Pickup Suggestions (Recommendations Welcome)

[gibson5413]

I absolutely love my Tom Anderson Bulldog and really like the H3/H1 pickup configuration. I am looking to purchase some new pickups for the guitar simply for aesthetic reasons (chrome covered traditional look). Unfortunately Tom doesn't have the H3 covered. I know he makes the covered look but don't love the look of them (too shiny).

The Bulldog is mahogany body and neck with maple top. I am looking for a set of pickups for rock. I am not so much of a metal player anymore but looking for some pickups that sound great for straight up rock with good sustain but clean and clear. Any recommendations? I love Tom's pickups but just want the ability to switch out based on how I want the guitar to look. Thanks!

 

[Steinmetzify]

BKP Holydivers in my GT. Best pickups I've ever played. More than welcome to come and take this guitar home and play through your setup for a day or two.

 

[gibson5413]

BKP Holydivers in my GT. Best pickups I've ever played. More than welcome to come and take this guitar home and play through your setup for a day or two.

I may take you up on a test drive. Are they super hot? I am looking something between and high and low output.

Any other suggestions?

 

[MichaelG]

I absolutely love my Tom Anderson Bulldog and really like the H3/H1 pickup configuration. I am looking to purchase some new pickups for the guitar simply for aesthetic reasons (chrome covered traditional look). Unfortunately Tom doesn't have the H3 covered. I know he makes the covered look but don't love the look of them (too shiny).

The Bulldog is mahogany body and neck with maple top. I am looking for a set of pickups for rock. I am not so much of a metal player anymore but looking for some pickups that sound great for straight up rock with good sustain but clean and clear. Any recommendations? I love Tom's pickups but just want the ability to switch out based on how I want the guitar to look. Thanks!

MCP Blackbelts, MCP Blackbelt 2nd Deg. or the MCP Detroiters. Clarity/sustain galore!

BKP Rebel Yell, BKP Holy Diver, BKP Mule would also be great choices. I've tried all of these pickups and prefer the MCP but that is just me. Can't go wrong with any of them methinks.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

Dimarzio Norton (not Air Norton). Super underrated pickup. Not too hot and not too tame.

 

[Steinmetzify]

BKP Holydivers in my GT. Best pickups I've ever played. More than welcome to come and take this guitar home and play through your setup for a day or two.

I may take you up on a test drive. Are they super hot? I am looking something between and high and low output.

Any other suggestions?

Not super...bridge is like 14k and the neck is about 7. Let me know.

 

[gibson5413]

Thanks for the recommendations so far. The MCPs have intrigued me. Tell me about the differences in the Blackbetls and the Detroiter.

I don't think I have ever heard the Norton before. What is it like? I have always loved your Morris clips!

 

[Anonymous]

Dimarzio Norton (not Air Norton). Super underrated pickup. Not too hot and not too tame.

I second that, have one in a mahogany/maple top guitar and it's awesome, great medium output pickup
I'm kind of a Dimarzio fanboy, if you plays lots of leads or a bit darker rhythm stuff you will like them too
Try the Dimarzio pickup picker tool on their website, it's fun

 

[chunktone]

I absolutely love my Tom Anderson Bulldog and really like the H3/H1 pickup configuration. I am looking to purchase some new pickups for the guitar simply for aesthetic reasons (chrome covered traditional look). Unfortunately Tom doesn't have the H3 covered. I know he makes the covered look but don't love the look of them (too shiny).

The Bulldog is mahogany body and neck with maple top. I am looking for a set of pickups for rock. I am not so much of a metal player anymore but looking for some pickups that sound great for straight up rock with good sustain but clean and clear. Any recommendations? I love Tom's pickups but just want the ability to switch out based on how I want the guitar to look. Thanks!

MCP Blackbelts, MCP Blackbelt 2nd Deg. or the MCP Detroiters. Clarity/sustain galore!

BKP Rebel Yell, BKP Holy Diver, BKP Mule would also be great choices. I've tried all of these pickups and prefer the MCP but that is just me. Can't go wrong with any of them methinks.

I have not tried the Blackbelts but have a set of Detroiters, and highly recommend them!

 

[MrDan666]

Try the Suhr Aldrich set Chad, they are hot as the H3 but they respond and react like an overwound PAF type pickup. So they are very responsive and touch sensitive. Also they split equally as well as the TA pickups (and that's saying something.. as you already know, TA humbuckers do split coil tones so much better than anything else).

 

[MichaelG]

Thanks for the recommendations so far. The MCPs have intrigued me. Tell me about the differences in the Blackbetls and the Detroiter.

I don't think I have ever heard the Norton before. What is it like? I have always loved your Morris clips!

Compared to the blackbelt, the detroiter is slightly hotter at 12K and there are more mids going on in it as well. It does not quite have the clarity or the PAF-based nature of the blackbelt, and instead has this really cool mids-based grind kind of thing which makes it sound pretty aggressive. Both pickups work really well in a LP-style of guitar... With the blackbelt you will hear *every* nuance of your playing, and for a 8.6K pickup it actually drives the amp surprisingly hard.

Its not hard for all of the choices to start to make your head spin... I like the air norton as well, but for me as more of a neck pickup.. it has nowhere the clarity of the MCP or BKP though.

 

[gibson5413]

Thanks guys! The Suhr and MCPs sound up my alley (although the Norton is in there too). I am definitely looking for something pretty balanced. The only question I have is would a mid heavy pickup fit mahogany well? Meaning, does mahogany lack anywhere in regards to the EQ spectrum that a mid heavy pickup balances out? For example, basswood is a pretty balanced wood so a middle of the row pickup works well. The Aldrich and Detroiter sound cool but don't want too much heat going on. I know the Anderson H3 is a hot pickup but I really like it.

BTW, do all of these pickups discussed above come with chrome covers? That is a deal breaker for me if they don't. I know a simple search on my part would answer my questions but I am at work and unable to do that right now.

Thanks so much guys!!

 

[Jer]

I'm pretty sure most MCPs are available w/covers for like $20 more. I just ordered an MCP Hothead after I heard Mark Day's...whoa mama..

 

[thiswaythatway]

The Rebel Yell pickups sound really really good. The Norton is another good one from DiMarzio.

 

[metalmaniac93]

Detroiter!!!! The Rebel Yell is another great choice!!

 

[MichaelG]

I'm pretty sure most MCPs are available w/covers for like $20 more. I just ordered an MCP Hothead after I heard Mark Day's...whoa mama..

Yup, Wade will put a cover on any of his pickups (not sure, but probably even the 12-pole tweakhead) and will wind the pickup to compensate for the cover as well. Chrome/aged chrome/anodized black/ and other customized finishes on the covers are available too. I've got a set of solutions with the black anodization in a black esp horizon... wicked!!! I also ordered my blackbelt 2nd Deg with an aged nickel cover... turned out really nice. Wade... he is the mad scientist when it comes to his pickups

 

[Steinmetzify]

I know the HDs come in chrome, Chad.

 

[ericsabbath]

the aldrich is way hotter than a holy diver, probably hotter than the H3 as well

14k seems a bit low for a diver, Steinmetzify
the ones I had were 16k

 

[Steinmetzify]

Eric you're right. My bad. 16k bridge, 7.7k neck.

 

[chunktone]

Thanks guys! The Suhr and MCPs sound up my alley (although the Norton is in there too). I am definitely looking for something pretty balanced. The only question I have is would a mid heavy pickup fit mahogany well? Meaning, does mahogany lack anywhere in regards to the EQ spectrum that a mid heavy pickup balances out? For example, basswood is a pretty balanced wood so a middle of the row pickup works well. The Aldrich and Detroiter sound cool but don't want too much heat going on. I know the Anderson H3 is a hot pickup but I really like it.

BTW, do all of these pickups discussed above come with chrome covers? That is a deal breaker for me if they don't. I know a simple search on my part would answer my questions but I am at work and unable to do that right now.

Thanks so much guys!!

I know MCP's do. I've got a chrome covered Detroiter set in my LP and they aren't going anywhere!