Pickup suggestions, please!

[irunnoft]

Hi, I'm considering swapping out the stock BB's on my R9. I've kind of narrowed it down to three and I'm not trying to start a s***storm, but I'd like some honest reviews, opinions, testimonials, etc. from people who have these pups in their historics.

I'm looking at the 67-07WB's, Wolfetone Dr. Vintage, and Skatterbranes. Of course, I'm open to suggestions as well (for instance, if someone has a set of Wolfetone Legends and you think those are the best).

I'm planning on installing an RS kit and swapping out the stock pot, too.

[DHaught]

I recently restored my 74 LP custom and I bought a set of WB VTPH's simply because I had heard such good things about them and after talking with Will Boggs I felt like he was somebody I wanted to do business with. I told him what kind of sound I was looking for and he recommended those pups and he also recommended the RS guitarworks kit and Vit Q caps when I told him I wanted to upgrade all the electronics.

Anyway the VTPH's totally nailed the tone I was looking for out of my LP. I was never really big on that guitar to begin with because the stock pups were just uninspiring to say the least. Now it is a completely different guitar and has become my main axe. I played a friends LP historic with BB's in it and while I liked the sound of them I felt the WB's just had more of everything I was looking for. I particularly like the tone in the middle position using both pickups. They are very articulate and detailed and nail those MTB, Allman, and Jimi Page type tones.

I played another LP with Duncan 59/JB pickups in it and it was ok but I didn't like them as well either. I hope that helps. There are a lot of different opinions about pup winders on here but from my experience I will definitely use WB's again. I have already bought the 6707 single coils and put them in my strat with total satisfaction.

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by irunnoft

Hi, I'm considering swapping out the stock BB's on my R9. I've kind of narrowed it down to three and I'm not trying to start a s***storm, but I'd like some honest reviews, opinions, testimonials, etc. from people who have these pups in their historics.

I'm looking at the 67-07WB's, Wolfetone Dr. Vintage, and Skatterbranes. Of course, I'm open to suggestions as well (for instance, if someone has a set of Wolfetone Legends and you think those are the best).

I'm planning on installing an RS kit and swapping out the stock pot, too.

I kind of did a little test yesterday at a studio, me and 2 other guitar players were messing around and we all 3 played the same guitar at the same levels and all 3 of us had a different tone. It seems what works for one doesnt have the same effect on the others. I think it just really comes down to what you do and like. You have a good selection of pups to start with but it may take you 10 or more sets to actually hit what you want. My Pagebuckers work well for me in my JPP and I wont change them. My Reverends from WB work well also, Im testing another pup sent to me from a friend and it also sounds great. Its all really just a question of taste really, theres no true Oh thats the one formula. Ya just gotta experiment.

[irunnoft]

Originally Posted by ReverendJWblues

I kind of did a little test yesterday at a studio, me and 2 other guitar players were messing around and we all 3 played the same guitar at the same levels and all 3 of us had a different tone. It seems what works for one doesnt have the same effect on the others. I think it just really comes down to what you do and like. You have a good selection of pups to start with but it may take you 10 or more sets to actually hit what you want. My Pagebuckers work well for me in my JPP and I wont change them. My Reverends from WB work well also, Im testing another pup sent to me from a friend and it also sounds great. Its all really just a question of taste really, theres no true Oh thats the one formula. Ya just gotta experiment.

Thanks guys. This is what I was afraid of. I guess PAS is another syndrome we have to worry about (pickup acquisition syndrome!). I know at some point, it's time to just sit down and play and quit tinkering. However, considering I haven't changed anything but the strings on my guitar, I really feel like a couple of changes will bring out an amazing axe.

Right now, the LP I've got has a really punchy bottom end. In general, it's a really ballsy in-your-face guitar. Nice mids and plenty of screaming highs. It flat out rocks, however, I sometimes find the BB's to be a bit shrill on the high end. Sometimes, depending on the gain, the lows can get muddy and undefined.

That's why I figured that putting the aged RS pot in and swapping the BBs out for a set of great pups would really put this guitar over the top. Once I get it "set," I plan to just leave it alone and play the fire out of it. I'm not really big into tweaking this and tinkering with that. If a person's not too careful, they'll spend more time tweaking and with the guitar apart than with it in the woodshed working on playing. I learned this the hard way from tinkering with banjos from a long time ago. At one point, I was a hell of a banjo set up specialist, but a mediocre player because I spent all my time chasing tone.

Don't get me wrong, I know tone is important, but at some point, you've just got to work on pulling the tone out of your playing and work on technique.

Anyhoo, thanks again for the input and please, guys and gals, keep the suggestions coming.

[Weldaar]

My suggestion is, try to get someone to send you some pickups to test. When I get mine back, I will gladly let you check them out. I am partial to WCR, but am always open to suggestions. I am in the process now of doing sound clips for others. So well see what tomorrow brings.

BTW, before you swap out pots, find the pickup that does it for you. That might be all you need. Better pots will only enhance your tone.
However, a good set of caps never hurts.

[Billy1953]

Man,Pickups can be an expensive nightmare!I have a set of SKATTERBRANES in my 58 RI that totally nail the sound I was looking for.Very warm and responsive to pick attack.Kink got me interested in the neck pickup.Most are too bottom heavy,especially on Les Pauls.The 7.5k(I have the alnico 2 set)are very smooth.The bridge has the right amount of crunch if you let the amp do the work which I prefer.I also have a set of hot vintage paf pickups from WB(Will Boggs)They are totally different sounding.I have them in a 59 RI.They are a little louder and have more gain. (7.5k and 9k)Will is easily accessible to talk about what you want and are looking for! Kink always responds to all emails and has been helpful with tone and ships very Quickly!I do business with both of these cats and I like both.Decide what kind of sound or tone you want.Talk to both.Get a set of RS super pots and vitamin Q caps from HG....Pickups are very personal and expensive...I am into the 70s rock sound so the SKATTERBRANES are it for me!They make my 58 sing..Good Luck Billy