Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
Where can I get A5 or A8 magnets? Can I from the GFS site?
How easy is to swap them?
Where can I get A5 or A8 magnets? Can I from the GFS site?
How easy is to swap them?
Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
- Thread starter thatakes
- Start date
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
Sometimes resistance is a measure of output. Not always:
Dimarzio Steve Morse Bridge:
Wiring: 4 Conductor
Magnet: Ceramic
Output mV: 450
DC Resistance: 9.94 Kohm
Dimarzio Steve Morse Neck:
Wiring: 4 Conductor
Magnet: Ceramic
Output mV: 250
DC Resistance: 21.00 Kohm
The JB can be finicky to work with. The Crunchy PAT is a universal pickup, I've had it in alder, mahogany, basswood, ash.. worked in all of them. Like I said too, I use the Power Rails and Crunchy Rails *neck* models as bridge pickups in some guitars. Those are in the 10k range. Those still have enough output for metal when you throw enough distortion at them. The Crunchy PAT will do what you need with room to spare.
Sometimes resistance is a measure of output. Not always:
Dimarzio Steve Morse Bridge:
Wiring: 4 Conductor
Magnet: Ceramic
Output mV: 450
DC Resistance: 9.94 Kohm
Dimarzio Steve Morse Neck:
Wiring: 4 Conductor
Magnet: Ceramic
Output mV: 250
DC Resistance: 21.00 Kohm
The JB can be finicky to work with. The Crunchy PAT is a universal pickup, I've had it in alder, mahogany, basswood, ash.. worked in all of them. Like I said too, I use the Power Rails and Crunchy Rails *neck* models as bridge pickups in some guitars. Those are in the 10k range. Those still have enough output for metal when you throw enough distortion at them. The Crunchy PAT will do what you need with room to spare.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
http://stores.ebay.com/Addiction-FX...58693015&_sid=893066175&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
Very easy. Unscrew the four screws on the bottom of the baseplate, carefully pop that off. (You may need to loosen the tape a little, I use a small flathead screw driver *CAREFULLY* around the edge of the baseplate.) The magnet is between the two rows of polepieces. It's probably held in by wax, so I use the same small flathead screwdriver to pry it out, and then pop the new one in and then put the backplate back on and screw it down.
http://stores.ebay.com/Addiction-FX...58693015&_sid=893066175&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
Very easy. Unscrew the four screws on the bottom of the baseplate, carefully pop that off. (You may need to loosen the tape a little, I use a small flathead screw driver *CAREFULLY* around the edge of the baseplate.) The magnet is between the two rows of polepieces. It's probably held in by wax, so I use the same small flathead screwdriver to pry it out, and then pop the new one in and then put the backplate back on and screw it down.
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
Yes, the Fat PAT is a Crunchy PAT with an AlNiCo 5 magnet.
One of these days I need to go into the business of shipping to the international users here products that they can't get from sellers that ship to the USA only.
Yes, the Fat PAT is a Crunchy PAT with an AlNiCo 5 magnet.
One of these days I need to go into the business of shipping to the international users here products that they can't get from sellers that ship to the USA only.
LtKojak
New member
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
You won't have much of a change if you replace crappy with sucky, so to speak.
Wait until you have cash enough and buy a second-hand Duncan and change the magnet until you're satisfied with the outcome. The price of an used Duncan averages 50 bucks in the american market. A GFS would cost you around forty, so... c'mon, the difference is ten bucks. BIG FRIGGING DEAL!
HTH,
EDIT: are you in Germany? An used Duncan is € 50,00. You don't have that kind of money? I just can't believe it.
You won't have much of a change if you replace crappy with sucky, so to speak.
Wait until you have cash enough and buy a second-hand Duncan and change the magnet until you're satisfied with the outcome. The price of an used Duncan averages 50 bucks in the american market. A GFS would cost you around forty, so... c'mon, the difference is ten bucks. BIG FRIGGING DEAL!
HTH,
EDIT: are you in Germany? An used Duncan is € 50,00. You don't have that kind of money? I just can't believe it.
Last edited:
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
So, why shouldn't I get the Fat PAT? (my guitar is basswood)
I prefer Alnico to Ceramic... But how well will it work to basswood?
YES, please do that!! And if you will send me a PM to let me know.
Why do you call GFS sucky? There are many good reviews about them?
No, I'm not in Germany. I have that kind of money, I just don't wanna spend it on pickups right now.
So, why shouldn't I get the Fat PAT? (my guitar is basswood)
I prefer Alnico to Ceramic... But how well will it work to basswood?
YES, please do that!! And if you will send me a PM to let me know.
Why do you call GFS sucky? There are many good reviews about them?
No, I'm not in Germany. I have that kind of money, I just don't wanna spend it on pickups right now.
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
hey man, don't be so derogatory with small companys like GFS.
I bet their pickups are as good as SD or Dimarzio.
hey man, don't be so derogatory with small companys like GFS.
I bet their pickups are as good as SD or Dimarzio.
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
derogatory??? WTF are you talkin about?
I did not say ONE thing against GFS i said get a used duncan or dimarzio thats all:28:
IF you want to believe that a import $30 pup can take on a USA made duncan or dimarzio thats your option
derogatory??? WTF are you talkin about?
I did not say ONE thing against GFS i said get a used duncan or dimarzio thats all:28:
IF you want to believe that a import $30 pup can take on a USA made duncan or dimarzio thats your option
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
well, I couldn't find the right word, my first language isn't English.
but If you're just saying to get a Dimarzio or SD, I supposed you have something against GFS.
well, I couldn't find the right word, my first language isn't English.
but If you're just saying to get a Dimarzio or SD, I supposed you have something against GFS.
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
No actually i like the GFS 59,VEH and crunchy PAT a lot:cool2:
No actually i like the GFS 59,VEH and crunchy PAT a lot:cool2:
dominus
King Midas to Cheap Guitars
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
I'd rather have a Fat PAT than a JB.
I'd rather have a Detonator than an Invader.
I'd rather have a Crunchy Rails than a Dimebucker.
Both SD (and their import line) and GFS have a good lineup of pickups for just about any sound that you're looking for. Both have their hits and misses.
There's also way more to tone than just a pickup too. Your amp and playing style will make more of a noticeable change than the pickup. One of my Squier Strats with a GFS humbucker sounds 1000 times better than a USA BC Rich Mockingbird I had with Dimarzios years ago. Granted, I've gotten a better amp setup and am a little better player than I was back then.
I do understand that this is the SD forum, and there are people that are very religious about things, but there are plenty of people here that have very strong opinions without having any experience whatsoever.
Is a used Duncan twice as good as a GFS pickup? It depends on which Duncan and which GFS. I'd take a Duncan Custom over a GFS Classic II, but I'd definitely take just about any GFS over a Duncan 59. My opinion, based on experience.
I'd rather have a Fat PAT than a JB.
I'd rather have a Detonator than an Invader.
I'd rather have a Crunchy Rails than a Dimebucker.
Both SD (and their import line) and GFS have a good lineup of pickups for just about any sound that you're looking for. Both have their hits and misses.
There's also way more to tone than just a pickup too. Your amp and playing style will make more of a noticeable change than the pickup. One of my Squier Strats with a GFS humbucker sounds 1000 times better than a USA BC Rich Mockingbird I had with Dimarzios years ago. Granted, I've gotten a better amp setup and am a little better player than I was back then.
I do understand that this is the SD forum, and there are people that are very religious about things, but there are plenty of people here that have very strong opinions without having any experience whatsoever.
Is a used Duncan twice as good as a GFS pickup? It depends on which Duncan and which GFS. I'd take a Duncan Custom over a GFS Classic II, but I'd definitely take just about any GFS over a Duncan 59. My opinion, based on experience.
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
well said and i agree the amp is crucial moreso than the pup is. I think people are entitlaed to use whatever pu's they want or like most. I just have not found any GFS model that i like more than the duncans or dimarzios i have owned,but that is not saying the GFS doesnt make a fine pup for the money cause they do indeed. I also like several duncan designed pu's as well as ibanez dimarzio made F series pu's.
A lot of guys hate gibson pu's but i love em, the 498T smokes the C5
well said and i agree the amp is crucial moreso than the pup is. I think people are entitlaed to use whatever pu's they want or like most. I just have not found any GFS model that i like more than the duncans or dimarzios i have owned,but that is not saying the GFS doesnt make a fine pup for the money cause they do indeed. I also like several duncan designed pu's as well as ibanez dimarzio made F series pu's.
A lot of guys hate gibson pu's but i love em, the 498T smokes the C5
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
No, they're not. Duncan is in the upper echelon of PU makers, GFS is middle of the pack; better than stock Asian PU's in import guitars, but not as good as the top makers.
Let's say a PU doesn't have the sound you want. If you bought a used Duncan, you can sell it for what you paid for it. Get a new GFS and you'll take a loss when you sell it. Why not just get a better PU to begin with; a cheaper one may end up costing you more. I used to screw around with cheaper PU's and finally got tired of wasting time and money. I switched to Duncan, DMz, Gibson, Rio, Fralin, etc and there was a big improvement in tone quality, clarity, depth, and definition. I buy almost all of my PU's used, so I'm not paying much more than GFS prices, and I have far better tones. PU's are the one thing on a guitar that you don't want to settle for 'okay.'
If you play thru a cheap amp and use lots of distortion and effects, it doesn't make much difference what PU's you have. But the better the amp, and the more you rely on tone quality, the more you'll hear the difference with high quality PU's. Yes, there are good reviews about GFS, but are they mostly written by guys who have a bunch of Duncans, or by guys who had stock Epi/Hamer/Ibanez PU's?
No, they're not. Duncan is in the upper echelon of PU makers, GFS is middle of the pack; better than stock Asian PU's in import guitars, but not as good as the top makers.
Let's say a PU doesn't have the sound you want. If you bought a used Duncan, you can sell it for what you paid for it. Get a new GFS and you'll take a loss when you sell it. Why not just get a better PU to begin with; a cheaper one may end up costing you more. I used to screw around with cheaper PU's and finally got tired of wasting time and money. I switched to Duncan, DMz, Gibson, Rio, Fralin, etc and there was a big improvement in tone quality, clarity, depth, and definition. I buy almost all of my PU's used, so I'm not paying much more than GFS prices, and I have far better tones. PU's are the one thing on a guitar that you don't want to settle for 'okay.'
If you play thru a cheap amp and use lots of distortion and effects, it doesn't make much difference what PU's you have. But the better the amp, and the more you rely on tone quality, the more you'll hear the difference with high quality PU's. Yes, there are good reviews about GFS, but are they mostly written by guys who have a bunch of Duncans, or by guys who had stock Epi/Hamer/Ibanez PU's?
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
The beauty of P-90's is that they have 2 mags, and 4 times the mag influence of an HB (2 mags per coil vs 1/2 mag per coil). That means you can do a lot with magnets and P-90's. Phat Cats have twin A2's which makes them very dark in the neck, and weak in the bridge. But swap mags, like I've done in all my Phat Cats, and they sound great. I use a number of mag combinations in my bridge and neck P-90's. You can dial in just what you want.
And P-90's are where GFS shines, particularly their Mean 90's. They compete favorably with American-made P-90's. Two HB-sized Mean 90's, or an HB bridge/P-90 neck are both great pairings.
The beauty of P-90's is that they have 2 mags, and 4 times the mag influence of an HB (2 mags per coil vs 1/2 mag per coil). That means you can do a lot with magnets and P-90's. Phat Cats have twin A2's which makes them very dark in the neck, and weak in the bridge. But swap mags, like I've done in all my Phat Cats, and they sound great. I use a number of mag combinations in my bridge and neck P-90's. You can dial in just what you want.
And P-90's are where GFS shines, particularly their Mean 90's. They compete favorably with American-made P-90's. Two HB-sized Mean 90's, or an HB bridge/P-90 neck are both great pairings.
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
Here's my issue with buying used pickups.
Not everyone on this forum is an engineering wiz. Personally, I get flustered when my pots start blitzing and my jack goes kaput, so I rely on my tech to keep my electronics working.
I'll assume that MOST people who buy GFS pickups don't have the funds or the knowhow to go swap happy on their wires and magnets.
Point is, I like to know that when I buy something, it hasn't been molested. Some teenage "luthier" decides his Invader didn't sound right in his Schecter and strips it yanking it out. At least with GFS, I know I'm getting a new product.
I'll admit, I can't tell a good lead wire from a bad one, when it ships from UPS.
Here's my issue with buying used pickups.
Not everyone on this forum is an engineering wiz. Personally, I get flustered when my pots start blitzing and my jack goes kaput, so I rely on my tech to keep my electronics working.
I'll assume that MOST people who buy GFS pickups don't have the funds or the knowhow to go swap happy on their wires and magnets.
Point is, I like to know that when I buy something, it hasn't been molested. Some teenage "luthier" decides his Invader didn't sound right in his Schecter and strips it yanking it out. At least with GFS, I know I'm getting a new product.
I'll admit, I can't tell a good lead wire from a bad one, when it ships from UPS.
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Which GFS Pickup? (Poll)
On another note, I was going to buy a SD Alnico Pro II neck/Dimarzio Super Distortion bridge for a les paul copy.
Would a GFS Classic II/Crunchy Pat compare favorably?
Don't have experience with either.
On another note, I was going to buy a SD Alnico Pro II neck/Dimarzio Super Distortion bridge for a les paul copy.
Would a GFS Classic II/Crunchy Pat compare favorably?
Don't have experience with either.
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