Slide guitar - GFS pickups

[Z06]

Hey all, I'm going to upgrade the pickups from the low quality muddy ones that came stock in my cheap Epi LP SPII. The guitar is setup for slide in open E with 14 gauge strings. Since it's a cheap guitar, it's going to get cheap pickups, but I think I am going to be very pleased with GFS pickups.

I was wondering what you guys think of this combination for getting Duane Allman/Joe Walsh type tones: GFS Vintage '59 in the neck, GFS Alnico II in the bridge. I'd like bright (not thin or tinny though) and clean in the bridge, and warmer and slightly grittier in the neck. Highs are most important here since slide tends to focus on the high 2 or 3 strings. Running through a Vox Valvetronix (VT30 I think?) amp. Any input appreciated!

[Ermghoti]

Neither of those are particularly bright, and the AII is just plain dark. You might consider Retrotrons if you don't need a lot of output, VEH if you'd like something in the mid-to high range. The PAT (Fat/Crunchy) pickups are loud and bright to harshly bright to my ear, others have better luck with them.

[Z06]

Originally Posted by Ermghoti

Neither of those are particularly bright, and the AII is just plain dark. You might consider Retrotrons if you don't need a lot of output, VEH if you'd like something in the mid-to high range. The PAT (Fat/Crunchy) pickups are loud and bright to harshly bright to my ear, others have better luck with them.

Thanks for the input, you just saved me 35-70 bucks. Surely the Vintage 59 is brighter/less muddy than the stock pups in a $150 Epiphone guitar?? Instead of the Alnico II, would perhaps Alnico V or Alnico V+ be better suited? It would likely be in the bridge position.

[Ermghoti]

Originally Posted by Z06

Thanks for the input, you just saved me 35-70 bucks. Surely the Vintage 59 is brighter/less muddy than the stock pups in a $150 Epiphone guitar?? Instead of the Alnico II, would perhaps Alnico V or Alnico V+ be better suited? It would likely be in the bridge position.

The V59 is middy, producing the type of roar that people generally expect to hear from a heavy, humbucker equipped-axe. Not particularly bright, though. Might work for you in the neck. I haven't played with the V or V+, so I can't speak to them. That said, Alnico V pickups are brighter and louder than AII equipped pieces, all else being equal.

People generally seem happy swapping out the Epi pups with Fat Pats or even Crunchies, I just don't personally like them. They are bright, though. I have a box somewhere with about four sets that I've pulled out of my Xavieres in favor of other GFS sets.

[Z06]

Originally Posted by Ermghoti

The V59 is middy, producing the type of roar that people generally expect to hear from a heavy, humbucker equipped-axe. Not particularly bright, though. Might work for you in the neck. I haven't played with the V or V+, so I can't speak to them. That said, Alnico V pickups are brighter and louder than AII equipped pieces, all else being equal.

People generally seem happy swapping out the Epi pups with Fat Pats or even Crunchies, I just don't personally like them. They are bright, though. I have a box somewhere with about four sets that I've pulled out of my Xavieres in favor of other GFS sets.

Awesome, thank you so much! I will avoid the '59 for now. I'll be ordering the Alnico V soon, hopefully I can put some decent clips up once it gets installed.

[CA-8-5799]

Originally Posted by Z06

Awesome, thank you so much! I will avoid the '59 for now. I'll be ordering the Alnico V soon, hopefully I can put some decent clips up once it gets installed.

After years of trying everything.I use an ES-330-TDC,1964/original alnico,s.Brighter and cleaner than 335,but its full hollowbody,not blocked,maybe that does it.Switched to aluminum bridge,graphite nut,you can lean on trapeze for trem.

[Z06]

Originally Posted by CA-8-5799

After years of trying everything.I use an ES-330-TDC,1964/original alnico,s.Brighter and cleaner than 335,but its full hollowbody,not blocked,maybe that does it.Switched to aluminum bridge,graphite nut,you can lean on trapeze for trem.

Thanks, but I have a solid body.