Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

[vbf]

http://www.riograndepickups.com/sounds.htm

Until told of them on another forum I had never heard of these. They sound good but FX, amps, mix all play a role in sound making it more difficult to do a realistic comparison. I was wondering if anyone has heard these in person and/or have them in a Les Paul; specifically the BBQ Bucker and Genuine Texas? If so, I'd be grateful for your thoughts on them as compared to a JB, Custom 5, or any other of the SD pups.

Thank you in advance....

 

[Mpcoluv]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

I have used and didn't like a "Bluesbar" P-90.
It was too bassy and woofy.....I put the original Korean pup back in.
I have always had good results with Duncan buckers.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

I tried the Muy Grande and I didn't care for it. It didn't have the output I wanted. The Muy Grande was also too dark for my tastes. A friend loves the Muy Grande though. They are also reverse polarity from Duncans, so you need to reverse the leads to get a proper out of phase sound.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

A friend was a dealer for Robin guitars which I don't think are still made. They were nice guitars but I always felt they sounded flat. They all had Rio Grande pickups in them.

I have many guitars with Duncan HB & single coils. I have never been disapointed with any Duncan I have put in my guitars. I do an awful lot of research before I decide what I want. I have 2 Strats that both have full sets of Antiquities (1 has the Sufers the other has Texas Hots) They both sound incredible to me. I prefer the vintage type of sound with singles.

In my HB guitars I have 59's, Pearly Gates, AII Pros, and a Jazz. They all do exactly what I want them too.

 

[vbf]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

Thank you

 

[Stratman]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

A friend was a dealer for Robin guitars which I don't think are still made. They were nice guitars but I always felt they sounded flat. They all had Rio Grande pickups in them.

I have many guitars with Duncan HB & single coils. I have never been disapointed with any Duncan I have put in my guitars. I do an awful lot of research before I decide what I want. I have 2 Strats that both have full sets of Antiquities (1 has the Sufers the other has Texas Hots) They both sound incredible to me. I prefer the vintage type of sound with singles.

In my HB guitars I have 59's, Pearly Gates, AII Pros, and a Jazz. They all do exactly what I want them too.

Robins Guitars are still made by Robin Music in Houston, TX.

Rio Grande pups are too brittle for my taste!

 

[CaughtLikeFire]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

I only have experience with their Tallboy/Muy Grande set for the 72 Tele (the large humbuckers with 4 mounting screws).

I was very pleased with them - lots of clarity, not harsh. reminded me of Tom Anderson medium output H series.

I should also add that I purchased a Rio pup that was defective and one phone call took care of everything. good customer service

 

[azn_hobo]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

i have an sg with the tx/bbq set in it. i don't know, maybe it's the guitar, but the pickups don't sound spectacular. the bbq does pretty much all that i want it to but i think that it would probably sound better in a maple-topped guitar. same goes for the tx. both pickups are wired for split-coil switching, which is pretty cool. i'd give them a try.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

The BBQ/Texas is a very thick, full sounding set. If you want to add beef to a guitar, these will do it. The BBQ is very muscular, with serious punch, tight, big bass and thick mids, highs are shaved back some for a smooth, less harsh or brittle sound. I think these are some of the best pickups on the market. Very big sounding and toneful, soulful. No, I do not work for Rio, LOL.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Has anyone compared Rio Grande pups to SD's?

i am curiouse about rio grande my self. i think jimmy bower of eyehategod uses them time to time