Off Topic How many of you replace stock pickups?

[Dr. Lemonator]

Hello again!

How many of you rip the stock pickups out and replace them? What do you replace them with? I'm just curious because I do it to all my guitars and I want to know if I am crazy for doing it.

 

[Jimmyb]

I've never done it, or been driven by the desire to it.

I figure, if I like the sound of the guitar, there's no real point in changing anything.

That's just me though.

 

[David Corrales]

I've changed my pickups on lower end guitars and it does help. For high stuff part of getting the guitar are the pickups themselves! For instance, I wouldn't go fiddling around with my JPM's pickups but for a $500-$700 a new set can help.

There's the case where you want an specific sound, then sure go ahead. For instance, active pickups to replace a pickup set.

Finally, try different amps cause the issue might be a crap/one trick pony amp.

 

[browndog]

I think every MM out of the box come with the best pups for that specific guitar. Thats just my opinion.

I’ve never touched any of my Axis guitars, but I don’t play gigs.

 

[Dr. Lemonator]

I can't help it, mainly because I don't own any super high end guitars. I am a huge tone dork and mod-er and all I do is throw the pickups I like in all my guitars to make them suit my needs. I when I get my Ball though I don't plan on touching the thing! I am mainly just wondering what you all like to to do to your guitars, if anything.

 

[petruccirocks02]

I've always had to change pickups out on lower end guitars (like the lower end Ibanez stuff I used to own), but for higher end stuff like my EB's, ESP's, Jackson USA's, etc. they already came with awesome DiMarzios, Duncan's, EMG's so there was never a need to change them out.

-Phil

 

[look_at_her]

Swapped EMG 85 for 89 in my Luke to use coil split option-more than perfect .
Few days ago I found that new EMG X series 89 R is offered with different coil option....OK,one last mod and I`m done.

 

[Heeboja]

I do it too. But I only owe low end stuff like ESP LTD and OLP so the stock pickups and electronics and the hardware pretty much suck. I swap the pickups for DiMarzios. And usually replace some, if not all, of the hardware. Fortunately, I don't have to swap anything out of the JP I'm getting in the future.

If it works for you and you get the sound you want out of the thing then why try to fiddle with it?

 

[TNT]

That's that best part about guitars - pickups are soooo easy to install - in n' out during lunch break!!!

Purely out of preference (because EBMM pickups are fantastic), I replace "all" my Axis and Wolfgang guitars (only guitars I play) with DiMarzio Norton in the bridge.

 

[aleclee]

The neck pickups on most of my PRSi will get swapped out eventually. Heck, I've swapped out the pickups on a custom guitar where I had spec'ed everything! The pickups in my Axis aren't going anywhere, though.

 

[Blue Lizard]

Out of all the guitars in my sig. below, the only ones I haven't replaced the stock pickups in are my Ibanez JS2000, Bass Collection (but that's a bass ) and my trio of Axii.

I wouldn't dream of replacing the Axis pickups

 

[banjoplayer]

done on all of my guitares EXCEPT the EBMMs because they are voiced perfectly. No need to do...

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I have yet to replace pickups but am in the process of ordering some to make a change on the Sublhouette. I'm going from the stock HH to HSS courtesy of a nice silo spec pick guard that I picked up from F'ing. I like the Sub pickups....just wanted to try something like this, which will be far cheaper than buying a silo spec.

 

[Roubster]

I agree that the stock pickups in all EBMMs are great and suit the specific guitars great. However I have my preference and know what kind of tone I am going for, so I have changed pickups in my Silo Special and also my 20th Silo. I love a nice FAT yet clear tone for good rhythm and singing leads in the bridge, so the Air Zone is absolutely phenomenal for that. I like a single coil sound but again a bit fatter sounding, so the Fast Track 1 and Cruiser did the trick. This combination will stay in this guitar since it is absolutely perfect to my ears.
Its just a matter of preference and the tone you are after, so I dont find anything wrong with changing pickups...even in high end guitars. Take for instance my friend...he ordered a $5000 F****r custom shop with Duncan pickups he already knew and loved. Once he got it we jammed with my old Silo with DiMarzio BREEDs and he changed his out within 2 weeks of receiving his guitar hehehe. He was also blown away by the quality and tone of the Silhouette in the first place .

P.S. Everyone should try an Air Zone in their Balls (bridge position). Especially in the Silo Special.

 

[peterd79]

i've modded every guitar i've ever owned... i'm kicking around the idea of replacing my bridge humbucker in my Silo... but honestly it's probably not going to happen since i love that guitar as it is...

 

[KungFu Grip]

The AL is the only MM that I have experimented with pickup changes with. The original pickups went back in after a few weeks.

 

[RacerS]

I swapped the mm90's for a pair of Lollar p90's in my Axis. I really liked the mm90's, they were great but I am happy I did it. The Lollars are awesome pickups. The highs have a bit less bite to them and they really sound full on crunchy and distorted stuff.

Steve

 

[bbake1]

Previous G, F, H, & J guitars yes, but not on the EBMMs I have owned. Sonically they are what I expect and want.

 

[andynpeters]

Swapped my SS DiMarzio HSS for a SSS Fender Samarium Cobalt set as I wanted a more "traditional" tone.......my wants had changed in 10 years.
Put EMGs in a Jap Tele & my Jap Jazz.
Won't be doing anything to the MM90s in my ASS

 

[PugNinjas]

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/42819-seymourized-my-morse.html

Here's a thread I put up awhile back about the pickup changes I made to my Morse.