Username: Password:
« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?  (Read 3336 times)

mikeluke

  • Lightweight
  • ***
  • Posts: 982
    • http://www.thesockmonkeys.co.uk
Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« on: September 18, 2009, 09:43:23 PM »
A mate just dropped off a nice old (early 80s) Yamaha SG2000 for me to have a play with. He, being a long term bass player, has decided to get into guitars. This was his first proper buy. Anyway - I open the case and at first glance all seems OK. Then I look at the pups...

Why would you rip out the pups in one of these and stick in a Dimarzio Tone Zone in the bridge and Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck? Am I missing something here or would that not be a retro-step in terms of tone and value?
Logged
Mules, Riff-Raff

Twinfan

  • Light Heavyweight
  • ******
  • Posts: 10528
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2009, 10:11:50 PM »
If that's what he, or the previous owner, wanted and it produces the desired tone what's the problem?

It's only a guitar at the end of the day...
Logged

Philly Q

  • Light Heavyweight
  • ******
  • Posts: 18109
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #2 on: September 18, 2009, 11:11:21 PM »
Agree with Dave, but...

I wouldn't have chosen those particular pickups, that's for sure - I hate the Tone Zone and I'm none too keen on the Jazz either.  Weird choice - I wouldn't be surprised if the bridge pickup actually sounded darker than the neck.  :?

Personally, I love the look of the Yamaha pickups so I'd keep them unless the tone was seriously lacking.
Logged
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

dave_mc

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 9796
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #3 on: September 18, 2009, 11:51:13 PM »
no accounting for taste... plus as dave says, if they do the tone you want...

what annoys me, though, is when people selling stuff on expect you to pay a premium for their upgrades. If it's not what I'd have put in, why would i pay extra for it? and even if it is, i'll pretend it isn't... :lol:
Logged

Philly Q

  • Light Heavyweight
  • ******
  • Posts: 18109
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #4 on: September 18, 2009, 11:55:04 PM »
Quote from: dave_mc on September 18, 2009, 11:51:13 PM
what annoys me, though, is when people selling stuff on expect you to pay a premium for their upgrades. If it's not what I'd have put in, why would i pay extra for it? and even if it is, i'll pretend it isn't... :lol:

Yep, always sell stuff stock, if possible. 

One man's "upgrades" are completely meaningless to (almost) anyone else.
Logged
BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

WezV

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 5838
    • http://wezvenables.co.uk
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #5 on: September 19, 2009, 01:25:17 AM »
it seems to me like it was probably an upgrade for upgradings sake (somthing we are all guilty of ;) ).  i quite like the yam pickups - hope the originals where included
Logged

DavidRees

  • Bantamweight
  • **
  • Posts: 193
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #6 on: September 19, 2009, 10:05:37 AM »
sometimes - I replaced the somewhat hot humbuckers in my Yamaha SG500 with Manhattans and I'm a very happy boy!
Logged

mikeluke

  • Lightweight
  • ***
  • Posts: 982
    • http://www.thesockmonkeys.co.uk
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2009, 07:30:08 PM »
I think that it was a case of what Wez said - upgrade for upgrade's sake - and  the old ones were not included....
Logged
Mules, Riff-Raff

dave_mc

  • Middleweight
  • *****
  • Posts: 9796
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #8 on: September 19, 2009, 08:47:12 PM »
Quote from: Philly Q on September 18, 2009, 11:55:04 PM
Yep, always sell stuff stock, if possible. 

One man's "upgrades" are completely meaningless to (almost) anyone else.

yeah, definitely.
Logged

DavidRees

  • Bantamweight
  • **
  • Posts: 193
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2009, 09:27:02 PM »
unless they are Bare Knuckles of course
Logged

d1dsj

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 1010
Re: Vague Rant - is Change for the Better?
« Reply #10 on: September 19, 2009, 09:38:08 PM »
I agree with alot of the comments ref the Yam pick ups. I bought a Yam SG with a couple of Duncans in... sounded OK. Fortuanately it came with the original spinex pick ups which I dropped back in and massive difference. Very big sound, great tone, they split really well, very quiet and very musical. It's probably the best sounding and most versatile H.B guitar I've played. My only dislike of these guitars is the strap button position on the heel of the neck... the weight isn't that bad, certainly lighter than most L.P customs I've played. Certainly a case of if it's not broken-don't fix it.
« Last Edit: September 19, 2009, 09:48:45 PM by d1dsj »
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »