Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

G

GunznRozesScotland

New member
Hi guys,
this has probably been asked a million times before but here goes...

I play in a GnR tribute band and I'm looking to put some new pickups into a les Paul custom copy.
The guitar has nickel hardware and needs all new electrics/components etc.
I'm tempted by the slash sig set but can't seem to get them in my country (UK) with nickel/chrome covers.
I've read a lot of good things about iron gears tesla shark pickups and they were recommended by my go to guitar tech. Has anyone used them?
Not sure about bare knuckle pickups as seem very expensive and so many bloody options lol!
Another option was to go for an Alnico II (b) and pearly gates (n)...
Really tempted by the teSLASHark set as can get them and new components for less than £100.
Thanks in advance guys...
Ps if anyone fancies checking us out please have a look at:

www.facebook.com/gunznrozes.scotland
www.gunsnrosesscotland.co.uk
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

As always - people make it a) harder than it is and b) way more particular than the audience! That said…I'm in a tribute band and we collectively have around 30 pedals on the floor (a tribute band to about 15 different bands….)

Don't fight the obvious answer - just get a set of A2P's and get on with it. I think you you guys sounded great (The mix was way overly bassy though). I listened to the solo. No one went home and said "his guitar didn't sound like Slash!"

Honestly, my suggestions are
- Have Izzy get a semi hollow
- Add the A2P's
- Get a White Fender bass for Duff.
- Way better wig for Duff. Trust me on this point. (www.hollywoodblvdband.com)

Well done!
 
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Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

Slash typically favored the PAF that came stock for quite a while (if I am recalling correctly). Then they designed an alnico style pick-up after his type of tone. Look for "creamy" in the description. Maybe a pearly gates style. The JB is super versatile (Duncan), it can capture about ANY tone you want. With a good tone control, that is. I think a lot of the nuances people claim to hear are psychological dreams, I am unable to notice a ton of difference between the basic clean pickups. Maybe it's me though, who knows???

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

Why would you not immediately get the Slash Signature set?
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

babaker1014 said:
Slash typically favored the PAF that came stock for quite a while (if I am recalling correctly). Then they designed an alnico style pick-up after his type of tone. Look for "creamy" in the description. Maybe a pearly gates style. The JB is super versatile (Duncan), it can capture about ANY tone you want. With a good tone control, that is. I think a lot of the nuances people claim to hear are psychological dreams, I am unable to notice a ton of difference between the basic clean pickups. Maybe it's me though, who knows???

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Slash used Seymour Duncans APH-2s pretty much right from the get go. When he was given the LP replica in `87 that he has recorded with over the years that guitar was loaded with those pickups
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

Cool, there you go. He knows much more slash history than me, so try those pickups. I'm sure you will probably like them. Slash has great tones man. Definitely one of the better.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

Yeah - most "current" artist models are what they are playing these days. They are for the latest axes, amps, etc…

They are generally NOT what gets the tone they are known for. What they got known for is usually something pretty stock/typical.

Lynch = Distortion
DeMartini = JB
Slash = A2P
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

I believe you can get APH1 set. But if you couldn't, get Tonerider Alnico II Classic set.
Or if you want the bridge pickup on moderately hotter side, get Rocksong set.
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

Thanks for all the input guys. Greatly appreciated.
Technically I was just looking for advice on achieving a great rock tone. Think I'll look into the alnicos. Has anyone looked into the iron works stuff? As I said the tesla shark set looks to be great for the price...
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

Thanks for all the input guys. Greatly appreciated.
Technically I was just looking for advice on achieving a great rock tone. Think I'll look into the alnicos. Has anyone looked into the iron works stuff? As I said the tesla shark set looks to be great for the price...
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

Another vote for the Alnico II Pros, since those get really really close to the Slash sound he is using. Other than the actual Slash models, the Alnico II Pros are about as Slashy as you can get.
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

The Tesla Sharks are incredible value for money. For gigging you cannot go wrong. Its possible the real Mckoy will have the edge for studio recording but modern recording equipment can work some amazing magic.I actually really like the Tesla Shark bridge with the Blues engine neck Also the Dirty Torque is quite versatile especially if it can be put in parallel with a push pull. For what they cost you can afford to experiment. Do not think you will be disappointed. They have a good following among my guitar acquaintances. There is an old saying that you get what you pay for but with at least some Irongear pups you probably get more than you pay for.

For the avoidance of doubt I have no connection whatsoever with Iron Gear except as a customer.
 
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Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

i use alot of iron gear pups such as the Rolling Mills,Volts, Hot Slag,Pig Iron and smoke stack II. The iron gear offering have exceeded my expectation and have zero complaints

never tried the tesla shark but considered it at one time.I almost bought the blues engine awhile back but had to use the money allocated, for something else.
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

If i was in a tribute band i would have to spend my money on therapy rather than pickups.
 
Re: Best Humbuckers for that GnR/80s rock sound

GunznRozesScotland said:
Helpful... Glad to see forum elitism isn't dead eh...
Click to expand...
Ok, here is some help. You need a slash set.
If you can't get that, then get the alnico II pro set, cos that is what slash used.
Don't forget about the amp too. It really needs to be a jcm800 or jubilee.

I'd still rather punch myself in the face than play in a tribute band of any description, but that is purely personal choice. Call me elitist if you want.
 
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