Thread: Cheap pickups - any experiences?

Originally Posted by Yoz

Hi guys,
First post! Putting everything together for my first build. Trying to keep the cost down and have been looking at humbuckers on the web. Seems there are heaps around for as little as USD$40 for a pair (plus postage) from various sources in Hong Kong and the USA. Does anyone have experience with these cheapies? The brands they carry include Wilkinson, Lace and others (don't know if these are genuine branded items or not).

If I wanted to get a sound like a pair of Semour Duncan '59's am I kidding myself with these cheaper alternatives? I play acoustic so have little experience with such matters...

All advice will be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Yoz

I build guitars as a hobby, also supply kit guitars. I have found that the GFS brand from United states are excellent although you will need to work out what style of guitar you play. Different styles different pickups. I use and supply Wilkinson and found them to be comparable with far more expensive pickups. Wilkinson are made only under license as far as I am aware.
Regards runaway

I have found that some cheaper pickups, like wilkinsons and the like are good.
Just remember that a good pickup won't blow your mind, but rather will be just good.
I normally fit cheaper pickups to my guitars, and if I like the guitar then I fit a set of seymours to it.

Wilkninsons are good..Lace are really good...
I bought a pair of JPV humbuckers off ebay recently for Alexi Laiho V...I only paid $50 for the pair and they actually really surprised me..
You'll never get the quality on a duncan or dimarzio for that kind of money but you can definately get a satisfying sound..

Like bricks said, put cheap ones in and if you find that it plays really well, swap em out later on

Thanks everyone for the replies!

I'll go with the cheapies and "upgrade" later if I feel the need.

Cheers,

Yoz

Sorry Yoz,

a bit inapproriate I know, but in my experience penicillin fixed the problems caused by cheap pick ups

boom, boom

Yes, but the memories can be hard to erase.....

Originally Posted by Yoz

Yes, but the memories can be hard to erase.....

I wouldn't know , never stopped on Manchester street at night

stewmac's pickups are bout 50 bucks with no cover. bout 60ish with a cover. i put these on my last guitar an they sound good. my friend played in his band barely changing his usual settings an he plays a custom les paul!

use mick brierleys pickups
not cheapest but best you can get
beat the crap out of seymour duncan in price quality and tone
dont waste money on cheap pickups
all the work you put in and money spent - the heart and soul of a decent electric guitar is the best quality pickup you can buy

cheap pickups sound crap in any guitar no matter how well it was built
this is not the place to scrimp