Punk Pickups?

Bransonf

New member
Hey guys, been playing guitar for a few years now, but am just barely getting into the actual set up and all that stuff. I play skate punk, pop punk styled music. I was checking out the Duncan pickups that Eric Melvin from Nofx, Greg Hetson from Bad Religion and Tom Delonge from early Blink used.. Other than those 3, what else do you guys suggest for sound im looking for?

Also, what is the difference between a Humbucker and a normal Pickup? Do you guys suggest I just get 1 solid one I like and thats all, or multiple pick ups?

Like I said, just barely learning anything on this matter.

Thanks!!
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

Welcome to the forum.

A humbucker IS a normal pickup. It has two coils, arranged especially to combine their signals so as to minimise radio frequency interference. By itself, a single coil pickup (e.g. Fender Stratocaster, Gibson P-90 et cetera) cannot cancel hum.

Suggesting the pickup(s) for your guitar is difficult without first knowing what make/model that guitar is. Delonge is associated with the Seymour Duncan Invader and Gibson Dirty Fingers humbuckers. These might not be appropriate for your guitar due to the type(s) of wood in the instrument or the dimensions of the pickup cavities.
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

Oh duh, i completely forgot. So its a 1999-2000 Fender Strat. It doesnt have the 'Swimming Pool' but the spot for a pick up closest to the bridge is big enough for a set up like the Invader Tom uses. I have his signature fender squire, and I took the invader out to make sure it would fit in my Strat, and it fits perfectly fine. Pickups.jpgpick.jpg

Welcome to the forum.

A humbucker IS a normal pickup. It has two coils, arranged especially to combine their signals so as to minimise radio frequency interference. By itself, a single coil pickup (e.g. Fender Stratocaster, Gibson P-90 et cetera) cannot cancel hum.

Suggesting the pickup(s) for your guitar is difficult without first knowing what make/model that guitar is. Delonge is associated with the Seymour Duncan Invader and Gibson Dirty Fingers humbuckers. These might not be appropriate for your guitar due to the type(s) of wood in the instrument or the dimensions of the pickup cavities.
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

As you can see, the Fender MIM Stratocaster has scope for pickup modifications along HSS lines. If you only NEED one pickup, buy a scratchplate with a cut-out for just one humbucker plus one or two control pots. Wire this up with A500k pots. Keep the original SSS plate, pickups and controls in case you decide to sell the guitar in future.

One other thing. Is the sustain block of the vibrato bridge skinny and tapered or a chunky affair with parallel long faces?
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

I will have to check when I get back home.

I have been looking and it looks like a lot of guys are in bands I like are just using 1 humbucker. So maybe that's the way to go. Eric from Nofx uses the SH-5, Brett from bad Religion uses Sh-11 and SH-5, Tom uses Invader, Tony Sly uses the JB.... Any suggestions on any of those?


As you can see, the Fender MIM Stratocaster has scope for pickup modifications along HSS lines. If you only NEED one pickup, buy a scratchplate with a cut-out for just one humbucker plus one or two control pots. Wire this up with A500k pots. Keep the original SSS plate, pickups and controls in case you decide to sell the guitar in future.

One other thing. Is the sustain block of the vibrato bridge skinny and tapered or a chunky affair with parallel long faces?
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

I recently got a Full Shred (SH-10) and I think it's a really perfect modern punk pickup. I got a real Green Day vibe from it as soon as it was plugged in and of course it handles more and more gain very well.
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

Whats the rest of your rig? Keep in mind Delonge never recorded with the Invader. Hetson used SH6's in his SG's. The cool thing about punk is that you can really do it anyway you want so describe the sound your after and we can try to get as close to possible.
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

I recently got a Full Shred (SH-10) and I think it's a really perfect modern punk pickup. I got a real Green Day vibe from it as soon as it was plugged in and of course it handles more and more gain very well.

Whats the rest of your rig? Keep in mind Delonge never recorded with the Invader. Hetson used SH6's in his SG's. The cool thing about punk is that you can really do it anyway you want so describe the sound your after and we can try to get as close to possible.

So I'm a huge fan of Dude Ranch, that sound. But I also love the sound No Use for a Name has on Leche Con Carne, and Hard Rock Bottom. I play the fast, 90's skate punk style of music. I don't really know how to explain the sound haha. Punk in Drublic has that similar tone and sound as Leche con Carne and Dude Ranch... I also LOVE the sound of Pennywise on any of their records.
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

So I'm a huge fan of Dude Ranch, that sound. But I also love the sound No Use for a Name has on Leche Con Carne, and Hard Rock Bottom. I play the fast, 90's skate punk style of music. I don't really know how to explain the sound haha. Punk in Drublic has that similar tone and sound as Leche con Carne and Dude Ranch... I also LOVE the sound of Pennywise on any of their records.

Ok cool but what amp do you have?
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

ok, that's all good...but...

what amp/speakers are you using? any pedals?
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

What single coil pickups are in the guitar at present? Maybe, a single coil-sized pickup would answer the brief?
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

Ya know, Im not sure. Just whatever ones came with the guitar. They dont sound very good, so thats why I am looking for new ones. The way it sounds on the marshall isnt anywhere near what my friends guitar sounds like with the Humbucker ones. But he plays like 80s rock, so I figured I should go a different route.


What single coil pickups are in the guitar at present? Maybe, a single coil-sized pickup would answer the brief?
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

I use the SH6 almost exclusively in my guitars (exclusively meaning 2 out of 3). It's got a prefect tight sound that works for punk.
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

Welcome!

We just sent some Duncan Distortions to Greg, so that's what he's using right now. Tom used the Invader, which is very saturated sounding with gain in a cool way. Billie Joe uses the JB though and to me his tone was always king. Listen to Dookie and tell me you don't want that tone!
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

I play a lot of punk, my band is a hybrid of punk and metal. The Custom is a killer pickup for this stuff. Another option is the DiMarzio Tone Zone, big fat and rude.
 
Re: Punk Pickups?

I hear the duncan distortion is badass for punk. If you're going more old school a pearly gates will work wonders. But yeah I agree with Itsabass punk players are known for not giving a ****.
 
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