What is the least forgiving humbucker?

Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

Anything played Single Coil, in a 25 1/2 scale neck, with that 500k pot, played clean.

Basically a Strat
 
Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

I guess I'll go for the Screamin Demon and change the 250k to 500k. That way I'll have something that can do cleans and a still have articulation for shredding. I've been trying to get into shredding because it's one of the few genres I haven't gotten around to yet. That and Flamenco are the main ones, thanks for the help. Responses are still welcome and opinions are still subject to change.
 
Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

well, if you want unforgivin, Pearly Gates, Dimebucker, Tony Iommi, Deathbucker, 59, PATB-3, L-90

none of them will forgive you, if you play bad you sound like utter zombie bat crap, if you play meh you sound really bad, if you play ok you sound meh, with them you need to play at least well to sound nice
 
Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

Most pickups that are considered vintage output with not a whole lot of mids will feel very unforgiving because they saturate the amp a lot less and cause much less compression.

High output pickups can also be unforgiving if they have a focus on treble and have mids scooped out.

Before you change pickups though, turning down the input gain on your amp will do much more in terms of being less forgiving. Doing so decreases the saturation and compression and in turn will give any amp with any pickup more "clarity and articulation" because of reduced compression. You'll feel quite naked doing that, haha, but that's also how you're supposed to practice.
 
Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

I don't know if a scalloped neck is unforgiving...I mean, I use one on my #1, but other than teaching you not to press very hard, and having a more relaxed left hand, it isn't particularly harder to play.
 
Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

I don't know if a scalloped neck is unforgiving...I mean, I use one on my #1, but other than teaching you not to press very hard, and having a more relaxed left hand, it isn't particularly harder to play.

I think it has some trade offs

Bending is legendary
Tapping and legato feels harder

I think it also depends on the depth of the scallop. I owned a YJM strat years ago and the scallop on that thing is DEEP
 
Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

DiMarzio Evolution and D-Activator.
No matter the gain type or level the note clarity, definition, articulation and separation is sometimes painfully abundant.
 
Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

I think it has some trade offs

Bending is legendary
Tapping and legato feels harder

I think it also depends on the depth of the scallop. I owned a YJM strat years ago and the scallop on that thing is DEEP

I definitely think YJM strats are a bit more challenging to play than standard, but the tone and feel are well worth it!

The secret to supreme confidence with a YJM is to get one of the overdrives he has used over the years, such as the DOD Preamp 250 or one of his sig models. Lead heaven! And of course, you have to play loud....
 
Re: What is the least forgiving humbucker?

Amps can expose your weaknesses, too. I've heard it said that Mesa Mark series amps are unforgiving, but they're all I've played for most of my life. So I guess I don't know any better. I do know that they sound tremendously good and confidence inspiring when cranked....

If you want forgiving, maybe get a late '80s Crate SS combo and crank everything to 10. There will be a big blob o' buzzy sound to hide any mistakes you make.....and everything else..... :dance:

For me, as long as a guitar has a decent setup and fretwork, I can manage whatever pickups is has...I've always found it amazing how good Jimmy Page can make a near zero sustain guitar tone sound. Fun to play a Tele in that style.
 
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