Tonerider??

PeteM

I've searched this forum and see no reference to Tonerider pups and pedals.

Does anyone have any info? They get very good reviews on international sites, but you never know whether these are written by the distributors or by actual end-users of the products.

I believe they are designed by a British guy who lives in Shanghai or Hong Kong and are made in China under his QC.

They are available here in Durban at The Guitar Shop and I'm interested to know what you 'fundis' know about them - good or bad.

Guy-Onraet

Hey Pete

One of my students replaced all 3 pickups in his MIM strat with toneriders. He really likes them, and after playing his guitar through my amp, i think they are pretty sweet too. Great value for money there.

AlanRatcliffe

I don't know them myself, but have heard decent things about the pickups. Like GFS, who also design pickups and manufacture in China, I don't think they are going to compare with the top names in pickups (no mass produced pickup could), but they are probably best described as "great for the money".

I have spoken to the guy who imports them and will probably try some at some point. Don't know when I'll get the chance though...

aja

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/effects/tonerider-superlush-chorus/

I own their SuperLush Chorus pedal. It is a really smooth and intense chorus. I am really happy with it and very curious to hear their other pedals.

Mr-M

I have the Rocksong Humbuckers in one guitar and the Rebel 90s in another (my new favourite pup BTW) and I think they compare very favourably to Duncans and Dimarzios, although I can't really comment on how they sound vs boutique handwound pups like Fralins, Wolfetones and Lollars. The Rocksongs did supplant successive different sets of Seymour Duncan Humbuckers in one of my guitars.

I've also played the Tonerider Generators, Alnico IV Classics and the Pure Vintage for Strat and liked 'em. BTW the build quality on them is just as good as SDs and Dimarzios IMO.

Thumbs up from me.

ed

But for the price of the tonerider pure vintage, you might as well get a fender custom '54 or fender original '57/'62.

Mr-M

Well comparing US Dollar prices, with the Pure Vintage @ $99 and the Fender Custom '54 @ $190 I don't really see your point regarding the prices. Maybe with the Fender 57/62 @ $130 one could compare them price and tone-wise. I do find though that the local Tonerider importer's prices are fairly comparable to overseas prices, whereas Fender locally are generally significantly more expensive than the overseas prices so that would make the price difference even greater in SA.

That aside, an analogy if I may: I can get a meal at Wimpy for the same price as a meal at Steers, but I'll go to Steers because I personally prefer it. It's the same with pickups and tone in general - it comes down to personal preference. Brand names aren't always (or even usually) the difference between good and bad tone, but rather your like or dislike for the tone your getting when you're playing. You have to try them and then decide.

ed

Well...The price of the tonerider pure vintage set from the local supplier in durban is R1650 (checked the price this morning) so for that money I would rather add a bit more money and import some fender pups.I was comparing this price to the ones on the take2.co.za site. So the custom '54 was marked at R1708 (on special) and the '57/'62 is marked at R1841.But as you said it all comes down to preference

Mr-M

Or...you could save money and buy Toneriders online for $99. ? I paid pretty good prices for mine in JHB and I know my buddy got his PVs for much less than what you mentioned. Maybe you should ask for a discount if you do actually want them? On the other hand if you really want Fenders then buy them.

Whatever the case none of this really has any relevance to Pete M's original question...

JK

Looking at getting the Classic Blues Tonerider.

They have got good reviews, and seem well priced. Its that or Fender Fat '50s Stratocaster Custom Shop Pickups
http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-fender-fat-50s-stratocaster-custom-shop-pickups-3-set-white-b0002kzb52.html

wish i could play both. Guess i will just take a chance. I recon they will both give a fat warm blues sound

[deleted]

Incidentally, JK, those CS Fat '50s sets go for around $137 on eBay. Worth looking into, against the Take2 prices.

EDIT: Take2 have slashed their price! Doh. Still...

DonovanB

Pete what guitar are you putting it into? Or thinking of?

PeteM

DonovanB wrote Pete what guitar are you putting it into? Or thinking of?

I'm thinking about making a guitar - just for the fun of it - doing some costings/budgeting at the moment.

Alcatrax

Hi

In February 2008 I bought a set of Classic Blues and a set of Pure Vintage Toneriders for my two MIJ Strats.

The Pure Vintage went into my '54 reissue and the Classic Blues went into the '62 reissue.

I have been very happy with both sets. They use vintage-style waxed insulation for the wiring and each pickup was hand-marked with the impedence.

Of the two sets, I prefer the Pure Vintage, but that is purely subjective and could be due to the guitar being particularly gorgeous! Regarding price, I purchased them online from www.dangleberrymusic.co.uk. The price was 49 pounds per set plus about 8 pounds shipping to Cape Town. I just checked and the current price is about 70 pounds per set which I still think is a bargain. I would definately buy another set.

You can listen to them at www.tonerider.com.

Hope this helped!

Regards
Peter G