Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

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Any pickups that you think everybody in a certain situation should have tried?



My top item is the DD which IMHO everybody around metal and most forms of hard rock should try once.

The SSL1 and in the bass department the SPB-1 (vintage for Precision). They just sound right.

The hot rails are utterly underrated. The HR neck gives you an almost PAF-class neck pickup sound that doesn't fall apart for soloing, and the bridge HR is a bit like the DD above. It just has character for a heavy pickup.

People with a trem and wanting a light (PAF-class) humbucker in the bridge - the PG.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

JB-any style of music. With the right setup, they sound incredible.

Antiquity humbuckers in a nice LP through a vintage Marshall.

Alnico Pro 2 Neck humbucker for blues or rock.

Seth lovers before they buy a boutique pickup
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

Full Shred neck in a superstrat that has a Custom bridge. It's articulate but sweet, matches well with the Custom, and feels like the other half of the "PAF on steroids" formula.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

For anyone that loves playing distorted chords, be it in Grunge or Hard Rock or whatever:
Screamin' Demon bridge.

It stays clear, very clear. And split it's absolutely wonderful. Gets me into Ty Tabor's sonic ballpark in the last two King's X albums easily.
My absolute favorite bridge humbucker.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

Brobucker
Five-Two for Stratocaster
Fender Nocaster pair.
T. V. Jones Filter'Tron recreations
Original Fender Wide Range Humbucker
SD Active EQ "switch" bass pickups.

The one that I'd like to get my hands on is the Strat-Bro 90.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

config JB bridge plus Jazz neck
in a superstrat just add in between the SSL-4 QP flat or Hot+Rails
Any style of music :)
Sounds really good!!
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Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

I'd have to say the CS version of the Jerry Donahue Tele pickup. I use it my MIJ Tele Custom and just love it. I have that guitar set up for slide, so it has heavy strings with a wound 3rd string and I tune it to open D or G. Sometimes I just play chords on it. The JD is not thin or ice picky at all, and the CS version is a little more 3D and transparent than the stock version. Here's how it looks and how it sounds:



 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

probably all SD fans should be trying out a JB
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

Super 70 in bridge - general purpose, but good for heavy stuff
EMG 85 or 85x in bridge - hard rock/hairmetal or heavier
SD active bass pups in neck (APB2 Lightnin Rods P pup, APH Blackouts for Bass NECK version) - anywhere high output punchy clarity is applicable

Funkfingers said:
SD Active EQ "switch" bass pickups.

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Click to expand...

The nameless actives with 3 white minitoggles right on the pickup? Awesome stuff....but long out of production. And loads of BS floating around the net about the switches, which really do appear to be EQ hi/mid/lo boosts to me (own a 3-toggle Pbass).

There was also supposedly a 2-toggle, which may have done something else entirely with the toggles, hence the confusion. Or maybe people just think its like the toggles on that mounting ring gizmo. Whichever way, some of the explanations if what the toggles do online are rather...bizarre.
 
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Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

Here's my short list....admittedly not all are Duncans.

Humbucker
'78--It sounds great for everything from classic rock to some old school metal.

Tele Bridge
Single Coil--I've got to say I really like the SD Quarter Pound. FANTASTIC rhythm pup. There is nothing better for power chords.
SC sized Bucker--PG for tele. A great all round pup and it somehow can channel the good Reverend's thick greasy Texas-fried tones.

Strat
Single Coils--I really like the Alnico 2 Pro for a more distortion-centric strat tone. Good quack, but significantly more midrange.
For a more traditional sound with significantly more top end and chime the OC Duff Vintage strat pups are the ticket!
SC sized Bucker--I think the JBjr does a great job of delivering the big fat JB lead tone in a little package.

P90
I think the SD P90 Custom is a great pup for someone looking for the P90 growl with more output and grind. Very overlooked.

Others
I'm also a big TV Jones fan and really like the SuperTron, Magnatron, Classic, and Classic Plus.
For guys playing rock the Classic Plus is THE ticket for a different kind of tone that still has a good midrange punch with clarity.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

bridge HB-the JB
jazzmaster pickups-antiquity 2
strat single coils-SSL 1
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

Seth Lover

The irony of the situation is that I haven't tried one, but have been searching for a year or so for the right guitar to put one in.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

I'm going to say '59/custom hybrid. It's an extremely versatile pickup.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

There's still a lot of blues/rock/jazz players that haven't owned a Seth. For those that are enamoured with '57's and PG's, a Seth may be an eye-opening experience.

On the other hand, if someone's had a Duncan HB, odds are it's a JB. Considering how picky JB's can be in the woods they like, it's definitely not a universal PU. I'd much rather players try other Duncan HB's, especially in mahogany guitars. For some people, if they don't like a particular PU, they won't buy one of that brand again (I know guys like this). Duncan makes an incredible variety of PU's, each one of which will make someone very happy.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

If you play any type of rock or hard rock, trying the JB and Custom is what I'd recommend.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

Pretty much what people here are saying.

Humbucker:

Seth Lover and/or Pearly Gates Neck
SH-5 Custom Bridge (yes, the one with ceramic) and/or 59/Custom bridge

Single Coil:

I really wish SD would make the strabro 90 a production model, but the Antiquity II surfer is my second favorite neck single coil.
Jerry Donahue Bridge. Lew's post makes me curious to try the custom shop version because the production version is about perfect IMO.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

Jazz Neck among Humbuckers. If I am not wrong many people still shy away from it because o the name. The humble SSL1s among single coils. I have not tried any tele replacement pups yet.
 
Re: Pickups that IYHO everybody should try (given a certain music style)

JB

If you love that vintage tone, Seth Lover.

If you play Tele, STL-2/STR-2 is heaven.

If you play bass, the Quarter Pound pickups.
 
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