Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

[nuntius]

Well earlier today I lowered all my pups (dropping the output quite a bit) and I think I prefer the tone there... (A2 JB in poplar strat, C-5/Jazz in a mahogany strat... the guitar with the custom in has a broken string )

They're all set right in towards the body. For the past month or so I've had them set kinda high

I'm still playing the same kind of music but I feel I'm getting a way more open sound with less harsh compressiony fizz.. it's kind of tempting me to try lower output models.

Whats weird is the guitar feels different to play.. the way it's responding :/

Maybe I should try finding a demon one day..?

 

[Davey]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

do it!

 

[nuntius]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

do it!

Well, if I still don't get on with the C-5 next time I have a practise with a band (which could be anytime between next week and the day I die at this rate.. ) I might see if I can trade it for one..

To clarify though - I think the C-5 sounds better set really low.. maybe it'll work better next time then. I'm liking the sound on it's own but whether it cuts it with another guitarist playing I'll have to see in time.

I've also screwed the pole pieces right down on all my pups too.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

It is my opinion that in today's world of high gain amps and super duper distort all pedals, people don't really need super hot pickups.

Good for you for going out on a limb and trying something new!

 

[Davey]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

well, that's partially true...

in the old days, high output pups were used to drive the amps harder, but with todays high gain amps, you dont need that high output anymore..

BUT i like the compression the high output pups dish out, and they're a bit tighter also.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

I've come to like more open tones and semi-lower output pickups as well. If it distorts a clean channel, it's too hot for me .

I also hate ceramic magnets now... :-/ Weird. I used to love them. Now, they just sound harsh and fizzy, as well as non-dynamic.

 

[flipside]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

Theres definately a fine line between too much and not enough output.

 

[big_black]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

I've come to like more open tones and semi-lower output pickups as well. If it distorts a clean channel, it's too hot for me .

I also hate ceramic magnets now... :-/ Weird. I used to love them. Now, they just sound harsh and fizzy, as well as non-dynamic.

I was noit that big a fan of ceramics either, but I just dropped a DD in my SG and I'm loving it. I just found my new favroite high gain pickup.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

I think once you get hotter than a JB or one of the Customs it's too much. Many of you will be suprised how heavy a Seth Lover, APH or 59' can and will sound. The openess and articulation, note seperation will suprise you greatly. The hottest pup I have been able to like is the C5, and I like gain and a hard sound. Not a death metal sound, but a hard rock sound.

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

It is my opinion that in today's world of high gain amps and super duper distort all pedals, people don't really need super hot pickups.

Good for you for going out on a limb and trying something new!

I totally agree! I tried all types of pickups and I keep going back to the vintage type, low to medium gain. Much more versatile IMHO

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

I think once you get hotter than a JB or one of the Customs it's too much. Many of you will be suprised how heavy a Seth Lover, APH or 59' can and will sound. The openess and articulation, note seperation will suprise you greatly. The hottest pup I have been able to like is the C5, and I like gain and a hard sound. Not a death metal sound, but a hard rock sound.

I liked the C5 as well, Jeff. I no longer have it and kinda miss it! I thought the harmonics were excellent on that pup.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

It is my opinion that in today's world of high gain amps and super duper distort all pedals, people don't really need super hot pickups.

That's a big 10/4 good buddy.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

I knew I had turned a corner in my development when I put a JB in the bridge of a Les Paul and deemed it "way too metal sounding" to keep.

The punchline was that I'm yet to find anything that sounds as satisfying as the cheap-o stock pickups. They just suit the instrument perfectly.

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

I dont like most high output pickups either. I think they mess up the tone tomuch. Would be great for really saturated sounds, though.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

I think once you get hotter than a JB or one of the Customs it's too much. Many of you will be suprised how heavy a Seth Lover, APH or 59' can and will sound. The openess and articulation, note seperation will suprise you greatly. The hottest pup I have been able to like is the C5, and I like gain and a hard sound. Not a death metal sound, but a hard rock sound.

Exactly! Can't think of the thing to add...I agree completely.

Lew

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

OK GUYS
i have a question for Yah
When i first Purchase the seymour duncan catalog (the green cover one) along with the 2 cds, for strat and humbuckers, i instantly liked these pickups : Seth lover, Live wire heavy metal, Custom Custom, Duncan Custom(not too much). for bridge position under distortion
And i just want to know 2 things from you Vintage experts. Q
1 - do You think a Seth will Hold well a lot of distortion without getting muddy, in the neck or bridge? cause I´LL FOR SURE buy a seth of Seth lovers.
2 - do you think those vintage neck pickups hold it without getting muddy in a lot of distortion? i mean this Pickups : Jazz Neck, AlIIPro, Pearly Gates, 59?!?!!?
Hails
J.P

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

Bump!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

I use a PG in the neck and it doesn't get too muddy. My 490r can a little bit, but it's got a bitchin' woman tone! That's a woman tone that bitchin' - not the sound of my wife telling me to turn it down....

Don't forget to tweek the amp's eq. I mean after the pup, there is often a fuzz box eq, a graphic eq, three eq knobs on the amp, and maybe a few more! For almost anything on a PAul, I turn the bass down a notch or twoo and the trble up a notch or two from where I think it should be, and that almost always gets me where I need to be....

Favorite quote of all time from a guy I was in a band with: "Bob's going for that Ramones energy-coming-out-of-the-amp thing" No mud there dudes; Just crisp crackling electric mayhem!

I will say that my tone zone has a compression about it I really like. Harmonics jump out a little better, but I've never had any problems getting them with just a pinch between the pick & thumb.

 

[Biu]

Re: Think I'm moving towards liking lower outputs..

Well it's about time, nuntius!!! Experience the sonic bliss that is vintage pups!