Most Musical Pickups?

Diminished Triad

Diminished Triad

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If you have one or two that stand out, please share!
Whether on the jazzy side or more the glassy quack of single coil pups would like to read about the top pickups for carrying the musical side of individual notes and chords. Thanks for your recommendations! Merry Christmas!
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

I know you mean well, but "musical" is such a subjective word. Beavis and Butthead did pretty well with chainsaws and firecrackers for instruments one time, for example
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

My neck uncovered A3 Seth/Ant hybrid is my most musical pickup. It's tone city.
 
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Re: Most Musical Pickups?

I probably haven’t played enough pickups in multiple guitars to be able to isolate those kinds of qualities to the pickup. I’ve certainly encountered combinations that were especially musical or unmusical.
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

I guess I could say JB and the Evolutions. Which sounds like a band name, and really should be.
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

I take that to mean 'Inspiring'.
For me, that is the Alnico II Pro and Classic Strat Stack...both neck pickups.
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

An A4/A5 Phat Cat in the neck is pretty musical, in stark contrast to the raunchy A4/A8 Phat Cat I usually pair with it in the bridge.
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

I love my Seth's, Ant's, PG neck, APH neck, Brobucker bridge and especially my Peter Green set from the Custom Shop. Worth every single penny. I also like my original PATB and the PATB single in my 80's wanker guitar. I have a custom set of PAF clones from CM Daugherty that I need to try still as well. Oh, and my double cream JB from the early 80's.
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

Pre-2000 MJ Pearly bridge with 35th Anniversary Jazz neck in either my Les Paul Studio or SG standard. I've been able to cover ALOT of musical ground with that combo and just the volume knobs.

Telecaster Broadcaster bridge. Similar story. Played in a cover band for 10 years doing anything from rock, blues, country, pop, funk, Motown/R&B, you name it (except metal and opera). Just an 1/8 of a turn of either the volume or tone and I could cover all that.
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

I like all of my SD pickups. I have a few and it's tough to single out the best one. Each are different but share similar foundations. They are more organic and percussive than the other makes I've tried. They are crisp and respond very well to the attack. I don't like compression in my pickups. That can be had in my amp. I like transparent pickups that don't color the sound of the guitar.
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

esandes said:
I like all of my SD pickups. I have a few and it's tough to single out the best one. Each are different but share similar foundations. They are more organic and percussive than the other makes I've tried. They are crisp and respond very well to the attack. I don't like compression in my pickups. That can be had in my amp. I like transparent pickups that don't color the sound of the guitar.
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This. Well said my friend.
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

Diminished Triad said:
Thanks for the recommendation!
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No prob! It's a great one!

esandes said:
I'm deciding between an A3 and/or A4 P90 neck. The way you describe your pickup I may just go for A3/A3.
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A3 is a good one for neck! It's crisp and sweet so I didn't need A4 which is crisp and stark. I like A4 for bridge. You might like a combo tho. I have 2 A5s in my Phat Cat and I want to try a combo of something but I'm too lazy. Again, only A3 is pretty nice!
 
Re: Most Musical Pickups?

Chistopher said:
I'm sorry sir, but I think it's time for you to leave.
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I'll just drink more!

"Musical" is just such a subjective term in regards to gear. One man's musical is another's dull and boring.
One man's cold harsh and sterile is another's dream-tone.
 
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