yuominae Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I recently bought a H150. It was supposed to come with HRWs, but came with Duncans instead. I'm thinking of swapping out the PUs, but wondering what to do. It'd be nice to get some HRWs so that the guitar is back to original, but damn they're expensive. What I'd like to know is: is it worth buying a set of HRWs? I could get a nice set of something else for the same price or less, like burstbuckers, dimarzio anniversaries, creamery pus or even bareknuckles... what's your opinion? Would HRWs be a good buy?
drfie Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 If 10 people respond, you will get 20 opinions, it's that varied. My 2 cents would be to keep the Duncans if you like everything else about the guitar. I love Duncans. but then....I love schallers too. I have an HRW for a neck pup in an Eagle. I'd never switch it, it's perfect for the guitar. So my advice would be to track down the seller, beat him with the 150 until he cough up the $250 plus difference in price and then go get the HRWs. Oh wait....sorry that was satan speaking. What I meant to say is wait for a 150 with HRWs to show up, buy it and sell your current 150. So there you go. One post and already 3 opinions. Go with your bliss. dan
yuominae Posted February 15, 2014 Author Posted February 15, 2014 If 10 people respond, you will get 20 opinions, it's that varied. My 2 cents would be to keep the Duncans if you like everything else about the guitar. I love Duncans. but then....I love schallers too. I have an HRW for a neck pup in an Eagle. I'd never switch it, it's perfect for the guitar. So my advice would be to track down the seller, beat him with the 150 until he cough up the $250 plus difference in price and then go get the HRWs. Oh wait....sorry that was satan speaking. What I meant to say is wait for a 150 with HRWs to show up, buy it and sell your current 150. So there you go. One post and already 3 opinions. Go with your bliss. dan Love it man! Yeah, I'm looking to get everyone's opinion and then pick what I like from them About this H150, it's actually supposed to be a 150 ultra with HRWs and I really love that one. But maybe I can buy one with HRWs, and then do a transplant. Although that might not be a very cost-effective way to go about it...
peterbright Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 My suggestion is to try one with HRW's if at all possible.
PunkKitty Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 If you find a set of used HRW's, chances are that you won't lose much if they don't work out. You might even make some beer money. There is a market for them.
Billgelder Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I would recommend Throbak SLE-101 MXV, they are worth every penny. http://www.throbak.com/2011/01/throbak-maximum-vintage-pickups-mxv.html
MartyGrass Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 For 99% of us, the money is far better spent taking lessons.
Guest HRB853370 Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 For 99% of us, the money is far better spent taking lessons. Or 57 Classics....the choices are endless. I like MartyGrass's assessment, cuz every pickup is subjective to the individual's own ear.
yuominae Posted February 15, 2014 Author Posted February 15, 2014 If you find a set of used HRW's, chances are that you won't lose much if they don't work out. You might even make some beer money. There is a market for them. Very good point PK! I didn't think of that, but they're probably rare enough that I can flip them without losing anything.
yuominae Posted February 15, 2014 Author Posted February 15, 2014 For 99% of us, the money is far better spent taking lessons. Very good point PK! I didn't think of that, but they're probably rare enough that I can flip them without losing anything. He is absolutely right! A set of HRWs (or any other expensive PUs) are more or less wasted on me. And if I were really good, I could probably take a middling PU and make it sound great anyway. But, having nice gear might have the psychologic effect of making me practice more and play better...
yuominae Posted February 15, 2014 Author Posted February 15, 2014 Gonna have a look at the throbacks then.
cobo Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I contacted Jon at ThroBak just recently and he was very helpful in choosing a ThroBak model based on the tone description I gave him. You can contact him via his email link on the ThroBak website.
SouthpawGuy Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I recently bought a H150. It was supposed to come with HRWs, but came with Duncans instead. I'm thinking of swapping out the PUs, but wondering what to do. It'd be nice to get some HRWs so that the guitar is back to original, but damn they're expensive. What I'd like to know is: is it worth buying a set of HRWs? I could get a nice set of something else for the same price or less, like burstbuckers, dimarzio anniversaries, creamery pus or even bareknuckles... what's your opinion? Would HRWs be a good buy? I have two guitars with HRWs, a Millie Std Ultra and a VIP2, and I say stick with the Duncans. I like most common Duncan humbuckers ... '59s, Seths, JB and Jazz. The one Duncan p'up I really couldn't get along with was the Custom Custom in the bridge of a Godin LGX, and fwiw a bridge HRW sounds close in character to the CC.
Guest HRB853370 Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 He is absolutely right! A set of HRWs (or any other expensive PUs) are more or less wasted on me. And if I were really good, I could probably take a middling PU and make it sound great anyway. But, having nice gear might have the psychologic effect of making me practice more and play better... If you buy a Slash guitar, you play like Slash. If you buy a Skolnick guitar you play like Skolnick. Simple logic!
yuominae Posted February 15, 2014 Author Posted February 15, 2014 If you buy a Slash guitar, you play like Slash. If you buy a Skolnick guitar you play like Skolnick. Simple logic! Oh no! I haven't got a single signature model guitar... whatamagonnado now? I'll never play good...
Guest HRB853370 Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Oh no! I haven't got a single signature model guitar... whatamagonnado now? I'll never play good... LMAO! I have an Eric Johnson Strat, and I am still trying to figure out what he does...
yuominae Posted February 15, 2014 Author Posted February 15, 2014 I have two guitars with HRWs, a Millie Std Ultra and a VIP2, and I say stick with the Duncans. I like most common Duncan humbuckers ... '59s, Seths, JB and Jazz. The one Duncan p'up I really couldn't get along with was the Custom Custom in the bridge of a Godin LGX, and fwiw a bridge HRW sounds close in character to the CC. Ah, now that's good to know! Just so I understand a bit better where your opinion comes from: The custom custom is a higher output humbucker, right? Is it just that one, or do you not get along with high output humbuckers in general?
Kuz Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I personally don't like HRWs in solid bodies, but that is just my opinion. Throbaks, Peter Florance Voodoo 59s, or Seth Lovers are great PAF pups (in that order for me).
big bob Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 When it comes to something as expensively subjective as pups I think you would be better served playing them first if you can. The ones that sound best, you go with.
tsp17 Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Like others are suggesting, depends on what sound you want out of your 150. I've had HRWs, 59s, Seths, and Fatcats in 150s and a 535. Seths are my favorites so far. I have not yet tried HRWs in my jazz boxes as I like a darker more organic vintage sound. I do hope the seller gave you substantial chunk of money back to make it right or offered a full refund/return. HRWs are awesome sounding, but just not yor me (yet) and what I want to hear out of my guitars.
chico Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I cringe ( just a tad) when I see pickups "harvested" because the market for them is what it is. Meaning, if I have a guitar with factory HRWs then I know letting go of the guitar it tantamount to the pickups being harvested from it, another HRWS-equipped Heritage neutered, for lack of a better term. And, there were only x-number made... But, that's just MY opinion.
Davec629 Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I went from the original vintage Schaller's to a set of Duncan Joe Bonamassa signatures. I wouldn't do it again. At least it didn't sound worse.
friendofjaco Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 I recently put dimarzio 36th's in my AS-103 and It's now a keeper. Those pickups are so reasonable for such great usable tone.
SouthpawGuy Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Ah, now that's good to know! Just so I understand a bit better where your opinion comes from: The custom custom is a higher output humbucker, right? Is it just that one, or do you not get along with high output humbuckers in general? The custom custom is a hotter pickup, been a while since I used one as I traded the Godin several years back, it has more treble and less mids than a JB. And for reference I do like higher output humbuckers like the JB. One thing about HRWs, they do take gain very well, they never become muddy or indistinct. They wouldn't be my choice for a fat blues tone clean, or over driven though.
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