JohnnyGuitarCA
New member
School me on Artec pickups.
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School me on Artec pickups
- Thread starter JohnnyGuitarCA
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jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: School me on Artec pickups
I don't know much about them other than that they are really cheap. I played a friends strat with single coil sized Artec humbuckers and the sound wasn't as bad as I expected. still nowhere close to higher priced pickups but in a beater guitar they do their job.
I don't know much about them other than that they are really cheap. I played a friends strat with single coil sized Artec humbuckers and the sound wasn't as bad as I expected. still nowhere close to higher priced pickups but in a beater guitar they do their job.
Maggot
New member
Re: School me on Artec pickups
Their construction is fine; design can be hit or miss. One of the advantages of getting Artec made designs by other companies like GFS or Tonerider is that you can know a little more about what you're getting sonically.
I've enjoyed several GFS designs, especially the Vintage 59 and the Surf 90s, and the Toneriders that came stock in my Classic Vibe Strat sound as much like old Strat pickups as any new pickups I've played. "Quality" can be overrated.
Their construction is fine; design can be hit or miss. One of the advantages of getting Artec made designs by other companies like GFS or Tonerider is that you can know a little more about what you're getting sonically.
I've enjoyed several GFS designs, especially the Vintage 59 and the Surf 90s, and the Toneriders that came stock in my Classic Vibe Strat sound as much like old Strat pickups as any new pickups I've played. "Quality" can be overrated.
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Re: School me on Artec pickups
Artec does makes pickups for GFS, however Tonerider makes every pickup in their lineup in house from the bottom up.
I prefer boutique type pickups (along with Duncan and Dimarzio) as they just seem to please my ears. While I've tired to keep an open mind on GFS and other budget import pickups, the majority of the models I've tried just didn't cut the mustard. As far as Artec, I can only comment on the ones I've used. The first was a $15 rail/bucker tele bridge pup. It was darn good and I'd have no qualms about using another. I recently bought a used set of Artec Alnico 2 PAF clones. I wasn't expecting much and put them in a custom built, small body semi as a stop gap until I could get a set of 'real' (Seths, Zhangs, Lollars, etc) pickups. Much to my surprise, they sound excellent. This set is very articulate and responsive to playing dynamics.
Artec does makes pickups for GFS, however Tonerider makes every pickup in their lineup in house from the bottom up.
I prefer boutique type pickups (along with Duncan and Dimarzio) as they just seem to please my ears. While I've tired to keep an open mind on GFS and other budget import pickups, the majority of the models I've tried just didn't cut the mustard. As far as Artec, I can only comment on the ones I've used. The first was a $15 rail/bucker tele bridge pup. It was darn good and I'd have no qualms about using another. I recently bought a used set of Artec Alnico 2 PAF clones. I wasn't expecting much and put them in a custom built, small body semi as a stop gap until I could get a set of 'real' (Seths, Zhangs, Lollars, etc) pickups. Much to my surprise, they sound excellent. This set is very articulate and responsive to playing dynamics.
koshikas
New member
Re: School me on Artec pickups
i've used GFS Fat Pat's and Lil Killers. 'Fat Pat' (in between Custom 5 and JB, IMO) worked well in my case but the Lil Killer was a borderline miss. Some ppl have had their expectations fulfilled for lesser bucks spent, while others not so. I think product tolerances are not as tightly enforced as the established/quality pickup builders.
I've read raving reviews on their somewhat exclusive 'Giovanni' line of pickups which are also being built by Artec.
i've used GFS Fat Pat's and Lil Killers. 'Fat Pat' (in between Custom 5 and JB, IMO) worked well in my case but the Lil Killer was a borderline miss. Some ppl have had their expectations fulfilled for lesser bucks spent, while others not so. I think product tolerances are not as tightly enforced as the established/quality pickup builders.
I've read raving reviews on their somewhat exclusive 'Giovanni' line of pickups which are also being built by Artec.
Re: School me on Artec pickups
I don't know if GFS has changed their pickups but I had a set of Crunchy Pats and Fat Pats purchased back, probably early 2000's ... when they were selling a bunch on ebay. Honestly, they weren't much to write home about. Worth the price probably, which was cheaper back then, but nothing special about them. I kind of thought of them as equivalent to the pickups that a decent import guitar would come with, stock (which in many cases are probably Artecs similar to the GFS's in "quality"). In fact, the best pickups that I got from GFS were a set of buy-out's that were Fender wide range "styled" humbuckers (standard humbucker size). They were cheap, maybe $30 for the pair. I still have them in a bolt on semi-hollow and have no desire to upgrade. I don't think they are the same as the "splits" that GFS sells now.
Tonerider on the other hand ... I have an A4 neck and A2 bridge in a LP style guitar and they aren't going anywhere. Maybe I just got lucky on these pickups in this guitar but they are pretty sweet. I do have SD's, Rio Grande's, Dimarzios and a couple sets wound by Mick Manlius. So, while I admit I'm not a tone master, I do at least have some reference. At any rate, I'm not hailing cheap pickups being as good as SD's or custom winds and I don't routinely buy them.
I think in general that it's wiser to save your money for what you really want than try and find it in a bunch of cheap pickups with low resale value. You're more likely to spend more money in the long run.
I don't know if GFS has changed their pickups but I had a set of Crunchy Pats and Fat Pats purchased back, probably early 2000's ... when they were selling a bunch on ebay. Honestly, they weren't much to write home about. Worth the price probably, which was cheaper back then, but nothing special about them. I kind of thought of them as equivalent to the pickups that a decent import guitar would come with, stock (which in many cases are probably Artecs similar to the GFS's in "quality"). In fact, the best pickups that I got from GFS were a set of buy-out's that were Fender wide range "styled" humbuckers (standard humbucker size). They were cheap, maybe $30 for the pair. I still have them in a bolt on semi-hollow and have no desire to upgrade. I don't think they are the same as the "splits" that GFS sells now.
Tonerider on the other hand ... I have an A4 neck and A2 bridge in a LP style guitar and they aren't going anywhere. Maybe I just got lucky on these pickups in this guitar but they are pretty sweet. I do have SD's, Rio Grande's, Dimarzios and a couple sets wound by Mick Manlius. So, while I admit I'm not a tone master, I do at least have some reference. At any rate, I'm not hailing cheap pickups being as good as SD's or custom winds and I don't routinely buy them.
I think in general that it's wiser to save your money for what you really want than try and find it in a bunch of cheap pickups with low resale value. You're more likely to spend more money in the long run.
Maggot
New member
Re: School me on Artec pickups
Unless you don't really know what you want, or you know you like the sound of new of the cheaper models. "Quality" only gets helps you if it gets you closer to a sound that you want.
Unless you don't really know what you want, or you know you like the sound of new of the cheaper models. "Quality" only gets helps you if it gets you closer to a sound that you want.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: School me on Artec pickups
Artec has a new line out now, called Milestones. Based on Wolfgang Damm's designs (Amber Pickups). They say handwound, though that term's been rendered pretty much meaningless these days. The DCR specs appear identical to Wolfgang's pickups, for the humbuckers at least. Haven't checked the specs for the singlecoils yet. It's too soon to find any reviews of these, but I'll be very interested to see if they turn out to be great.
Artec has a new line out now, called Milestones. Based on Wolfgang Damm's designs (Amber Pickups). They say handwound, though that term's been rendered pretty much meaningless these days. The DCR specs appear identical to Wolfgang's pickups, for the humbuckers at least. Haven't checked the specs for the singlecoils yet. It's too soon to find any reviews of these, but I'll be very interested to see if they turn out to be great.
LtKojak
New member
Re: School me on Artec pickups
Artec is Korea's biggest producer of OEM p'ups.
They have their own branded lines of p'ups, which I haven't had the opportunity of personally try'em, so I can't comment on'em.
However, I've seen some of the components on some broken p'ups like baseplates, screws, slugs and metal keepers and alloy-wise were "correct", so to speak.
If they find some good winding recipes and good wire, it'll be difficult to battle'em price-wise.
HTH,
Artec is Korea's biggest producer of OEM p'ups.
They have their own branded lines of p'ups, which I haven't had the opportunity of personally try'em, so I can't comment on'em.
However, I've seen some of the components on some broken p'ups like baseplates, screws, slugs and metal keepers and alloy-wise were "correct", so to speak.
If they find some good winding recipes and good wire, it'll be difficult to battle'em price-wise.
HTH,
Re: School me on Artec pickups
I'm not sure what that means.
My point was that if you are chasing a certain tone that Duncans or Dimarzios or whatever name brand pickups are a pretty good bet to provide, then trying to duplicate it by buying cheap pickups to save money may end up in a futile quest and cost more in the long run. You can come to the forum here and get lots of reviews and feedback from players who know SD and other pickups models and their characteristic sound. You can find plenty of online clips for the different models of the brand name pickups. You cant get nearly as much of that info for GFS or Artec or other budget pickups (including Tonerider). Of course there are no guarantees that when you get them installed they will give you what you want (at least SD has the 30 day swap).
It really was a simple point ... if you want a Jazz and JB, buy a Jazz and JB. If you like a particular GFS or Artec or whatever brand, buy it. There is nothing wrong with that. But it's probably a waste of time and money to chase Jazz and JB tone by trying to duplicate it with budget pickup purchases.
I'm not sure what that means.
My point was that if you are chasing a certain tone that Duncans or Dimarzios or whatever name brand pickups are a pretty good bet to provide, then trying to duplicate it by buying cheap pickups to save money may end up in a futile quest and cost more in the long run. You can come to the forum here and get lots of reviews and feedback from players who know SD and other pickups models and their characteristic sound. You can find plenty of online clips for the different models of the brand name pickups. You cant get nearly as much of that info for GFS or Artec or other budget pickups (including Tonerider). Of course there are no guarantees that when you get them installed they will give you what you want (at least SD has the 30 day swap).
It really was a simple point ... if you want a Jazz and JB, buy a Jazz and JB. If you like a particular GFS or Artec or whatever brand, buy it. There is nothing wrong with that. But it's probably a waste of time and money to chase Jazz and JB tone by trying to duplicate it with budget pickup purchases.
Maggot
New member
Re: School me on Artec pickups
That's correct. If you're looking for the sound of a particular pickup, get that pickup. If you like the sounds of a Duncan, go for that. If you like the sound of a GFS pickup, go for that. Don't believe the GFS hype either, because some of their pickups are kinda dumb. If you get their Vintage A2s hoping for an APH, you'll be disappointed.
But I know at least a couple of people who could afford other pickups who swear by Surf 90s, for example. I like their Vintage 59s, despite the fact that they have a clone-ish name. They're a little louder and looser than SD 59s with no precise equivalent in the SD lineup.
That's correct. If you're looking for the sound of a particular pickup, get that pickup. If you like the sounds of a Duncan, go for that. If you like the sound of a GFS pickup, go for that. Don't believe the GFS hype either, because some of their pickups are kinda dumb. If you get their Vintage A2s hoping for an APH, you'll be disappointed.
But I know at least a couple of people who could afford other pickups who swear by Surf 90s, for example. I like their Vintage 59s, despite the fact that they have a clone-ish name. They're a little louder and looser than SD 59s with no precise equivalent in the SD lineup.
Re: School me on Artec pickups
I have a set of Mean 90s and think they're nice pickups. I've never tried a Phat Cat or other high end humbucker sized p90, but I don't care. It could be way better, or not. Like one said, if you like the tone, you like it, period.
In the Mean 90 case, I've seen some users choosing them over Phat Cats.
I have a set of Mean 90s and think they're nice pickups. I've never tried a Phat Cat or other high end humbucker sized p90, but I don't care. It could be way better, or not. Like one said, if you like the tone, you like it, period.
In the Mean 90 case, I've seen some users choosing them over Phat Cats.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: School me on Artec pickups
I've had good luck with all the Artecs I've tried, I've used plenty of models from GFS, Dragonfire, Entwistle, Calig, etc. You can get a pair of pickups brand new for the cost of a single SD or Dimarzio.
Personally, I try to balance the guitar, amp, and pickup together. I just wish that all the different manufacturers could come up with a standard of measuring pickups so people could fine tune choices rather than choose blindly. I think Dimarzio seems to have the best idea with mV for output, and their B/M/T numbers seem dead on.
I've had good luck with all the Artecs I've tried, I've used plenty of models from GFS, Dragonfire, Entwistle, Calig, etc. You can get a pair of pickups brand new for the cost of a single SD or Dimarzio.
Personally, I try to balance the guitar, amp, and pickup together. I just wish that all the different manufacturers could come up with a standard of measuring pickups so people could fine tune choices rather than choose blindly. I think Dimarzio seems to have the best idea with mV for output, and their B/M/T numbers seem dead on.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: School me on Artec pickups
Another Artec line is the Artec Customs, also called Giovanni pickups. Computer wound, not handfed, so probably very consistent from one to another. These have drawn lots of very good reviews. The line offers a few modern sets and three vintage-wound sets: an A5 and an A3 which appear to be similar aside from the mags, and another A5 set that's wound a bit lighter.
Another Artec line is the Artec Customs, also called Giovanni pickups. Computer wound, not handfed, so probably very consistent from one to another. These have drawn lots of very good reviews. The line offers a few modern sets and three vintage-wound sets: an A5 and an A3 which appear to be similar aside from the mags, and another A5 set that's wound a bit lighter.
