What BRIDGE humbucker to get??

[echoist]

what do you mean by 'non-existant'? are you equating 'better' with higher output? some stuff if you can spare the time: http://theguitaraddict.blogspot.com/2008/10/should-i-swap-pickups.html

@ jeffrey0603
No offence ahhh... But have you checked-out the link Brader Sub pointed you to? Its worth checking-out, might give you some insights on your problem.

Ages ago ('95-96?), i have the same dilemma. When i suddenly had loads of cash, i spent it and bought a complete set of DiMarzios for my Yamaha Pacifica 912J. (Tonezone HB, and 2 Fast Track I's) Had Beez fit them for me and happily went back home and plugged in the guitar thinking i'm going to nail Gilbert's tone. But realized the guitar sounded as good as the 15W 8" amp that i had. Maybe at most 5% better than previously...

Meanwhile, the original pickups (DiMarzios too, custom OEMs for the Pacifica 912J's then) was fitted into another Pacifica, the 522? or 722? (the 24 frets one). They were lower output (custom PAF? and stacked single coils). When i brought the guitar to a jamming session with friends, i was amazed at the sound/tone/output! It got me thinking that if i'd brought the Pacifica (with the shining new Tonezone) to a jam session earlier, i would have lived with the original pickups and save the $300+ spent.

I'm not saying you should not spend on anything that catches your fancy, or something that might make you sound (with the guitar of course!) better, and thus makes you enjoy playing more (and improve further). Maybe, play around with your guitar more in different situations, with different equipment and see how it sounds like before spending your cash.

Something you might want to try:
Jam with friends and bring along your guitar to the studio. See how it performs/sounds like playing through a bigger/louder amp. You might be amazed at how far the guitar can go in its original state... :mrgreen:

Ohhh... one more thing, just my belief... Tube amps don't necessarily means great tone/best sound. Though most will say its true. I will equate playing at a loud enough volume with amps with 12" speakers (doesn't matter combo or stack), and a nicely dialed distortion to be good/great/perfect for me... Just my humble opinion of course! :mrgreen:

 

[jeffrey0603]

Ok...i am gonna get a Epiphone valve junior combo instead. Amps>pickups ryt??

 

[dudelove]

Ok...i am gonna get a Epiphone valve junior combo instead. Amps>pickups ryt??

do note. the valve junior has only one knob. volume. in order to get dirt u need to crank the volume. so before u make a move, do u have pedals? that can fulfil ur gain needs?

 

[jeffrey0603]

do note. the valve junior has only one knob. volume. in order to get dirt u need to crank the volume. so before u make a move, do u have pedals? that can fulfil ur gain needs?

Oh... then i shld get a dist pedal first? Like a ds1?

 

[subversion]

Ohhh... one more thing, just my belief... Tube amps don't necessarily means great tone/best sound. Though most will say its true. I will equate playing at a loud enough volume with amps with 12" speakers (doesn't matter combo or stack), and a nicely dialed distortion to be good/great/perfect for me... Just my humble opinion of course! :mrgreen:

it's not just your belief my friend, tube tone is too much hype when it comes to 'good tones'; it's a all very subjective & personal but a good tone is a good tone, regardless if there are tubes responsible for its manifestation.

 

[dudelove]

Oh... then i shld get a dist pedal first? Like a ds1?

oh man. if u're planning on playing at very loud volumes to get gain, or u play clean all the time, then dont get a distortion pedal.

you can read abt it here: http://soft.com.sg/forum/guitar-amp-reviews/42606-epiphone-valve-jr-head-7.html. the head has still the same features as the combo form.

 

[jeffrey0603]

I am gonna play with distortion. So i should also get a dist pedal??

 

[echoist]

it's not just your belief my friend, tube tone is too much hype when it comes to 'good tones'; it's a all very subjective & personal but a good tone is a good tone, regardless if there are tubes responsible for its manifestation.

Really, really true... Most will equate having a "certain equipment" to be a sure way to get "certain sound/good tone". They are just tools, and most tools if used with care and patience will yield good results.

Anw Brader Sub, how's your kid? My daugther is 3yrs old now and she's in Nursery. She happy with school and becoming naughtier, cheekier, and chattier...

 

[VidaK]

I think you are really rushing off to spend your CNY money huh...

Relax.

Tube amp would only sound good if you can crank it loud. Really loud. Are you able to survive this shear madness? Will your parents/roommates/neightbours/poor baby brother allow you? If not... Don't bother with a tube amp for now. Your Line 6 amp is fine.

If you feel like you are not getting the harshness or voicing (wetness) of the distortion you want, then maybe a distortion pedal is the solution to your problems. If your amp has enough gain for you, but cannot adjust the tone to your liking? Then try a equaliser pedal. It will summon Lionel Messi to equalise whatever cheap goal your opponent scored moments ago. It will also help you fine tune whatever tone you might be looking for.

 

[Whitestrat]

Ohhh... one more thing, just my belief... Tube amps don't necessarily means great tone/best sound. Though most will say its true. I will equate playing at a loud enough volume with amps with 12" speakers (doesn't matter combo or stack), and a nicely dialed distortion to be good/great/perfect for me... Just my humble opinion of course! :mrgreen:

Tube amps don't represent the "best tone". But it does allow the guitarist to shine at his/her best. The headroom in a tube amp is nothing a solid state can deliver. (not even a Yamaha DG60, which has to be the BEST solid state amp I've ever played) And the best way to judge amps isn't actually with distortion. It's actually played clean, or some slight grit. If you plough through with tons of dirt, everything more or less can sound similar.

But play a TS9 thru a solid state, or through a nice tube amp, and there's a wold of difference.

Tube amp would only sound good if you can crank it loud. Really loud.

A REALLY good tube amp will sound good when played SOFT.