Recommend some pickups!

[dougdnh]

I'm sure this topic has come up already, but anyhow. I'm thoroughly enjoying my bluesbird but am thinking of swapping out the stock Seymour Duncan SH-1's for a few reasons. First off, I want humbuckers that can be split. Another reason is I think the bridge pickup is somewhat thin and shrill. The guitar sounds great on the neck, or even with both pickups on. I'm not planning to spend a huge bundle, but since the 'bird is my main gigging guitar, I want it to sound really great. Even though I use the guitar for everything from rock to jazz to blues, I prefer the 'fat and sweet' (but not muddy) sound. Any recommendations?

 

[kakerlak]

Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers are my favorite. They're now available in 4 wire...

 

[Fixit]

A friend of mine just changed out the pickups in his Bluesbird with a set of Lollar Imperials (Peter Green) version. He recorded the guitar before and after the change, and the difference was huge! He is quite happy with them. I am a big fan of Jason Lollars pickups and have them in two different Tele's of my own, and have put them in several of my custom builds. DAPM Dave has a set of them in the Tele I built for him. Exceptional note definition and great tone, I haven't found any of his pickups that I didn't like yet!

 

[guitarluver]

Ditto on the Lollar pickups. When I get around to picking up a Tele Deluxe, his humbuckers will end up in it. The Road Worn Tele I own has Vintage T in the Neck and a Special T in the bridge. I absolutely love the pickups and he is a great guy, doing great work, with excellent customer service.

 

[mad dog]

Yes, you cannot go wrong with Lollar Imperials. If I had a Bluesbird, I'd probably go with Tom Short's "Undercover minis", true mini-humbuckers but in full sized cases. Wonderful sounding p/us. I have one in a partscaster tele, would sure love to hear two of them together.
MD

 

[dougdnh]

I just ordered a set of Rose Californias. Heard a lot of good things about Rose pickups. I'll let you know how they sound.

 

[dougdnh]

I just installed a pair of Rose Californias - Alnico 2 humbuckers. They sound great. Creamy and rich, with lots of clarity. The guys at Rose were great, answering my technical e-mail questions within hours. The original pickups on the guitar (SH-1's) weren't bad, just a tad too bright and biting for my taste.

 

[GAD]

My #1 choice would be WCR Godwoods.
#2 (assuming no other WCRs) would be SD Seth Lovers

 

[guildcrazy1]

My #1 choice would be WCR Godwoods.
#2 (assuming no other WCRs) would be SD Seth Lovers

These are both excellent suggestions. WCR makes superb pickups.
I also like Wolfetone pups and Bareknuckles.

 

[GAD]

BTW vintage HB1s will fit in a Bluesbird. I had to alter mine on the order of 1/64th of an inch (or less) in the corners, but the routes are wide enough. Mine was even a Fender Guild!