Quality of my pickups?

[Rotten Guitar String]

Well I took my new axe (ESP LTD H400) to a guitar lesson, and asked my teacher what he thought. Unplugged, he said it was great, but when he plugged it in, I don't think he was too impressed. (Although, I don't think his setup there was all that good, as his Steve Vai JEM didn't sound too flash either).

He said they didn't sound like REAL Seymour Duncans, even though I told him that it had Seymour Duncan JB/59 in it.
He also told me that the JB and 59 are low-end Seymour Duncans
Does he know what he's alking about?

They aren't Duncan Designed, it says "Seymour Duncan" on the pickups, but theres no model name on them.

Are there different types of the same model of pickup (eg. are some JB's better than others)?

 

[Imp]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

welcome to the board man!

as far as pickups go, a seymour duncan 59 is a seymour duncan 59, and its the same for the JB. your teacher might have meant they're quite common as an aftermarket pickup, but they carry the same prestige and price as most of the other SD 'buckers..

if they dont sound as good as you expect, have you checked the height they are mounted at?

tom

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

Thanks for your reply!

He made it quite clear that he didn't think they sounded like real Seymour Duncans. He said that "real" Seymour Duncans just "scream at you". It could have been the settings on his pedal at the time, or the pickup height. Aproximately how far should the top of the pickups be from the strings for a heavy crunch (bridge) and a smoooth singin' lead tone in the neck?

 

[theodie]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

Thanks for your reply!

He made it quite clear that he didn't think they sounded like real Seymour Duncans. He said that "real" Seymour Duncans just "scream at you". It could have been the settings on his pedal at the time, or the pickup height. Aproximately how far should the top of the pickups be from the strings for a heavy crunch (bridge) and a smoooth singin' lead tone in the neck?

"He said that "real" Seymour Duncans just "scream at you".
Some Duncans will, some wont. Depends on what models. Honestly, I dont think it sounds like he knows much at all about Duncan pickups. Sort of sounds like he is talking out of his A$$ by the way you have described things.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

yeah, he is definitely pulling the "i'm the teacher, you are the student, so what i say is always correct" act ... and it doesnt matter what he thinks if YOU like the sound ...

cheers
t4d

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

Sounds like it's time for a new guitar teacher. Not only are the JB / 59' "Real Duncans", they are among the best selling pickups SD produces. I don't remember exactly, but the JB may be the best selling SD bucker of all time.

Ditch the teacher, play with the pickup height until YOU find the tone that YOU like.

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

Ahhh... pickup height was the problem. I think that he just jumped to the conclusion that the pickups are no good cuz they didn't sound quite right. I raised the bridge pickup, and it sounds much better now!

Thanks for your replies!

BTW, I think I will find another teacher!

 

[Imp]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

hehe good man

you've got a good starting point, whenever you read pickup descriptions for bridge humbuckers, expect most of your info to be in the form 'hotter/cooler/warmer (etc) than a JB'.. im currently digging the screamin' demon - growlier, punchier and warmer than a JB :burnout:

hehe welcome again man

tom

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

Thanks man.

I'm gettin some crunchy tones with my JB now!!!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

If he's a good teacher, think twice about ditching him. Most people don't know their ass from a hole in the ground about pickups.

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

I'm not thinking of ditching him JUST cuz of the pickups!

 

[Imp]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

:laugh2: thatd be harsh, man lol

try going for a guy teaching a style you've *never* played before, that can work great sometimes.. you pick up bits and incorporate them into your own style

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

I'd rather master the styles I play first though.
The teacher I have teaches the right styles, but he isn't getting me to perfect the songs that I'm learning. I played a song REALLY badly today, and he said it was good and gave me a new one. Thats what most teachers will do, and thats why most of their students end up sloppy.

Good teachers are hard to find.

 

[Forbes]

Re: Quality of my pickups?

Lol, makes me laugh when a JB and a 59 are not considered 'real' duncans.

From the sounds of it it would probably be best to talk to your teacher and explain what you want, and if you dont see an improvement go and find another.