Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

[korovamilkdud]

I went with NO. In fact, my crappy practice amp sounded a lot better after I got the 59s in my guitar. Crate does not do hot pups well.

If you think we put too much stock in pups, A/B an Epi Standard with stock pups with an Epi Standard loaded with Duncans. BIG difference.

 

[Simon_F]

I voted no because some pickups definitely get me closer to the tone I want than others do. The pickup, however, is only one variable in a complex equation and I think that sometimes we do "put too much stock in pu's alone". Changing your pickups won't help much if you've got the wrong speakers in your cab.

 

[captain cavman]

I wouldn't say it's a particular PU that helps me get my tone but it has to have some specs such has :

- vintage style single or PAF style HB
- low output level
- mainly A2 magnets

and of course it has to have the "Seymour Duncan Tone" !!!

So the votewas a "No" for me.

Duncans rule

 

[Norman_T]

I have not voted for the simple reason that you could rephrase the question and ask.... do we put too much stock in guitar wood construction alone?

Then they would be this debate about maghonany, alder, ash, basswood etc etc etc.

 

[Lee_M.]

i voted yes cause you can make anythign work, but if you have a pup that works well for you it makes it much easier to play. the way i look at it, the closer you get to the sound in your head the easier it is to express your ideas where if the tone isnt what you want it distracts you from playing your best even though it may sound fine

I agree. With a combination of equipment and guitars, you can make anything work. For certain tones, though, it does help to have the right pickup (i.e. the Hot Rails).

I didn't vote because I am in between on the questions.

 

[korinastratkyle]

The same with what Robert S. says (and I spent less than $1000!) but a good pickup only make it better, and some cheap pickups just can't get some of the sounds I need, but I've played a $90 plywood guitar with a stock ceramic 8K humbucker and stock sounds better than with a Duncan JB in it! In other woods, it's all in tastes and materials that go into the guitar.

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

I AGREE AND DISAGREE WITH BOTH QUESTIONS OF TEH POLL.
i can get almost any tone from any pickup i play.. Unless it is EXTREMELY LOW QUALITY .
Q:/
and.... if ALL PICKUPS ARE LOW QUALITY, I MUST GET CERTAIN TYPES OF PICKUPS TO ACHIEVE A CERTAIN KIND OF SOUND
Q

 

[Mike M.]

IMHO it all starts with the guitar itself. If a guitar does'nt feel like home in your hands then a change in pickups wont help you to find your sound. Guitar first, then pickups. This is why I wont buy a Les Paul. It does'nt feel right.

 

[BowerR64]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

I think everything matter even playing. My brother dont play the same thing the way i do. He plays with all open pickup and it makes my guitar sound thin and tinny. When i play the same thing i use different picking attack and throw in palm mutes that give some bassy over tones that change the dynamics of the sound.

Ive put good pickups in crap guitars before, open notes sounded ok but at times the guitar sounded out of tune. It wasnt an intonation problem the frets were just not built well. I think some frets were off and some were not crowned. Some were flat and it changed the noe slightly.

I didnt believe for the longest time how wood can change the sound till i got 2 identical guitars and both had different wood types. One was ash and one was maple. Using the same pickups the ash just has a warm tone where the maple has a crisp brite tone. Of the 2 i prefer the maple.

Guitars are awsome, ive got into every other part of a guitar but im lacking in the pickup area. I need to get into it and tinker around more because they are a big part of the sound.

here i am...

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

There are many variables. Only constant fiddling gets you close. Start with something simple like tone capacitors. Each has a slightly different range. Step up or down in 10k incriments. Know the range of each and then do the knock test and figure where the fundamental tone is and then try a capacitor to match it. If you don't coonect with a tone you like then try changing pickups.

Snowdog

 

[Tux789]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

hell no

 

[gripweed]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

Its a pickup forum! Whadda ya expect?

 

[Children of Bodom]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

I didn't know the answer to this question a few days ago but I found out and it was horrid. I was playing my jackson with my invader and 3 of my strings broke at the same time it was crazy and i dint have anymore so I had to use the studios and i just couldnt make that guitar fit in IT SUCKED!!! to say the least. When just a few minutes bbefore i was killing it.

Thank You Seymour Duncan!

 

[Children of Bodom]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

o ya the answer is no, I forgot to say that.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

I can't really answer your question (i.e. vote), because you really left no middle ground..which is where I think things really lie....

I think a Pup can "break" your tone, yes....However..I often see people down (for example) stock fender or gibson pickups...in some cases they are absolutely justified...especially on some of the less expensive guitars.

*But*

Alot of great sounds have been recorded over the years with stock Fender and Gibson pups...and I don't just mean the classic PAF/SC pups from the 50s.

Most of my fave players use stock Gibson instruments...with "crappy" 70s and 80's Gibson guitars:Hannon, Gorham, Robertson, Sykes,Schenker, Jabs...

They did not have and/or use aftermarket pups in their prime..now maybe some techs re-wound this and that, but everything I've researched has pointed to "stock" pups for these guys in their classic recordings...and I've been very happy with the pups in my Gibsons as of late *once I got them set up properly*. Good enough for them, good enough for me. I get some great tones. Not perfect (my 498T is a bit muddy, and the 490 a bit unfocused but not horridly so)...but great nonetheless.

So yes..I think pups are overrated *to a certain extent*...meaning as long as you don't have horrid pups, but have a "decent" set you can make some great tones...The pups in a American Standard Strat or a Gibson Les Paul, SG, Explorer, whatever are all good pups...just gotta fool with them a bit. They may not give you exactly what you want, so ya change...but no doubt some great recordings have been made with them.

I'm swapping out for more Gibsons in my Firebird (57 classic plus for the bridge, 57 classic for the neck) but getting Duncans for the Paula since I'd pick the same Gibson 57 set for the Paula anyways and really want the two guitars to be more distinct in tone.

 

[Naps]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

I think in order to vote, you've got to polarize the two questions and pick which one your thinking is closest to.

nice thread though.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

I think the guitar itself has the primary effect on tone, the amp a close second, and the pickups third.

Pickups really do make a difference in tone, though more on a refining level than a basic level. The wood in the guitar and the amp do the rough-sanding and the pickups smooth it out the rest of the way.

But it's still first and foremost the guitar. I have yet to play through an amp or any pickup that could make a bad piece of wood sound good...

 

[BowerR64]

Re: Do we put too much stock in pu's alone?

With a good pickup it just singles out more crap. Its its all muddy and hairy it cover up all the junk. I good detailed pickup will just point out all the flaws.