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Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 7:06 am
by Gaetano
Hi Guys,

i going to start a new project and i'd like to have some opinions form you.

I need a backup guitar to not be forced to switch tuning on my r9 from regoular to open G-E, so i went to a music shop locally and bought a cheap les paul copy.

I need to know where can i buy 2 decent humbuckers for a budget, i've still got a better harness as I've upgraded my gibson with a crazyparts one.

Do you have some advices? Nothing fabolous, just decent.

Moreover, i really wanted to try relic tecniques on relicde**xe.com and this thing is the right candidate! :mrgreen:

I'll start the project in the second half of july after my university exams, i'll keep you posted.

Thanks for your opinions!

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 10:35 am
by 908ssp
I wanted a double cream PAF for my Jimmy Page Edwards clone so I bought a Dimarzio 36th anniversary model and rewired the whole guitar vintage style with paper/oil caps and it sounds really good. I just can't justify the huge prices for some vintage PAF clones.

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 1:51 pm
by Gaetano
908ssp wrote:I wanted a double cream PAF for my Jimmy Page Edwards clone so I bought a Dimarzio 36th anniversary model and rewired the whole guitar vintage style with paper/oil caps and it sounds really good. I just can't justify the huge prices for some vintage PAF clones.
Nice to read Alex :wink:

Can you compare them with some duncan antiquities? They're about the same price.

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 4:41 pm
by neikeel
Alex can probably give you the lowdown on both but I have a SD antiquity in the bridge of one of my guitars and it sounds really good, plenty of air and feel, keeps clarity with volume rolled back. I do have it with a tap on push/push tone pot as well which loses a lot of output but gives tolerable single coil sounds.

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 5:50 pm
by Gaetano
Now i'm confused :lol:

I'll see for used market and buy the first that will pop out. For sure they're good cheap (relatively) options :D

As soon as i'll end with my exams i'll buy the buckers and sandpaper, a buffing wheel, dark wood stain, muriatic acid... :lol:

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 5:51 pm
by 908ssp
No sorry. It has been ages since I even had a guitar that took off the shelf humbuckers and then I usually opt for something more powerful. The Duncan that was in the JP LP was some kind of custom distortion thing which wasn't working for me. Plus it had the electronics switching that JP had in his #2 guitar while this LP is supposed to be a replica of his #1 guitar so removed it all for a vintage set. Next time I get up to Georges place I'll have him compare it to his Throbaks if after being assaulted by his 100 watter for 5 minutes I can tell the difference I'll be surprised.

In my regular guitars all Parker Flys I use hybrid pickups I build myself.

You know I could compare the LP to my LP-SG it has the original PAFs from 1962. Not sure if it would mean much. :wink:

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:33 am
by Gaetano
908ssp wrote:No sorry. It has been ages since I even had a guitar that took off the shelf humbuckers and then I usually opt for something more powerful. The Duncan that was in the JP LP was some kind of custom distortion thing which wasn't working for me. Plus it had the electronics switching that JP had in his #2 guitar while this LP is supposed to be a replica of his #1 guitar so removed it all for a vintage set. Next time I get up to Georges place I'll have him compare it to his Throbaks if after being assaulted by his 100 watter for 5 minutes I can tell the difference I'll be surprised.

In my regular guitars all Parker Flys I use hybrid pickups I build myself.

You know I could compare the LP to my LP-SG it has the original PAFs from 1962. Not sure if it would mean much. :wink:
It will not for sure :wink:

Anyways, keep us all posted and tell your opinions on the Throbaks. I read only good reviews and i plan to buy a set for my R9 as soon as i collect the money.

In the meantime i'll keep an eye on dimarzios or duncans pafs for this ugly thing :lol:

Just a question: are old sgs twice as loud as the modern ones played unplugged? Ive seen some clips of bursts over the net that seem like acoustig guitars, i'm wondering if it's only a matter of wood-aging or build quality etc.

For sure it's a matter of bridges too. My r9 is way louder than before with a tonepros bridge and pigtail stopbar :shock:

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 8:17 am
by jcmjmp
A lot of people like the GFS pickups (Guitar Fetish). They're cheap and there's a wide range available. Definitely worth a shot if you're on a tight budget.

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 10:07 am
by Gaetano
jcmjmp wrote:A lot of people like the GFS pickups (Guitar Fetish). They're cheap and there's a wide range available. Definitely worth a shot if you're on a tight budget.
I've seen their site, they're definitely very cheap. I wonder how the 59 vintage model sound :|

To Alex: I know that JP had no circuit modifications during led zep period, but i'm quite sure that he has added a pushpull to split bridge humbucker. Maybe the circuit was correct for the actual #1 wiring? :?

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 10:45 am
by 908ssp
Gaetano wrote:...To Alex: I know that JP had no circuit modifications during led zep period, but i'm quite sure that he has added a pushpull to split bridge humbucker. Maybe the circuit was correct for the actual #1 wiring? :?
Could be but I was going for the Zep era #1. I need to get some good pictures of it. I added to the relicing to make it more like the original. Of course it is all for fun and games and I just like they way it looks and I am happy with the sound now. The fact is I find playing it very uncomfortable. The edge under my right forearm feels like it is being cut in half and I have already sanded the corner rounder than it was. Plus even at 8.25 lbs it is silly how heavy it is. I play it for a half hour then grab my custom Fly Mojo and it sounds better and is infinitely more comfortable and easier to play.

Re: Good humbucker on a budget for my project

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 5:08 pm
by Gaetano
So you're definitely not a les paul guy alex :)

My r9 is about 9 lbs, i cant remember exactly. When i grab light guitars i feel that i have nothing in hands :lol:

Moreover i like big necks, i just have the impression to have more control on the instrument :|