Motor City Afwayu's

[ejecta]

I have a set in my McCarty. Like donbarzini said, it lacks a good bit of bite and is kinda compessed. But tonewise, its all there. Huge lowend. high output so its not the greatest for crystal cleans. Awesome pup for crunchy rock leads. I like the neck pup the best. Very hot and glassy. big lowend but not muddy. All in all when i put the Afwayu set in my PRS, the tone tripled in size.

I will say, the nickel plating on my set is terrible. looked like shit after the 2nd gig.

I ended up sending the Afwayu back, wasn't my thing at all. The thing about all these pickups, I tried several MCP's, none of them made my jaw drop after the swap like some of these reviews. They are definitely good but they don't leave others in the dust by any means.

I support Donbarzini's statement..... The only pup maker I like is WCR and wolfetone.

I support this as well. I was greatly underwhelmed by the Afwayu. In fact, I thought it sounded bad in both an alder superstrat and a LP. However, I LOVE the WCR Godwood

Different strokes...the WCR's that I have had (Shredder, Iron Man especially) and played (Godwoods) have been totally underwhelming.

You may want to revisit the Godwoods.... I don't know how those would "underwhelm".

Are those on the hot side? I tend to like a hotter pick up than classic output but not over the top hot. BTW if they sound anything like the Wolftone Marshallheads I've had those and didn't like them.

In a les paul, the best pickup I have ever played is the WCR Godwood. In a custom, the Marshallhead A5 mag is killer, but in a regular standard or RI you need an A2 magnet for the marshallhead.

As for neck pickups, the WCR crossroads or Darkburst are killer. Different and killer. I don't dig the Marshallhead neck that much but its cool. You may want to call wolfe and see if he recommends another neck pup...

Thanks for the info!

Wolfe is a cool guy. Me and a friend of mine tried his pickups and we both had great experience with his service. I just couldn't jive with the Marshall head in the bridge of the Tyler I had at the time. It could have very well been it didn't sound good in that guitar and I didn't drop it in another to see. IMHO I think you can put a pup in one guitar and have it sound not so great and put in another and have it sound good. I'm a firm believer tone is the sum of the parts starting with the hands all the way through the rig and then to how your ears are on any given day. There are so many variables there.

 

[jmgman69]

I have a set in my McCarty. Like donbarzini said, it lacks a good bit of bite and is kinda compessed. But tonewise, its all there. Huge lowend. high output so its not the greatest for crystal cleans. Awesome pup for crunchy rock leads. I like the neck pup the best. Very hot and glassy. big lowend but not muddy. All in all when i put the Afwayu set in my PRS, the tone tripled in size.

I will say, the nickel plating on my set is terrible. looked like shit after the 2nd gig.

I ended up sending the Afwayu back, wasn't my thing at all. The thing about all these pickups, I tried several MCP's, none of them made my jaw drop after the swap like some of these reviews. They are definitely good but they don't leave others in the dust by any means.

I support Donbarzini's statement..... The only pup maker I like is WCR and wolfetone.

I support this as well. I was greatly underwhelmed by the Afwayu. In fact, I thought it sounded bad in both an alder superstrat and a LP. However, I LOVE the WCR Godwood

Different strokes...the WCR's that I have had (Shredder, Iron Man especially) and played (Godwoods) have been totally underwhelming.

You may want to revisit the Godwoods.... I don't know how those would "underwhelm".

Are those on the hot side? I tend to like a hotter pick up than classic output but not over the top hot. BTW if they sound anything like the Wolftone Marshallheads I've had those and didn't like them.

In a les paul, the best pickup I have ever played is the WCR Godwood. In a custom, the Marshallhead A5 mag is killer, but in a regular standard or RI you need an A2 magnet for the marshallhead.

As for neck pickups, the WCR crossroads or Darkburst are killer. Different and killer. I don't dig the Marshallhead neck that much but its cool. You may want to call wolfe and see if he recommends another neck pup...

Thanks for the info!

Wolfe is a cool guy. Me and a friend of mine tried his pickups and we both had great experience with his service. I just couldn't jive with the Marshall head in the bridge of the Tyler I had at the time. It could have very well been it didn't sound good in that guitar and I didn't drop it in another to see. IMHO I think you can put a pup in one guitar and have it sound not so great and put in another and have it sound good. I'm a firm believer tone is the sum of the parts starting with the hands all the way through the rig and then to how your ears are on any given day. There are so many variables there.

Agreed 100% as I've had some great pickups sound not so good in the wrong guitar.

 

[MotorCityPickUps]

I have a set in my McCarty. Like donbarzini said, it lacks a good bit of bite and is kinda compessed. But tonewise, its all there. Huge lowend. high output so its not the greatest for crystal cleans. Awesome pup for crunchy rock leads. I like the neck pup the best. Very hot and glassy. big lowend but not muddy. All in all when i put the Afwayu set in my PRS, the tone tripled in size.

I will say, the nickel plating on my set is terrible. looked like shit after the 2nd gig.

I ended up sending the Afwayu back, wasn't my thing at all. The thing about all these pickups, I tried several MCP's, none of them made my jaw drop after the swap like some of these reviews. They are definitely good but they don't leave others in the dust by any means.

Several Joe?? I think not. 2 in history...Get your facts right man- And by all means let people know your experience. I knew the Afwayu was not for you from the GEt, and told you so, especially after you tell me you like PAf based pickups- But you insisted and I'm sure there was no problem with your Transactions with me as well

 

[projectx102]

Hey Wade,whats the wait on a zebra bridge 2nd degree BB? I checked the clips on the shootout and that thing is amazing.

 

[Anonymous]

Completely see both sides, been there. One person says this and 20 say something else so the 20 get the benefit of the doubt. Fuckn internut. Now every one wants a peavey because of an Ozzy clip The machine will never stop it is to late.

 

[MotorCityPickUps]

I have a set in my McCarty. Like donbarzini said, it lacks a good bit of bite and is kinda compessed. But tonewise, its all there. Huge lowend. high output so its not the greatest for crystal cleans. Awesome pup for crunchy rock leads. I like the neck pup the best. Very hot and glassy. big lowend but not muddy. All in all when i put the Afwayu set in my PRS, the tone tripled in size.

I will say, the nickel plating on my set is terrible. looked like shit after the 2nd gig.

I ended up sending the Afwayu back, wasn't my thing at all. The thing about all these pickups, I tried several MCP's, none of them made my jaw drop after the swap like some of these reviews. They are definitely good but they don't leave others in the dust by any means.

Several Joe?? I think not. 2 in history...Get your facts right man- And by all means let people know your experience. I knew the Afwayu was not for you from the GEt, and told you so, especially after you tell me you like PAf based pickups- But you insisted and I'm sure there was no problem with your Transactions with me as well

Wade, if I were you, I would quit with coming off with that tone to a paying customer, I bought 4 pickups from you and returned ONE because you didn't have the time to rewind for me, remember? It was going to be a week and turned into three and then you told me you had paying customers for new product in front of me, whatever. I even came back and bought again, TWICE. So is it that harsh to say that the Afwayu wasn't my thing? I am honest with all my reviews, are you saying I'm wrong when comparing the two (Afwayu VS. Blackbelt 2)? I have two of your pickups in my guitars now, an A2 Blisster and a Blackbelt 2. Yes, they are still in there but having played many different pickups that were just as good, it is my opinion that they don't leave others in the dust. Did I ever say they were shitty? I'm still using them and have no desire to take them out. Several is usually meaning three, I've had the Afwayu, Blisster A2, Blackbelt and Blackbelt 2, I think I do have some experience with your product. I tell people like it is, I didn't have a bad experience with you and I don't think I came across that way. I'll stop there because I'm really pissed now.

Sure Joe, you are right- You have every right to express yourself and your opinion and I look forward to here them wheather positive or negative. This is how we grow and learn. I would never get "pissed"
To date, there have been 3 refunds in almost 12yrs +. Thing is, I really strive for that "WOW" factor in my products and make every effort to get that to my audience. Speaking of, that is why I'm responding to this thread. I believe you started with the Afwayu, and I rewound it into a Torque and then you wanted to send that back for a Blackbelt and I said sure,but at that time I was swamped with other orders so I refunded your perchase immediately at that point wanting to make sure our dealings were good and you could ALWAYS say "Yeah, it was'nt for me but the guy takes care of business"- We've talked on the phone too, and anyone who's ever talked to me knows how strait up and to the point I am- I never sugar coat anything. You know that. I make every effort possible to get you your tone, as well as everyone else....Always

 

[jmgman69]

I have a set in my McCarty. Like donbarzini said, it lacks a good bit of bite and is kinda compessed. But tonewise, its all there. Huge lowend. high output so its not the greatest for crystal cleans. Awesome pup for crunchy rock leads. I like the neck pup the best. Very hot and glassy. big lowend but not muddy. All in all when i put the Afwayu set in my PRS, the tone tripled in size.

I will say, the nickel plating on my set is terrible. looked like shit after the 2nd gig.

I ended up sending the Afwayu back, wasn't my thing at all. The thing about all these pickups, I tried several MCP's, none of them made my jaw drop after the swap like some of these reviews. They are definitely good but they don't leave others in the dust by any means.

Several Joe?? I think not. 2 in history...Get your facts right man- And by all means let people know your experience. I knew the Afwayu was not for you from the GEt, and told you so, especially after you tell me you like PAf based pickups- But you insisted and I'm sure there was no problem with your Transactions with me as well

Wade, if I were you, I would quit with coming off with that tone to a paying customer, I bought 4 pickups from you and returned ONE because you didn't have the time to rewind for me, remember? It was going to be a week and turned into three and then you told me you had paying customers for new product in front of me, whatever. I even came back and bought again, TWICE. So is it that harsh to say that the Afwayu wasn't my thing? I am honest with all my reviews, are you saying I'm wrong when comparing the two (Afwayu VS. Blackbelt 2)? I have two of your pickups in my guitars now, an A2 Blisster and a Blackbelt 2. Yes, they are still in there but having played many different pickups that were just as good, it is my opinion that they don't leave others in the dust. Did I ever say they were shitty? I'm still using them and have no desire to take them out. Several is usually meaning three, I've had the Afwayu, Blisster A2, Blackbelt and Blackbelt 2, I think I do have some experience with your product. I tell people like it is, I didn't have a bad experience with you and I don't think I came across that way. I'll stop there because I'm really pissed now.

Sure Joe, you are right- You have every right to express yourself and your opinion and I look forward to here them wheather positive or negative. This is how we grow and learn. I would never get "pissed"
To date, there have been 3 refunds in almost 12yrs +. Thing is, I really strive for that "WOW" factor in my products and make every effort to get that to my audience. Speaking of, that is why I'm responding to this thread. I believe you started with the Afwayu, and I rewound it into a Torque and then you wanted to send that back for a Blackbelt and I said sure,but at that time I was swamped with other orders so I refunded your perchase immediately at that point wanting to make sure our dealings were good and you could ALWAYS say "Yeah, it was'nt for me but the guy takes care of business"- We've talked on the phone too, and anyone who's ever talked to me knows how strait up and to the point I am- I never sugar coat anything. You know that. I make every effort possible to get you your tone, as well as everyone else....Always

Wade,your a good man,and some of the stuff you did for me DID the WOW thing,but I certainly had to put it into it's proper perspective!!Keep the goods comin!

 

[FixXxer]

12 years in bidness? I thought you started 2 years ago, around 2007?

 

[MotorCityPickUps]

12 years in bidness? I thought you started 2 years ago, around 2007?

Motorcitypickups.com is about 2 yrs old- Somewhere around there. I've been making pickups for longer than that but actually the first one sold was 12yrs ago. lol...2 packs of strings, a big stack of used guitar player magazines and $20. Hell, I used to buy sooo many pickups too. Back then it was hard to get supplys and coil wire...even magnets in small quantitys

 

[MotorCityPickUps]

Hey Wade,whats the wait on a zebra bridge 2nd degree BB? I checked the clips on the shootout and that thing is amazing.

WHoa...Sorry man. Did'nt see this with all the excitement and fun : ) About a Week right now as I'm finishing a few dealer orders but usually within a week

 

[projectx102]

Hey Wade,whats the wait on a zebra bridge 2nd degree BB? I checked the clips on the shootout and that thing is amazing.

WHoa...Sorry man. Did'nt see this with all the excitement and fun : ) About a Week right now as I'm finishing a few dealer orders but usually within a week

Cool! I'll give you a holler this afternoon after work to place my order.

 

[MichaelG]

I had these put in a Dean Soltero and I had the chance for the first time tonight to play them at gig volume. These took this pretty good sounding import to a guitar that would rival a lot of guitars for twice the price. I typically don't get that impressed anymore with gear but these pick ups are freaking great in this guitar. I mean, I am really floored and this is coming from someone who has tried a few booteek pick up builders. I will be trying more of the the MCP offerings fo sho.

An Afwayu completely transformed the sound of an early 90's alder bodied ESP of mine, replacing a Duncan screamin' demon. This guitar has gone from not really being played in years to something that I pick up very regularly. I love the tone out of it now... no ice-picks, lots of harmonics and clarity.

For me this was a real WOW moment.

 

[ejecta]

I am REALLY interested in the 2nd degree blackbelts…but I fear they may be too weak and bright for me since I currently use an Aldrich set from Suhr. My only complaint is that the Suhrs seem too compressed for me. I have a Voodoo 59 in my strat that sounds super huge, but it weak at 8.0k and slightly bright (as most PAF's are ).

So how do the Afwayu and Suhr Aldrich differ? Do they both compress the same?

I really wish I had experience with the Aldrich to be able to give my opionion. I dont agree with some people saying the Afwayu is way compressed but YMMV. That said... you get some compression not matter the pickup. Like I said I think it greatly depends on what you are putting it in and what you call compression.

 

[fearhk213]

I am REALLY interested in the 2nd degree blackbelts…but I fear they may be too weak and bright for me since I currently use an Aldrich set from Suhr. My only complaint is that the Suhrs seem too compressed for me. I have a Voodoo 59 in my strat that sounds super huge, but it weak at 8.0k and slightly bright (as most PAF's are ).

So how do the Afwayu and Suhr Aldrich differ? Do they both compress the same?

I have the same opinion about the Aldrich set in my Suhr. I've never played the Afwayu set, but James Lugo said during the pickup shootout he found the Afwayu had "...more sparkle, snap and aliveness" than the Aldrich. Check out this page and it'll give you more details.
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=46128&p=549423&hilit=aldrich+afwayu#p549423

 

[blackba]

In James Lugo's clips I much preferred the Afwayu to the Aldrich. I have a couple of Aldrich in 2 of my LPs and a Afwayu in my LP studio, they are 3 pretty different sounding LPs so keep that in mind, but the Aldrich does sound more compressed than the Afwayu, but the Aldrich is nice and clear sounding, it splits well too. The Afwayu sounds like it has more mids and is a little sweeter.

Both are nice pickups. I didn't really fell the James Lugo clips of the Aldrich did it justice (no his fault, I think something was up with that pickup as it didn't sound like the 2 Aldrich bridge pickups I own. Where as the rest of the pickups I have owned I could tell from his clips.

 

[jaybird]

Bump.

My 2nd degree blackbelts are on their way back to be replaced with Afwayu's - talked to Wade today and he was great about it. I liked the BB's but realized that I like a little more heat even playing into my Cameron's. This was the 1st time since owning the Cameron I felt like I wanted to pull out my boosts. Just my taste I guess I am used to higher outpup pups. The cleans were AMAZING out of the BB's, and lows are tight, and it sounds very clear. Mids were a bit light on the BB for my taste as well. They were slightly bright too but that is expected for a PAF type of pup.

So onto the Afwayu's for me

 

[projectx102]

Bump.

My 2nd degree blackbelts are on their way back to be replaced with Afwayu's - talked to Wade today and he was great about it. I liked the BB's but realized that I like a little more heat even playing into my Cameron's. This was the 1st time since owning the Cameron I felt like I wanted to pull out my boosts. Just my taste I guess I am used to higher outpup pups. The cleans were AMAZING out of the BB's, and lows are tight, and it sounds very clear. Mids were a bit light on the BB for my taste as well. They were slightly bright too but that is expected for a PAF type of pup.

So onto the Afwayu's for me

This was exactly what I needed to hear.I'm ordering an Afwayu as well.

 

[jaybird]

Bump.

My 2nd degree blackbelts are on their way back to be replaced with Afwayu's - talked to Wade today and he was great about it. I liked the BB's but realized that I like a little more heat even playing into my Cameron's. This was the 1st time since owning the Cameron I felt like I wanted to pull out my boosts. Just my taste I guess I am used to higher outpup pups. The cleans were AMAZING out of the BB's, and lows are tight, and it sounds very clear. Mids were a bit light on the BB for my taste as well. They were slightly bright too but that is expected for a PAF type of pup.

So onto the Afwayu's for me

So did you get the afwayu's yet?

Checked the mailbox tonight, no banana I am also waiting for a set of tone bro's, I mean bra's

 

[AmpliFIRE]

The 2nd degree blackbelt is just perfect to my ears...I could never see the need for anything hotter than this pickup.

IMO of course

 

[MotorCityPickUps]

Bump.

My 2nd degree blackbelts are on their way back to be replaced with Afwayu's - talked to Wade today and he was great about it. I liked the BB's but realized that I like a little more heat even playing into my Cameron's. This was the 1st time since owning the Cameron I felt like I wanted to pull out my boosts. Just my taste I guess I am used to higher outpup pups. The cleans were AMAZING out of the BB's, and lows are tight, and it sounds very clear. Mids were a bit light on the BB for my taste as well. They were slightly bright too but that is expected for a PAF type of pup.

So onto the Afwayu's for me

So did you get the afwayu's yet?

Checked the mailbox tonight, no banana I am also waiting for a set of tone bro's, I mean bra's

They should be popping right up!!They left a few days ago..
You guys are the Bomb!! Thanks for all the great props....