Praise for some non-duncan pups...

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

I forgot to mention Lace Sensors. The Blue & Silver (only ones I've tried) are incredible. They're exactly like their descriptions from Lace.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

The DiMarzio Air Norton is one of my favorite neck pickups ever.

 

[skh515]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

Fender Gold Lace Sensors. I fell in love with those things the first time I tried them. I played a friend of mine's brand new Strat back in 1988 or so. Those things made me sound like I knew what I was doing. I was amazed. Everyone was amazed. I knew someday I'd have to have a Lace-loaded Strat. I bought the pups, wired up a new pickguard and switched out the Delta-Tones on my Am. Std. Ash Strat. It's a sweet guitar.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

The Gold Sensors are nice, although I prefer the 6k Hot Gold model for the ultimate in hum-free vintage Strat tone. Kinman and Bill Lawrence also make great noiseless singles. As for humbuckers, the only non-Duncan model I really love is the Rio Grande BBQ...medium output, plenty of lows and mids, and rolled off highs. It sounds wonderfully thick but never gets muddy, and it's a great pickup for warming up a bright guitar without resorting to Alnico 2 magnets.

Ryan

 

[Wattage]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

Only non-Duncans I own are a stock Filtertron and a Fender CS Custom '69 set. THe gretsch is fair and the Fender's are terrific.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

My newest set of pickups was by a new custom pickup maker, Mike Gray of Chubtone.
I had an overwound 63 strat set wound to nail the SRV/Mayer sound, and they definitely do that. A tad brighter than Surfers, but just as authentic as a great set from a 63 strat.

McCarty pickups are the best medium output A5 PAFS out there.
Other pickups I've left stock are a US Schecter with Monstertones, which are like tapped Quarter pounders. Also Dearmond USA pickups.

 

[BachToRock]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

The TV Jones Filtertrons are excellent pickups!

 

[Artie]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

The pups that come stock, in a mid-80's MIA Peavey Patriot are surprisingly nice. Sort of a "rails" Phat Cat style. Rich, chimey tone. My first clip that I ever posted here used them. People advised me to leave that guitar stock after hearing the clips . . . but I couldn't help myself. :laugh2:

Still got 'em, though.

Here's a reasonable pic of them:

Peavey Patriot on eBay

 

[SABOTAGE]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

I really love EMG's at least the 81,85,89,60 models
i know many say they are sterile and are a one trick pony but i really like these they are really made well and deadly quiet.

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

I'm also really diggin the stock Gibson P-90's in my SG Juniors.

I think that the stock P-90's from Gibson are among the best made...

 

[papersoul]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

I've gotta agree . . . the McCarty pups are pretty damn good. Much better than the HFS and also the DragonIIs IMO (which are okay). However, the one time I did a back to back sound test between a stock Les Paul (498t and 490r) and a PRS Singlecut (#7), the PRS killed the LP! Smoother, more body, more clarity. I wonder how the #7's compare to Duncans . . . ?

Hi, I am curious what you like about the Mccarty pickups over the Dragon IIs?

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

I have a Voodoo 60's in my "Esquire" and it's amazing.

Probably similar to the Ant II Tele, I guess.

 

[mongrollo]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

DiMarzio Paf Classics are a pretty decent vintage type of pups, I have had then in two of my guitars and I was allways pleased. Well, they are a bit too mellow sometimes so I took them off for a punchier style of pickups, they are on the shelf right now.

And... TvJones Filtertrons, I absolutely love them. Clear, punchy, detailed and an amazing distorted tone (Fender style but warmer)

 

[deluxemeat]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

duncans are the only humbuckers i'll use, but my favorite single coil would have to be evans.
they're livelier than any lace i've tried. they just sparkle and have no noise.

if you like chris degarmo's or alex lifeson's clean sounds, try these.

evans pickups are back in business btw.

 

[January_Embers]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

Hi, I am curious what you like about the Mccarty pickups over the Dragon IIs?

Its probably hard to make a true comparison since I played them in different guitars, but I just found the McCartys to have a clearer tone with less output and just a better "feel" to them. The DragonIIs were still good pickups, but just not as good as the McCartys IMO. They were a bit too hot for me if I remember correctly and also seemed just a bit congested. And of course, its been ages since I last played a PRS so my recolection on any of their pickups I mentioned in this post or my other one may be off. Also, I find that I have odd taste in pickups and there isn't always rhyme or reason behind my opinions so take this all with a grain of salt.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

The new HighOrder winds are spectacular. Jeff has a hell of an ear and blends clarity and warmth like few I have ever heard.

My 56 P90 ain't too bad....lol

I still haven't found a single coil I like better than the Twang Banger for the bridge position though.

 

[Vincent]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

Have any of you tried Kinmans?

 

[Stratcat]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

Joe Barden makes a good pup.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

My problem with the McCarties is that sometimes I find them muddy and dull at times - too mellow for higher gain music. I really notcie this when switching from the Burstbucker Pros in my LP.

 

[Imp]

Re: Praise for some non-duncan pups...

i liked the EMG 89 and 85, if you wanted versatility... well made, almost impossible to kick into microphonic feedback, and the batteries will last till the next ice-age...

i love the 35P as well, it covers all the bases (ho ho ho) that i've needed so far... i don't like the matching 35J one bit though :yell:

tom