Replacement Part Opinions (new forum visitor)

geiss · Newbie Alert Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

Hi all. I was perusing the internet and came across this place, and I'm hoping to find some good answers to a few questions I have.

I've been playing acoustic for about two years, and about 4 months ago picked up a cheapo used electric squire at the local music shop to bang around on. I'm going down to guitar center tomorrow evening to pick up a Dean Evo XM, and after reading reviews on it, I realize I may have to invest in some new tuning keys and pick ups.

I plan on primarily playing into the alternative/punk genres, with a fair bit of meshing into the heavier rock (scale of less than jake/senses fail up to breaking benjamin/chevelle for examples).

What do you folks recommend as the best replacements for the humbucker pickups on both bridge and neck, and tuning keys... and obviously, as i'm a fairly new user to the electric area, i'm on a limited budget plus i dont want to burn my bank down upgrading this guitar yet. if there are good pickups for around 65 each, and tuning keys under 50, that you all have used and can vouch for, please let me know.

Thanks!

dertsa · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:18 pm Post subject:

I guess the first question that I would ask is if you primarily play rythem or lead. Under $60 is a litttle harder to find. If you play lead a lot, I've heard the DiMarzio DP213 PAF Joe Satriani Pickup had a great sound. I've heard it really only has great sound if you're doing a lot of lead. (It seems to lack the warm a lot of rythem guitaists want. With rythem I'd probably go with the DiMarzio DP156 Humbucker From Hell, the DiMarzio Tone Zone Guitar Pickup, or the DiMarzio DP153F Fred Guitar Pickup F-Spaced. All have a pretty nice warm tone and If you're doing alternitive rock and such. They're a pretty good choice. I own a 96' Fender Mexi Strat, and I had a Seymor Duncon Invader, and it worked good for a little while. There's some wiring off on it, and I'm too lazy to go in a fix it, so i've been using the stock neck pickup, and I really like it. But, those are single coils.

Tuning keys... well... I'm not completely sure about these. I haven't messed with mine too much, but I do know that Schaller and Gibson make some pretty nice ones, and usually they're not too expensive. Also, I've played a little with Carvin parts, and they're tuning keys are pretty sweet, but I don't know how much they are or if they even sell them sepratly any more.

Everything but the Carvin tuning keys are on Musicians Friend, and you can probably find them at Guitar Center too. So, I hope that helps. God bless

Sam

Bates15 · Moderator Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 1084

Shaler tuners are great, but kind of hard to find for a soft price, same for PU's.

U pay more $$ for better stuff. You are best of buying the tuners first, then investing/saving a bit for the pu's.

EMG makes nice Pu's but they are mostly active, they need a 9v battery for the preamp. Jow Satrina is well known for his lead sound, lots of mid. I know the amp makes a big part of the sound to, so so have a look at his PU's.

Dis you go to a local guitar strore/builder for some info?

geiss · Newbie Alert Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

no, mostly i've been searching around the internet for information. i did head into my local guitar shop last night. the guy there suggested seymour duncans, which ive heard cost you your first born child and two family dogs, or (for my squier strat which needs some repairs) some fender single coils which would wind me 150 for a set of 3 or 60 individually.

ive gotten alot of recommendations to go to guitarfetish and quite a few of their items are looking nice. i looked into the dimarzio HFH pickup and had an interest in that, but as a beginner i dont think i'm ready or willing to shell out 120+ for a pair of pickups quite yet. a year or two from now, if im doin better, i'll invest.

oh, in answer to a previous question, i plan on mostly doing rythm (im a horrible singer), but i could possibly lead... not sure which one yet, i'd have to see where i go as i develop.

thank you all for the input. i'll keep checking back!