I’m just starting out playing guitar but I was gifted a BC Rich Mockingbird with its default pickups. I was wondering what sort of pickups I could get to have a similar sound to this: https://youtu.be/V3R_t48LsXg lead solo is at 4:09. Thanks everyone! I’m playing through an Orange Crush 12. Thanks!
Recommendation for a newbie?
- Thread starter JoeLewis
- Start date
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
Welcome to the forum!
Congrats on the gift! I'd honestly say to spend the first few years just learning to play. I'd think the stock pickups could approximate the distorted sound in the video (which sounds like a much more dense mix than the amount of musicians I see on the stage). The goal when selecting pickups is matching them to the guitar you have, and selecting something that does what your current pickups don't. So, learning what your current guitar can and can't sound like is the first step. This just comes with the process of learning to play.
Welcome to the forum!
Congrats on the gift! I'd honestly say to spend the first few years just learning to play. I'd think the stock pickups could approximate the distorted sound in the video (which sounds like a much more dense mix than the amount of musicians I see on the stage). The goal when selecting pickups is matching them to the guitar you have, and selecting something that does what your current pickups don't. So, learning what your current guitar can and can't sound like is the first step. This just comes with the process of learning to play.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
^ Agreed.
Get to know guitars first. I got into pickups pretty early, and was disappointed with my first one, a Screamin Demon. I expected harmonics to ring out with every not I picked. A few years later when I got the technique down, every note I wanted to would squeal.
Once you’ve learned to play, spend some time getting an amp sound you’re really happy with. Once that’s good, get the right pedals (if that’s applicable to your style). After that, start swapping pickups. If your guitar rig is spaghetti, the amp is the meat sauce and the pedals and guitar are the pasta. The pickups are the garlic and other spices that make it perfect. If you read too much into that analogy, it doesn’t hold up, but you get the idea.
^ Agreed.
Get to know guitars first. I got into pickups pretty early, and was disappointed with my first one, a Screamin Demon. I expected harmonics to ring out with every not I picked. A few years later when I got the technique down, every note I wanted to would squeal.
Once you’ve learned to play, spend some time getting an amp sound you’re really happy with. Once that’s good, get the right pedals (if that’s applicable to your style). After that, start swapping pickups. If your guitar rig is spaghetti, the amp is the meat sauce and the pedals and guitar are the pasta. The pickups are the garlic and other spices that make it perfect. If you read too much into that analogy, it doesn’t hold up, but you get the idea.
shadowfire90
New member
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
Is it the BC Rich pickups that say BC Rich on the faces of them. They for whatever reason named them BDSM pickups. "Broad dynamic sound matching" , they are the opposite of what that tone really is as I'd describe them as dark and quite compressed. Oddly enough they get a lot of hate but if people know what they are doing they can find a way for them to work. I like to adjust what are called the pole pieces (Screws on the face of the pickups) by raising them up you can get the guitar to become a bit brighter like the tone that guitarist was going for.
It'll take a lot more than pickups for that sound. But you'd be after something similar to the Alnico Pro pickup set would get you that brightness and of course that thinner sound similar to what he's getting, avoid signature series pickups. Now the only down side to lower output pickups like the alnico pros i'm mentioning is if you wanted a heavier tone you'd have to rely on overdrive pedals. With higher output pickups people can use special switches and all to control the output (volume and heaviness) of their guitar. What works best? Try as many guitars as you can until you find out what works for you. I thought for I'd like EMG pickups but the standard 81, 85 and all I don't care for in my favorite guitars.
never tried that particular orange amp but what I tell people new to guitar is to try to copy their guitar heroes pedals and gear as much as possible. To get the ball rolling as it's always great to have many opinions. BC Rich BDSM pickups have a very high output. 19k (DC Resistance) and 10H (inductance) in both pickups rounded up to the nearest numbers with a ceramic magnet in each. Nothing wrong with ceramic magnets at all if anyone says differently as we all have preferences. The first thing I'd do is put some steel strings on the guitar and adjust the screws on the pickup like so. Lowering the pickup height if the pickups are close to the strings will help too. For a heavier sound down the road put the pickups closer to the strings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXIggQxlAhc
pedals and so forth copy what your guitar heroes use. I'd start off with reverb. If your amp doesn't have it something similar to the Electro harmonix ocean's 11 reverb pedal because you'll get so many options. Youtube some to see what ones excite you. To combat the darkness A treble boost of some sort to boost or an EQ pedal will help big time. The treble boost will brighten the guitar up and there is too many to list. Where as an EQ pedal can totally shift the sound of the guitar. The only issue with EQ pedals is they aren't as self explanatory as say an Ibanez Tube screamer or so. The advantage to the EQ pedal is that you'd be able to remove some of the mid range of the guitar like it seems they are going for and add more high frequencies.
since you're new to guitar and want to try as much as possible something called a guitar processor I'd try. Such as the line 6 pods as they won't set you back 1000s of dollars and you can find them used. Maybe an Yngwie Malmsteen preset like he did on the studio version of the track brothers. I remember Pink Floyd song marooned had one on the pod XT about 5+ years ago.
anyways good luck playing guitar and if you're totally new Fender offers a free trial of lessons I'd recommend.
Is it the BC Rich pickups that say BC Rich on the faces of them. They for whatever reason named them BDSM pickups. "Broad dynamic sound matching" , they are the opposite of what that tone really is as I'd describe them as dark and quite compressed. Oddly enough they get a lot of hate but if people know what they are doing they can find a way for them to work. I like to adjust what are called the pole pieces (Screws on the face of the pickups) by raising them up you can get the guitar to become a bit brighter like the tone that guitarist was going for.
It'll take a lot more than pickups for that sound. But you'd be after something similar to the Alnico Pro pickup set would get you that brightness and of course that thinner sound similar to what he's getting, avoid signature series pickups. Now the only down side to lower output pickups like the alnico pros i'm mentioning is if you wanted a heavier tone you'd have to rely on overdrive pedals. With higher output pickups people can use special switches and all to control the output (volume and heaviness) of their guitar. What works best? Try as many guitars as you can until you find out what works for you. I thought for I'd like EMG pickups but the standard 81, 85 and all I don't care for in my favorite guitars.
never tried that particular orange amp but what I tell people new to guitar is to try to copy their guitar heroes pedals and gear as much as possible. To get the ball rolling as it's always great to have many opinions. BC Rich BDSM pickups have a very high output. 19k (DC Resistance) and 10H (inductance) in both pickups rounded up to the nearest numbers with a ceramic magnet in each. Nothing wrong with ceramic magnets at all if anyone says differently as we all have preferences. The first thing I'd do is put some steel strings on the guitar and adjust the screws on the pickup like so. Lowering the pickup height if the pickups are close to the strings will help too. For a heavier sound down the road put the pickups closer to the strings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXIggQxlAhc
pedals and so forth copy what your guitar heroes use. I'd start off with reverb. If your amp doesn't have it something similar to the Electro harmonix ocean's 11 reverb pedal because you'll get so many options. Youtube some to see what ones excite you. To combat the darkness A treble boost of some sort to boost or an EQ pedal will help big time. The treble boost will brighten the guitar up and there is too many to list. Where as an EQ pedal can totally shift the sound of the guitar. The only issue with EQ pedals is they aren't as self explanatory as say an Ibanez Tube screamer or so. The advantage to the EQ pedal is that you'd be able to remove some of the mid range of the guitar like it seems they are going for and add more high frequencies.
since you're new to guitar and want to try as much as possible something called a guitar processor I'd try. Such as the line 6 pods as they won't set you back 1000s of dollars and you can find them used. Maybe an Yngwie Malmsteen preset like he did on the studio version of the track brothers. I remember Pink Floyd song marooned had one on the pod XT about 5+ years ago.
anyways good luck playing guitar and if you're totally new Fender offers a free trial of lessons I'd recommend.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
That Orange 12 should be able to easily get you in the neighborhood. As mentioned, and I say this a lot - learn to play the amp, not just the guitar. The amp will have a lot more to do with the tone you get than the guitar itself. Great pickups will do nothing if you can't work the knobs right, and a lot of people can't.
Next, that solo has a delay on it. That will require you get a delay pedal that can go straight in the front of the amp since there is not an effect loop. May want a distortion pedal of some sort then...
Finally, I heard a pickup switch from neck to bridge in there - which gets back to focus on the guitar!
That Orange 12 should be able to easily get you in the neighborhood. As mentioned, and I say this a lot - learn to play the amp, not just the guitar. The amp will have a lot more to do with the tone you get than the guitar itself. Great pickups will do nothing if you can't work the knobs right, and a lot of people can't.
Next, that solo has a delay on it. That will require you get a delay pedal that can go straight in the front of the amp since there is not an effect loop. May want a distortion pedal of some sort then...
Finally, I heard a pickup switch from neck to bridge in there - which gets back to focus on the guitar!
Dave Locher
New member
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
You are starting out with a perfectly acceptable guitar and amplifier. It is going to be a while before you are ripping through that Luna solo, but the one pedal you need is a delay pedal. Try the Danelectro D-8 FAB delay. It is very inexpensive but sounds good and works well into a distorting amp because the mix knob has a lot of range.
Eventually, once you learn to play pretty well, you will want a better amplifier and possibly a different guitar. Your preferences may change and that is normal. I went from a Les Paul copy to a Stratocaster copy then some hollowbodies before I settled on a Gibson SG as the "right" guitar for me.
To get that long sustain you will probably want an overdrive or distortion pedal like Aceman said. Try inexpensive ones like Joyo or Mooer until you find one you like.
Pickups are pretty much the last thing you need to worry about. Many guitar players never change their pickups at all. They just find a guitar they like the sound of and play it.
Good luck on your quest for glory!
You are starting out with a perfectly acceptable guitar and amplifier. It is going to be a while before you are ripping through that Luna solo, but the one pedal you need is a delay pedal. Try the Danelectro D-8 FAB delay. It is very inexpensive but sounds good and works well into a distorting amp because the mix knob has a lot of range.
Eventually, once you learn to play pretty well, you will want a better amplifier and possibly a different guitar. Your preferences may change and that is normal. I went from a Les Paul copy to a Stratocaster copy then some hollowbodies before I settled on a Gibson SG as the "right" guitar for me.
To get that long sustain you will probably want an overdrive or distortion pedal like Aceman said. Try inexpensive ones like Joyo or Mooer until you find one you like.
Pickups are pretty much the last thing you need to worry about. Many guitar players never change their pickups at all. They just find a guitar they like the sound of and play it.
Good luck on your quest for glory!
Condemnedsoul
Active member
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
Welcome. +1 on the "pickups are the last thing you need right now".
Many distant aeons ago, I walked into a store and asked about getting new pick ups for my old SG. This was on a slow Saturday morning, so the sales guy handed me a Fender and plugged me into a small Fender with a volume and tone controls and said play your heart out. Basically he said that new pickups wouldn't help me and to spend more time practicing.
Have an Orange Crush and really like it. Sometimes, the amp runs dark and I use an ancient, green, and worn Danelectro Fish and Chips eq in the loop. I don't set the eq for anything extreme, just move a slider or two up or down a notch as needed.
Some advice I can give is to learn to use your eq. Here is a link to a guitarist across the pond somewhere in Great Britain that demo's different eq setting for his Orange Crush amp to duplicate different guitarists. He talks a little bit, explains and shows his amp settings, and then plays.
I've got the CR60 and swapped out the stock speaker with a V30 which opened the amp up. As for the videos, my equipment [ allowing for person to person variances ] has come close to duplicating his results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8qhnFq3Ayw&list=PL9HMdGPrqA5C6-H0OYf5D-nKbqUdeoHuD
Welcome. +1 on the "pickups are the last thing you need right now".
Many distant aeons ago, I walked into a store and asked about getting new pick ups for my old SG. This was on a slow Saturday morning, so the sales guy handed me a Fender and plugged me into a small Fender with a volume and tone controls and said play your heart out. Basically he said that new pickups wouldn't help me and to spend more time practicing.
Have an Orange Crush and really like it. Sometimes, the amp runs dark and I use an ancient, green, and worn Danelectro Fish and Chips eq in the loop. I don't set the eq for anything extreme, just move a slider or two up or down a notch as needed.
Some advice I can give is to learn to use your eq. Here is a link to a guitarist across the pond somewhere in Great Britain that demo's different eq setting for his Orange Crush amp to duplicate different guitarists. He talks a little bit, explains and shows his amp settings, and then plays.
I've got the CR60 and swapped out the stock speaker with a V30 which opened the amp up. As for the videos, my equipment [ allowing for person to person variances ] has come close to duplicating his results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8qhnFq3Ayw&list=PL9HMdGPrqA5C6-H0OYf5D-nKbqUdeoHuD
Last edited:
regan
New member
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
Straight off the bat it looks like he's playing a Jaguar which has single coils & mockingbirds to my knowledge are exclusively fitted with humbuckers so you're not really going to get that close, (apples & oranges)
As many have said practice is more important atm, but if you're set on spending some money I'd look at getting a boss sd1 pedal, they're pretty affordable (even more so used) & there's no need to upgrade it later as they sound great.
It'll tighten up the guitar sound, give it more bite & sustain getting you closer to the tone your looking for than any pickup swap would
Straight off the bat it looks like he's playing a Jaguar which has single coils & mockingbirds to my knowledge are exclusively fitted with humbuckers so you're not really going to get that close, (apples & oranges)
As many have said practice is more important atm, but if you're set on spending some money I'd look at getting a boss sd1 pedal, they're pretty affordable (even more so used) & there's no need to upgrade it later as they sound great.
It'll tighten up the guitar sound, give it more bite & sustain getting you closer to the tone your looking for than any pickup swap would
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
If you only read Mincer's post you'd be in good shape.
Totally ignore Shadowfire90's advice to get the pedals/equipment that your guitar heros use. An inexpensive overdrive (NOT distortion) and/or reverb at most should do it. The last thing you need right now is a bunch of effects and other equipment that will actually prevent you from learning to play well.
Learn to play first. Then learn what your guitar and amp will do. Then see what direction your interests are headed (because over time, as you learn to play, your musical interests will most likely change). Then you can decide what you need in the way of pickups, effects, amps, speakers, etc.
Don't be too anxious to play like a pro. Accept the fact that it takes time and practice and work (and a lot of those) before you can even think about equipment. No amount of equipment can compensate for a lack of ability.
If you only read Mincer's post you'd be in good shape.
Totally ignore Shadowfire90's advice to get the pedals/equipment that your guitar heros use. An inexpensive overdrive (NOT distortion) and/or reverb at most should do it. The last thing you need right now is a bunch of effects and other equipment that will actually prevent you from learning to play well.
Learn to play first. Then learn what your guitar and amp will do. Then see what direction your interests are headed (because over time, as you learn to play, your musical interests will most likely change). Then you can decide what you need in the way of pickups, effects, amps, speakers, etc.
Don't be too anxious to play like a pro. Accept the fact that it takes time and practice and work (and a lot of those) before you can even think about equipment. No amount of equipment can compensate for a lack of ability.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
There are very few sounds you can't get into the ballpark on with most amps. But - you really need to know how to work the bass, mid, treble, know how (if) they interact with each other, the nature of the gain and volume and how they work, etc...
Gain up on 10, volume down is one way to get mega distortion. Or it is a way to get mega-fuzz-mush-buzz. But...some judicious lowering of the gain, raising thevolume, and maybe w=tweeking the pickup height...and ahhhh. Understanding how the mids work on an amp is really key to getting great sound both in the room and in a band mix.
You want to do something with pickups? Learn how to really adjust the ones you have to perfection. Height, poles, string balance, etc. Just takes a screwdriver and some patience.
There are very few sounds you can't get into the ballpark on with most amps. But - you really need to know how to work the bass, mid, treble, know how (if) they interact with each other, the nature of the gain and volume and how they work, etc...
Gain up on 10, volume down is one way to get mega distortion. Or it is a way to get mega-fuzz-mush-buzz. But...some judicious lowering of the gain, raising thevolume, and maybe w=tweeking the pickup height...and ahhhh. Understanding how the mids work on an amp is really key to getting great sound both in the room and in a band mix.
You want to do something with pickups? Learn how to really adjust the ones you have to perfection. Height, poles, string balance, etc. Just takes a screwdriver and some patience.
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
Even if you get new pups, you will still have to learn, like Ace said, how to adjust your sound by raising, lowering, and tilting them and by adjusting the pole piece screws. So you might as well learn all of this with your current pups FIRST. And then you need to learn about adjusting your amp. And then learn how guitar-amp interactions affect your sound.
You don't need ANY new equipment to learn these interactions.
Learn some skill;
Learn how to use all of your equipment;
Learn what you do or don't like about your sound;
Then you may want to consider altering or changing some of your equipment.
Even if you get new pups, you will still have to learn, like Ace said, how to adjust your sound by raising, lowering, and tilting them and by adjusting the pole piece screws. So you might as well learn all of this with your current pups FIRST. And then you need to learn about adjusting your amp. And then learn how guitar-amp interactions affect your sound.
You don't need ANY new equipment to learn these interactions.
Learn some skill;
Learn how to use all of your equipment;
Learn what you do or don't like about your sound;
Then you may want to consider altering or changing some of your equipment.
LesPaulPlayer001
New member
Re: Recommendation for a newbie?
Everybody here has hit the nail on the head. Play for a while and you will learn what sound you like and what pickups will fit that requirements.
Everybody here has hit the nail on the head. Play for a while and you will learn what sound you like and what pickups will fit that requirements.
