What pieces of gear are you "not supposed" to like, that you've been successful with?

[DCikes88]

I get a ton of mileage out of the stock pickups that a lot of guys will just through out because they're stock. That's a dirty word for a lot of people around here, as if companies specifically design guitars around not being able to sound good with the factory electronics.

I'm completely in love with stock A3 SSS set in my 2009(?) Squier CV50s Strat. They will never leave that guitar. Everything except the tuners and "finish" is stock on it. The "chinese crafted" electronics and vintage trem with miniscule block. Don't care, love it exactly as is.
If I ever want a different sounding Strat, I'll buy it.

 

[Demanic]

I'm completely in love with stock A3 SSS set in my 2009(?) Squier CV50s Strat. They will never leave that guitar. Everything except the tuners and "finish" is stock on it. The "chinese crafted" electronics and vintage trem with miniscule block. Don't care, love it exactly as is.
If I ever want a different sounding Strat, I'll buy it.

I put the A3 neck and bridge of a CV50's in my Squire. Love em. Especially through a compressor.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[JamesPaul]

Meh, my modelling amps and the tone controls on my guitars. I have always been able to use the volume controls, just never appreciated tone controls until about 10 years ago.

 

[TVFV]

Neck humbuckers in 24 fret guitars. Those are apparently the Devil.

 

[Securb]

Neck humbuckers in 24 fret guitars. Those are apparently the Devil.

.

 

[Mincer]

Neck humbuckers in 24 fret guitars. Those are apparently the Devil.

Well, not the Devil, but a lesser demon, certainly.

 

[Ascension]

As primarily a modern worship player the PRS MT 15.Supposedly just a metal amp but NOPE!
Cleans in particular are killer but the crunches with few effects aren't to shabby ether! Here unmiced running only verb in the loop recorded with my little Zoom Q 3 mices at the sound desk.

 

[TVFV]

Well, not the Devil, but a lesser demon, certainly.

You know, I don't even have a huge issue with single coils being there either. It can get little tight in there as I tend to pick between the neck and middle pickup. But, I don't take any issue with the sound.

 

[treyhaislip]

The old Banana Headstock Epiphone Strats and Teles all stock...get a lot of hate for being, rightfully so, cheap. They worked perfect for my needs when I was playing LPs and needed a Strat or Tele for a song or two.

 

[JamesPaul]

I have not given up on the pointy guitar yet...

But I have to admit my used Squier Affinity Stratocaster is as easy to play as my Fender '62 Vintage Stratocaster and LE HM Strat.

 

[Chistopher]

The EQ on a stock DS-1 can make a British amp sound American. Sounds pretty trash if the amp is already scoopy though.

Plus remove the clipping diodes and it can function as an underdrive

 

[Mincer]

You know, I don't even have a huge issue with single coils being there either. It can get little tight in there as I tend to pick between the neck and middle pickup. But, I don't take any issue with the sound.

Oh man, drives me crazy.

 

[alex1fly]

First, nobody has ever gear shamed me to my face after hearing me play. That is primarily an online behavior. But my list of faux-pas would be:

Budget solid state amps
Import guitars
Mixing/recording in an untreated room
Live vocals in 2017-2020 with a $50 Senheiser mic from 2001
Stock pickups
Guitar and bass directly into a PA

If you're being musical then it doesn't really matter what you're using - you're the music and people like all kinds of different music. Even your favorite song is disliked by probably thousands of people.

 

[Ascension]

I get a ton of mileage out of the stock pickups that a lot of guys will just through out because they're stock. That's a dirty word for a lot of people around here, as if companies specifically design guitars around not being able to sound good with the factory electronics.

Feel you. I really like some of the stock pickups in my Carvin Kiesels. Own 8, 4 have Duncans, 4 have the stock Carvin Kiesels. My 2 main players now have Kiesel Berryilum humbuckers in the bridge. Both are Kiesel DC's one with the matching neck bucker the other with the Marks singles. REALLY liking my tones with these pickups in these 2 guitars right now!

 

[Mincer]

Live I use a digital multi-effects over my traditional pedals. They are less to carry, and allow more control of the parameters in a live setting. Currently I am using an HX Effects, but I've used an M13 and an M9 in the past.