Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

L

LPbluesboy

New member
I like the sound of ceramic pickups... the gibby 496R/500T pickups, the dirty fingers also by gibson...

Does anyone know of any ceramic pickups that are better than the ones I mentioned?

I'll elaborate on what kind of sound I'm looking for (well the sound I like to play) if you need it!
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

It would infact be helpful to let us know what kind of tone you are looking for. Being "better" is subjective.



Welcome to the forum!!!!!!!
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

Right now I'm moving into a heavy rock sound! Yet, i want my new set of pickups to be able to do the blues as well.
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

I'm not sure you need to stick to ceramic to achieve the sound you are looking for. It sounds to me like you need a versatile pickup and there are a lot of options that will get you there that aren't ceramic. As far as Duncan's go the Custom comes to mind but I don't know how *bluesy* that will be. What about ceramic do you like? Is it because they tend to be hotter?
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

Well I've got a Custom although it's the first pickup I've ever bought I think it might suit your needs. It's certainly good for rock and It drives my amp well on the clean channel for a bluesier sound although you might want something a littler lower output on the neck for that.
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

Well, I love the Custom. I've got the hybrid right now though \/\/\/
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

duncan custom is great
even though i prefer the JB the custom i bought is very impressive :)
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

rofl roland microcube.... lol sorry totally off topic

but why not try the 59 bridge model, last time i played that it sounded good enough for blues, and with a good enough amp, it was good enough for hard rock, well had kinda a classic overdrive tone to it,

but you should elaborate on "heavy rock sound".. maybe name some bands or something that have the sound your talking about...

some people consider iron maiden heavy/hard rock, some people (me) consider them classic metal.... some people consider nickleback hard rock.... some people (me) consider them fruity :P
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

Gugnir said:
some people consider nickleback hard rock.... some people (me) consider them fruity :P
Click to expand...

:D I consider them crapola!!! As well as fruity...
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

Alright.

Here is what exactly I am looking for.

I want a pickup that sounds thick and chuny when I play low on the fretboard, it has to be able to be bluesy in the middle of the fretboard, and it has to have that di da li di da li (yes, like in strongbad), when I play way high up on the frets!

thank you.
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

Is there a Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio or Gibson version of the Bare Knuckle Miracle Man pickup?

any sound clips?
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

I dont think theres a SD or Dimarzio equivalent of the Miracle Man. You may also want to try Alnico V or Alnico II magnet pickups. I think an alnico V pickup fits your description of the sound you want. Alnico II magnets are very smooth and buttery but the bottom end can be loose and maybe not chunky enough for hard rock (great for blues though IMO). I think an Alnico V magnet pickup like a Duncan '59 or something would be a good compromise.
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

I do like the way slash's guitar sounds. and its old school because of the alnico2

thanks YJM_rocks!
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

ceramics tend to be a little hotter, brighter, a few more mids and highs. Alnico 5's have a nice tight, big bass response with less output, low mids, and relaxed highs
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

even less output than Alnico 5's, but they sound absolutely GORGEOUS clean
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

LPbluesboy said:
what about Alnico II's?
Click to expand...
Ceramic to Alnico II? Do you really know what you want??
Sonically, they are different ends of the spectrum.
 
Re: Ceramic Pickups? Which ones are good, which ones are bad...

I know what I want in my own terminology...

I don't understand what "creamy, thick distortion" sounds like because I don't use "creamy and thick" to describe sounds...

also...

i wuv guinness!
 
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