MCP questions?

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EternalReturn

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Hi folks,

I'm new here as a poster, but have been reading old threads for a while. It seems a lot of guys here have MCPs. I recently picked up a used Afwayu and it has simply blown me away. In 30 yrs of playing and messing with pickups from Dimarzio, Duncan, Lawrence, Evans, Bartolini, Lollar, etc., etc. I've never heard a bucker that has this combination of power and openness. The thing that really got my attention was the harmonic content. It has a "swirl" to the tone that almost sounds chorused at times.

Anyway, I was wondering 1) do all MCPs have this "swirly" quality to them?

And 2) I contacted MCP a while ago about buying some other pickups of his by email and have not heard back. Does it usually take a while or does he not really check email too often? I hate calling small builders b/c I feel like I'll keep them from building! Thanks in advance for any help...
 
Wade will welcome your phone call, and loves to talk music and music gear.

Wait until you try a MCP Garuda, best pickup I have found so far, but I have not tried all of Wade's pickups, so the journey is not over.

Hopefully MetalManiac will comment, as he has tried alot more than most, I think.
 
Thanks for the reply. I hope I didn't come off as some kind of shill! I've been at this long enough to not really be wowed by much, but this pickup definitely did that. I AB'ed it against the stock JB, and a Bartolini PBF77, even recorded my noodling just to have an "objective" sort of perspective on it. I was really surprised by what I was hearing. The JB was okay, but kind of nasally and boxy. The Bart was similar to the JB, but not as boxy sounding, a little richer overall, maybe a little louder, with better clean up. But the Afwayu just killed. It sounds huge. And cleans up the best as well. I was expecting another slightly better than Duncan sort of pickup, but was blown away. Curious to read how this one compares to his other pickups. Hope some other folks chime in. Thanks again!
 
OUTLAW1969":10bo5x25 said:
Wade will welcome your phone call, and loves to talk music and music gear.

Wait until you try a MCP Garuda, best pickup I have found so far, but I have not tried all of Wade's pickups, so the journey is not over.

Hopefully MetalManiac will comment, as he has tried alot more than most, I think.


Why thanks!! I have tried a bunch of his pickups and all of them are great IMO, but that does not mean that they work for me or everyone in every guitar/amp combo or cover the exact tone you want. Here is what I have tried (marked with an *) and this is what I currently have. The best way to get a hold of Wade is by calling him. I know he is working on a new website, but have no idea when it will be launching.

*Afwayu set (underwound)
*Nasty Nasty (b)
Angel Dust (b)
Angel Dust (underwound)
Angel Dust (overwound)
Angel Dust (A2) (b) & (n)
Garuda (b) & (n)
*Detroiter (b)
Detroiter (n)
*2nd Degree BB (n)
Hot Heads (b) & (n)

Currently have another Garuda set as well as a Garuda (b) on order (yes, they are that good). It is a basically a greatly improved JB.

I would like to check out the 2nd Degree BB bridge one of these days, but I tend to favor mid to high output pickups even though I do have a few low output pickups in guitars.
 
i placed my order for t-wrecks, the solution and afwayu through tone merchants

you could go that route if you so desired
 
Thanks again guys. I'll give him a call. Sounds like he doesn't mind.

The Afwayu is a little hotter than I want in the guitar I have it in (it's going into another one). I was wondering about the Detroiter and the Nasty Nasty. I've read a fair amount on the Detroiter - "mean" sounding, almost P90ish, lots of mid grind. Wondering if anyone can comment on that. P90ish sounds like something I'm looking for in this guitar. I have not read much on the NN, except that it's a "tighter" Detroiter. Anyone have any insights on these two? Thanks!
 
EternalReturn":1r3iy3u6 said:
Thanks again guys. I'll give him a call. Sounds like he doesn't mind.

The Afwayu is a little hotter than I want in the guitar I have it in (it's going into another one). I was wondering about the Detroiter and the Nasty Nasty. I've read a fair amount on the Detroiter - "mean" sounding, almost P90ish, lots of mid grind. Wondering if anyone can comment on that. P90ish sounds like something I'm looking for in this guitar. I have not read much on the NN, except that it's a "tighter" Detroiter. Anyone have any insights on these two? Thanks!

It depends on what kind of guitar it is going to and basically the Nasty Nasty is a tighter version of the Detroiter based on my ears. I actually prefer the Detoriter over the NN, but that is just me. I tend to favor the Angel Dust and the Garuda.
 
EternalReturn":o461ix42 said:
Thanks again guys. I'll give him a call. Sounds like he doesn't mind.

The Afwayu is a little hotter than I want in the guitar I have it in (it's going into another one). I was wondering about the Detroiter and the Nasty Nasty. I've read a fair amount on the Detroiter - "mean" sounding, almost P90ish, lots of mid grind. Wondering if anyone can comment on that. P90ish sounds like something I'm looking for in this guitar. I have not read much on the NN, except that it's a "tighter" Detroiter. Anyone have any insights on these two? Thanks!

I really don't have much P90 experience, but I have a Detroiter and Nasty Nasty. Both are amazing pickups and have been part of some of my favorite tones I've got from my gear.

The Detroiter is mean sounding and does have some grind, but it's not over-the-top. It's a huge sounding pickup with a great openness. Individual notes have some good weight/fatness without getting bloated. It also has a nice bounce to its response. For the most part I'd say they're pretty eq neutral, with just a slight bump in the mids and a slight roll off on the extreme lows and highs, but again, nothing crazy. Honestly, the highs on the Detroiter are hard to beat; they cut through no problem, but there isn't a hint of shrillness.

The NN is very similar to the Detroiter's. It has a similar eq curve and fatness. Main differences are the NN is tighter, hotter (not night and day, but noticeable), and have a touch more string separation (Detroiters have more "gel" between the notes). Awesome pickups.

If I were choosing between these two pickups I would choose based on the natural tightness of the axe you'd be putting them in. If you're guitar is naturally really tight, go with the Detroiter; the Nasty is very tight and can feel a little stiff in the wrong guitar. On the other hand, if your guitar is a little loose, go with the Nasty; the bounce in the Detroiter may be too much in an already loose guitar. Anyway, best of luck. Wade by far makes my favorite pickups.
 
metalmaniac93":1v0a5m2o said:
EternalReturn":1v0a5m2o said:
Thanks again guys. I'll give him a call. Sounds like he doesn't mind.

The Afwayu is a little hotter than I want in the guitar I have it in (it's going into another one). I was wondering about the Detroiter and the Nasty Nasty. I've read a fair amount on the Detroiter - "mean" sounding, almost P90ish, lots of mid grind. Wondering if anyone can comment on that. P90ish sounds like something I'm looking for in this guitar. I have not read much on the NN, except that it's a "tighter" Detroiter. Anyone have any insights on these two? Thanks!

It depends on what kind of guitar it is going to and basically the Nasty Nasty is a tighter version of the Detroiter based on my ears. I actually prefer the Detoriter over the NN, but that is just me. I tend to favor the Angel Dust and the Garuda.

Beat me too it :lol: :LOL: .

So far the Garuda is my favorite as well. Ridiculous pickup.
 
metalmaniac93":x064bn4t said:
EternalReturn":x064bn4t said:
Thanks again guys. I'll give him a call. Sounds like he doesn't mind.

The Afwayu is a little hotter than I want in the guitar I have it in (it's going into another one). I was wondering about the Detroiter and the Nasty Nasty. I've read a fair amount on the Detroiter - "mean" sounding, almost P90ish, lots of mid grind. Wondering if anyone can comment on that. P90ish sounds like something I'm looking for in this guitar. I have not read much on the NN, except that it's a "tighter" Detroiter. Anyone have any insights on these two? Thanks!

It depends on what kind of guitar it is going to and basically the Nasty Nasty is a tighter version of the Detroiter based on my ears. I actually prefer the Detoriter over the NN, but that is just me. I tend to favor the Angel Dust and the Garuda.

I prefer 'Vintage Hot' pickups. I have a set of 2nd Degree Blackbelts that I love so much I ordered a set of Detroiters (along with a second set of 2nd Degrees). Unfortunately, my lazy @$$ has yet to install them into the intended guitar. Maybe this weekend? If so, I'll report back.
 
Hellbaby is still my fave pickup of all time. The nuke, blisster, and solution I've used we're all great as well. Killer pickups , cool guy, garbage website/ information.
 
I have a Hellbaby thanks to the kind gentleman above me \m/

I just got a Hot Head Set and they are some of the most "fun" pickups I have ever played. They are bouncy and juicy, but have tons of definition. The neck pickup is the best neck model I have EVER used. There is none of that annoying low end messiness on leads when you get to the low notes.

Be prepared for a month's wait and you will have yourself some awesome pickups.
 
lolzgreg":11zjhfjc said:
I have a Hellbaby thanks to the kind gentleman above me \m/

I just got a Hot Head Set and they are some of the most "fun" pickups I have ever played. They are bouncy and juicy, but have tons of definition. The neck pickup is the best neck model I have EVER used. There is none of that annoying low end messiness on leads when you get to the low notes.

Be prepared for a month's wait and you will have yourself some awesome pickups.



Oohs man, this is giving me GAS for the neck, sounds like exactly what I want!
 
Thanks folks - this stuff is really helpful. Based on what you guys have said, the Detroiters sound about right. Though that Hot Head neck sounds pretty good too (guess I have to buy more guitars). I imagine it might be a little too hot, though, given the name and all. Wade actually wrote me back while this thread was gaining posts. He suggested Detroiters as well - said they're a good all-arounder with some P90 snarl to them. BTW, the guitar is a late 90s Hamer Mirage with mahogany body and thick maple top, 25.5" scale, vintage trem. It's a really resonant guitar (you can feel the EAD strings in your gut), and snappier and brighter than my friend's LP Standard I A/B'ed it against a couple weeks ago. It's fairly balanced tonally and acoustically loud. The maple top is thick and the Fender scales gives the notes more "pop." Anyway, as I was playing it I just kept thinking that it would sound great with some better p'ups. The 59 was too bassy and the JB too squashed and unclear. I'll work out the exact specs with Wade - and ask about the HH neck while I'm at it - and most likely give the Detroiters a go. After trying the Afwayu, I'm sure they'll be great.

The Afwayu will end up in my super strat's bridge. I think it will finally make the bridge position of that guitar work for me. Anyway, thanks for all the help!
 
EternalReturn":13bi7m3t said:
Thanks folks - this stuff is really helpful. Based on what you guys have said, the Detroiters sound about right. Though that Hot Head neck sounds pretty good too (guess I have to buy more guitars). I imagine it might be a little too hot, though, given the name and all. Wade actually wrote me back while this thread was gaining posts. He suggested Detroiters as well - said they're a good all-arounder with some P90 snarl to them. BTW, the guitar is a late 90s Hamer Mirage with mahogany body and thick maple top, 25.5" scale, vintage trem. It's a really resonant guitar (you can feel the EAD strings in your gut), and snappier and brighter than my friend's LP Standard I A/B'ed it against a couple weeks ago. It's fairly balanced tonally and acoustically loud. The maple top is thick and the Fender scales gives the notes more "pop." Anyway, as I was playing it I just kept thinking that it would sound great with some better p'ups. The 59 was too bassy and the JB too squashed and unclear. I'll work out the exact specs with Wade - and ask about the HH neck while I'm at it - and most likely give the Detroiters a go. After trying the Afwayu, I'm sure they'll be great.

The Afwayu will end up in my super strat's bridge. I think it will finally make the bridge position of that guitar work for me. Anyway, thanks for all the help!

The Detrioters should sound great in that guitar.

The Hot Heads are exactly as described. Very bouncing and juicy and I have them in my Luxxtone for the moment but might move them to a different guitar and put the Garuda's in the Luxxtone.
 
Well, after a couple emails with Wade, I've decided on the Detroiters. Should do exactly what I want in this guitar. The Hot Heads sound like something for a future project. Now, the waiting begins. First, for my next pay to arrive, then for the pickups! Thanks again for the help, guys.
 
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