Author Topic: Nom resonant guitar - Are hotter pickups the way forward (Read 2210 times)

Elliot · « **on:** February 28, 2008, 11:12:35 PM »

I'm talking cheapo korean basswood type stuff - no tonal character, no resonance when played acoustic - should a chap go for hot hot hot so that the pickups are driving the amp independent of the shortcomings of the guitar?

Or should said chap get underwound apaches?

WezV · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2008, 11:14:02 PM »

the chap should scr@p the guitar if its truly non-resonant.

Elliot · « **Reply #2 on:** February 29, 2008, 08:35:26 AM »

Yeah but no but yeah but - what if the guitar is not to be scr@pped

Scotty477 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 29, 2008, 08:36:19 AM »

What guitar is it Elliot?

Twinfan · « **Reply #4 on:** February 29, 2008, 08:47:48 AM »

It depends what you mean by non-resonant?

I have a Strat that's bright and kinda zingy but it lacks depth of tone. I've tried low output pickups and they didn't improve things, so I'm going hotter and I'll be trying some Irish Tours.

I also have a Gordon Smith SG that's resonant, but lacks top end. A Mississippi Queen was too hot for it and it just muddied up. It's now been swapped for a TV Jones Classic Filter'tron with a low output, which suits the guitar much better.

jibidy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 29, 2008, 09:57:52 AM »

I got some EMG HZ's in my schecter damien but i think the wood is "cheapo korean basswood" and it just sounds like tinny and zingy. I guess im interested in the same answer as elliot.

Philly Q · « **Reply #6 on:** February 29, 2008, 10:24:49 AM »

Quote from: Elliot

Yeah but no but yeah but - what if the guitar is not to be scr@pped

I'd say it's worth trying something hot, so you hear the pickups, not the wood. Low output pickups are just going to emphasise the inherent weaknesses, I think.

Maybe not BKPs though - is it worth using the very best polish on that turd? What about, say, GFS? They're supposed to be decent quality at a low price.

DeanS · « **Reply #7 on:** February 29, 2008, 11:05:55 AM »

Quote from: Philly Q

Quote from: Elliot
Yeah but no but yeah but - what if the guitar is not to be scr@pped

I'd say it's worth trying something hot, so you hear the pickups, not the wood. Low output pickups are just going to emphasise the inherent weaknesses, I think.

Maybe not BKPs though - is it worth using the very best polish on that turd? What about, say, GFS? They're supposed to be decent quality at a low price.

:idea: :lol:

MDV · « **Reply #8 on:** February 29, 2008, 03:24:23 PM »

I think this is a double-edged-sword for BKs, actually.

They can make an OK guitar (acoustically speaking) sound superb, a great guitar incredible, BUT if you have a plank, they will let you hear its plankiness clear as day.

I learned this by swapping the same miracle man between 3 guitars: a custom dean (that now has my uber-miracle man in), an Epi LP (was pretty cool, but nowt on the dean) and a ply-wood bodied cr@p-maple necked no-name, which it sounded dreadfull in.

That guitar now has a kent armstrong Distortion. Sounds OK, I suppose.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #9 on:** February 29, 2008, 03:55:50 PM »

Generally speaking, Nailbombs are the go-to pickup for basswood guitars. They just excel in that body wood for some reason.

If the guitar is truly cr@p, I hate to say this, but you would probably be best served putting EMGs in it.

indysmith · « **Reply #10 on:** February 29, 2008, 06:08:39 PM »

Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

If the guitar is truly cr@p, I hate to say this, but you would probably be best served putting EMGs in it.

My thoughts exactly. All guitars with EMGs sound practically the exact same