G&L ASAT Classic possible pickup replacement

[javla]

Hey people

You've helped me out before. Help me out again please!!

I just recently brought a G&L ASAT Classic Tele with the stock MFD pickups. I also own an Orange AD Twin Channel 30 Watt Head.

Previously I had been using an Ibanez Talman with a SD Custom installed (thanks to the recommendation of you guys). It had heaps of guts but was quite high endish (A Talman characteristic) and missing note clarity and some bottom end which I was after with my next guitar.

After I plugged in the G&L I noticed a definite increase in note clarity (which is amazing by the way) and the highs seemed to be tamed and there was a fair amount of noticeable bottom end now. What I was missing was that 'rock crunch' though which I thought my Orange would do with the gain on 100%. It was definitely lacking in that department. I'd had the amp serviced and had new tubes put in a few months back so it should be fine.

I've done a bit of reading and research and found that a lot of people have recommended the lil 59 as a replacement. I'm not sure that's the solution though as I think it might lose lots of clarity and might be too saturated.

What I'm after is still to retain lots of clarity, note definition, bottom end but make the guitar sounds like it has more output. So its a bit hotter sounding with some more crunch and balls. I'm not after a super super heavy sound or anything. Just to make it a bit hotter with some crunch but without losing clarity and changing the characteristic of the guitar too much.

What do you guys reakon? Am I being silly for taking out the MFDs? You can recommend other pickup brands as well (cheeky I know).

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: G&L ASAT Classic possible pickup replacement

If you like the overall tone but need more punch, a clean boost pedal or on-board module would be a better way to go.

I've personally had good results with EMG's PA-2 circuit.

 

[javla]

Re: G&L ASAT Classic possible pickup replacement

If you like the overall tone but need more punch, a clean boost pedal or on-board module would be a better way to go.

I've personally had good results with EMG's PA-2 circuit.

Wouldn't a clean boost just make it louder?

There must be a pickup similar to the MFD which has a bit more balls?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: G&L ASAT Classic possible pickup replacement

Louder= more output, no?

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: G&L ASAT Classic possible pickup replacement

The ASAT Classic's MFD pickups are one of the hottest output pickups on the market, but they are clean single coils.

I had an S-500 with similar pickups--the previous owner installed a JB, Jr. in the bridge, and I had to lower the neck and middle pickups almost all the way down to balance with the JB. Now the JB has a grittier humbucker tone that emphasizes the mids. In a sense it has more girth--but that ain't OUTPUT. It's a tonal difference, so be careful that you don't confuse the two.

If you want clean, and a high output--then the MFD's are the way to go. But you will never get that thick midrange of a PAF from those pickups. When they go through a distorted amp, they retain that clarity, and they never mush out.

Change those pickups--and you'll never get that clarity from any other pickup on the market. Those pickups are unique. And if you are going to change one--change them BOTH, because they are so hot that they won't balance with other aftermarket pickups. I don't think a clean boost will do it for you. You can thicken the mids with an EQ pedal like the Boss GE-7, but that's still a different tonality than what you get from a PAF-type pickup.

I don't think you are going to get get the crunch tones you want without going to a humbucking-equipped guitar. I'd keep the ASAT Classic stock for its great clean tones--and get another guitar for when you need the crunch tones you crave.

Bill

 

[javla]

Re: G&L ASAT Classic possible pickup replacement

The ASAT Classic's MFD pickups are one of the hottest output pickups on the market, but they are clean single coils.

If you want clean, and a high output--then the MFD's are the way to go. But you will never get that thick midrange of a PAF from those pickups. When they go through a distorted amp, they retain that clarity, and they never mush out.

Change those pickups--and you'll never get that clarity from any other pickup on the market. Those pickups are unique. And if you are going to change one--change them BOTH, because they are so hot that they won't balance with other aftermarket pickups. I don't think a clean boost will do it for you. You can thicken the mids with an EQ pedal like the Boss GE-7, but that's still a different tonality than what you get from a PAF-type pickup.

I don't think you are going to get get the crunch tones you want without going to a humbucking-equipped guitar. I'd keep the ASAT Classic stock for it great clean tones--and get another guitar for when you need the crunch tones you crave.

Bill

Thanks Bill. This helps heaps. You are right. I've noticed these pups are seriously loud compared to the SD Custom I had in my guitar. THe G&L sounds great through an Orange. I just need that little bit extra gain that's all. Just a bit more saturation which I might need another pickup to do.

What would be a decent pickup with some more mids do you think? The last SD Custom I owned had too much mids and there wasn't any note definition. I want something that will be overally balanced rather than mids or high heavy.

Is there a SD pickup well balanced for a Telecaster guitar that isn't too 'crunch' heavy but still retains some of the clarity. I guess I didn't say exactly what I wanted. I don't want full bone crushing metal crunch or anything. Just a bit more than what the MFDs currently offer.

What about Coil Splitting a humbucker pickup? I don't know much about this and whether it would be a decent option.

The thing is that I really like the tone of this guitar. I just wish I could get that little bit extra out of it!

What about Lace Sensor pickups??

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: G&L ASAT Classic possible pickup replacement

what about the seymour duncan Hot lead STL-2, or the STL-3 Quarter Pound?