So, what's the deal with all the different pickups?

[garey77]

I mean, really? How different can they all be as far as internal components. I understand that if you shut your eyes and listen, some will sound different (especially Alnico as opposed to ceramic magnet pups), but how do they really differ from one to another? For example Duncan vs. Dimarzio, or for shits and giggles Dimarzio vs. BKP. Can somebody give me an answer that's not just 'hey, let your ears tell you?!'

 

[Qweklain]

As you have already mentioned, the type of magnets can affect the tone and magnetic properties. Another element that has an affect is the wire used. Both the number of winds, and I am sure type and gauge make a difference too.

 

[Rash]

It depends what you are looking for.

IMHO most pus (especially) in this forum are too hot and loosing their characteristic tone.

I do not see any advantage using high output pus, loosing dynamics, highs, depth.

There are neutral boosters (Suhr Kokoboost, Lehle) and master volume available!!!! It is not 1970 with no master volume.

My favourites:
Tele: Van Zandt Plus A5 (very dynamic, a lot of depth, open!!!,) tried: Amber, Kloppmann 50ties, Suhr, Seymour duncan, Lollar, Fender nocaster A3, (2. best, more compressed and less open than Van Zandt A5)
Strat: Kloppmann 60ties A5 (very cool meaty midrange, but enough highs and very open)
tried Lollar, Duncan Antiquity Surfer (2.best), Häussel AVR, Suhr LP (hated them, no midrange, flat sounding)
HB: Prefer low output HB, very cool thing is the doublebucker from Dommenget, patented HBSC HB normal SC in a package, extremely open sounding.
Cool things (forgotten design with character lipsticks (in cheapo guitars) and Charlie Christian PU from Lollar (for jazz extremely lively and fat and open sounding)

If you need definition for high gain try ceramic magnets, I prefer alnico (not using high gain), A5 gives you definition and dynamics, A3 a bit compression and sweetness.
Kai

 

[Helldunkel]

fixed

So, what's the deal with all the different cars? I mean, really? How different can they all be as far as internal components. I understand that if you shut your eyes and listen, some will sound different (especially fuel as opposed to gas engines), but how do they really differ from one to another? For example Fiat vs. Peugeot, or for shits and giggles BMW vs. Mercedes. Can somebody give me an answer that's not just 'hey, let your ears tell you?!'

 

[thiswaythatway]

Marketing.

 

[Ventura]

Different strokes for folks... I think it's all part of the boutique craze. Not sure if "after market" pups were as prevalent back in the 70's and 80's as they are today. Just an observation, nothing else.

FWIW, I love my BKPs...

 

[mchn13]

I thgink there's a huge difference in the sound of pups. Maybe not between manufacturers, but magnets, output, etc....I've found pickups from duncan and dimarzio that I like, or at least get along with. I've tried to like stock pups over the yaers, but always seem to come back to duncans.
I do actually like the gibson 490 though; pretty much the only stock pickup that was ok out of the box..of course I've never been fortunate to play an actual paf, so....

 

[marvcus]

To me, the pickup market, like most of the MI guitar market, is oversaturated.

There is absolutely NO good feasible way to compare all the hundreds of pickups to decide which is the optimal choice for you. It's
a crapshoot.

The James Lugo pickup shootout was the most ingenious thing I had seen at the time with regard to pickups. While
I value the shootout, time involved, and opinions (wow, that sounds like a TAG line...), as great as I think it was, it still doesn't
help me definitively make a decision. It is a good guide, though.

Here's some inspiration: there should be a pickup flowchart or something, starting with a standard PAF and a Fender American Single Coil, etc. as baseline. Then, have subcategories:

Want hotter? looser? more bite? less mids?

Choose what you want more or less of and be directed to a group of pickups that fit that category, explaining the "real world" differences between the baseline pickup and the selection you are looking at. I say real world because I have no idea what all the 14.1khz, etc. whatever means and I'm too lazy/apathetic to school myself on the subject -- and I bet I'm not the only one.

 

[Anonymous]

wow. im LOVING the idea of a pickup flowchart....but wayyyyy tooo dumb to get one going.

any of you brain types care to try?

 

[Ventura]

wow. im LOVING the idea of a pickup flowchart....but wayyyyy tooo dumb to get one going.

any of you brain types care to try?

Organizing the different makers and manufacturers to take part in this would result in a massive loathsome clusterfuck. I can see it now...

 

[Qweklain]

wow. im LOVING the idea of a pickup flowchart....but wayyyyy tooo dumb to get one going.

any of you brain types care to try?

Organizing the different makers and manufacturers to take part in this would result in a massive loathsome clusterfuck. I can see it now...

Exactly, I could probably do something like this, however to get cooperation with all the companies, and then taking the time and money to amass all those pups, and then on top of all that testing them ALL through the exact same guitar, rig, and setting would take many, many, many, MANY hours...