Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

Don't know who you've been talking to, but Customs sure ain't the Holy Grail. That sacred title has been reserved for decades for PAF's. And Duncan makes some of the best. The Custom family is very good, but it hasn't achieved sainthood like PAF's have. And there's no way a high output ceramic PU has the tone color, dymanics, responsiveness, or versatility of a vintage wound alnico.

True! The custom isnt.. The custom 8, IS!!!!:friday:
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

I think the subjectivity you mentioned plays too big a role for there to be one end-all pickup. PAFs aside, what about Strat and Tele guys? It's like asking who is the best guitarist of all time. Some say Jimi, some say Yngwie, some say Michael Angelo Batio. Are any of those wrong?

At least you are one of few who tried to answer question. I thank you. But why are people scared of just throwing an answer out with the understanding that its mostly an opinion.
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

Don't give a coward's response. Answer the question. Be helpful. I understand player, guitar construction quality, string choice, room acoustics, guitar cable, pick, pickup and so forth are apart of the equation that makes up a person's tone. I really understand that, but doesn't mean you can't at least try an answer the question. But I thank you for qualifying my answer. It reminds me why I try and stay away from this forum. Very few help.
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

If the legendary search for the holy grail is actually a metaphor for one's spiritual growth, then there is no specific pup at the end. Rather it is when we swap pups, magnets, adjust setting, and everything that goes with why we do this stuff.
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

The Seymour Duncan Distortion is the be all end all of pickups
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

I understand player, guitar construction quality, string choice, room acoustics, guitar cable, pick, pickup and so forth are apart of the equation that makes up a person's tone. I really understand that,

Good for you! I wouldn't say the same about your patronage of the english language, though... I mean, do you actually read what you've written...?

It reminds me why I try and stay away from this forum. Very few help.

What I think is your questions and the interaction with the people in here is something you're using in some school assignment and/or social network experiment. Because you don'a ask for help, you just want OPINIONS. Without motivations. Just opinions. Who wants just opinions without motivations? Only somebody that gets a kick out of asking something and getting something out of it, kind of the power of the question in a public forum. And when you don't get what you want, you complain. Am I getting close...? :naughty:

With such an attitude, I'd say do a better job of staying away and JUST STAY AWAY. Nobody forces you to come here... yet, here you are, and complaining, as all the other times.
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

My Holy Grail is the Screamin' Demon with an Alnico 8 magnet.
Or Demon 8, as I like to call it.

Medium output, the bass is punchy but not really fat or overpowering.
Mids are present but not so thick and wide like say a JB,
and very clean, detailed and simply ferocious highs. It bites and crunches a lot.
Very dynamic and chewy. To me, it's the perfect Hard Rock pickup.
Sounds very good clean, not as good as with the stock A5 magnet though.

That's my Holy Grail, by now.
 
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Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

Pearlyhellhound - as you seem unhappy with the responses you've been getting, can I just clarify your question. ' Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?' and later on 'why are people scared of just throwing an answer out with the understanding that its mostly an opinion.'

So you want an 'opinion' as to whether there is such a thing as a holy grail pickup ?

Then I guess that the only replies that will satisfy you are Yes or No. Am I on the right track ?
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

Good for you! I wouldn't say the same about your patronage of the english language, though... I mean, do you actually read what you've written...?

This thread is annoying, as well as you continuing to call out people on their use of the English language, and "lack of communication" skills which you have accused me of as well. Do you read your own posts? Plenty of condescending remarks recently.

How about this?

Stop the dooshbaggery. If you don't like the OP, fine...but you are acting like an arrogant ass. This a guitar forum, not a college classroom, and no-one is getting a grade.


Did I communicate that well enough for you to understand? If not, let me know, I can elaborate.
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

Jeff, I agree that Pepe can be ridiculously patronising having being on the end of many of his acerbic comments myself but the o/p asked a question that could be answered in a multitude of different ways and got angry about some of the replies ' Don't give a coward's response. Answer the question. '

Were we supposed to simply name a pickup ? If the replies had stated 59 PAF, EMG81, JB or whatever, would that have satisfied him ?

Can we stop this now ? It's going nowhere.
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

This thread is annoying, as well as you continuing to call out people on their use of the English language, and "lack of communication" skills which you have accused me of as well. Do you read your own posts? Plenty of condescending remarks recently.

How about this?

Stop the dooshbaggery. If you don't like the OP, fine...but you are acting like an arrogant ass. This a guitar forum, not a college classroom, and no-one is getting a grade.


Did I communicate that well enough for you to understand? If not, let me know, I can elaborate.

Oh, no need to elaborate, Jeff. Your point iis crystal clear.

I can only offer you a pearl of wisdom, contained in a saying:

"When you correct the wise, he thanks you. When you correct the fool, he attacks you"

I wrongly thought you wanted to do things better, so to not be misinterpreted. My mistake, and for that I apologise. Don't worry, it won't happen again.

Yours very truly,
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

Don't give a coward's response. Answer the question. Be helpful. I understand player, guitar construction quality, string choice, room acoustics, guitar cable, pick, pickup and so forth are apart of the equation that makes up a person's tone. I really understand that, but doesn't mean you can't at least try an answer the question. But I thank you for qualifying my answer. It reminds me why I try and stay away from this forum. Very few help.

embrace the ambiguity, man.



.....
and relax will ya?
 
Re: Is there such a thing as a holy grail pickup?

Oh, no need to elaborate, Jeff. Your point iis crystal clear.

I can only offer you a pearl of wisdom, contained in a saying:

"When you correct the wise, he thanks you. When you correct the fool, he attacks you"

I wrongly thought you wanted to do things better, so to not be misinterpreted. My mistake, and for that I apologise. Don't worry, it won't happen again.

Yours very truly,

high_horse.jpg
 
I have heard people talk about the Duncan Custom, I think, as the holy grail of pickups. I understand tone is subjective, but have there been attempts at acheiveing this feat?
I have a set of vintage Seymore Duncans in a Les Paul copy I bought a few years ago. The neck pu is a "Pearly Gates" and the bridge is a "Holy Grail" - hand wound by Maricela Juarez back in the 80's. So yes, there was a "Holy Grail" named pickup. I own one.
 
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