Buying used pickups?

Carl17 · 07-11-2012, 06:40 AM

Are second hand pups going to be the same as new ones?

NovaSDF · 07-11-2012, 08:13 AM

You aren't related to my wife by any chance? Reason I ask is that she tends to talk in riddles as well.

What pickups exactly are you talking about?

There are a lot of different pickups out there. If you are replacing one specific pickup with another of the exact brand and model, then it will likely be the same/similar. Occasionally you may have one that varies (usually for the worse - or what in the business is known as a dud.)

Carl17 · 07-11-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NovaSDF

What pickups exactly are you talking about?

There are a lot of different pickups out there. If you are replacing one specific pickup with another of the exact brand and model, then it will likely be the same/similar. Occasionally you may have one that varies (usually for the worse - or what in the business is known as a dud.)

Humbuckers. Seymore Duncans to be specific, probably the JB model.
I could buy the pup new but it would save a bit of money to get them second hand and if it's going to be the same as getting them new, then I don't see a problem with second hand ones.

River · 07-11-2012, 09:02 AM

They're not perishable, if that's what you mean.

Used ones won't have any warranty, might have had their leads shortened, and may not even work for that matter. Caveat emptor.

Carl17 · 07-11-2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

They're not perishable, if that's what you mean.

Used ones won't have any warranty, might have had their leads shortened, and may not even work for that matter. Caveat emptor.

Ok I'll keep that in mind. And I meant would the sound quality be the same as a new one.

J-Dizzle · 07-12-2012, 02:40 AM

theoretically, as long as they were looked after, buying used pups should be pretty much the same as buying new ones.

But some lazy ****tards cut the leads too short when removing them, as River said above. I've had that happen & its a pain in the ass.

But aside from that there should be no problemo.

Huck Finn · 07-12-2012, 08:42 AM

I'd just like to add that EVERY magnet on earth decreases in power over the years. That's why a very old pickup cannot sound as powerful as a new one. Not sure about how much it changes the sound and how many years have to pass until you hear a difference.

Carl17 · 07-12-2012, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck Finn

I'd just like to add that EVERY magnet on earth decreases in power over the years. That's why a very old pickup cannot sound as powerful as a new one. Not sure about how much it changes the sound and how many years have to pass until you hear a difference.

Thanks for the info, but I pulled 2 DiMarzios from a 1970's Hondo LP and the still sound great.Each measures around 8.5k

TeaForTwo · 07-12-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck Finn

I'd just like to add that EVERY magnet on earth decreases in power over the years. That's why a very old pickup cannot sound as powerful as a new one. Not sure about how much it changes the sound and how many years have to pass until you hear a difference.

Um, er, and um......100 years or so.......

Even then, there won't be much tonal difference........

Huck Finn · 07-13-2012, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeaForTwo

Um, er, and um......100 years or so.......

Even then, there won't be much tonal difference........

Guess why new "vintage" pickups don't have such strong magnets

07-11-2012, 06:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Carl17 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 343 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Buying used pickups? Are second hand pups going to be the same as new ones?

07-11-2012, 08:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
NovaSDF Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Venice Beach CA Posts: 805 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Buying used pickups? You aren't related to my wife by any chance? Reason I ask is that she tends to talk in riddles as well. What pickups exactly are you talking about? There are a lot of different pickups out there. If you are replacing one specific pickup with another of the exact brand and model, then it will likely be the same/similar. Occasionally you may have one that varies (usually for the worse - or what in the business is known as a dud.) __________________ Two things you should never forget: 1 - The only time it's okay to work with amateurs is if you're making porn 2 - If you want to work with clowns, join a circus!

07-11-2012, 09:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
River Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rural Colorado, USA Posts: 54,495 Thanks: 744 Thanked 847 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Buying used pickups? They're not perishable, if that's what you mean. Used ones won't have any warranty, might have had their leads shortened, and may not even work for that matter. Caveat emptor. Webtroll likes this. __________________ River Bottom Blues Band - Music Home of the River Bottom Blues Band

07-12-2012, 02:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
J-Dizzle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oz Posts: 922 Thanks: 6 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Buying used pickups? theoretically, as long as they were looked after, buying used pups should be pretty much the same as buying new ones. But some lazy ****tards cut the leads too short when removing them, as River said above. I've had that happen & its a pain in the ass. But aside from that there should be no problemo.

07-12-2012, 08:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
Huck Finn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 110 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Buying used pickups? I'd just like to add that EVERY magnet on earth decreases in power over the years. That's why a very old pickup cannot sound as powerful as a new one. Not sure about how much it changes the sound and how many years have to pass until you hear a difference.

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