GFS VEH Humbucker Review

[ErikH]

Not too long ago I snapped up a white GFS VEH humbucker to go in my cheap import Strat. Was more curious than anything and since I was getting a new bridge for it too (the MIM with steel block drops right in to these guitars with minimal work, BTW), decided to see if the pickup was worth it. Cheap guitar, cheap pickup, what the heck, right?

Once I got the bridge installed, I left the guitar stock with the 3 singles for a while to get a feel for the improvement the bridge made, and that it did. More solid sounding, resonates more, just a better sound overall.

After a few weeks I decided to toss the VEH in with a single Alpha 500k pot. Now, I've read some reviews saying it's too bright, doesn't cut. WTF are those people talking about? It's nowhere near too bright and cuts through just fine. I find it a very good pickup for the price. It's got a nice bump in the mids and some added presence that helps it cut through the mix with a nice sizzle in there. I gigged with the guitar last night with the intention of using it for just a couple songs. Well, I ended up playing it for half the night instead. We're playing again this evening and I plan on using it again through my Marshall, where it sounds really cool.

Is it as good as a Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio? IMO, no.

Is it a bad pickup? IMO, no.

Does it get the brown sound? Only of you amp is up to the task, which is the case with any pickup, IMO, though some get closer than others. Still, it's possible with a wide range of models.

Is it worth the price? Absolutely.

It's not noisy, it's responsive, it cuts, and in a nice axe, it sounds really nice. For an overseas made pickup, it's one of the better humbuckers I've used.

I'd get another one most likely. It's good for what it is and for the price, perfect for a guitar where you don't want to invest a lot in to.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

Even though they've made in the past a few stinkers, generally speaking about GFS p'ups today they're always at least good p'ups for the money and in some cases downright excelent!

Jay's a good guy to deal with, so before you get the wrong p'up for what you want, drop him a line. He ALWAYS answer his e-mails.

HTH,

 

[jimijames]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

GFS is a great option for upgrading cheaper, maybe less resonant, instruments. If you've got a cheap beater guitar, GFS pickups are really great. Even if it's not a cheap beater, they still do a pretty good job.

 

[JohnnyGuitarCA]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

Aren't you glad I sold you that Marshall? LOL

 

[ErikH]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

Aren't you glad I sold you that Marshall? LOL

You're dam right I am....LOL. I just had the power transformer replaced earlier this year along with a few other components in the bias section. Full complement of new tubes too. I've got some clips from a show that I used it at I need to send you. I want to hunt down the 50w 1x12 combo version.

I'm curious about some of the other GFS pickups, like the P90's, but don't have a guitar to put them in.

I have not had a problem with Jay's stuff. The one issue I had (and not even a major one) was with the product shipped not totally matching what was in the picture. It was a pickguard and the pickup mounting holes in the pic are countersunk but not on the actual pickguard that ships. I emailed Jay and he kindly explained why. Totally cool. I countersunk them myself.

I've ordered lots of things from him and so far, everything has been solid.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

I have a fat Alnico minihumbucker from GFS. It's very nice but it does not like 250k pots. It's way too mellow for them. If you put it in a guitar with 500k pots, it would be a winner.

 

[mojorisen]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

I bought a set of the GFS 60's-70's Grey Bottom Non Stagger single coils and put them in my 2005 Japanese Fender Mustang re-issue. I took the covers off to expose the windings and other than the polepeices sticking up a bit far for my liking with them off they sound fine. I'm planning on buying a GFS VEH Neck position for my '87 Gibson SG. I went to play it one day and the pickup just up and died.

 

[ErikH]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

A quick update on this pickup. I got adventurous and decided to try it in my MIA Fender Strat for kicks. Very impressive. Plenty of cut, nice tone. I'm debating on whether to get a neck model as well to match up with it or just leave it as a single humbucker configuration. I'll probably decide after the next gig.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

I've tried two GFS PUs. A '64 Stagger set for my Am Strat which sounds terrific.
And a Fatbody 10K for my Affinity Tele bridge position which is also very sweet...way better than the stock PU.

I just ordered a Mean 90 to try in the bridge pos of my LP Ultra. I'm expecting good results. We'll see in a week or so.

 

[ErikH]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

I've heard nothing but good things about the Mean 90. JeffB has a set of the grey backs in his partsocaster (at least he did last I remember) and the clips he sent me of the guitar sounded really good.

Those LP Ultras are really nice. The Mean 90 should sound great in it.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

I've heard nothing but good things about the Mean 90. JeffB has a set of the grey backs in his partsocaster (at least he did last I remember) and the clips he sent me of the guitar sounded really good.

Those LP Ultras are really nice. The Mean 90 should sound great in it.

I can vouch for the Mean 90 set. It made a Squier JAG a lean, mean rock machine when least expected. They sounded a WHOLELOTTABETTER than a Gibson P-94 set in the same guitar for less than the price of only ONE Gibson p'up.

HTH,

 

[notesfield]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

Interesting post. Did you find the steel trem block brightened the tone and or made the guitar louder or simply added longer sustain over the pot metal trem?

As for the pickup, does it sound like a 59 or Demon or perhaps more like a cc/59 hybrid with an a5? the 11k aspect seems closest to a hybrid.


thanks

Not too long ago I snapped up a white GFS VEH humbucker to go in my cheap import Strat. Was more curious than anything and since I was getting a new bridge for it too (the MIM with steel block drops right in to these guitars with minimal work, BTW), decided to see if the pickup was worth it. Cheap guitar, cheap pickup, what the heck, right?

Once I got the bridge installed, I left the guitar stock with the 3 singles for a while to get a feel for the improvement the bridge made, and that it did. More solid sounding, resonates more, just a better sound overall.

After a few weeks I decided to toss the VEH in with a single Alpha 500k pot. Now, I've read some reviews saying it's too bright, doesn't cut. WTF are those people talking about? It's nowhere near too bright and cuts through just fine. I find it a very good pickup for the price. It's got a nice bump in the mids and some added presence that helps it cut through the mix with a nice sizzle in there. I gigged with the guitar last night with the intention of using it for just a couple songs. Well, I ended up playing it for half the night instead. We're playing again this evening and I plan on using it again through my Marshall, where it sounds really cool.

Is it as good as a Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio? IMO, no.

Is it a bad pickup? IMO, no.

Does it get the brown sound? Only of you amp is up to the task, which is the case with any pickup, IMO, though some get closer than others. Still, it's possible with a wide range of models.

Is it worth the price? Absolutely.

It's not noisy, it's responsive, it cuts, and in a nice axe, it sounds really nice. For an overseas made pickup, it's one of the better humbuckers I've used.

I'd get another one most likely. It's good for what it is and for the price, perfect for a guitar where you don't want to invest a lot in to.

 

[ErikH]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

Interesting post. Did you find the steel trem block brightened the tone and or made the guitar louder or simply added longer sustain over the pot metal trem?

As for the pickup, does it sound like a 59 or Demon or perhaps more like a cc/59 hybrid with an a5? the 11k aspect seems closest to a hybrid.


thanks

The steel trem block just made the guitar sound more full and solid with better sustain. It's definitely a little louder unplugged as well. A worthy upgrade.

The VEH doesn't sound like any Duncan that I've used. It's got that PAF sound to it, just fatter and hotter.

 

[ACHIEVE PERFECTION]

Re: GFS VEH Humbucker Review

BTW, to those interested i recently installed a set of mean 90's in a korean washburn wi64dl (cross between sg and lp - more sg though) and i have to say that i was really impressed. Definitely better than the stock no-name washburn pups. If sweetness is your thing, the mean 90's won't disappoint. The bridge can get dirty but not humbucker-dirty. Nice growl. IMO at least though the neck is the real winner. I wonder how it would sound in a more resonant guitar (it is pretty dead in that department)