Ring mounting or direct mounting pickups
- Thread starter Ro Kholum
- Start date
LtKojak
New member
Re: Ring mounting or direct mounting pickups
There's no "better" or "worse". It all just boils down to what you like/need.
In my case, I roll with the rings. They allow me to have controlled feedback, something I use a lot in my playing, but I don't use a lot of gain.
I like the metal rings sold at Steward Mac Donald, and these are the one I use in both my #1 and backup guitar. Both are Gibson ES-335 copies.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardwar..._Arched_Bodies.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=636
HTH,
There's no "better" or "worse". It all just boils down to what you like/need.
In my case, I roll with the rings. They allow me to have controlled feedback, something I use a lot in my playing, but I don't use a lot of gain.
I like the metal rings sold at Steward Mac Donald, and these are the one I use in both my #1 and backup guitar. Both are Gibson ES-335 copies.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardwar..._Arched_Bodies.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=636
HTH,
J
jkkkjkhk
Guest
Re: Ring mounting or direct mounting pickups
Same here, I like the rings. Much classier and neat looking IMO. I like the metal stew mac ones as well.
Same here, I like the rings. Much classier and neat looking IMO. I like the metal stew mac ones as well.
zakk_speed
New member
Re: Ring mounting or direct mounting pickups
Agree with the comments above, most times it comes down to mechanics and where you want the pickups to sit.
In a 24-fret HSH shredder with a recessed floyd, I find rings tend to get in the way (you cant get the neck pickup close enough to the neck) and the strings are close enough to the body that the pickup is not that exposed. The body and neck tend to be near parallel so mount angle is not a issue.
However in a LP style arch top the rings get the pickups to the right height and the right angle with the strings to compensate for the neck angle. They also provide a protective housing for the pickup, especially the bridge.
WRT the tone, I've never heard a difference, although all my guitars use springs + screws whether pickguard/ring/direct mounted. Some folks have sworn that true direct mount makes a difference, but then you cant change the pup height easily.
Agree with the comments above, most times it comes down to mechanics and where you want the pickups to sit.
In a 24-fret HSH shredder with a recessed floyd, I find rings tend to get in the way (you cant get the neck pickup close enough to the neck) and the strings are close enough to the body that the pickup is not that exposed. The body and neck tend to be near parallel so mount angle is not a issue.
However in a LP style arch top the rings get the pickups to the right height and the right angle with the strings to compensate for the neck angle. They also provide a protective housing for the pickup, especially the bridge.
WRT the tone, I've never heard a difference, although all my guitars use springs + screws whether pickguard/ring/direct mounted. Some folks have sworn that true direct mount makes a difference, but then you cant change the pup height easily.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Ring mounting or direct mounting pickups
I think you get somewhat more sustain and more of the wood's tone by direct mounting, which only makes sense. However, height adjustment becomes a problem, although I'm sure someone could come up with an adjustable way to do that (we put a man on the moon). So for simplicity's sake, PU's rings have won out. It's tradition, we're used it. I don't know why people assume that the best method is always the one that gets used most. Doesn't always work that way. Convenience, cost, and familiarity can trump better alternatives. Until the public is aware of the benefits of a better way, they'll keep using what they always do. Look at all that can be done with magnets in guiitar PU's, but almost all manufacturers stick to 2 or 3 different mags, as the public is content with those. Few have any idea of what's available with alnicos, and most have no idea what an alnico even is. Demand pushes changes; information and knowledge push demand.
I think you get somewhat more sustain and more of the wood's tone by direct mounting, which only makes sense. However, height adjustment becomes a problem, although I'm sure someone could come up with an adjustable way to do that (we put a man on the moon). So for simplicity's sake, PU's rings have won out. It's tradition, we're used it. I don't know why people assume that the best method is always the one that gets used most. Doesn't always work that way. Convenience, cost, and familiarity can trump better alternatives. Until the public is aware of the benefits of a better way, they'll keep using what they always do. Look at all that can be done with magnets in guiitar PU's, but almost all manufacturers stick to 2 or 3 different mags, as the public is content with those. Few have any idea of what's available with alnicos, and most have no idea what an alnico even is. Demand pushes changes; information and knowledge push demand.