mantis
New member
Re: Best Aftermarket Replacement Pickup?
The JB for me. I can get that pickup to sound like Sweet soft rock to Death metal. I learned how to adjust the poles and man does that make a huge difference.
I'm real anal with my pickup height and pole adjustment. I got all my JB loaded Guitars sounding killer.
I also have Duncan Distortions in my So Cal and a Screamin Demon in my M1 Tiger but the JB to me sounds better then both of them. The Distortion is hotter and has a fizz to it. The Screaming Demon has nice classic output with some grit on it but cleans up really nice when you roll the volume back. It's really good at that. Both neither of them can growl and bark like the JB after a proper setup.
The JB for me. I can get that pickup to sound like Sweet soft rock to Death metal. I learned how to adjust the poles and man does that make a huge difference.
I'm real anal with my pickup height and pole adjustment. I got all my JB loaded Guitars sounding killer.
I also have Duncan Distortions in my So Cal and a Screamin Demon in my M1 Tiger but the JB to me sounds better then both of them. The Distortion is hotter and has a fizz to it. The Screaming Demon has nice classic output with some grit on it but cleans up really nice when you roll the volume back. It's really good at that. Both neither of them can growl and bark like the JB after a proper setup.
