Which WCR pickups for me?

[Omega]

I am seriously considering some WCR pickups to improve the sound from my 2005 Standard. I will be putting in an RS premium kit. My amp is a Bogner Ecstacy 101B. I don't play very loud (basement volumes) and I go from clean to distorted tones but I typically like to switch amp channels rather than lower/raise the pickup volumes. I like 70's-80's hard rock tones. Think mid 70's Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses, Kiss, Iron Maiden.

Which pickups would you folks recommend for versatility and the ability to get tones above *given that my amp is a big part of the sound* ? I've been considering a darkburst set, or maybe DB bridge and Crossroads neck. I'd appreciate your insight. Thanks.

 

[DANELECTRO]

I've owned Crossroads, Fillmores, Darkbursts, and G@@dw@@ds. They are all great pickups and any of them would be well suited for the type of music you're playing. My personal favorites are G@@dw@@ds and Crossroads because the string-to-string clarity is better. They have have slightly lower output than the Fillmores and DBs, but I can get more than enough overdrive from my amp if I need it.

 

[led zep fan]

I have never been more satisfied with a pickup than with my Darkbursts. I, too, have the RS kit and no longer need 2 channels on an amp. Turn down the guitar's volume, and the sound cleans up perfectly!!! I turn up anywhere from 6-8 for great distortion and all the way to 10 for lead work. Can't rave enough about them!!

 

[Omega]

Thanks. And do the DBs sound good for neck soloing and neck clean as well? Or would a CR be better in the neck?

 

[Browneyes]

Jim is sending me some GWs now. Can't go wrong with Jim.

 

[led zep fan]

Thanks. And do the DBs sound good for neck soloing and neck clean as well? Or would a CR be better in the neck?

When on 10 it does a great Warren Haynes' neck pickup tone, just turn down the guitar's volume and it cleans right up, no mudiness at all.

 

[Omega]

Ok, thanks. Another question: Would the GW's (on 8-10 guitar volume) be ok in either position using the clean channel of the amp? Or would there be too much hair?

Everybody's raving about these, they all sound great and I'm so torn about the choices!

 

[Sean French]

I really dug the Crossroads.
I've also had Filmores but,the CR's were more to my liking.
Very clear with great string seperation.Very PAF flavored IMO.
You can't go wrong with any pickup Jim winds.

 

[nickysplendid]

i've currently got hercs in my 2000 standard plus.
and filmores in my 61 reissue sg - and filmores in my flying v.

the hercs are great ...huge power - pinched harmonics all over the place and they clean up really well using the vol on the guitar.
ace!

 

[Boogieman2]

Thanks. And do the DBs sound good for neck soloing and neck clean as well? Or would a CR be better in the neck?

I'm still tuning my DBs but the Neck PU is to die for!

 

[PetervanDorst]

I have a crossroad neck and a ******** bridge pu in my Historic SG. Perfect sounding pu's and Jim anwsered my emails very quick. He gave me very good advice!

 

[spidey]

I'd go along with these guys - e-mail Jim and ask him - he's a great guy and happy to offer advice.
I have a crossroads set in my main Paul and a Green/Moore set in my no.2 - they're both keepers! If I had more LPs I'd be checking out ********s and Fillmores!

Hey - let us know what you went for and post a review if you can.

 

[Omega]

Update. I spoke to Jim for at least 20 minutes going over my setup, playing style and sounds I like. He was very friendly and patient. We ultimately went with the DB set. I'm getting them with chrome covers so they will look stock in the guitar. If I ever get tired of the look of the covers, zebras will be waiting underneath. I'm really looking forward to trying these with a high gain amp like the Bogner for hard rock. These pickups combined with the RS premium kit I have waiting will very likely make a night and day difference.

 

[82 Silverburst]

Yeah, I'd say the DB or G@@dw@@ds.

I started with darkbursts and switched the bridge to a GW for a little more umph and a little less zing.

 

[fen1der]

Cant go wrong with any of his pickups and you did the most important thing you talked to him. Great guy great pickups nuff said
:lol:lol:lol:lol

 

[led zep fan]

Update. I spoke to Jim for at least 20 minutes going over my setup, playing style and sounds I like. He was very friendly and patient. We ultimately went with the DB set. I'm getting them with chrome covers so they will look stock in the guitar. If I ever get tired of the look of the covers, zebras will be waiting underneath. I'm really looking forward to trying these with a high gain amp like the Bogner for hard rock. These pickups combined with the RS premium kit I have waiting will very likely make a night and day difference.

That's awesome! You must post a tone report after you dial them in.:dude:

 

[Omega]

Will do. I want to thank you all for the recommendations. If these work out, maybe I'll try a set of GW or a GW (B) and DB (N) in another Standard I have - replacing SD Alnico II Pros. I like those but might want a different flavor for a while. I had a real hard time deciding between DB's, GWs or both but it finally came down to that I guess I would prefer a low(er) output pickup rather than I high output pickup.

 

[Browneyes]

 

[spidey]

very cool!

 

[fiestared]

I had the GW set removed from a bright Les Paul to try a different set of pickups. I started missing them about 3 days after I installed the other set and sold the GWs. Jim got me another set, this time the GW bridge and DB neck. Man I've missed these pickups. What freakin' tone!!!

-Mark