Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

[Matt42]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

My Vintage Modified SSH Tele has the stock Duncan Designed pickups still. I do intend on changing out at least the neck, possibly the middle and bridge too, but those I like well enough to not really bother. My Gretsch 5120 has stock pickups, but that will eventually change once I settle on TV Jones Classics or T90's.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

If I add up the numbers, I can see that I have left the stock pickups in most of my guitars/basses.

In my life, I've owned eight basses, and I've only changed out the pickups on one of them, a 2011 Squier Jaguar short-neck bass (which I may be selling soon). Another I got with a Duncan Vintage P-Bass pickup already in it.

As for guitars, I'd say that over my life, I've changed the stock pickups out of 1/4 of them, if that. Basically, I just don't buy many instruments that don't already mostly "do it" for me. I also find pickup swaps to be a pretty extreme and expensive step, and that most pickups can do most things pretty well. I only do a swap once I've done fairly extensive tinkering with pots, caps, and amp settings, or if I buy a cheap instrument intending to modify it right off the bat.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Oddly enough, I dig the stock pups in my 1993 MIA Tele. The norm, however, is aftermarket.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Yes - 1979 T-Top still in the neck of my 1979 Les PAul.


These days I change because either I know what I want to hear from a guitar, or I'm just interested. That said, I wouldn't GUARANTEE that I wouldmn't leave them But like I said, I almost always know something close r to what I want.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

I have an Ibanez RG 320 series tuned to C# standard and used for metal, and the low output Designd By EMGs in the neck and bridge deliver sufficient clarity and articulation in both clean tones and distorted tones that I have no need to change what isn't broken. I have another one of this same model but tuned to standard, and tried various pups in the bridge like TB-15, gibson 500t, JB, Invader, and EMG HZ, but ended up returning to the stock Designed By EMG for best overall articulation ( although I did go with a Dimarzio Humbucker From He'll in the neck for increased articulation that I felt it needed).. I have heard John Mayer prefers lower output pickups. I think I might understand why. My experiences with hotter pickups seemed like they were too hot to start with. With lower output pickups I have room to add as much gain as I want before I go past the point of losing articulation. These Designed By EMGs are 7.4 khz in dc resistance.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

My Godin came with SDs so they stayed, and my EBMM came with their special Dmz pups, so they stayed. Other than that it gets a change unless it's got some smokin' vintage pups.

 

[foogiefoogie]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

I've got a first-gen PRS Santana SE that I've left alone as far as pickups are concerned- they just sounded pretty good right out of the box and didn't see the need to swap them out for something "better".

That isn't normally the case, though. I'll typically rip out the el cheapo pickups and swap them out for something more suitable to my needs.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

My "Crazy Heart" Gretsch has stock TV Jones pickups in it.

 

[chadd]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

My 85 thinline tele still has the stock pickups, they sound great. Both of my 2011 les paul traditional pros have the 57/BB3 combos in them. Everything else has had something changed over the years, often multiple changes.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Often.

My "Crazy Heart" Gretsch has stock TV Jones pickups in it.

Understandable. The only pickup that I would use to replace a TVJ 'Tron is another TVJ.

 

[AudioWonderland]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

PRS Std 24
Peavey Wolfgang
Yamaha SA2200
Fender Classic Vibe Tele Deluxe
Carvin LB76 bass


All still stock

 

[kilphody]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Never touched my PRS or G&L.
The rest have ben gutted all over
PC.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Often.



Understandable. The only pickup that I would use to replace a TVJ 'Tron is another TVJ.

Actually, I think Derek Duncan's Filtertron replacements are the best ones being made. The reason I didn't change the pickups is that the guitar and pickups belonged to a friend of mine who passed away and I want to keep it just like it was when he used it to record the "Crazy Heart" soundtrack, which he finished the week he died. I was even reluctant to change the strings--but eventually I did.

 

[agentzero12]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Not usually. But I buy less expensive guitars with the purpose of upgrades and customizing. Even my Gibson I liked for a while but ended up changing them for lack of character. It was a 500t/498r set though so not the best Gibson has to offer. I will say, having spent some time with a buddy's BFG, the stock burstbucker pro and p90 are pretty nice stock.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Actually, I think Derek Duncan's Filtertron replacements are the best ones being made. The reason I didn't change the pickups is that the guitar and pickups belonged to a friend of mine who passed away and I want to keep it just like it was when he used it to record the "Crazy Heart" soundtrack, which he finished the week he died. I was even reluctant to change the strings--but eventually I did.

Well, if somebody wants to provide free samples, I will cheerfully volunteer to A/B both makes. I will even post clips in the SDUGF group on Soundcloud.

 

[J.LaGrassa]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

I've tried a few pickups in my PRS McCarty but end up putting back the stock pups, I really like the fat tone of the McCarty pickups so I just leave that guitar alone.

 

[GAS-a-holic]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

I have 6 electrics, three of which are still stock and will most likely remain that way:

Fender FSR Standard Ash Telecaster - Hot Standard Tele Single Coils
Charvel So-Cal - Dimarzio Evolution (neck) & Tone Zone (bridge)
Gibson 1958 Historic - Classic 57's

My Mexi 70's Strat has pickups from an 80's Japanese Strat, my other two Pauls have Duncans; a Seth (neck) and EVH 78 (bridge) in one and a 59 (neck) in the other.
I'm also one of those guys who almost always changes pickups - unless the stocks really move me.

 

[Liam1963]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Have a Jackson that came with Duncan Designed pickups, they sound really good in that guitar, no need to switch...

 

[oneblackened]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

Yeah, my 7 string - because up until recently nobody made active sized passives!

 

[Bongoscot]

Re: Have you ever left stock pickups in a guitar?

I love the Burstbuckers in my Les Paul standard. I cant imagine that guitar sounding any better than it does.