Has anyone else had trouble with this?

youngthrasher9

youngthrasher9

New member
I'm talking about the bare wire in the pickup leads for a GFS Mean 90. Every time I've handled the stuff, it behaves like deep fryed dog hair. It's the most brittle wire I think I've ever dealt with in guitar wiring. It's a good pickup but I would have thought that GFS would have had enough complaints that they would change it by now.
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

youngthrasher9 said:
I'm talking about the bare wire in the pickup leads for a GFS Mean 90. Every time I've handled the stuff, it behaves like deep fryed dog hair. It's the most brittle wire I think I've ever dealt with in guitar wiring. It's a good pickup but I would have thought that GFS would have had enough complaints that they would change it by now.
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Sorry to hear of any pickup trouble.

GFS = Inexpensive. Its bound to happen. You get what you pay for in some form or another with all gear, though its just not always evident upfront. Its true that for some they feel they get more than they pay for with budget pickups (sound-wise), perhaps they do, for myself not so much. I personally am a hard sell with 90%-95%-of-the-way-there anything gear. Sonically or build quality. BTW, I hope I didn't just sound the silent alarm LOL.

I know it may be a bit out of fashion to a few members on this forum in recent times but I personally prefer to pay any amount for that last % of quality and attention to detail with gear. That is one element I appreciate about Seymour Duncan pickups. It is consistently 100% gear for me. They have a benchmark level of quality that supports the highest standards in pickup excellence. Over and over I have been pleased. If only they were a much smaller company and lesser known they could charge more their boutique quality. For now when I want Duncan quality with another brand I have to pay alot more. Funny and true. As is we get the ultimate boutique quality based on unparalleled experience and parts at an unmatched price point. The best inexpensive pickup in the world is a used SD.

Cheers and respect, RG
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

Agreed. I probably won't buy GFS again, SD is always my first choice.

I appreciate SD more every time I try their competition.
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

There is another solution. Replace the stock GFS output cable with something of better quality. Single con + braided shield if you want to be traditional. Screened twin if you want more wiring options. At the very least, performing this task will increase your appreciation of the workmanship that goes into any pickup.
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

Yeah, I thought about that but I don't really want to pry apart a pickup very bad.
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

I've got several Mean 90 pups and have not had any problems with weak/brittle wires. Are you sure you're not using side cutters instead of pliers to hold the wire?
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

PS: I certainly appreciate what Rodney said about Duncan pups. I too believe that you can't get any better quality at a really great price (comparatively). I am a true blood Duncan user. But sometimes you can come across a really good sounding pup at an even better price. The Mean 90 is one of those really good pups at an unbelievable price.
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

Never had a problem like that with any of my GFS stuff. Could this not perhaps be a bad batch?
I'd just drop 'em a couple of angry emails and then change the wire myself anyway.
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

No need for an "angry" email, but I would certainly contact them and explain the situation. They may be willing to help you.
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

I bought it used, so it very well could be a set of leads someone else added. I'm not concerned about it really, I was just curious to see if I got a one in a million pickup or if they were all like that.
 
Re: Has anyone else had trouble with this?

If the wire and my pliers aren't cooperating I just fry the shielding off with the iron.
 
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