Are branded Noiseless pups worth it?

[fett]

Opinions.

[jim66]

Depends on the tone ur looking for. My Kramer has those Quadrails and a Dualrail in in it, even when I coil tap them, they remain noiseless. I know hunbuckers are usually noise cancelling even when active. By branded are you talking about name brands, or is this a style of pup? Often that 'ol saying says it all, "You get what you pay for". But, I can honostly say, that my pups sound really good, but I want to upgrade mine as well. So I have a question for you, if you don't mind. I play heavy and thrash metal, I love the deeper, not muddy, and crunchy tones that come with that style of music. Can you give me any advice on which pups would sound nice on my Kramer Striker. Will going to a dual coil humbucker make me loose anything compared to the Quad rails,, going from 4 coli down to dual coil and so forth, and what pups would you recommend, that are powerful, passive, deep and crunchy. I don't mean to answer a question with a question, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have a specific question aboutthe pups you're looking for, ask and I'll do my best to give you an informed answer. Thanks fett and hope I was a bit helpful myself. Laterz dude...

[Kramer James]

For certain tones, I think they are definitely worth it, although there are plenty of neat/usable pickups out there. I really like duncan SSL-1's, which aren't noise canceling. I also have an Fk series humbucker I like, but not quite as much my name brand stuff... dimarzio's, duncans, lace, '86 jackson j-80c's.


jim66: I'd recommend the Dimarzio X2N from what you described... I think it should go well with your guitar's attributes as well (alder, more slim body, etc)

[Holzar88]

I recently installed a Dimarzio Area 58 in the middle and Area 67 in the neck to compliment a PAF Pro in the bridge of my F-3000.

I don't have tons of experience with different pickups, but I love these. They are QUIET. As in, much quieter than the humbucker, which is definitely a change. The tone is glassy, spanky, strat-like. It's great tone.

I know there are purists out there who hate noiseless. But if what you need is passable-to-solid single coil tone with no noise, these are hard to beat, I think.

I love my tone with these, and I don't think I'm giving up much, if anything, in the trade off. I've got SSL-1s in my other F-3000, and I prefer the Dimarzios over those.

Definitely two thumbs up from me.

[mmmtacos]

My Dlx Strat has SCN (Sumarium Cobalt Noiseless (sp)) and it was my favorite gigging ax when I played live.

I also have a set of SD Stacked P-90s. They are awesome, believe it or not (for a p-90)

[jim66]

For certain tones, I think they are definitely worth it, although there are plenty of neat/usable pickups out there. I really like duncan SSL-1's, which aren't noise canceling. I also have an Fk series humbucker I like, but not quite as much my name brand stuff... dimarzio's, duncans, lace, '86 jackson j-80c's.


jim66: I'd recommend the Dimarzio X2N from what you described... I think it should go well with your guitar's attributes as well (alder, more slim body, etc)

Thanks a ton, I was just checking that pup out on the AMS webxite. I will check again and do some research on it. Laterz man...

[jim66]

The pups I currently have in my Kramer are 424 Quad rails and a dual rail pup in the middle. The pups are similar to the X2Ns. I have 4 rails in the quads, and of course, rails, which covers the strings by blades. Mine are powerful as stock pups and I guess these will blow them away? They look kewl, I like the way that SD Invader looks, looks sexy yet tough as hekk. I wish those would do me some justice, or would they? If you can, take a look at the SD Invader and tell me if these would also work good for what I was looking for, thankz...

[Kramer James]

The pups I currently have in my Kramer are 424 Quad rails and a dual rail pup in the middle. The pups are similar to the X2Ns. I have 4 rails in the quads, and of course, rails, which covers the strings by blades. Mine are powerful as stock pups and I guess these will blow them away? They look kewl, I like the way that SD Invader looks, looks sexy yet tough as hekk. I wish those would do me some justice, or would they? If you can, take a look at the SD Invader and tell me if these would also work good for what I was looking for, thankz...

I've had all three (quad rail, X2N, Invader)...

Personally, I'd go with the X2N... it has a nice ripping edge to it, while still getting powerfu/high-outputl lows and low mids.

The invader has more curbed highs and maybe more chunky. I sold my guitar with the invader and I don't necessarily miss it, but it was a fine high-output pickup.. very usable.

It's all rather subjective... the quad rails are pretty decent for brutal stuff, but the Dimarzio's and Duncans will sound a little more refined and more dynamic. It's hard to say which pup will be right for you with all the variables and individual preferences. Something like a Duncan JB would be more versatile than any of the others, but it's not the deepest pickup. Good luck in your tone quest

[jim66]

Thanks. I wish they had a sample pak for pups, lol, that would make it so much easier. I just saw some SDs that came in a set, I'll be looking more at those. Thanks again dude...

I was just checking these out Kramer James, I think I may want these, check it out. Seymour Duncan Distortion Mayhem Humbuckers, this is the set I was refering to. Thanks again...

[jim66]

Another question about pups. My new ESP has a set of LH-150s that sound really well, but my selector swithch has only 3 indents, instead of 5, also my pups have only 2 wires going to them and I need/ want 4 wire for new pups, how hard is this going to be? Am I gonna have to replace all the electronics in itmaybe upgrade the pots while I'm in there? It sounded so easy, till I looked under the hood, plz help, lol, God I'm dumb. Found some SD metal mayhems, that I wanna put in,, and everything is a 4 wire hookup...

[fett]

I already have some SCN's and I like them. I saw a POS Squier at a pawnshop. The thing that caught my one good eye is it was loaded with Noiseless pups. I have not dealt with these guys and gals. Their asking price was very close to hooking me. I have not been to their shop for a few weeks. I'll see if it's still there next week.

[Kramer James]

Another question about pups. My new ESP has a set of LH-150s that sound really well, but my selector swithch has only 3 indents, instead of 5, also my pups have only 2 wires going to them and I need/ want 4 wire for new pups, how hard is this going to be? Am I gonna have to replace all the electronics in itmaybe upgrade the pots while I'm in there? It sounded so easy, till I looked under the hood, plz help, lol, God I'm dumb. Found some SD metal mayhems, that I wanna put in,, and everything is a 4 wire hookup...

The Duncan Distortion's in the distortion mayhem set are not very deep or bass heavy if that is what you are looking for. They are more of a trebly/biting high-output pup, but they are fine metal pups non the less.

Replacing the 3way with a 5way switch wont be hard... just curious, what kind of pickup combinations were you going to do with the 5way? 4 wire pups are generally wired like a 2 conductor, unless you're going to wire it up so they can coil-tap, series/parallel, or some weird combinations.

[jim66]

After I posted that this morning, I realized that the 5 way is for coil tapping and a 3rd pup design, since my ESP has only 2 hums, there would be no need for the 5 way, my bad, hadn't slept since Tuesday, mind kinda dull ATM, lol. I can still use the 3 way, with the middle position for bot hums, etc. So the extra wires on a pup are for coil tapping? If so, that makes it easy. What do you think about the Lace Alumitones? I think they look super kewl and the reviews look good as well. I'd want a bright one for the neck and maybe a deathbucker in the bridge, is I went that route. Still shopping. Sorry 'bout the confusion on the switch, but thanks for the info anyways...

[Kramer James]

After I posted that this morning, I realized that the 5 way is for coil tapping and a 3rd pup design, since my ESP has only 2 hums, there would be no need for the 5 way, my bad, hadn't slept since Tuesday, mind kinda dull ATM, lol. I can still use the 3 way, with the middle position for bot hums, etc. So the extra wires on a pup are for coil tapping? If so, that makes it easy. What do you think about the Lace Alumitones? I think they look super kewl and the reviews look good as well. I'd want a bright one for the neck and maybe a deathbucker in the bridge, is I went that route. Still shopping. Sorry 'bout the confusion on the switch, but thanks for the info anyways...

Never tried the alumitones, but I like your idea of having different neck and bridge humbuckers.

[jim66]

Yeah, gotta mix and match, this way I have the best of both worlds, I have the heavy pup for Heavy/ Thrash metal and the brighter one for shredding or lead. Or use them both for a kewl sound in metal. I also think they totally look kickass as well. Since my new ESP is satin blk with chrome hardware, the chrome alumitones would set it off and make it look unique on top of it all. My Kramer has always been a nice guitar to play, then I got the ESP and WOW!!! Don't get me wrong, my Kramer still plays extremely well, but wow. It's like butta, lol. If you can KJ, check out some alumitones and let me know what you think. Laterz dude...

[jim66]

Heya Kramer James, I've founf my pups at last! For my Kramer, since it has the Floyd Rose, I got the DiMarzio Steve Vai set of 3, 2x H, 1x S. And for my ESP, I got the SH6s, Distortion Mayhem pickup set. I use thick strings on my ESP, so that will be my rythym guitar and my Kramer will be my Shred guitar, plus it has the FR on it, for awsome dive bombs. What is your honost opinion on the pups I just mentioned? I also ahve an ESP signature Kirk Hammett guitar on it's way, I should have it on Monday with an awsome Line 6 Spider lV amp and foor controller, new guitar cords and a pair of those Fender BarStools to use when my company and I are jamming out. Got lots of stuff coming in. It's like Christmas all over again, except all my gifts are killa, lol, you know how that works out, lol. Anyways, this is the news I had to tell you about, just took me a while to find this forum that we spoke on before. Anyways, I trust ur opinions, so whenever you can, pls let me know. Laterz Dude...

[Kramer James]

I really have no idea about the alumitones... I'm sure they can make some cool sounds, but maybe not quite what I'm looking for personally.

You'll definitely peel some paint with your pickup choices

The evolutions are something else, I really haven't played the one I have all that much at all (I need to get to that), but the bridge is bright.. high output... harmonics are effortless... very clean and punchy cleans if i remember correctly.. good articulation of each string.. definitely suited for lead. Maybe someone else can chime in... i'm sure someone here has some evo's.. or a universe or two

The distortions are going to be edgy and ripping... great for heavy/thrash ... might need to roll back the volume knob a bit for some smoother cleans

Tell us how you like them when you get them in! Marry Christmas!

[jim66]

I really have no idea about the alumitones... I'm sure they can make some cool sounds, but maybe not quite what I'm looking for personally.

You'll definitely peel some paint with your pickup choices

The evolutions are something else, I really haven't played the one I have all that much at all (I need to get to that), but the bridge is bright.. high output... harmonics are effortless... very clean and punchy cleans if i remember correctly.. good articulation of each string.. definitely suited for lead. Maybe someone else can chime in... i'm sure someone here has some evo's.. or a universe or two

The distortions are going to be edgy and ripping... great for heavy/thrash ... might need to roll back the volume knob a bit for some smoother cleans

Tell us how you like them when you get them in! Marry Christmas!

A soon as I install them, I'll jam hard on 'em and post a review. I can't wait to try 'em out on my new Line 6 Spider lV. For the 1at time, i may go without a pedal?!?! Lol, who knows? I also bought a Seymour Duncan Liberator 500K pot for my volume, which I'll also install, plus it will make installing the pups on my ESP, super easy. Ok then, once I'm done, I'll post. Later Kramer James...

[jim66]

P.S. I didn't buy any Alumitones this time around, so i played it safe and bought the Steve Vai Evos and the SH 6 Distoertions instead. They both had great reviews, so that was the safe bet. I still don't know about the Lace Alumitones. If anyone has ever used them, please feel free to post about them! Laterz...

[dodkrone]

P.S. I didn't buy any Alumitones this time around, so i played it safe and bought the Steve Vai Evos and the SH 6 Distoertions instead. They both had great reviews, so that was the safe bet. I still don't know about the Lace Alumitones. If anyone has ever used them, please feel free to post about them! Laterz...

I was talking with a local luthier about those Lace pickups. Weirdest damn things, but he put a set of those in one of his guitars and supposedly it sounded very good from what he said. I haven't had the opportunity to hear or play that guitar. He's putting a deathbucker in a guitar he's building now. When I play that guitar I could chime in on how it sounds.

[LiamMaru]

Kinman pickups are absolutely amazing, I've got Impersonators in the neck and middle, and will be going with a blues set soon.

Dimarzio's Area pickups are great too, their older noiseless pickups are terrible though. The Lace noiseless singles I've tried weren't too bad, nothing special. The Fender pickups are alright.

So, essentially:

Kinman > Dimarzio > Fender > Lace

If you want to try some great noiseless single coils, go to Dimarzio. If you want the absolute best, go to Kinman.

[jim66]

That would be cool, dodkrone. I've been interested in the deathbucker, but decided to play it safe and stuck with S/Ds instead. I have my 1st set of Dimarzios coming in, that I'm installing in my Kramer. I'm going to try shredding for a bit. I've been kind of a natural at it, so I'm advancing to the next step. Thanks for the info dod and u 2 , LiamMaru. Talk at ya guys laterz...

[fett]

Well, I went to my local pawnshops today. See my new thread.

[jim66]

Just got my new DiMarzio Evolution pups installed in my Kramer and wow! Like it's a different guitar all together. The sustain shot through the roof and the sound is just awsome. Now a pinch harmonic lasts till I get done using the restroom, lol. I'm sold. Told ya Kramerjames, I would leave some feedback after the job was done. I took the easy way put too, my Kramer already had 500K a vol pot in it, so I just cut the wires and trimmed the ones on my new pups and soldered them together and finished them, all 3 off by using shrinkwrap. Good investment. Getting ready to install a 500K vol pot in my ESP Ax 50, cheaper guitar, but plays better than a $700 guitar and putting in Duncan Seymour SH-6s Distortion Mayhems in that and I won't do a thing to my new ESP KH signature series guitar, it's already perfect. I play that thru my new Line 6 Spider lV amp using Metallica preset and it sounds just like Kirk Hammett, what a mind blower! Will post after I install the new pups in my Ax, what a world of differnce...

[Kramer James]

Just got my new DiMarzio Evolution pups installed in my Kramer and wow! Like it's a different guitar all together. The sustain shot through the roof and the sound is just awsome. Now a pinch harmonic lasts till I get done using the restroom, lol. I'm sold. Told ya Kramerjames, I would leave some feedback after the job was done. I took the easy way put too, my Kramer already had 500K a vol pot in it, so I just cut the wires and trimmed the ones on my new pups and soldered them together and finished them, all 3 off by using shrinkwrap. Good investment. Getting ready to install a 500K vol pot in my ESP Ax 50, cheaper guitar, but plays better than a $700 guitar and putting in Duncan Seymour SH-6s Distortion Mayhems in that and I won't do a thing to my new ESP KH signature series guitar, it's already perfect. I play that thru my new Line 6 Spider lV amp using Metallica preset and it sounds just like Kirk Hammett, what a mind blower! Will post after I install the new pups in my Ax, what a world of differnce...

Glad you like the pups! I just re-strung my sustainer (has an evolution).... what a fun pickup (especially with the sustainer on the most harmonic seeting )! I forgot how mean this thing could sound... had a fun time playing some bits of old pantera, megadeth, and forbidden... i know, not very vai like.. but the pickup screams and the tight low end works great for those fast percussive rhythms!