|
Post by jack11 on Jun 27, 2020 6:13:56 GMT
Hi everyone, new here. I recently bought the HB R-458MN 8-string Fanfret guitar & so far I'm REALLY enjoying it. Considering upgrading the pickups eventually & just started to do some research into different pickups & their sounds. I think I want to stick with Passive pups so no EMG 808x's although there is plenty of room in the back cavity for a battery without re-routing the guitar so not totally ruling these active pickups out. I don't want anything TOO pricy as I guess I'll eventually buy a higher end 8-string. I'm liking the sound of D'Marzio D'Activator 8's but I have ZERO experience in changing pickups and I've heard with fanfret guitars u need to be sure they fit. Does anyone know if the D'Marzio 8's will fit this HB R-458MN? I want something that doesn't requires me to re-route or drill into the guitar, I live in a tiny studio flat & don't have tools. Also looking for any other recommendations for 8-pickups that I could check out that would be easily installed into the R-458MN? I like something with quite a bit of bite in the low end. My dream set would be Seymour Duncan Sentient/Pegasus combo but it's expensive & maybe too expensive to put into this super budget guitar. Thanks for any recommendations or advice. Jac
|
|
|
Post by virtuallyvlad on Jun 29, 2020 10:39:01 GMT
Hi Jac
Saw your post. You've run into the classic dilemma with an 'affordable' guitar!
My HB SC gold top with P90s is a brilliant guitar. It plays so well - I can't quite believe it. The pickups sound fine, but I don't know they could be better as I have nothing to compare them with. However, even though the guitar was so cheap it seems nuts to spend more than I paid for it in buying new PUPS.
However, because I enjoy playing it so much, this would seem to justify upgrading to achieve a complete package.
In your case I'm thinking this way: 1 You love the guitar so much in every way (looks, playability) but the sound is the obvious upgrade to make. So do it. The guitar will only get better. 2 You're not fussed by the guitar. It's ok, but is just a stepping stone to something that looks and plays even better. Don't do it. Save your money for your dream guitar. 3 You mentioned you're ideal SD pickups. As they are removable, you could do this and then when you upgrade the guitar, take them out and have them available for your new one.
Personally, I'm happy with what I have. One day if the opportunity arises, I might upgrade the PUPS. But I know I do not need another P90 guitar. This cheapie has sorted that for me.
Best of luck with it.
VV
|
|
700 posts
YouTube Channel: ToroK Channel
Disclosures: See Signature
|
Post by taurash on Jun 29, 2020 19:02:50 GMT
jack11 I understand your dilemna, like virtuallyvlad says, it's a classic and I think we've all been through this. The first guitar I've wanted to upgrade was a LTD MH-100 bought for 300 bucks. My thought was that the pickups shouldn't cost more than half the price of the guitar. Fortunately, I've been able to find some SD Distorsion for 115. But it made me think that, if they had been more expensive, I would have missed them for some bad reasons. Whetever pickups you might chose, just keep the stock ones. Do your upgrade, have fun with your axe, and if someday you wanna change, you repossess your new pickups, maybe install them in your new axe so your money is never wasted Keep in my mind that an upgrade is for your pleasure. If you go for some budget pickups you're not totally satisfied with, you won't enjoy playing anyway but you will lose money for some pickups you won't want to keep. Keep chuggin' !
|
|
|
700 posts
YouTube Channel: ToroK Channel
Disclosures: See Signature
|
Post by taurash on Jul 3, 2020 12:22:59 GMT
Thanks DefJef For some reason that's what I've always done with EMG pickups, maybe because they're so easy to swap from a guitar to another.
|
|