Identifying pickups

[guitarsr]

I have a 2010 H150 CM 25th anniversary. Is there any way to identify which make and model of pickups were installed using, e.g., serial numbers or model designation and year of manufacture, without removing the pickups from the body? Thanks

[tulk1]

Think the 25ths had SD '59s. I think. One screw per side? But it's not hard to tell. See if there is anything on the control plate sticker. Sometimes it's mentioned there. Or next string change just unscrew the surrounds. The pickup will come out with it. No big deal. But ... pretty sure those were SD '59s.

[FredZepp]

If you haven't done it already... you could check the label in the control cavity.

[FredZepp]

Think the 25ths had SD '59s. I think. One screw per side? But it's not hard to tell. See if there is anything on the control plate sticker. Sometimes it's mentioned there. Or next string change just unscrew the surrounds. The pickup will come out with it. No big deal. But ... pretty sure those were SD '59s.

Yes... SD 59's make sense.

 

But there's a 25th anni 150 from Wolfes on gbase that had 59 neck/ Seth bridge. ... something different like that would hopefully mention it on the label.

[DetroitBlues]

Pull the control cavity off the back and read the label. Usually there is something handwritten there.

[guitarsr]

You guys are good. The label on the back of the control cavity cover shows "S Lovers". Thanks, everyone!

[Gillnetter]

i bet that guitar rocks!!

[guitarsr]

I primarily play it through a Fargen Mini-Plex MK II and a Carr Mercury. I just can't put it down.

[H]

You guys are good. The label on the back of the control cavity cover shows "S Lovers". Thanks, everyone!

Don't forget that lots of players like to tinker! None of my Heritages have the pickups that were originally installed. The only sure way is to pull them.

[tulk1]

You guys are good. The label on the back of the control cavity cover shows "S Lovers". Thanks, everyone!

SCORE!!! Seths in a 150. Awesome.

[guitarsr]

Don't forget that lots of players like to tinker! None of my Heritages have the pickups that were originally installed. The only sure way is to pull them.

 

 

I would be interested in learning about which pickups, wiring, etc., you have found to be a good match for particular guitars and the style(s) of music that you play.

 

I am not a bona fide tinkerer, however, when guitars have had a distinct deficiency, I have modified them.

 

In guitars that I have modified, Lollar Imperial pickups and Stellartone Tonestyler tone pots have been among my favorite replacement parts. I write in a variety of styles, and have found the Imperial to be an extremely versatile humbucker.

 

If you are a tone aficionado - and are not interested in putting batteries into your guitars - nothing that I know of may give you a greater dollar-for-dollar (or pound-for-pound) advantage in tone than Tonestylers.

[H]

I like, and play, lots of musical styles but mainly late 60s psychedelia, late 70s British new wave (The Jam, Clash) and 90s British indie (Suede, Blur, The Verve).

 

I like pickups with clarity and definition and so usually tend toward low output PAF types or P90 types such as the SD Phat Cat. I find I can colour my sound much more with my selection of amp/effect than my pickup choice. I don't worry too much about pots as long as they're in the correct range for the pickup type. I don't worry about capacitor brands either - my ears don't hear the miniscule differences between PIO/Bumblebee/Vitamin Q etc and the regular (and cheap!) Sprague Orange Drops I buy and fit. I do experiment with the values though: I recently installed Burstbucker Pros in my 150 and found the neck a little wooly. A 0.015 in place of the standard 0.022 gave up a little more high frequency and I am a happy bunny again: the guitar looks and sounds as I want it to.

 

That last phrase sums it up I think: we all have a slightly different 'sound' that we want to achieve. It doesn't matter much how we get there