Pickups - try before buy

Trippp

Hi there

Is there any music retailer where you can "try before buy" pickups?
I guess the answer will be : dream on dude ...

If that is the case - I have an Epiphone Black Beauty of which I would like to upgrade the pickups.
I'm really struggeling with deciding on what to get. The fact that it has 3 humbuckers doesn't make it any easier.

Anyone of you have a cupboard full of humbuckers lying aound I can check out?

*sigh*

AlanRatcliffe

If you buy from them, some shops will let you exchange with other models they have in stock (within reason, and if they are doing the fitting), but they are not going to buy in tons of stock for you to try out. Do your homework first to narrow it down and then speak to them. If you're in Cape Town, speak to Gareth at Marshall Music.

I'll move your post to the repair and mods section.

Explorerlover

What genre do you play?

Trippp

Thanks Allen ... I see I got the section wrong the second time as well ... doh

@Explorerlover - I'd like to have as many tonal options as possible. The type of music I play (or would like to play ..hehe) is in the Tool, Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, Karnivool line. I'd also like to play some bluesy, jazzy stuff. So not really balls to the wall metal, but a modern sound is what I'm after.

I've done some reading and a Seamour Duncan SH-4JB and SH-2 Jazz combo for neck an bridge would probably suite me fine, but what do I do for a middle pickup? Maybe something very hot? Then I've got lots of options? I currently have the a normal 2 pickup 3 position Gibson toggle switch in the guitar. The middle pickup is wired "after the switch" - so I can blend it with any of the other combinations. I've got one volume control for the switched pickups and one for the middle pickup, so if I want the middle only, I just turn down the volume control on the switched neck/bridge pair.

I'd also like to hear a Dimarzio pair in a Gibson type guitar. Which pair is another question ... do I go for the Satriani ones, the Vai ones ... or the Air Norten ones ... I just don't know - I haven't hear enough pickups to be able to make an informed descisision.

As far as amplifiers go - I have a Fender Pro Concert 4x10" Combo and a Line6 SpiderValve 2x12" Combo - as part of my tone shaping path it is probably important to know

AlanRatcliffe

I'd tend to a vintage or medium output set of pickups - tonally they are more flexible than the high output models. You can still play metal with a low output pickup, but high output pickups won't do much aside from rock and metal. I'd probably go medium output on the bridge and vintage for middle and neck. Something like Duncan Pearly Gates, '59, '59 or DiMarzio Air Zone/Air Norton, Air Classic, Air Classic.

BTW - there's another way to wire the three pickups with the switches you have. Have a push pull pot to either turn on the middle independantly or swap between the neck and the middle.

How do you find the sounds with the middle humbucker, BTW? I never liked the Gibson Deluxe's with the three pickups - not enough tonal variation.

Trippp

I agree Allen ... I'm aiming for medium output for the neck and the bridge.
The reason I'm thinking high output for the middle is exactly for the reason you mention - as it is it doesn't add much in terms of tonal variety , so I can just as well use it to try and get a different kind of variety - output level.
It might do something completely different with another brand of pickups though, but from what I've gleamed from reading a bit is that middle humbuckers in a 3 humbucker setup doesn't really add all that much - it's quite difficult to find something that excels in that position.

Trippp

After some youtube-ing ... I'm leaning towards a P90 type pickup for the middle ... sounds yummy

AlanRatcliffe

I was also thinking a humbucker sized P90. Then you could also coil cut your humbuckers for a three single-coil setup.

Trippp

Nice! I'm loving the P90 in the neck sound ... it might work quite nicely in the middle.
Have you perhaps heard the Seamour Duncan Phat Cat? Any other suggestion for a humbucker sized P90?

Then a Neck-Middle-Bridge combo of Jazz - Phat Cat - JB might sound like a plan

AlanRatcliffe

For a very traditional sounding P90 it's hard to beat the Gibson P94 or the Duncan Phat Cat. For something more modern, the Harmonic Design Z90. The Fralin (can't remember the model name) is a bit more articulate - less mids, more tops.

Banditman

If you want something very different with a lot of tonal options, consider the Duncan P-Rails. One quick possibility for "getting an idea" is to get on to the Seymour Duncan website & listen to the soundclips of their different pickups.

Trippp

Thanks for the suggestion Banditman!

I've listened to most of the samples on the Duncan site, but somehow they are too raw - difficult to judge the potential for I want it use it for.
I've spent most of last night browsing youtube trying to get an idea of how these pickups would sound in different situations.

I have looked at the P-rails - if I remember correctly this is for a bit more of vintage sound and to really get the most of them you need to get a pair - so neck and bridge.
I'm leaning towards a bit more of a modern sound for the neck and bridge and then use the middle pickup for a more vintage sound.

I know someone that is going to install some P-Rails in his Tele - maybe I should try and "audition" them before it goes in his guitar.

I came across Gregor Hilden's youtube videos last night in my search. Suddenly I'm not so sure I want to play modern music anymore ...hehe ... I'm in love with this guitarsound and his style.
If you haven't heard this guy it's a real eye opener : http://www.youtube.com/user/GregsGuitars

ryanguit

Hey Trippp. Where you based? I got a humbucker from hell (5k), paf pro (8.5k), super distortion (13k), and some other randoms. If you wanna come round and try some buckers. At least then you know eg: don't put hot dull pu in mid position. Jhb

[deleted]

Hey, Ryan... What kind of prices are you asking for those humbuckers?

Trippp

Hey Ryan

Thanks a lot for the offer - but I'm unfortunately based in Cape Town

ryanguit

Not for sale. Ill use them again i am sure, but if you looking at trying one for a month to see if they worth buying, ill lend it out so you can get an idea. I spent way too much money on dimarzio, seymour, bareknuckle... Just wanna help guys save the money i spent to know what i want.

[deleted]

You, sir, are a man among men.

MikeM

Applauded for the generous offer!