Virgil Arlo pickups

[rclausen]

Anyone have any first hand experience with these?
https://www.virgilarlopickups.com/p...er-replacement-pickup-set?variant=24146751109
I stumbled upon them in a round about way and saw a video of Ford Thurston demoing a set in a 59 LP

Definitely pricey but they sound pretty killer, as does his playing

 

[LtKojak]

This guy has a pretty good list of alleged users... I love Leonardo Amuedo.

 

[rockinlespaul]

There was a set for sale at TGP recently. First time I had heard of them. I too was impressed, but too much $$$ imho. If I'm spending that much coin, I'll stick with Throbaks.

I would love to try them though...

 

[rclausen]

Agreed that they are expensive. I'd opt for Throbaks at that price point, or Rolph's, ECP, ReWind, OX4 at a cheaper price point

 

[bassmannlespaulman]

Im curious to them and they sound really good....i see alot of session players use them. But for 6507 bucks and 2 months nah i rather get throbaks for that length of wait and get it in 2 to 3 weeks

 

[Jazzfinger]

I'm still kicking myself...I had a set of the Virgil Arlo's but I needed money for an emergency and sold the guitar they were in. I didn't swap them out before the sale. Wish i still had them...

They were the best pickups I've tried & ive tried just about everything. IMO they are on a different level than the Throbaks, Holmes & Ron Ellis pickups. I'm not sure what Arlo does to make them sound so good but there's nothing Ive played in the same league.

I'm happy to wait 2 or 3 months, now I just need to sell off a couple of things to get another set.

 

[rclausen]

I'm still kicking myself...I had a set of the Virgil Arlo's but I needed money for an emergency and sold the guitar they were in. I didn't swap them out before the sale. Wish i still had them...

They were the best pickups I've tried & ive tried just about everything. IMO they are on a different level than the Throbaks, Holmes & Ron Ellis pickups. I'm not sure what Arlo does to make them sound so good but there's nothing Ive played in the same league.

I'm happy to wait 2 or 3 months, now I just need to sell off a couple of things to get another set.

How did you hear about his pickups? What about them did you like so much?

 

[Jazzfinger]

How did you hear about his pickups? What about them did you like so much?

An old guitar tech told me about the Arlo’s a long time back. He tried getting me a set but couldn’t ahold of them. Then a few years ago a guy I know that does some work with some of the studios in LA was telling me that a lot of the studio guys were using them. He said even a few big time players with signature guitars and pickups were using them. Then I found out he had a website and ordered.

As for why I liked them, I’m not too good describing tone things but the Arlo’s just seemed to be a cut above the other expensive pickups I had played. They just made all of the other pickups I’ve tried sound a little narrow, dull or lifeless. I don’t know if that makes any sense…but the Arlo’s just seemed to have more going on, like you could roll off the tone and they got darker but stayed very clear. It’s hard to explain but it you can get a lot of tones out of them by adjusting knobs and how you hit the strings.

The guy that bought that guitar off of me called me to brag about how it sounded. He said the guitar sounded like it had tubes in it. That’s probably a good way to put it. I really shouldn’t have sold that guitar but I needed the cash. Live and Learn....

 

[volfox]

I have a set in my CR8 & everything that Jazzfinger has said is spot on, they are special.

 

[rockinlespaul]

Now I want to try a set. Damn you rclausen!

 

[B5Erik]

I'm sure they're special, but $600+ for a set?

That's crazy expensive. I guess if someone is a pro and would use them in a guitar for regular studio work it would make sense, but for most mere mortals it probably doesn't.

 

[volfox]

I'm sure they're special, but $600+ for a set?

That's crazy expensive. I guess if someone is a pro and would use them in a guitar for regular studio work it would make sense, but for most mere mortals it probably doesn't.

Yeah that is exactly what i thought. I saw the videos, then saw price & said no way...Then a set popped up used @ a great price & i got them. I have gone through the PAF (Had em all but Ron Ellis) tone search , a drawer full of em & have since sold everything else. The Arlo's are the finest i have ever owned & if I need to outfit a guitar with PAF, I will get the Arlo's & will not hesitate to pay full price... To me, they are worth every cent.

 

[Browns Fan]

Does anybody know if any pole piece adjustments need to be made out of box? I just ordered a pair and was curious. Thanks.

 

[volfox]

Does anybody know if any pole piece adjustments need to be made out of box? I just ordered a pair and was curious. Thanks.

While i bought my set used, they were never installed by seller & they come in mini burlap sacks. I installed them , raised em up flush with top of my historic rings & plugged in... I haven't messed with them since, they were just right . both neck & bridge & i have never not had to adjust & re-adjust pole pieces & height on any pickups i have tried in this guitar. I am sure you will love them

 

[Browns Fan]

Thank you so much for the reply!! I'm really looking forward to getting them.

 

[chipss]

Funny all the comments by people who do not own or have even used em.

Just saying.

If you cant afford somthing it is what it is, if you have a spending limit , it is what it is. Or you need em now! Types....
But you should not bash the pick up, the maker, or users. Most revews out now are stuido guys none the less...lol pretty sure not all are shills, and the tone is clearly recorded and out for your own take.

Being selfish, i hope less folks order pafs at this level, holms, arlo....ect.
makes my wait time less.

Hope you dig your new arlos bro.