Silly Pick-up question... just checking

Dwerg

Okay, so I've been reading a lot and picking up on general opinions in the last while
I know it's good to just trust a gut feel or decide what sounds best in your own opinion, but here's my question anyway.
Seymour Duncan pick-ups are good right? Reason for asking is deciding between these two guitars below
(they have varying colours, but besides that, there is NO difference except for the amps)

What would you do? the Z44 is considered good, but how big a difference is there between these sets of pick-ups ???

Cort Z44 --> EMG-HZ OPEN SA1(F) & TB1(R) (H-H)

Cort Z64 --> Seymour Duncan SH1('59) & SH4(JB) (H-H)

Any and all views will be much appreciated... thanks ?

MikeM

Never heard much about those EMGs.. However I can say both those SDs are very good. The 59 neck sounds great and has a nearly acoustic sound (this will be the next pickup I buy). Whereas the JB is fantastic for 80s metal and modern stuff. I put a different magnet in mine though as it does have negative points, i.e a spike in the high mids that usually makes it sound quite nasal when played clean.

Dwerg

MikeM wrote: Never heard much about those EMGs.. However I can say both those SDs are very good. The 59 neck sounds great and has a nearly acoustic sound (this will be the next pickup I buy). Whereas the JB is fantastic for 80s metal and modern stuff. I put a different magnet in mine though as it does have negative points, i.e a spike in the high mids that usually makes it sound quite nasal when played clean.

Thanks Mike, I was thinking along the same lines as "never heard of these pick-ups"
I didn't even know about the magnet being something one could replace \_(oO.)_/
and that's for the JB, right? will definitely go to dealer and grill them about these kinds of possibilities ?

AlanRatcliffe

The JB/'59 combo is one of the most popular pickup combos ever - for good reason. It combines a classic style neck humbucker with a bridge pickup that is, quite frankly, a ballsy s***kicker. Won't make a player who likes more early classic rock or jazz tones happy, but a great set for a more modern player.

The EMGs, could best be described as "decent". OK for stock pickups, but you're almost always going to want to upgrade anyway. More a marketing thing to get the EMG name on cheaper guitars, IMO.

So if the price difference between the two guitars isn't that big, and you're looking for a modern rock/metal sound go for the Z64. If you want a more classic sound, get the Z44 and upgrade to taste with a set of pickups with a more classic flavour.

Dwerg

Sweet 8)

That says a whole lot, but presents a choice I didn't think I'd have to make.
and being noobish, I don't know what music style I'll settle into?

much appreciated, back to the cave... to ponder

nicovlogg

Dwerg wrote: Sweet 8)

That says a whole lot, but presents a choice I didn't think I'd have to make.
and being noobish, I don't know what music style I'll settle into?

much appreciated, back to the cave... to ponder

Just flip a coin! ?

djpauw

+1 with Alan's comment, I totally agree with every part of it

then you indicated that you are "noobish" and don't know what style of music you will settle into... With that in mind I would advise buying the cheaper guitar, finding your style and then either buying a completely different guitar or replacing the pups to suit your needs.

Cheers

DJ