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Recent convert to WCR Crossroads and an observation...

fast ricky love

In the Zone/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 27, 2002
Messages
3,458
Just curious if any of you guys have A/B'ed the Crossroads with a set of Holmes? The Holmes are pretty much the only PU I've not tried...
 

bluesjuke

Active member
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
7,007
Liked the Crossroads clip Ed.
Now I'm all over your site.
The clip just happened to be one of my favorite tunes.
 

turkish

Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2002
Messages
370
fast ricky love said:
I've had all three in my Keebler LP, as well as a set of Rolph '58's. Here's my take:

- Tims: Beautiful tone and best harmonic overtone, a bit scooped tonally which made them the thinnest sounding, and therefore brightest. Not what I was after in this guitar, I wanted a bit more midrange girth. The neck PU tho' is just killer, woody and detailed.

- Rolph '59's: Dark! Great tone but I found them a bit lacking in detail, especially the neck PU. (These were the EdA wind like the Tims. I wound up going back to the Tims at this point, but they are cool PU's for the right guitar).

- Rolph '58's: The winner up to this point. More detailed than the '59's but still warm and sparkly without being harsh. Sweet! Great neck PU too. But still found them a bit thin for this guitar.

- Crossroads: Yes! Detailed, sweet, warm, nice midrange but not over the top. Great bass detail and they sing when overdriven. Can still get a bright tone out of them, I find them the most satisfying overall in this guitar. Neck is great too, reminds me of the Tim neck. Like I said earlier, they have a growl when I dig in that reminds me a bit of Shaws, in the best way possible. Really worth trying these PU's.

Thanks man, I really appreciate it.

In fact the coolest thing was to read that your comparisons of the pickups that I have (Tims, and Rolph's 59 like yours all of them are EdA winds) are exactly matching my perceptions. :dude I don't need another right now, but thanks to you I will keep the WCR Crossroads on my if-needed list.

Best,

B :ahem
 

Lee_Moore

New member
Joined
Jun 6, 2002
Messages
1,532
fast ricky love said:
Just curious if any of you guys have A/B'ed the Crossroads with a set of Holmes? The Holmes are pretty much the only PU I've not tried...

No, haven't done that, but recently A/B'd the Timbuckers with the Tom Holmes and their was MINIMAL difference between the two sets.

Just as an FYI for those thinking of spending $600 on a set like I did. My Timbuckers held their own. Stay on Tim's list (2 years at this point).
 

Lee_Moore

New member
Joined
Jun 6, 2002
Messages
1,532
I can say that the Crossroads would be much louder "Volume" wise than the Holmes, Timbuckers et al.
 

Stumbler

Active member
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Jul 29, 2002
Messages
2,947
fast ricky love said:
Just curious if any of you guys have A/B'ed the Crossroads with a set of Holmes? The Holmes are pretty much the only PU I've not tried...

I heard these compared in some sound clips recently. Here were some of my comments which I jotted down :

"Wow ... very different to my ears. The Crossroads are more like my Custom -crispy and articulate. The Holmes have more "hair" on them and a little more nasal and Neck pickup character. Same guitar and 16 track, same gain - everything. The Holmes overdive a little more ... "

"I like both pups - the Crossroads are a little more familiar to me, so I am attracted to the Holmes since they are a little different than what I have. .
Those Holmes with that hairyness and slight nasalness - it's almost like they are a little microphonic - which can be a good thing - character. My neck pup on my Custom and the bridge pup on my Tele are pretty microphonic."

FWIW
 

PetervanDorst

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2004
Messages
198
If you don't want to spent $600 on a set of Holmes pu's, try the Lollar Imperials. I sold a set of Holmes PU's once when I needed the cash. Tried Antiquity's, Crossroads ( still have those on one of my guitars, also very nice)and Imperials after that but the Imperials are the most Holmes sounding. I think they have a bit more overtones than the holmes but I was glad I had the Holmes sound again.
 

Skychurch

New member
Joined
Apr 9, 2006
Messages
14
Ed A said:
Thats my clip. Someone said that the clips on the WCR site are too overdriven. I dont think mine is heavily overdriven, its guitar straight into a '65 Pro Reverb, no pedals. Its not great quality but I was trying to show the nice nasal honk of the Crossroads.

Ed,

What that clip done using the Crossroad neck or bridge pickup?

Thanks,
Jim
 

The Shifter

Active member
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
3,397
This is a total thread hijack, and I don't know how often you check the board, BUT!

Hey Turkish! Have an Efes and some Raki in Taxim for me!!

Back on topic, so it seems from what I've read like the WCR Crossroads might be a good option for putting a bit of brightness and "air" into your neck pickup?
 

Lee_Moore

New member
Joined
Jun 6, 2002
Messages
1,532
Glad you are liking them! The Crossroads are almost a "default" set for any player that doesn't know exactly which PAF clone he wants. You can always install the Crossroads and get great results in each guitar.

Jim makes phenomenal pickups and I've been through all of his sets. The Crossroads, ********s and Darkbursts are tough to beat. My favorite is the Darkburst Neck and ******** Bridge. My 2nd fav is the Crossroad set.

fast ricky love said:
Well, after thinking I was really set with pickups, I stumbled onto a deal for a set of Crossroads and figured what the hey... wow, I really like these pickups! I'd heard somewhere some folks found them a bit bright and that was what kept me away... well I'm happy to say that isn't the case. They are defined, sweet and even have a growl to them!

In fact after A/B'ing them with my H-80 with Shaws, I find they remind me a lot of Shaws!! I took out the other H-80 I own and did the same A/B and found the same results. They really have a nice depth to them and like I said, when you dig in they have growl! Very cool. They sing like crazy too when overdriven. Definately a keeper. :yay

I can't believe the amount of great aftermarket PU's available today, good times!
 

Skychurch

New member
Joined
Apr 9, 2006
Messages
14
j45 said:
:note ouch

Why ouch? I'm just trying to figure out what some of these clips are using so I can choose a set of WCR for my '58 RI.

I think I have decided to get the Goofwood for the bridge and now am trying to decide which one to get for the neck. I, too, am using a clean, bright Fenderish amp so am curious to know if this clip I'm hearing was done using the neck or bridge. If it's neck, I may decide on getting the Crossroad for the neck. I am also considering the Darkburst for the neck. Still trying to determine which one is better for a clean non-Marshall amp.

Jim
 

Browneyes

New member
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
6,135
I have my R7 which sounded very thin... I tried everything from antiquities, to alnico IIs to burstbuckers... finally when I put in the Crossroads, it gave it a more fuller sound, very articulate, clear when distorted.
 

curt1lp

Active member
Joined
Nov 17, 2005
Messages
3,266
Spidey, the clip's not coming up for me. (says 404 not found)
 

Browneyes

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Jun 22, 2006
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6,135
Yep.. works for me now... Spidey what does your rig look like? Great clip, Page vibe.
 
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