Recommend me a bridge pickup

Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

b1adefury said:
just checked it out i think i'll give it a miss because it doesnt match the look of my a2p in the neck. however, this got me interested. i think its a new GFS model
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definitely a new model. Looks like a pretty cool pickup, I'd go for that one if I were you, or if you're looking for something less expensive, but still really good.
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

bluefrog said:
yeah a new GFS Pup around - shd get one.
Besides I wd recommend a SD SH1 "59er" bridge Pup or PearlyGates or GFS 59vintage.
the EVH is to be tested. Why not start with this it is cheap.
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dont get it, its just a knock off of the SD '78 model. and the bridge is said to be wound to 11K (still too hot) when the SD '78 is only wound to 9K (brown tone area). why would a pup that has the "brown sound" be only $34? and another thing I cant stress how important magnets are, that pup says has a alnico V mag. alnico V will NOT give you the brown tone because again its too hot for natural guitar tone and string vibrations that only an Alnico II mag can give you. There is a reason why Eddie used an overwound Gibson P.A.F. with an ALNCO II mag. dont be fooled by cheep rip off coppies. How could you get the same thing from a pickup that is a $160 and a pickup that is only $34?!?!?! come on think about it, other wise he would put seymour out of business.
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

Christopher Caruana said:
dont get it, its just a knock off of the SD '78 model. and the bridge is said to be wound to 11K (still too hot) when the SD '78 is only wound to 9K (brown tone area). why would a pup that has the "brown sound" be only $34? and another thing I cant stress how important magnets are, that pup says has a alnico V mag. alnico V will NOT give you the brown tone because again its too hot for natural guitar tone and string vibrations that only an Alnico II mag can give you. There is a reason why Eddie used an overwound Gibson P.A.F. with an ALNCO II mag. dont be fooled by cheep rip off coppies. How could you get the same thing from a pickup that is a $160 and a pickup that is only $34?!?!?! come on think about it, other wise he would put seymour out of business.
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What first hand experience with GFS do you have that has given you all of these insights?
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

Christopher Caruana said:
uh no if you read my post, i talk alot about magnets. so read more carfully next time before you start going off on someone
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Uh...you're the one going off. You were asked a legitimate question about your experience with GFS pickups and responded with:

Christopher Caruana said:
no experience.....just COMMON SENSE!
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You haven't heard this pickup and are already dogging on it.

Bottom line, magnet choice definately plays a role but, Dimarzio has proven (via their airbucker technology) you can take a A5 and make it sound a lot more like an A2.
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

Well, I've used the Custom 5, in a Hamer, that is, more or less, a dbl cut LP...kicks ass through a clean tube Fender, and the same through a Marshall JMP MK II...very versatile for blues, blues rock, and hard rock, at least in the git I'm using it in.

I have not used the AIIPro. I am looking forward to trying it some day.
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

FWIW, the SD custom shop pickup that went into EVH's 20k signature line of guitars was wound to around 13k - so I'm guessing there's some wiggle room when getting the brown sound. If it were me, I'd try the GFS first, then replace the magnet with A2 (it's about $5 for a magnet) If neither of those get you close you can probably get a used VHPAF for a pretty good price, and if you throw the A2 in there, it'll get you close to the SD custom shop evenly voiced harmonics pickup.
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

hey guys I just said I wd try a GFS as it is cheap AND I KNOW a few of them
and I can say quality-to price those are VERY INTERESSTING and some are really such good to be close to the high price pups. And then it is all subjective ... further I give a **** on specs like mags and AC/DC resisance and wires ... AS LONG IT ROCKS !
say a 35 dollar can be better then a 120 dollar thing --- why not?
I wd also say a 50 dollar 2.nd hand SH1 is equal to a new one 80 bucks, right?
money is nothing what measures values or sound. ... and Wallstreets tells me I am right these days.
It is YOU how set the value.. and nothing else matters...
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

Christopher Caruana said:
no experience.....just COMMON SENSE!
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don't say anything about GFS until you have used them, they are excellent pickup. This pickup may not sound exactly like the '78 model, but I'm sure it's a close approximation, or a good pickup in it's own right, as are all GFS pickups I've tried.
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

Thanks for all the input so far guys. I am sure GFS pickups are fantastic judging from the rave reviews they have been getting. My only concern is that they do not have a second hand market, which causes them to lose their value entirely if I should ever decide to try something else.

I think i've grown tired of the sound of hot pickups for now so i'll be looking out for vintage sounding pickups. By the way I just put up my super distortion for trade in the classifieds section. Anyone wanna do business with me?
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

yes makes sense I d go on for a 2nd hand 59er SD bridge-this is safe.
or a 2nd hand PG1b good luck. and by the way I wd buy a 2nd hand GFS VEH
just for fun...
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

daboni8 said:
Get a JB.
It`s very versatile, and it became very popular in the late 80`s/early 90`s, during the gnr era, it has a very good character for classic rock.
It`s also recommended by SD for mahogany/rosewood guitars, and with jazz in the neck it is Seymour`s favourite combo.
I have one in my Gib Explorer, does all great, from blues to metal.
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Possibly a horrible idea in a LP. Bad advice bro.


The JB is not a great pickup for the masses, though what it does it does very well (80's metal). For other forms of music, it is versatile in the sense it does most things OK but, not great. The JB is very picky about what kind of guitar it is in and what sort of rig it is played though. In addition to that, to most peoples ears it is a love it or hate it pickup. IMO, for the author of this thread to choose the JB, it would be a very risky move on his part. There are MUCH better choices for the type of music he wants to play and also the type of guitar he has.

daboni8 said:
Yes, high output, but warm sounding, and you just roll the volume if you want to calm it down...
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Not warm at all. Most actually consider the JB to be on the bright end of the scale due to its high mid peak.
 
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Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

b1adefury said:
does the custom nail the gritty appetite of destruction tone? i know that it uses a ceramic magnet like the super distortion, which was kind of harshy/marshy compared to that gritty/snarly slash tone.

i've never heard of the brobucker before, i'll go check it out.. thanks!
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The Custom will do it. The Custom is an exception to the ceramic magnet rule. The Custom will cover lots of ground with a roll of teh tone or volume knob. It will nail classic stuff to metal without much problem by using the tone, volume, and the gain control on the amp. This will be a great choice.

Now, for the bands you listed, the 59 or Alnico II pro would most likely be the best choice.

If you want more Zep and AC/DC I would go for the 59. If you want a hair bit more G&R, go for the Alnico II pro.
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

theodie said:
The Custom will do it. The Custom is an exception to the ceramic magnet rule. The Custom will cover lots of ground with a roll of teh tone or volume knob. It will nail classic stuff to metal without much problem by using the tone, volume, and the gain control on the amp. This will be a great choice.

Now, for the bands you listed, the 59 or Alnico II pro would most likely be the best choice.

If you want more Zep and AC/DC I would go for the 59. If you want a hair bit more G&R, go for the Alnico II pro.
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thanks theodie. thank goodness i have not bought the jb yet. i think i am pretty set on the A2P.

by the way, does anyone know if theres a difference between the A2P neck and bridge versions? can the neck version be put into the bridge?
 
Re: Recommend me a bridge pickup

b1adefury said:
i am using an a2p on the neck now. i have heard that the PG bridge can be abit too trebly or shrill.. is that true?
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The PG has what people call a "Texas sizzle" that some don't like. It's not shrill, but it's wired. There's also a low-mids push. The PG is well-liked because it is the brightest PAF for those who don't like A5. Myself I'm not thrilled.

Your Super Distortion is not a real high-gain pickup, it's medium and amoung the ceramic shredders the most PAF-alike and bright.

Given that you won't like the Duncan Custom.

You have two choices:
  • a fatter ceramic pickup such as the Duncan Distortion or the invader (very warm and fat). That would be a metalish direction.
  • lighter pickups with Alnico. The APH is good in the bridge but very light.

I like the APH in the bridge better than the neck version. The neck version is too smooth, a little on the dead side. The bridge APH is a great driver for complicated rigs. I used the bridge version in the neck with good results but vice versa isn't going to do well.

Overall I just got my first 78 and I might shortcut all these threads to say "get a 78".
 
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