Dominger Pickups

Pentatomic

New member
I've been looking for a couple of inexpensive humbucker sets to put in some LP kits I've been working on. I ran across Dominger Pickups on eBay and thought they seemed like a good deal. I emailed the owner, Joce, and he was really helpful with suggesting ideas.

I've looked all over for user feedback on these and found very little. I'd like to hear some others thoughts before I buy. Anyone use these?
 
Re: Dominger Pickups

I have a set of his Blue Bite alnico 2 humbuckers. They are good sounding pickups. They are easily on par with other boutique winders like BG and Rose.
 
Re: Dominger Pickups

I have a set of his Blue Bite alnico 2 humbuckers. They are good sounding pickups. They are easily on par with other boutique winders like BG and Rose.

Ok thanks. I'm kinda between going with the Domingers and GFS's. I'll probably give the Domingers a shot.
 
Re: Dominger Pickups

There is no comparison between a good hand wound pickup and an Asian import pickup. Go with the Domingers.
 
Re: Dominger Pickups

There is no comparison between a good hand wound pickup and an Asian import pickup. Go with the Domingers.

You're probably right. I went ahead and ordered two sets: the Blue Alnico II set for a Slash replica LP build and a '58 neck and Raw bridge for another LP. I'll follow up and tell you guys what I think.
 
Re: Dominger Pickups

I use Dimarzio, Seymour Duncan and Dominger. The Dominger pickups are awesome if you look for something different. I basically use the three brands mentioned exclusively except on my 60's original guitars. Been gigging since 1979 and these are the only pickups that ever did it for me.
I must add that the Dominger neck pickups are to me way ahead of the pack. It is the way to get rid of the Les Paul Humbucker mud neck pickups as an example. For reference, the worst pickups I ever tried were Bare Knuckle. I tried their single coils, P90's humbuckers etc. Expensive compared to Duncan Dimarzio and Dominger and basically useless as the mentioned 3 brands does every pickup Bare Knuckle can think up better in my opinion.
 
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Re: Dominger Pickups


Not trying to come off negative, but nothing you've said has been really helpful. The whole "The search engine is your friend" is lame. I've tried the search engines. This link didn't even work. You told me above to try the MLP forum and then you follow me over there to say the same search engine comment. If you're not interested in this thread, please move on. If you have something to add that is useful, please feel free to add. I'm looking for feedback like the post below.

I use Dimarzio, Seymour Duncan and Dominger. The Dominger pickups are awesome if you look for something different. I basically use the three brands mentioned exclusively except on my 60's original guitars. Been gigging since 1979 and these are the only pickups that ever did it for me.
I must add that the Dominger neck pickups are to me way ahead of the pack. It is the way to get rid of the Les Paul Humbucker mud neck pickups as an example. For reference, the worst pickups I ever tried were Bare Knuckle. I tried their single coils, P90's humbuckers etc. Expensive compared to Duncan Dimarzio and Dominger and basically useless as the mentioned 3 brands does every pickup Bare Knuckle can think up better in my opinion.

Wow, thank you for this input. Are there any Dominger models that you prefer? I really like the fact that they are handwound here in the US and still the same price as GFS pickups. Amazing deal!
 
Re: Dominger Pickups

It is really difficult to give this sort of advice without knowing what you want.
If you are looking for classical sounds like Knopfler Gilmour as a symmetrical example I can think of, the choices are clear. See for example how Gilmour used a Dimarzio FS-1 up till 1997 in bridge position and then switched to Seymour Duncan SSL-X replacing the FS-1. In this case the SD won the day for Gilmour to solve some problems he had.
Then, when the overly interference laden wall tour came up he had to use noiseless pickups in order to survive in all that electromagnetic interference and I guess that was the only reason he moved to EMGs during that period (he moved back to the Duncans (blackstrat plays more redstrat songs live) ) once the stage became better managed regarding interference and EMI suppression technology on stage improved.

On the other hand Knopfler used the Dimarzio FS-1 in strat neck position during Strait's most important years. So if you want those sounds (e.g. Gilmour/Knopfler) it is silly to use any other pickups as it is incontestable.

My point is, if you have a pickup position or pickups that irritate you and stand in your way, you need to change to something that will solve your problem. To me this is where the Domingers are worth gold for me as Joce time and time again solve difficult problems I have and these solutions are actually real. You have to know what you want to solve and what you are chasing to go this direction though.

Another thing is that Joce is a very good player, and has a good ear and that is crucial if you want to build new design pickups. A tonedeaf non-musician just wont be able to build good new pickups - think about it. Copy other pickups to the T yes, but solve problems, no.

Anyway, that is my opinion which is exactly worth 2c and as valid as everyone else's, but if it helps you and you find it informative then it is ok.
 
Re: Dominger Pickups

Great info, Zim. I guess I'm looking more for reviews of their build quality and how they compare to other pickups. I know opinions are all subjective to the player and their respective taste, but I find the opinions helpful.

I wrote Joce and told him that I wanted a pair of Alnico II humbuckers that would get me close to "Slash's tone". I know there are many more factors than mere pickups, but the pups can help. He mentioned the Whiskeyssippi set, which is now the Blue Bite.

The other set ('58 neck/Raw bridge) is more for heavier rock. I want the neck to be closer to a Jazz for great cleans but I want the bridge to be hot. I mentioned a Bill Lawrence L500XL for reference.

I'm not sure if the Dominger's will be exactly what I'm looking for, but I'm sure they'll be close. Hell, they might be better than the counterparts I referenced. One thing is for sure, buying two sets of handwound to spec pickups for the price of one mass produced set seems worth the risk to find out.
 
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