Best and worst pick up buys

[Shred Monster]

My best, super distortion, JB, EMG 81/85, 401 sustainer, X2N, L500,Air Norton.
Worst- Nazgul/Sentinal, Dime SH13,Evo,Paf Pro. PAFs, Nail bomb. Frankenstein.

 

[FleshOnGear]

Hmm, I’ve been through a few over the years. It’s hard to remember them all.

I really liked: Dimarzio Norton (not the Air Norton) and Bluesbucker, Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid, EMG 85 (as a bridge pickup), Mojotone Classics

Can’t really remember any really bad ones. I didn’t particularly like the Screamin’ Demon, the JB. I’ve played guitars with a FRED in it before and liked it, but didn’t like it in my guitar.

 

[mark123]

... I didn’t particularly like the Screamin’ Demon ...

One of those came in my Jackson Rhoads. I couldn't remove it fast enough.

My best are Lollar P90s, Lollar Blackface, Lollar Goldfoil, Lollar Royal T and Lollar El Rayos.

My worst are any of that non-Lollar stuff.

It's true, I'm a Lollar fanboi. I own it.

 

[Lo-Tek]

Have only bought one set, Lollar Blackface- no complaints

 

[Slogfest]

My best set is the SD Custom Shop hand wound "Bonnie" pups modeled after Bonnamassa's '55 hardtail Strat. Superb. The set I liked the least were the MFD G & L set in the second best strat I've ever owned. Just uninspiring for me.

 

[RCM 800]

Likes,
Im a JB/Jazz guy for most dual bucker guitars. I really like the pickups that are coming out in the cheap chinese Jacksons, very hot and thrashy. I liked the pickups that came in my '08 LP Studio, miss that guitar. I like the fender fat 50's singles for strats though all mine have a SD JB, JBjr, or lil 59 in the bridge. I like the cheap fender tex mex set in my tele I built and the factory bridge in my mexi tele but it got a strat fat 50's PU for the neck. Loved my buddies P90 melody maker, will have one some day.

Dislikes,
EMG's except in my RRV, and if I ever really use it again it will probably get a JB/JAZZ but its unlikely. I only keep it for sentimental reasons. Dimarzio PAF pro, could have been my other shitty gear or just my undeveloped ear but didnt connect with it. Fender Lace's. Fender Noiseless. My mexi teles neck PU. All I can think of at the moment.

Some that I liked but didnt really fit the music I mostly play are Gibson 57's

 

[10kDA]

Great info, thanks everybody. I'm a believer in the "learning from the misfortunes of others" principle (meaning $$$ mis-spent) but if ever there was a subject that was totally subjective it would be pickups. Not only is it each player's ear and preference, but everything else in the signal chain comes into play too. Even if pickups should be sold with a "Results not typical - your mileage may vary" disclaimer, your opinions can help others get in the ballpark.

 

[GustHFS]

My best buys are JB and Super Distortion. I have Dimarzio's Tone Zone and Air Norton on my Ibby RG, that I really dig. Also, since early 80's I use at least a brazilian pickup in every guitar I have, all of them made by Malagoli. And all of them excellent, by the way.

The worst pickup I ever bought was a DiMarzio HS-3 in the 90's. It wasn't the pickup's fault, but it just wasn't what I expected. It wasn't until later that I found out that it was a really weak pickup and that it needed some boost to push it in order to sound better.

Gust

 

[DirtySteve]

Strictly talking about humbuckers here.

Worst pickups for me are Dimarzio, never found one I liked and I've tried a bunch of them over the years, I just don't like them.

Best pickups, and what I have in all my guitars right now, are Planet Tone pickups.

 

[Filipe Soares]

Best All BKP and EMG stuff, standing ovation for SD parallel Axis and Distortion and SD YJM Fury

Worst: Dimarzio EVO and FRED, SD STK1 and Custom 5.

 

[ampeq]

I think the key is getting the right pu for the right guitar. That takes trial and error, and $. My custom guitar came with Lindy Fralin pu’s and they are outstanding. I put a set in my ES335 as well and would recommend them for all ES type guitars. My ’77 LP has a Super Distortion in the bridge and PAF in the neck. I put them in right after I bought it in 1979 and never wanted to change it. My ESP E2 Eclipse needed more power and more warmth. I tried a couple different DiMarzio pu’s I like, but the body is pretty thin and could not handle them. Then I put a ToneZone in the bridge and Breed in the neck, a little ballsy but with a good tone. One to go, another custom but with P90’s by Lindy Fralin. Most of these are using pots from RS Guitarworks, it’s all I use and well worth the $100. They come pre-wired and work great. The worst stuff I’ve tried, EMG, Carvin, or any other battery powered pickup.

 

[Crikey]

Strats, i like Texas specials and old USA G&L single coils

Humbucker- I'm fine with stock 490/498, Burstbucks, Dimarzio,Tom Anderson hb
Btw the P90s in my Harley Benton are fantastic

I think its more of the amp/cabinet in the long haul that has greatest effect on tone