ilovefuzz.com

Hey all,

So I'm kind of a novice guitar player and don't know much about these things, so apologies if I sound dumb here. I'm looking to upgrade the stock pickups on my '72 tele reissue since I'm finding them pretty thin. I'm into lots of shoegaze/ grungy tones (MBV, Smashing Pumpkins, Rival Schools, Quicksand, etc.). Here's my rig. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

It all depends what your price range is, and what you're looking for. I like the way low output pickups respond with distortions and fuzz. But also high output pickups give you a lot from the guitar.

Low output - known for more vintage sounds, typically brighter sounding, less compressed, won't push amp as hard (thus yielding more headroom before overdriven), very dynamic and sensitive to playing, less sustain, typically "open" sounding
High output - known for more modern sounds, typically the hotter the darker it will get, will drive amp earlier, more focused bass and mids, more compressed, less dynamic but more consistent tones, more sustain, typically "tight" sounding

I really have both sides of the argument because I own a 2000s MusicMan StingRay and a 70s Gibson Grabber. I have found that if you use a lot of pedals, low output caters a lot better. The high output of the MM is better for the straight rocking music where I don't want to be all over with the dynamics and overdrives, distortion, and fuzz pedals. The Grabber worked great for my band which had volume changes all over and lots of clean to fuzztone sounds. For me, a low output humbucker does it best. Just enough output and body, responsive yet tight.

Hopefully this helps and doesn't confuse more.

Just play many different things and find what works for you.

mauerkraut wrote:It all depends what your price range is, and what you're looking for. I like the way low output pickups respond with distortions and fuzz. But also high output pickups give you a lot from the guitar.

Low output - known for more vintage sounds, typically brighter sounding, less compressed, won't push amp as hard (thus yielding more headroom before overdriven), very dynamic and sensitive to playing, less sustain, typically "open" sounding
High output - known for more modern sounds, typically the hotter the darker it will get, will drive amp earlier, more focused bass and mids, more compressed, less dynamic but more consistent tones, more sustain, typically "tight" sounding

I really have both sides of the argument because I own a 2000s MusicMan StingRay and a 70s Gibson Grabber. I have found that if you use a lot of pedals, low output caters a lot better. The high output of the MM is better for the straight rocking music where I don't want to be all over with the dynamics and overdrives, distortion, and fuzz pedals. The Grabber worked great for my band which had volume changes all over and lots of clean to fuzztone sounds. For me, a low output humbucker does it best. Just enough output and body, responsive yet tight.

Hopefully this helps and doesn't confuse more.

Just play many different things and find what works for you.

Wait, wait, wait, Grabber=low output? I don't agree. I guess, less output than an active bass, but still.


Though, I agree with everything else.

I don't have the most experience on the subject, but what I do know...

Dimarzio and Seymour Duncan are the too big brands and have a lot of different options which typically run in the area of 80USD per pup. You'll probably want something passive with alcino magnets over ceramic. If you want something "grungy," you'll want to stray towards the higher output pups but getting something active would definitely be overkill.

Dimarzio has a pickup picker, but that's only going to give you their products. I'm sure there are some really unique pickups available from some off brands other ILFers will be able to help you find.

Not sure if that was informative, helpful, or completely accurate, but hopefully it gives you some idea.