700 posts
YouTube Channel: ToroK Channel
Disclosures: See Signature
|
Post by taurash on Jul 26, 2018 5:18:59 GMT
Hi guys, when I bought my HB SC Custom, it was quite clear to me that the pups would be changed someday. They're quite good, but can't compare to what I have on other guitars (Seymour Duncan, EMG, DiMarzio.) So, the time has come, but I can't decide which pups would fit both the guitar and my style. And I thought you could help me with your own experiences. I play mainly metal (heavy / thrash) but I enjoy going for hard rock, soft rock, blues and funk sometimes. The Roswell pups allow me to do that and I don't wanna lose this versatility. So I put the ideas I've had in the poll, but if you guys think about another set, just tell me Thanks on advance for your help
|
|
|
Post by trb on Jul 26, 2018 8:30:35 GMT
for teh best quality/price ratio have a look to IronGear steam hammer, Head Hammer, Hot Slag for bridge.
|
|
|
700 posts
YouTube Channel: ToroK Channel
Disclosures: See Signature
|
Post by taurash on Jul 27, 2018 5:13:05 GMT
Thanks trb and DefJef for your advice. Gonna get my ears on both IronGear and IronStone (up the Irons ! ) Someone else ?
|
|
1,773 posts
|
Post by MartinB on Jul 27, 2018 5:31:32 GMT
I’ve read good stuff about Tone Rider pickups but haven’t tried them. I have got an Iron Gear Tesla Shark in the neck of my DIY Tele and I think it does a good vintage output sound. Don’t really know about higher output ones I’m afraid!
|
|
|
Post by DerAlex on Jul 27, 2018 5:40:25 GMT
I have several sets from Craig (Whisky Burner, V59, Old Dog P90, Blues Dog P90, Jazzmaster soon to come) and I find them exceptional. I replaced SD pickups with Craig ones. You may check them out here: www.vineham.com
|
|
608 posts
|
Post by oghkhood on Jul 27, 2018 12:43:48 GMT
Creamry pups in UK, working somewhat like Vineham : www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/Or in the same budget as Irongear, Tonerider can be purchased on Amazon. I personnaly own a Tele AC2 set, and a friend of mine uprageded his L550 Paradise with AC2AC4 hums. No complain in both cases www.tonerider.com/home
|
|
|
Post by trb on Jul 27, 2018 15:01:36 GMT
Hello
I have many Irongear and tone rider in my HB. I didn't mentionned the Tonerider, as I found Irongear has some good PUs more Metal-oriented than the Tonerider, as I stated previously.
With Tonerider I have the HOT90, REBEL90, Generator, Tele HOT Classic. Very pleased with. I have the Irongear Tesla Shark, and Dirty Torque for classic rock tone on my DC Custom and very pleased too.
|
|
1,773 posts
|
Post by MartinB on Jul 27, 2018 19:55:08 GMT
Creamry pups in UK, working somewhat like Vineham : www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/Or in the same budget as Irongear, Tonerider can be purchased on Amazon. I personnaly own a Tele AC2 set, and a friend of mine uprageded his L550 Paradise with AC2AC4 hums. No complain in both cases www.tonerider.com/homeI have two Creamery pups in my MS-60, I’m very happy with them. Also had a JM neck and wide range HB bridge, they were also very good. Another UK maker is Mojo tone.
|
|
700 posts
YouTube Channel: ToroK Channel
Disclosures: See Signature
|
Post by taurash on Jul 28, 2018 6:58:05 GMT
Ok, lots of thanks to all of you DerAlex MartinB oghkhood and trb for your replies. I haven't mentionned it, but I'm not going to a lower price or even a quality/price ratio. I only care about quality and I want it high. That's why I was seeking major brands as EMG, DiMarzio and SD cos' whatever we may think about the way they sound, quality is always on top. From this point on, why not discovering a new brand. But some are very unknown and I can't really find samples on the web (Craing Vineham's pickups sound almost unknow to google. I wish I could hear a demo of their rampage set, but couldn't find one anywhere.) Another point to be considered is I will never order on Amazon. I have declared a total boycott on this company, due to the way they treat novel writers, and also the way they manage their employees. I'd rather order on the website of the maker if they have one. But the major problem I have with unknown brands is : what if I don't like the sound of pups once they're on my guitar ? I can't return them. Maybe I could sell them on reverb.com or somewhere else, but I lose money anyway. Of course, problem is the same with major brands, but, as I did last saturday, I can go to the closest guitar shop, try several guitars with different pairs of SD, DiMarzio or EMGs and make myself an opinion. As far as Creamery, ToneRider or Irongear are concerned, it's impossible. I've listened to Creamery pickups this morning and it sounds like these are some good pups. Yet, the demos I've heard didn't convince me cos' the guy who plays is not on the same sound as me. Irongear stuff sound good but also sound like it's not the tone I'm looking for. Especially the Tesla Shark, which would sound great to hard rock fans I guess, hasn't convinced me. I haven't yet listened to the toneriders, I'll do it later on today. This far, I'm strongly thinking about SD Hotrodded set (SH-4 / SH-2). Tried them and like the way they sound, powerful but never dirty (as far as versatility's concerned, that's what I need), ready to go for everything... And here's a demo I've heard few days ago and that really started convincing me : And of course you can found tons of demos with the same pups playing rock, blues, ballads... But I didn't think they were that good as far as metal is concerned. But my decision is not yet made, maybe I can find another pair, better than these ones but still having punch, a balanced sound between basses / mediums / trebbles (It's for a Sc Custom, so basses will be boosted.) cos the only problem with SH4 / SH2 is that, well, everyone knows how they sound and you can't hope reaching to an original tone with them. I still don't know if I care or not, by the way
|
|
608 posts
|
Post by oghkhood on Jul 28, 2018 7:42:15 GMT
If you aim at quality, don't mention these renown brands who are only selling their name and not doing much better than the ones we told.
You better check brands like, Van Zandt, kinman, and other boutique brands.... though in my humble opinion, a lot of local artisans are valuable in this category. I'll include Creamry too
|
|
1,773 posts
|
Post by MartinB on Jul 28, 2018 8:56:20 GMT
Bare knuckles then? Plenty of advocates for those.
|
|
608 posts
|
Post by oghkhood on Jul 28, 2018 10:07:18 GMT
To my opinion, BK is more like all these well known brands.
I happened to get a Korean Casino moded with pups rewinded by BK. These Dog Ears are correct, but not up by far to the two Van Zandt sets I have on my Strats. And overall, not superior to to the Toneriders and the likes I also own
|
|
|
Post by DerAlex on Jul 29, 2018 6:44:26 GMT
I fully agree that not enough sound samples of Vineham pups is a major downside. Although I question the value of YT videos in that respect more and more. Usually you just hear the amp, the videos are compressed and so on.
For example the P90 Bluesdog I put in my Junior (replacing a SD P90). The reaction to vol/tone pots would be impossible to catch in a sound sample. The Vineham P90 is not worlds ahead, but the gnarly overtones it produces and how it reacts to even small turns of the knobs make it far superior to me.
But you have a point that resale for „trusted“ brands can be easier, especially if you buy them used. I personally trust Craig enough to order blind from him. But in your case I would buy used and test out a lot. The money loss should be negible especially if you are aiming for (sound) quality.
|
|
608 posts
|
Post by oghkhood on Jul 29, 2018 7:09:03 GMT
This re sale argument always makes me angry. It is exactly like if you say : "as long as the re are idiots to buy them" Music an ear affair, not look
edited
|
|